Racers & Fans Gearing Up For Thompson’s Icebreaker

Column By: MATTHEW WIERNASZ / RPW – THOMPSON, CT – The Icebreaker is almost a week away at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park as fans here in New England are ready for racing to return.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour already had their season opener last weekend at Myrtle Beach Speedway where Timmy Solomito took down the win. Solomito is the defending winner of the Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. New to the Icebreaker in 2017 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is they will practice late in the day on Saturday and qualify and race on Sunday.

The Pro All Star Series North Super Late Models will kickoff their 2017 season at the 5/8 mile oval. Garrett Hall out of Scarborough, ME scored his first career win in the 75 lap season opening race in 2016. Drivers such as Ben Rowe, Travis Benjamin, Johnny Clark, D.J. Shaw along with Joey Polewarczyk, JR have entered the event for next weekend.

The Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions will be in action with the Sunoco Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Mini Stocks and the Lite Modifieds. Keith Rocco is the defending champion of the Sunoco Modified division but will have some tough competition to go against in 2017 such as Woody Pitkat, Rowan Pennink along with many other drivers. They will have a 30 lap feature on Sunday.

Will Wall out of Shrewsbury, MA is the defending Late Model Champion. There will be some strong contenders in the Late Model division this season with drivers such as Brian Tagg, Ray Parent, Woody Pitkat, and Keith Rocco. They will have a 25 lap feature on Sunday.

The NEMA Lites will kickoff their 2017 season at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. The Lites division is growing heading into the 2017 season as we will see some new drivers join. They will have a 20 lap race on Saturday.

The Mr. Rooter Pro Truck Series will have a 35 lap Feature that will feature drivers from the Northeast.

There will be a Thompson Street Stock Open and that feature will be 20 laps while the Lite Modifieds will have a 20 lap feature event.

There will be a practice day on Friday March 31st expect for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Pro All Star Series North Super Late Models. The Pit Area will open at noon while practice will begin at 1:00 P.M. and end at 5:00 P.M.

On Saturday April 1st, Rotating practice will begin at 9:30 A.M. and end at 10:30 A.M. The final one will be from 11:10 A.M. until 12:10 P.M. The Pro All Star Series North Super Late Model will have two minute practice sessions at 10:35 A.M. until 11:05 A.M. and 12:15 P.M. until 12:45 P.M. Qualifying heats will begin after. After the qualifying heats, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will have their first 45 minute practice session. Pre-Race Ceremonies will follow with features beginning with the Vintage Outlaws for 15 laps. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will then come back out for their final 45 minute practice session. After the final 45 minute practice session for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, it will be features for the NEMA Lites, Mr. Rooter Pro Truck Series, Thompson Street Stock open, along with the Lite Modifieds will continue. There will also be a Race Of Champions featuring the 2016 NASCAR Whelen All American Series Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park track champions.

On Sunday April 2nd, the day will kickoff with the annual Fan Appreciation Track party where fans can go and meet their favorite driver. That will kickoff at 11:00 A.M. with a Timmy Brown concert at 11:15 A.M. Pre-Race Ceremonies will kickoff at 12:15 PM. with racing beginning at 12:30 P.M. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will qualify at approx 2:45 P.M. The Icebreaker 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is scheduled to go off at approx 3:45 P.M.