Thompson Starts New England Racing Season With 42nd Annual Icebreaker
Story By: THERESA CONDICT / THOMPSON MOTORSPORTS PARK MEDIA Photos By: DICK AYERS / RACERSGUIDE.COM
THOMPSON, CT- April 5, 2016- The winter is over in New England and that means one thing — it’s time for the Icebreaker.
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park will open the 2016 New England racing scene this weekend, with the 42nd annual running of the historic weekend. The event has started the New England season for years and includes the start of the points championship chase for many iconic divisions across New England.
As in the past, the headline division for the weekend is the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ready for a 150 lap feature. The division will begin their 31st annual season with a hotly contested battle around the five-eighths mile oval. Three-time and defending series champion Doug Coby will look to start another title run, while others will try and knock him out of victory lane at Thompson for the first time since 2014.
The Pro All Star Series (PASS) North tour will be in action for a 75 lap Icebreaker feature on Sunday. They will open their 2016 season with a thrilling battle of Super Late Model stars. New England driver Derek Ramstrom is expected to contend for the victory, as is defending PASS champion Mike Rowe and his son, Ben Rowe. The event should highlight the young Super Late Model talent up against the veterans who know their way around the “Big T.”
The NorthEast Street Stock Tour, New England Pro 4 Modifieds, NEMA Lites and Vintage Modifieds will all join the Whelen Tour and PASS as touring divisions for the New England kick-off. All of those classes will compete in qualifying and feature action on Saturday.
Also joining the list are the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions of the Thompson Speedway. The SK Modifieds, lead by defending division champion Woody Pitkat and current NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Ryan Preece, will open their season with a 30 lap feature on Sunday.
The Mini Stocks, Limited Sportsman and Late Models will also open their season during the IceBreaker weekend.
Friday, Thompson will hold a rotating practice from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for teams to get a crack at adjusting their cars in preparation for the weekend. Saturday, action will start at 9:45 a.m. with practice for Thompson divisions, while at 11:20 a.m., PASS drivers will take to the track. The day will conclude with six feature events to officially start the year.
Sunday, feature actions begins at 12:35 p.m., with the Sunoco Modified 30 lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season opener. The Vintage Outlaws will follow with a 15 lap race, then the PASS teams will tackle the five-eighths mile oval in their 75 lap feature.
The Limited Sportsman cars, Late Models and Mini Stocks will also proceed the season-opening 150 lap Icebreaker feature for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
For more information on Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, including the rest of their 2016 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series schedule, visit www.thompsonspeedway.com.
