by Jay | Aug 7, 2012 | Connecticut, Modified, Thompson
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour heads for Thompson International Speedway this Thursday night for the annual running of the King of Beers Budweiser 150. The Bud 150 will mark the Tour’s first appearance at Thompson since the track hosted the season-opening Icebreaker back in April.
Fresh off his win at Stafford, Doug Coby, current WMT points leader, will head a potent field of New England’s most popular touring series to the historic speedway for what is traditionally one of the best races of the year. The race has become a true fan favorite based in its rich history of incredible competition by NASCAR’s best Modified drivers.
Defending WMT champion, Ron Silk opened the season by winning Thompson’s Icebreaker and he will look to repeat that magic in the Bud 150. Silk, who comes into the race sitting third in the points battle, will face Ryan Preece, second in points, and others who have seen much success at Thompson. Some on that list include Jimmy Blewett, Ted Christopher, Justin Bonsignore, Eric Beers, Rowan Pennink, Mike Stefanik and many more.
Preece has had a tremendous year in Thompson’s Sunoco Modified division and will be tough to beat. To date, Preece has four wins, two seconds, a third and a fourth in this division and is the current points leader.
Mike Stefanik, always tough at Thompson, claimed the win at NHMS in July and the seven-time champ proved that he is still very much a factor in WMT competition. Other former champs, Todd Szegedy and Donny Lia will be part of this star-studded field. The WMT will be joined by Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series ‘Super 6” divisions.
Grandstands will open at 2 PM so that fans can watch race teams practice prior to qualifying time trials slated for 5:30 PM. Feature event races will follow time trials with the King of Beers Bud 150 scheduled to take the green at roughly 8:30 PM.
by Jay | Aug 6, 2012 | Connecticut, NEMST, Waterford
Swallow Builds Point Lead With Consecutive Wins
Point leader and Texas Roadhouse North East Mini Stock Tour rookie Shawn Swallow extended his point lead in a thrilling photo finish victory at Waterford Speedbowl in Waterford, CT Saturday night. As the pit gates opened at 2 P.M. NEMST and weekly Speedbowl competitors began to line the pit area and descend on the NEMST sign in table, By 5:30 when the heat races began for the nights events thrity-one tour style mini stocks had registered for the nights 50 lap feature event.
(more…)
by Jay | Aug 5, 2012 | Connecticut, New England, Thompson
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to Thompson International Speedway for the most popular race of the summer season, “The King of Beers BUD 150”, on Thursday, August 9th. The traditional summer race spectacular brings out thousands of race fans for what is traditionally one of the best WMT races of the year.
Following their spectacular race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 14th, fans are really pumped up for a similar performance at Thompson. Seven-time WMT champion Mike Stefanik and defending WMT champ Ron Silk swapped the lead 17 times in the final 48 laps of that event with Stefanik coming out on top by some .003 seconds at the finish line. Both drivers will come to Thompson ready for another great race. Doug Coby, Ryan Preece, Donny Lia, Jimmy Blewett, Rowan Pennink and Ted Christopher, the 2011 race winner, are among the many other challengers expected to be in the hunt for a Bud 150 win.
(more…)
by Jay | Aug 3, 2012 | Connecticut, Modified, New England, Thompson
Duane Noll dominated the 20-lap New England Truck Series race at Thompson International Speedway Thursday night while Chad LaBastie earned his first career Thompson Modified win in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action. Other winners included Ryan Preece in the Sunoco Modifieds, Cam McDermott in the Lite Modifieds, John Falconi in the Late Model division, Steve Kenneway in the Limited Sportsman division, and Scott Michalski in the Monster Mini Stocks. Paul LaPlante won the Antique Racers feature event.
Duane Noll put his Thompson experience to use as he dominated the 20-lap New England Truck Series race to take the checkers and extend his point lead in the division. Noll took the early lead from Nate Bubello at the start of the New England Truck Series race with Jason Lafayette close behind in third. The trio pulled away from the rest of the field as Corey Coates moved into the fourth spot more than a second behind them. The first caution flew at lap eight when Mike Ledoux and Daniel McGouran made contact on the front stretch. Noll drove right back out front as Lafayette used the bottom groove to get by Bubello for second. Coates moved into third as Bubello fought unsuccessfully to hold on to fourth. Noll dominated out front as Coates looked for a way around Lafayette – first looking high, and then low. Finally, at lap 17, Coates dropped to the bottom and tried to maneuver his No. 75 machine in alongside Lafayette, but Lafayette shut the door. Noll went unchallenged at the checkers while Lafayette held on for second and Coates in third.
(more…)
by Jay | Jul 30, 2012 | Connecticut, Modified, New England, Thompson
Ted Christopher earned his 97th career victory at Thompson International Speedway when he scored the checkers in the 75-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series event. NASCAR Whelen All-American Series wins were captured by Ryan Preece in the Sunoco Modifieds, John Falconi in the Late Models, Cam McDermott in the Lite Modifieds, John Lowinski-Loh in the Thompson Modifieds, Scott Sundeen in the Limited Sportsman, and Steve Violette in the Mini-Stocks.
Ted Christopher survived a caution-filled 75-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series event to take the victory behind the wheel of the No. 00 Joe Brady-owned machine. It was his second win of the season in the division. Christopher came from deep in the field to earn the win. Christopher inherited the lead after Rowan Pennink was black flagged for a leak.
“I was behind him and I could never get throttle up and off and than I saw him spraying the water,” said Christopher about Pennink.
(more…)
