FINAL OPEN PRACTICE BEFORE ICEBREAKER NEXT WEEKEND

THOMPSON, CT    A bright and sunny day offered  the perfect combination to bring out  ”race fever” at the Thompson International Speedway. Race teams converged on the Thompson oval to take advantage of six hours of open practice time offered by the speedway.

                Race cars representing seven different NASCAR Whelen racing divisions used the open practice opportunity to fine tune their race cars after off-season updates, improvements, changes and, in some cases, test brand new race cars. In all, over eighty race teams took advantage of the chance to get their cars ready for Thompson’s ICEBREAKER which is only two weeks away.

                NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour cars lead the list of competitors getting a jump on the racing season.  Joining the “Tour” teams were Sunoco Modifieds, Super Late Models, Thompson Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Mini Stocks, Race Trucks and antique race cars. Seven time Modified Tour champion, Mike Stefanik was grateful to have the on-track time. “We found that over the winter we solved a problem that had plagued us for a good part of last year. We are here to shake it down and things are going well,” he said.

                This was the first of two open practice dates leading up to the season-opening ICEBREAKER. The next open practice date is Saturday, March 28^th. The track will be open for practice between the hours of 11 AM and 6 PM. Any safe race car is welcome. NASCAR has granted permission for Whelen Modified Tour cars to participate on the 28^th as well. The grandstands will not be open, but any interested race fan at least sixteen years of age may sign in through the pit area and view the on-track activity from the pit grandstands.

                Thompson’s ICEBREAKER is set for the weekend of April 4^th & 5^th. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will open its 25^th season with qualifying on Saturday April 4^th and will compete in a 150-lap main event on Sunday, April 5th. Tour drivers will gather on Sunday at 12 Noon for a huge autograph session. Fans are urged to bring their cameras and items they would like to have autographed by their favorite NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver.

                In addition to the Modified Tour, ICEBREAKER weekend will feature Thompson’s “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. In fact, the Sunoco Modifieds and Late Models will be doing double duty. They will race both Saturday night after qualifying and again on Sunday. They will be joined by the Thompson Super Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Thompson Modifieds and Mini Stocks.

                Thompson’s ICEBREAKER weekend is more than a major event race weekend. It is a big social event as race fans get to see other fans, friends and competitors. Thompson is the perfect location for this kind of event

                Tickets, which are good for both days of the ICEBREAKER, are available in advance by calling the Thompson track office at 860-923-2280. All major credit cards are accepted. Complete details and a full schedule of the ICEBREAKER weekend may be found on the track’s web page. www.thompsonspeedway.com