Ramstrom Geared Up For Thompson Title Defense
WEST BOYLSTON, Mass. — The youngest track champion in Thompson International Speedway history will attempt to become the youngest back-to-back champion in the track’s history, as Derek Ramstrom begins the weekly grind of his Super Late Model title defense at the facility this week.
Thompson’s weekly program kicks off this Thursday night, May 20, with a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series 30-lap feature for the Super Late Models.
The 18-year-old Ramstrom, who won four times en route to the division title in 2009, won Super Late Model features on consecutive days at the track early last month as part of the season-opening “Icebreaker” weekend. Ramstrom has a 4-point lead atop the standings over Mike O’Sullivan as the season begins in earnest Thursday.
“It’s a good opportunity for me to go out and try and repeat,” said Ramstrom, driver of the No. 35 Charter Communications/Matthew’s Truck Service and Towing Chevrolet. “I have a lot of track time there now, and every week I seem to run better and better. I’m just more on top of my game when I race there, and I know I can win the championship again.”
His start to the 2010 campaign provided proof that he’s more than capable of repeating. Ramstrom started on the outside pole in the first 25-lap feature of the year and rolled to victory lane, and less than 24 hours later he waged a side-by-side battle with the former division champion O’Sullivan — which he won on the final corner of the final lap. A few more performances like the ones on opening weekend, and Ramstrom will be well on his way to title No. 2.
“I have a lot of confidence coming into this season, and we’re already off to the best (two-race) start we’ve ever had,” Ramstrom said. “And, as a team, we know we’re going to be really good at Thompson. I’m excited to get going there every week.”
Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season runs weekly, every Thursday night through Sept. 16.