Thompson’s Icebreaker Set for April 14 & 15
Thompson, CT — The season opening Icebreaker at the Thompson International Speedway is just around the corner. The winter has quickly turned to feelings of spring and with that comes the start of a brand new racing season. Thompson’s Icebreaker is the most anticipated race of the year and will be held the weekend of April 14th and 15th.
This two-day racing spectacular will feature the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions at the largest and fastest track in southern New England.
The race for championship honors starts at the Icebreaker and drivers in each of the divisions featured will be on hand to kick off the season-long search for a championship title. Race teams work long and hard during the winter months to prepare for a strong showing at the year’s first event. Some teams will introduce brand new race cars for the 2012 campaign while others will rely on completely rebuilt cars that served them well last year. New race teams and new drivers are joined by veterans of the sport to create a new and exciting atmosphere.
Ron Silk, the 2011 WMT champion, is expected to kick off his title defense on Icebreaker weekend. Keith Rocco, the reigning champ, will return to the Sunoco Modified division in search of his fourth title. He will be behind the wheel of Andrew Johnson’s # 4 which was driven last year by former WMT champion, Rick Fuller. Rocco will once again face stiff competition from Ted Christopher, Woody Pitkat, Danny Cates and many more. Super Late Model title holder, Larry Gelinas, will lead that division’s competitors and Tommy O’Sullivan will defend his 2012 crown. Last year’s Limited Sportsman champion, “Moose” Douton will move up to the Sunoco Modified division while Cam McDermott will defend his Thompson Modified title as will the Monster Mini Stock champ, Danny Field.
The Paddock area will open at 10 AM on Saturday, April 14th and practice will begin shortly after the grandstands open at 11 AM. Practice will continue until mid afternoon. Time trials for the WMT are slated for a 3:30 PM start and will be followed by qualifying races for all NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions. The Paddock will open at 10 AM on Sunday, April 15th with grandstands opening an hour later. The first feature event of Icebreaker weekend will come shortly after 12 Noon.
Thompson’s Icebreaker is much more than a race weekend. It is the annual renewal of friendships within the sport for fans and competitors alike. There is no better place for this to happen than at Thompson. The huge parking area makes for an ideal spot for campers to enjoy themselves for the weekend and Thompson’s Raceway Restaurant and Lounge is the perfect location for social activities including food, drinks, dancing and much more.
Tickets for the Icebreaker are available at the Thompson Speedway track office. Fans are urged to get their tickets early so that they can avoid the long lines on Icebreaker weekend. All major credit cards are accepted and fans may contact the Thompson office at 860-923-2280. The complete Icebreaker weekend schedule is available on Thompson’s web page, www.thompsonspeedway.com.
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR