Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park’s Limited Sportsman Division Ripe with Talent
Thompson, CT — Big car counts, wheel-to-wheel racing, and edge-of your-seat excitement have long been the trademarks of Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park’s (TSMP) Limited Sportsman Division. If early registrations are any indication, those characteristics will be even more prominent in 2014. With just under two months remaining before the season-opening Icebreaker, over 40 drivers have registered.
The Division’s defending titlist, Steve Kenneway, will be returning in 2014 to compete in his Greener Blast Technologies No. 55. In 2013, the Lowell, MA native enjoyed a spectacular season, providing car owners, David and Charlie Banta, with the championship they coveted for quite some time. With that goal accomplished, Kenneway says that the focus in 2014 is on race wins. “I felt we left a little bit on the table in the winning races department to sacrifice points a few times. We put so much emphasis on winning the championship last year, that now we can just go back to racing again,” the veteran driver observed. Kenneway plainly concluded, “At this point I want to win races.”
Following a two-year hiatus, Shawn Monahan, has registered his No. 51 in preparation to compete at TSMP once again. With the rebirth of his racing career, Monahan said he is turning over a new leaf. His goals are modest: “To show respect to the competitors, to be aggressive, yet patient, and to display some things on the race track in regards to patience that I haven’t done before.” Monahan’s hope is that this new approach will yield the results that he and his Critical Signs-supported team are looking for.
After finishing in the runner-up spot in 2013, Scott Sundeen will be back to chase down another crown. The two-time (2008 & 2012) TSMP Limited Sportsman Champion is looking to add another title to his mantle. What’s his plan of attack? – Consistency. “With this type of season, it isn’t always the fastest guy every week that will win the championship, it’s the guy that can finish every race,” the Sutton, MA driver stated. With seven events on the docket, Sundeen knows the importance of making each one count.
Celebrating his 30th year of racing, George Baldwin, has announced his intention to run his first full season at TSMP. Baldwin has enjoyed great success in his storied career, which in 2013 included a dominating performance at Twin State Speedway (NH) in which he lapped the entire field in an open competition race. When asked what drew him to TSMP, the Lowell, MA driver, answered, “Thompson is run very professionally, and the people are nice. I’ve always wanted to race down there.” Baldwin will have his chance as he wheels the No. 03. Chappy’s Auto Repair mount.
Bill McNeil, Brandon Chamberlain, and Larry Barnett are registered, also. No stranger to TSMP, fans will see a different number for McNeil this season as his car will don the No. 21. Brandon Chamberland will keep the family tradition going in 2014 as he pilots the #24, which was previously driven by his grandfather, Butch. Butch passed away suddenly this winter, but Brandon will run his grandfather’s number in his honor. One of the most successful drivers in Limited Sportsman history, Barnett plans on returning to TSMP to chase his fifth championship. A mid-season wreck thwarted the Moosup, CT driver’s hopes in 2013, but he has reassembled his car and is in hot pursuit of another divisional crown.
Ed Puleo, the multi-car team of John Carpenter, Sr., Corey Hutchings, and a host of others are also registered. Just as has been evident in the Sunoco Modified and Late Model Division rosters, there is a great balance with varying experience levels and familiarity to TSMP. As one driver put it, “this field could present some of the best racing TSMP has to offer in 2014.”
TSMP will swing the doors open on its 74th season with the running of the Icebreaker on April 5-6. For more information on the 2014 season at TSMP visit us online at www.thompsonspeedway.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
Sources: Theresa Condict/Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park PR