12/10/2000

PAVING PROJECT AT THOMPSON INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY COMPLETED

    America's first asphalt racetrack is now sporting a brand new surface following months of planning and preparation work.  The Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Connecticut has been re-paved for only the second time in its sixty-year history.

     Some two thousand tons of asphalt were laid down on the 5/8ths-mile oval during the two-day project, which was done by Palmer Paving, Inc. of Palmer, Massachusetts.  A crew of nearly twenty-five workers and over a dozen pieces of equipment were required to pave the high-banked racetrack.  The turns, with 25-degree banking, posed the greatest challenge.  However, the experienced crews used great care and their extensive knowledge to apply the final coat of asphalt so that it would smooth the entire racing surface and not change the historic contours of the famed speedway.

     "We were beginning to get a little bit concerned about the weather, said track owner Don Hoenig.  However, we all kept a close eye on the forecasts and when we saw two good days in a row projected, everything was put into motion to get the job done.  Palmer Paving has been a great company to deal with because of their knowledge and experience in resurfacing racetracks, and the fact that they have the specialized equipment necessary to do the job right," Hoenig concluded.

     Prior to the actual re-paving, workers spent two weeks performing preparation on the old racing surface.  This pre-paving work was necessary so that the new surface would adhere properly and would result in a smooth, finished product.

    "This re-surfacing is the first part of some major improvements slated at Thompson. In the spring, pit road will be re-designed and straightened with the re-entry to the racetrack moved from the entrance to turn one.  We plan to do this work following the ICEBREAKER 2001 which is scheduled for the weekend of March 31st and April 1st," said Hoenig.
     The track was originally built in 1940 and was re-surfaced in 1971. This year's project will be the third racing surface in the storied history of the Thompson International Speedway.

Source:  Thompson Speedway (Story), Mike Wheeler (Pics)
Posted:  December 10, 2000