Anthony Bello Looking for Two Straight Wins When Thompson Roars Back To Life Next Week
Waterbury, VT and Naples, ME — After two months of calm, Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park roars back to life next Wednesday, June 16 with a mid-week showdown in Connecticut. The Outlaw Open Modified Series headlines the program with the Nutmeg State 75 presented by Twisted Tea worth $5,000 to the winner. All five of Thompson’s local divisions are also in action with their second event of the 2021 season.
The SK Light Modifieds return to the track for their second race of the season. If the finish to the first one was any indication, this will be one fans don’t want to miss. Young rising stars Anthony Bello and George Bessette Jr. battled to the wire with Bello edging out for the win by a mere 0.023 seconds in a classic Thompson finish.
“We’re definitely going to go two-for-two here,” Bello said. “I have been going to Thompson Speedway since I was four-years-old. I’ve always dreamed of racing there, but winning wasn’t even in my thoughts. It’s very special that in my first race at Thompson, I was able to get my first win there. I’m looking forward to getting back.”
Bello is driving for a new team owned by Paul French in select 2021 events. The combination joined forces in February and went south to New Smyrna Speedway to compete in the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing — where they went to Victory Lane and won the Speedweeks championship. They continued their success at Thompson’s Icebreaker weekend in April by scoring the victory and are hoping to carry that momentum into the upcoming race.
“I got connected with Paul French when I made a post on Facebook asking if anyone had a ride available for the 602 Modified division at New Smyrna,” Bello said. “I have been friends with his son, Paul Jr., for a few years. Both of them said they had a ride open, and the rest has been history.”
Bello will have a strong contingent of SK Light Modified drivers set to try and take the win away from him. Racers such as Bessette, Paul “Buddy” Charette, Shawn Thibeault, and Albert Ouellette are expected to challenge Bello in their 20-lap main event.
“I would like to thank my Dad, JB Management, Paul French Sr., and Jr. for putting together a killer car for me to go out there and win with,” Bello said. “Fenceline Films, Gallagher GMC for their support, and all of the fans and people who help me at the track.”
The Sunoco Modifieds, Late Models, Mini Stocks and Limited Sportsman will also compete on Wednesday, June 16. Keith Rocco (Sunoco Modifieds), Tom Carey III (Late Models), Jared Roy (Mini Stocks) and Larry Barnett (Limited Sportsman) all look to back-up their victories at the Icebreaker and grab their second straight.
In the $5,000-to-win Outlaw Open Modified Series race, names like Mike Christopher Jr, Matt Swanson, Jon McKennedy, Ronnie Williams, Andrew Krause, and more will go for the big check. NASCAR Cup Series regular Ryan Preece, a two-time Thompson Speedway Modified champion, has entered both the Nutmeg State 75 presented by Twisted Tea and the July 7 Sam Adams Wicked Hazy IPA Spirit of 76.
At the Icebreaker, Ron Silk won the debut of the Outlaw Open Modified Series in a 125-lap event. The Nutmeg State 75 is the second of six events, culminating with the $20,000-to-win Thompson 300 as part of the World Series of Speedway Racing on October 8-10.
The pits for the June 16 program open at 2:00pm with practice set for 4:00-5:30pm. The main grandstands open at 3:30pm. Qualifying begins at 6:00pm with features to follow. All six divisions that are in action will compete in both qualifying and feature racing. The Nutmeg State 75 presented by Twisted Tea for the Outlaw Open Modified Series will wrap the night.
All of Thompson’s Wednesday night races will be sponsored by Boston Beer Company and Hartford Distributing. The Wednesday schedule also includes races on July 7, August 11, and September 15.
Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway returns to action next Wednesday, June 16 at 6:00pm with the Nutmeg State 75 presented by Twisted Tea. The Outlaw Open Modified Series will battle for $5,000 to win as part of a card that also includes the Sunoco Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsmen, SK Light Modifieds, and Mini Stocks.
General admission is $30 for adults, $10 for kids ages 6-12, and free for kids ages 5 and under. and under. Speed51.TV will also have a live pay-per-view broadcast for those who can’t make it to the track. Sign up at www.speed51.tv/products/ppv-outlaw-open-modified-series-at-thompson.
For more information about the American-Canadian Tour, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com. You can also get updates on Facebook and Twitter at @ACTTour.
For technical information concerning all PASS divisions, and for media or marketing questions, please contact passracing@roadrunner.com or visit www.proallstarsseries.com. Don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
For general Thompson Speedway inquiries, call (860) 923-2280, email oval@thompsonspeedway.com, or visit www.thompsonspeedway.com. You can follow Thompson Speedway on Facebook and Instagram at @ThompsonSpeedway or on Twitter at @ThompsonSpdwy.
Sources: Souza Media
Anthony Bello celebrates his SK Light Modified victory at the Thompson Speedway Icebreaker on Saturday, April 10. He’ll be going for a second straight win next Wednesday, June 16. (Tom Morris photo)