Countdown to Thompson’s Icebreaker is On
Thompson, CT — The countdown to the 2011 Icebreaker at The Thompson International Speedway is well underway by competitors and New England race fans. The weekend of April 9th & 10th is coming fast and everyone is ready for a brand new racing season to get started.
This year’s Icebreaker will feature eight racing divisions topped by the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Thompson’s own “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions along with the visiting Sunoco Lite Modifieds will fill the two-day event at southern New England’s largest and fastest oval race track.
The race for divisional championships begins on day one of the season and Bobby Santos III, the 2010 WMT title holder, will be on hand to begin his defense of that crown. The race for the WMT title begins at Thompson and is usually decided at the final race of the “Tour’s” season which is also held at Thompson. This highly competitive division of open wheel race cars is a favorite of New England race fans and Thompson’s Icebreaker gives those fans their first look at what many feel will be one of the most competitive WMT seasons ever.
Defense of the WMT championship is but one of many that will begin at the Icebreaker. Ted Christopher, who claimed the title in Thompson’s Sunoco Modified division in 2010, is expected to put up a tough defense of his title in the track’s premier NASCAR division. Derek Ramstrom will look to make it three championships in a row in the Super Later Models and R.J. Marcotte will try to repeat in the Thompson Modified ranks. Rick Gentes, the 2010 Late Model champ, will once again face stiff competition as will Limited Sportsman title holder, Larry Barnett and Mini Stock champion, Chuck Rogers.
Race teams work long and hard during the winter months to prepare for a strong showing in the season’s first event. Many teams will be introducing brand new race cars while others will depend on completely rebuilt machines that served them well in 2010.
Icebreaker weekend is two full days of on-track activity. Practice and qualifying will take up much of the Saturday schedule. However, the Sunoco Modifieds and Sunoco Lite Modifieds will round out the day with the first two feature events of the year. Sunday’s action will include all of Thompson’s “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions and the much anticipated WMT 150-lap race. The entire weekend’s schedule is available on the Thompson web site. www.thompsonspeedway.com.
Tickets for the Icebreaker are also available for advance purchase. Fans may call the track office to order their tickets ahead of time. 860-923-2280.
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR