THOMPSON, Conn. — The
traditional season opener for NASCAR auto
racing in New England is just around the
corner. Thompson International Speedway’s
ICEBREAKER, scheduled for the weekend of
April 8th and 9th will begin a brand new
season of exciting competition that will not
end until mid October.
The new beginning starts with the NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour. New cars and new teams
will begin their season at the ICEBREAKER.
The always exciting Whelen Modified Tour
(WMT) will lead the seven racing divisions
that make up this year’s ICEBREAKER. The
ICEBREAKER will be the first of five
appearances this year at Thompson by the
WMT, NASCAR’s original and only open-wheel
touring division. The first race of the
season for the WMT will be 150 laps in
distance and will be run on Sunday, April
9th. Qualifying for this racing spectacle
will be held on Saturday, April 8th.
Joining the “Tour” will be the NASCAR Dodge
Weekly Series Sunoco Modifieds along with
the Thompson Pro Stocks, Late Models,
Thompson Modifieds, Limited Sportsman and
Mini Stocks.
Each of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
divisions will also play a major role in the
racing season’s new beginning. Pre-season
car registrations are at an all-time high
and many new teams are expected to be on
hand when the speedway opens on ICEBREAKER
weekend.
The Thompson ICEBREAKER is much more than a
major racing event in New England. It has
become a huge social and party event as well
as a racing weekend. Fans get a chance to
meet up with old friends and make new
friends as the racing community comes
together for the first time in the new year.
Thompson International
Speedway is the perfect place for this kind
of celebration as the Raceway Restaurant and
Lounge, better known as the “Club House,”
serves as a gathering place for food, drink
and social gatherings all weekend long.
The “Club House” will be open both Friday
and Saturday nights until 10 PM featuring a
special ICEBREAKER race menu. Breakfast will
also be available on Saturday and Sunday
mornings between 7 AM and 11 AM.
On track activities will consist of practice
for all divisions on Saturday followed by
qualifying time trials or heat races for all
divisions. Once qualifying has been
completed, the NDWS Sunoco Modifieds and the
Thompson Late Models will take to the
speedway for the first of their two feature
races for the weekend.
The Sunoco Modifieds will race in twin 25
lap mains and the Late Models in twin 20 lap
mains over the weekend. Each division will
compete on both Saturday afternoon and again
on Sunday. Grandstands will open at 9:30 AM
on both days. Racing on Saturday will begin
with qualifying at 1:15 PM. Feature event
Racing will begin at 12 Noon on Sunday. The
WMT 150 is slated to start at 3:15 PM.
The detailed schedule for
ICEBREAKER weekend may be found on the
Thompson International Speedway web site.
Race fans looking to avoid the long lines at
the ticket booths on race day may order
their tickets in advance by calling the
track office at 860-923-2280. All major
credit cards accepted. Thompson
International Speedway also offers gift
cards in any amount. They may also be
purchased by calling the track office.
Complete information about the weekend
schedule for the ICEBREAKER, driver’s
rosters, accommodations, directions and much
more may be found at
www.thompsonspeedway.com .