Bonneau, Dowd to Announce Icebreaker
Icebreaker 2015 at Thompson (CT) Speedway Motorsports Park this weekend will mark a milestone. John Hoenig built America’s first asphalt oval after a 1938 hurricane destroyed his farm. The track opened 75 years ago on May 26, 1940. Few tracks have achieved this, with many closing since the post-war boom. Sunday’s Sunoco Modified feature will go 75 laps to mark the occasion.
Rich Bonneau and Russ Dowd, the announcing team from the 50th anniversary, will reunite for the race. It is Bonneau’s first official race since the 2000 Icebreaker, while Dowd has been a fixture at the track for three decades, known as ‘The Voice of Thompson.’
“I am really looking forward to getting back behind the microphone,” Bonneau said. “Russ and I are good friends and we have always worked very well as an announcing team.
“It’s been a long time, but I’m very excited and can’t wait to do it. … Thompson holds a special place in my heart and that I’m thankful and honored to be included as part of the 75th Anniversary celebrations.”
Bonneau worked for Ben Dodge when he began announcing at Thompson in 1980. He announced the Saturday night SYNRA races and handled public relations in 1983. He worked at New London-Waterford (CT) Speedbowl for Dick Williams’ Coastal Racing Association, Seekonk (MA) Speedway in the early-mid 90s, and a few races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Stafford (CT) Motor Speedway . Bonneau worked with former driver Russ Dowd until the track was leased by Butch Davis and Brian LaForte in 1998.
Bonneau fondly recalled the mid-1980s visits by the NASCAR Winston Cup Series stars for special events. Match races featured Bobby Allison, Geoff Bodine, and Ron Bouchard. Russ Conway’s Showdown of Champions brought an all-star cast like Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Tim Richmond, and Darrell Waltrip to Lee, Hudson, Stafford and Thompson. Bonneau also considers being a part of Hall of Famer Richie Evans’ Thompson 300 wins a highlight.
His fondest memory was George Summers’ retirement party in 1983. The Upton, MA veteran ended his storied career in Art Barry’s car with a World Series victory.
“That era was a special time for Modified racing and Thompson.”
“Rich and I worked as a team for almost 15 years here at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park,” Dowd said. “Rich was, and still is, a great announcer and I am really looking forward to working with him again on Icebreaker weekend. We had many years of fun working together and I think it will be like (the) old days when we take on the 75-lap Sunoco Modified feature event.”
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com