10/21/2002

It's Xtra/Mart World Series Weekend At Thompson

Thompson, CT -- The 29th annual XTRA/MART Convenience Stores World Series of Speedway Racing is scheduled for this weekend at the Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, CT. Fourteen different racing divisions will make up this incredible three-day racing extravaganza. Speedway officials are expecting this race to attract competitors from all up and down the east coast and Canada.  Somewhere near six hundred race cars are expected to fill the Thompson pit area to capacity this weekend.

The NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series champion will be determined upon completion of their 125-lap feature. The ISMA Super Modified champion, NEMA Midgets champion and the American Race Truck Series champion will also be determined during the XTRA/MART World Series Weekend. The competition in these divisions is so tight, that the titles will not be determined until the very last race of the season.

The most competitive chase for a points title is in the NASCAR Featherlite
Modified Series. As many as seven different divers are in a position to grab the 2002 championship ring. The tension and the excitement of this, the closest championship battle in the NFMS touring history, will all reach a climax when the cars take to the historic Thompson International Speedway for the final race of the '02 season on Sunday. Drivers in the thick of the battle include Mike Stefanik, Jerry Marquis, Chuck Hossfeld, Ted Christopher, Eddie Flemke, Jr., Rick Fuller and rookie Todd Szegedy. Two of these seven drivers have held the NFMS crown. Mike Stefanik is a five-time champion and Jerry Marquis has won the title once in his storied career.

Joining the NFMS, the ISMA Super Modifieds, NEMA Midgets and the American Trucks will be The Pro Four Modifieds, the Thompson Sunoco Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stocks. If that were not enough, the track also plays host to four 'outlaw' divisions including Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and Mini Trucks.

The grandstands will be closed on Friday, Oct 25th, but there will be plenty of action on the race track. Practice will begin at 9:30 in the morning and qualifying races will be held beginning at 5:00 PM for all of the "outlaw" divisions along with the Thompson Limited Sportsman, Mini Stocks, Pro 4 Modifieds, and the American Race Truck Series. All of these divisions, except for the Thompson Limited Sportsman cars, will run their feature events on Saturday night.

Saturday's schedule is filled to the brim with practice, qualifying and
feature events. Practice will begin and the grandstands will open at 9:00
AM. Qualifying will begin at roughly 2:45 PM for the NFMS (time trials), the
Thompson Late Models, Pro Stocks, Sunoco Modifieds, Midgets and Supers. All qualifying races will be eight to ten laps in distance. Upon completion of qualifying for these divisions, the cars and trucks that qualified on Friday night will then be rolled out for their feature events. Meanwhile, the staff at the Raceway Restaurant and Lounge will be preparing for the annual World Series dinner and dance that will begin at 8:00 PM.

Sunday morning, like Saturday morning will begin with breakfast at the
Raceway Restaurant and Lounge. Serving will be from 7:00 AM until 11:00 AM.  At the race track, things will begin to come alive when the pits open at 8:00 AM and the grandstands at 9:00 AM. Fans are urged to arrive early in order to secure their favorite seats and get settled in for seven big main events that will begin at 12 noon. Sunday's race line up looks like a racing smorgasbord of superb racing activity. Feature events will be held for the Thompson Limited Sportsman, Late Models, Pro Stocks, Sunoco Modifieds, the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series, NEMA Midgets and the ISMA Supers.

The XTRA/MART Convenience Stores World Series of Speedway Racing is like no other event in the country. It has become a hallmark of season-ending auto racing in New England and thousands of fans turn our each year for this incredible marathon of speed. A capacity crowd is almost always on hand to witness this superb racing program and most stay to witness the very last green flag lap.

For advanced ticket sales, fans may contact the speedway office at (860)-923-2280. Additional information on the weekend's schedule, weather, accommodations, camping, and so much more is available on the track's web site. www.thompsonspeedway.com.

Sources:  Thompson Speedway PR
Posted:  October 21, 2002