Gleason Leading the Pack After Icebreaker Win
Leads Long List of Drivers into Special Event for Limited Sportsman
THOMPSON, CT – Three weeks ago, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park opened its season with the 43rd running of the Icebreaker. All four of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series were in close competition. Ryan Preece best the Sunoco Modified competition in their 30-lap race. In a thrilling finish, William Wall and Ray Christian, III made contact in the final corner of the final lap, opening the door for Ray Parent to score a Late Model win. Dave Trudeau stayed out of trouble in the Mini Stock Division, and has an Icebreaker Championship to show for it. Jesse Gleason, who proved to be the class of the field in the Limited Sportsman.
Gleason explained it as a “dream weekend.” He went on to say, “I wasn’t expecting it because of problems with the car last year. Nothing went wrong with the car and I raced perfectly. It felt great winning!”
With one win under his belt in 2017, now the veteran driver turns his attention to the marquee event for his Division: the Second Annual Limited Sportsman Long Distance & Military Night, presented by Pepsi. Gleason and his family are hard at work, preparing both the car and themselves for the May 21 event.
“After the race, the car needed to be fixed a little bit and then I went to have surgery on my right ankle and hopefully that is healed up by the next race,” The Lisbon-native noted. Once those repairs are complete, and Gleason is healed, he’s got a simple strategy for the 30-lap race “Cram in every drop of gas and change [one power piece] so the car is more lightweight. Finally, eat as many hot dogs and cheeseburgers as possible.”
He’ll put this plan to the test against some of the fiercest competition in the northeast. When asked who he’d watching out for, Gleason responded with four names. “ [Ryan] Waterman knows how to hold the front and race to win. Next is Scott Sundeen, who has beaten me a majority of the time. In the past, he has won it overall with me coming in second. Next is Larry Barnett who is making a comeback, and, finally, my brother, Brett Gleason, who is a great racer and has a great car.”
Gleason leads these drivers, and many others into the Second Annual Limited Sportsman Long Distance & Military Night, presented by Pepsi, on Sunday, May 21, at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. The Sunoco Modified, Late Model, Mini Stock, Lite Modified, and Mr. Rooter ProTruck Series will all be in action, too. General admission tickets are only $12, with kids (12 and under) being free. For tickets, or for more information, visit thompsonspeedway.com.
Sources: Jeffrey Price/Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park PR