Local Divisions Returning to Thompson For 58th Annual Sunoco World Series
THOMPSON, Conn. — Some of New England’s top weekly competitors will arrive at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park looking to chase more than $16,000 in purses as part of the 58th annual Sunoco World Series, October 9-11.
The SunocoModifieds, Twisted Tea SK Light Modifieds, Sam Adams Limited Sportsman, and Mini Stocks will all hit the high-banks for their second races of the season. Although it looked like divisions might remain dark for the season, a new agreement with the American–Canadian Tour and Pro All Star Series leasing the track in the summer allowed these divisions to return and chase a lucrative payout to close the oval season at Thompson.
The World Series is well-known as the top short-track racing weekend in the New England region, and with 19 divisions set to compete again this year, fans won’t want to miss the action over three days in Connecticut.
The Sunoco Modifieds will race for $1,500 to win, while the Twisted Tea SK Light Modifieds will battle for a $350 winning prize. The Sam Adams Limited Sportsman winners value matches the SK Lights, with $350 on the line, and the Mini Stocks are set to tackle the track chasing $200 to win.
The lucrative purses include a total of $8,560 posted awards in the Sunoco Modifieds, a division that looks to steal the show as part of a busy Sunday. Keith Rocco and Todd Owen look to continue their fierce battle that started on September 3 — when the two battled for the victory in the 25-lap feature. It was Rocco who would come out on top – while Owen was sidelined just laps before the finish with a flat tire after a large amount of crossover moves were pulled battling for the glory.
Names like Troy Talman and former Stafford Motor Speedway champion Ronnie Williams, driving for Skowyra Motorsports, are also expected to compete in the 30-lap feature, which will follow the PASS Super Late Models on the final day of racing. Williams will be perhaps the busiest driver of the weekend, running four of 19 races during the weekend, including the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Budweiser Modified Open, ISMA Supermodifieds, and Sunoco Modifieds.
The Mini Stocks are at the opposite end of the spectrum, opening the weekend with a 15-lap feature on Friday night, giving drivers the opportunity to prepare their car for the North East Mini Stock Tour race on Saturday night if they wish. Jared Roy looks for his second win of the season off a dominant performance on September 3, holding off Dave Trudeau and Tommy Silva late. He’s expected to be joined by Dave Trudeau Jr., Steve Michalski and more of the top Mini Stock competitors in the area.
The Twisted Tea SK Light Modifieds are back for their own 20-lap race on Saturday night, with Josh Carey looking to repeat with his second career win. The division continues to produce some of the region’s best upcoming Modified talent, with names like 2019 division champion Bryan Narducci making his presence felt in the class before moving to the SK Modifieds this year over at Stafford.
Chasing more than $3,000 in posted awards, the Sam Adams Limited Sportsman return to the track looking to pick up on their intense battle from September 3. Shawn Monahan, a multiple-time Thompson champion, led more than half of the race, but was passed by Ryan Waterman in the late laps after a tussle for the top spot. Monahan, Larry Barnett, Diego Monahan and newcomer Nickolas Hovey completed the top-five. The Limited Sportsman drivers may also decide they want to take their chances in the $1,000 Open Street Stock race on Friday night, especially if they have a second car in the stable. Three-wide racing is usually a staple of this division, and it’s expected to keep fans on the edge of their seats again.
The Thompson Late Models can compete in the ACT-type Late Model open, a 75-lap feature on Saturday night, worth $2,000 to win. The race pays a total of $17,040 in total purse value throughout the field, including lap money collected by some of the competitors and race teams.
Outside of the local divisions, the Sunoco World Series card includes countless other divisions across three days of racing from Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ISMA Big Block Supermodifieds, Budweiser Modified Open, Pro All Star Series Super Late Models, 350 Supermodified Open, and NEMA Midgets are just some of the highlights on the busy card.
A three-day general admission ticket for the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing is $55 for adults and $15 for kids ages 12 and under. Advance tickets can be purchased by visiting https://happsnow.com/
For more information about the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing schedule, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visitwww.acttour.com/
For camping information and general Thompson Speedway inquires, call (860) 923-2280, email oval@thompsonspeedway.
For technical information concerning all PASS divisions, and for media or marketing questions, please contact passracing@roadrunner.