Drifting, Drag Racing Combining for Friday Night Fun at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in 2020
Lock City Drift, New England Street Outlaw Series (NESOS) to Compete Under the Lights
THOMPSON, Conn. — Through partnerships with Lock City Drift and the New England Street Outlaw Series, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park is pleased to announce Friday night Drift & Drags under the lights for seven events in 2020.
The combination of the two series will give fans a chance to spend their Friday night watching the slipping, sliding, and smoking of drift cars and the raw speed of drag machines going 250 feet down the stretch. Beginning in April, and ending in October, race fans can catch both in the same night for just $15 admission.
Last year, Lock City Drift introduced competitive drifting to Thompson race fans on select NASCAR oval event race days, but this year, they are proud to be part of a drag racing night with their grassroots division. Grassroots drifting is more of a beginner class, where drivers of any skill level and with any car meeting the rulebook can compete. Drivers in the grassroots class are separated by skill level, giving everyone an equal playing field to showcase their talent.
The NESOS gives race fans and enthusiasts the chance to hit the strip since it’s more of a spectator drag racing event. The division was formed to allow competitors to drive their own street vehicles, drag vehicles or bikes and quads in their safe environment for competition. In 2020, drivers will have the chance to compete in the Outlaw, Street or Bike divisions and chase a championship. Outside of these divisions, the NESOS will also hold additional special events. NESOS action at Thompson will allow for easier entry, longer Test & Tune time, longer elimination times and eliminations that are run under the lights.
It’s a win-win situation for all sides, but especially the race fans.
“Combining drifting and drag racing together is going to create quite the night of action for a race fan in the area,” Terry Eames, the General Manager of Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, said. “Fans are not going to want to miss these special events under the lights. We’re looking forward to kicking it off next month.”
The drifting will continue to take place in the portion of the road course located behind the frontstretch grandstands, while the drag racing has been moved from the previous backstretch to the frontstretch to allow more viewing for fans from the grandstands and increased opportunity to access pit road and staging. Those fans looking to get involved with Lock City Drift can visit them on the web at LockCityDrift.com, where you can find a full list of tech requirements for each of their divisions. Lock City will introduce their New England Top Drift, a division started for drivers who are planning to move to the Pro-Am Series, as part of the May event. They have established social media accounts on both Facebook and Instagram where fans can also learn more.
“It’s definitely exciting,” Michael Lynch, the Director of Lock City Drift, said. “I’m really interested to see the 250’ drags, and I like how this is more of the arrive and drive style for them. I think it’s going to be cool for fans to be at the track on a Friday night with different types of motorsports going on under the lights.”
Those interested in becoming a part of the NESOS action should visit them at nestreetoutlaws.com and on Facebook. Anyone wishing to compete can do it for just $45 per event, which includes special events and shootouts.
“We are really excited about our 2020 drag racing season for the fans and the racers,” Mark Caise, the Promoter of NESOS, said. “Our more successful drag racing events have worked well when we combine it with another automotive element like a car cruise or large car show. To have the opportunity to work with the popular Lock City Drift in 2020 on these Friday night Drift and Drags events just makes this a great concept for competitors and fans alike.”
“The support from Thompson has been above and beyond for us to make this a fantastic experience for drag racers and fans,” Caise continued. “They are allowing us to move the 250’ racing track to the frontstretch, where fans will have better seating and viewing from both sides. Racers will stage closer to the action on the oval pit road, racers can even park their trailers on the oval infield to be closer to their cars, they will have concession stands open for fans, run eliminations under the lights for racers and so much more. It’s going to be a great experience for everyone and that’s very important to us.”
As part of these Friday night Drift & Drags, concessions will be open for race fans. Fans looking to attend these seven events can do it for just $15 admission, which will gain you access to both at one price.
For more information on Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, visit ThompsonSpeedway.com, and follow the track on social media.
DRIFT & DRAG 2020 EVENTS AT THOMPSON SPEEDWAY:
- Friday, April 24th
- Friday, May 15th
- Friday, June 5th
- Friday, July 24th
- Friday, August 14th
- Friday, September 4th
- Friday, October 30th
Sources: Kyle Souza/Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park PR