PREPARATIONS FOR OPEN PRACTICE UNDERWAY AT THOMPSON  

THOMPSON, CT. A few warm days in southern New England was just what was needed at the Thompson International Speedway. Much of the snow and ice that had been covering the historic speedway began to melt and made it possible for track officials to being the process of preparing for the first open practice slated for March 21^st.

                The winter of ’08 and ’09 has not been kind to the northeast. Near-record amounts of snow, ice and cold weather brought all outdoor off-season projects to a halt. But some recent warm weather has made much of the speedway property accessible. All of this is good news for track officials who hope to begin preparations for the track’s first of two open practice sessions that are scheduled for the 21^st and 28^th of March. Any safe race car is welcome to participate in these open practice sessions.  All of this precedes the opening of the racing season in New England with the annual running Thompson’s ICEBREAKER on the weekend of April 4^th and 5^th.

                The ICEBREAKER ’09 will feature seven divisions of racing competition highlighted by the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. The “Tour” will be joined by Thompson’s own “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series racing divisions. The “Super 6” consists of the Sunoco Modifieds, Super Late Models, Thompson Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stocks. Thompson’s Pro Stock division will carry a new name beginning on ICEBREAKER weekend. The name change to Super Late Models was made during the off-season in an effort to more closely reflect the changes that the former Pro Stock division has gone through in recent years.

                Thompson’s 2009 racing schedule reflects some changes from previous years with regard to the track’s annual major events in the middle of June and at the end of August. “These changes reflect our commitment to the racers who support us week in and week out. We want to offer these competitors an opportunity for larger events, more prestige and more money.” These were the words of track owner Don Hoenig when he spoke at Thompson International Speedway’s annual awards banquets in January. His comments were received with loud applause from those in attendance.

                The True Value Modifieds will top the race program on June 18^th when they will be featured in a 75-lap main event. They will be joined by Thompson’s “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. This race event is family priced and represents a considerable reduction in ticket prices over last year’s event.

                The track also announced a Special Event for Thursday, August 27^th. This will replace the traditional major event that had been held the weekend after Labor Day. The details of this exciting event will be announced on the first of July.

                Thompson’s line up for the 2009 racing season is an exciting mix of special events and the popular Thursday Night Thompson Thunder (TNTT) series. It will be a season that will offer something for everyone and will be priced the same or less than the 2008 line up.

                A copy of the 2009 Thompson race schedule is available on the Thompson International Speedway web page.  www.thompsonspeedway.com  Schedule cards and brochures will also get wide-spread distribution throughout southern New England. They are also available by request from the track’s office.