Granite State Pro Stocks to Make Thompson Debut at Icebreaker

THOMPSON, CT — The popular Granite State Pro Stocks will make their first-ever appearance at the famed Thompson International Speedway on Icebreaker weekend. An impressive lineup of Thompson veterans and new comers will open their season on the biggest track on their 2013 racing schedule when they roll into Thompson on the weekend of April 13th and 14th.

Leading the field of Pro Stocks will be 2012 GSPSS champion, Bobby Cabral. He will face a host of Thompson Pro Stock veterans including the track’s 2011 champion, Larry Gelinas. Other Thompson veterans expected for the Icebreaker include the 2007 Pro Stock champ, Mike O’Sullivan and his brother Tommy, George “Mad Dog” Bessette, Jim Banfield and Fran Colson. Add to the mix such GSPSS standouts as Bobby Baillargeon, Barry Gray, Zig Geno, Matt Frahm, Russ Hersey, Babe Branscombe, Louie Mechalidas and many more and the division’s Thompson debut becomes a must see event for New England race fans.

A full field of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour cars will also kick off their regular season at the Icebreaker with the 2012 champ, Doug Coby heading the field. Coby will be joined by many other WMT veterans in their 150-lap Icebreaker event. Ted Christopher, Ron Silk, Ryan Preece, Mike Stefanik, Rowan Pennink and many more are expected to be looking for a great start on the season by picking up a coveted Icebreaker trophy.

Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions will also be in competition. The Sunoco Modifieds, Late Models, Lite Modifieds, Xtra Mart Limited Sportsman and Monster Mini Stocks will complete the seven-division lineup of race cars for the two-day racing spectacle.

Two special races have been added to the program for Icebreaker Saturday. The races, called the “Best of the Rest” will feature drivers in the Xtra Mart Limited Sportsman and Monster Mini Stock divisions that did not finish the 2012 season in the top ten in points. These two special events will follow all qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

Icebreaker fans have come to expect a full weekend of activities both on and off the track and the 2013 edition will be no exception. The Raceway Golf Course along with the Restaurant and Lounge will be in full operation all weekend long with special attention paid to the traditional Saturday and Sunday morning breakfast buffet and the Saturday night dinner and dance.

Tickets for the 2013 Icebreaker are available for advance purchase at the Thompson track office or by calling 860-923-2280. The track’s web site is filled with valuable race weekend information including the complete schedule of events for the entire weekend. www.thompsonspeedway.com.

Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR