by Jay | Jul 3, 2012 | Connecticut, PASS, Thompson, Touring Series News
The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models return to the Thompson International Speedway on Thursday, July 12th. These exceptionally fast and competitive race cars will compete in a 75-lap feature event that is bound to bring with it all of the things that have made this annual event at Thompson such a hit with New England fans.
The PASS Touring Series will arrive at Thompson, the largest and fastest track on which they compete, with a great field of Super Late Model cars their driving stars. Local sensation Derek Ramstrom will be joined by drivers like Travis Benjamin, Johnny Clark, Joey Doiron, D.J. Shaw, Cassius Clark, Ben Rowe and many more.
The PASS Super Late Models have become one of the most popular touring series that visits Thompson every year. Fans come from all over New England to watch this amazing series compete on the high banks of the Thompson Int’l Speedway. In the last three years, this division has produced a different winner each time. The 2009 race was won by Derek Ramstrom with the 2010 event going to Ben Rowe. Last year’s winner was Johnny Clark.
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by Jay | Jul 3, 2012 | Connecticut, NEMST, New England, Thompson, Touring Series News
2012 Texas Roadhouse North East Mini Stock Tour
The weather couldn’t of been any perfect in Northeast Connecticut for the Texas Roadhouse North East Mini Stock Tour to make their third appearance at New England’s largest short track, Thompson International Speedway. 21 tour style mini stocks rolled into the gate early Thursday afternoon along with 25 Thompson regular minis for the 3rd Annual Northern Tour Shootout.
The point leader coming into the night was John Kelly fresh off of two third place finishes in the first two events of the season. John would experience motor difficulties in practice which sidelined him for the heat race. As practice continued there was definitely a battle brewing between Twin State feature event winner Emerson Cayer along with last years Thompson winner Mark Panaroni, Shawn Swallow and, last years Thompson champion Danny Field.
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by Jay | Jul 1, 2012 | Connecticut, New England, Thompson
Repeat winners dominated victory lane in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action on Thompson’s Thursday Night Thunder program. Cam McDermott, John Lowinski-Loh, and Tommy O’Sullivan all added to their win totals while Mike Veins became the first repeat winner in the Mini Stock division. Woody Pitkat earned his first win of the season in the Sunoco Modified division. The North East Mini Stock Tour entertained with a victory by Emerson Cayer in their stand-alone event and a Showdown victory for Thompson favorite Danny Field.
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by | Jun 27, 2012 | Connecticut, New England, Thompson
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[adrotate block=ʺ3ʺ]The month of July is filled with special events and attractions at the Thompson International Speedway. As in past years, each Thursday night in July will offer up something of interest to racing fans of all kinds.
Antique race car enthusiasts will love Thursday, July 5 when the midway will come alive with a display of antique race cars. Cars from yesteryear will be on hand as will people who can share the history behind each of the cars. These great classic race cars will not be limited to a static display. They will see track time in the form of both heat races and a feature event.
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by Jay | Jun 26, 2012 | Connecticut, Thompson
Rusty Wallace, the 1989 Sprint Cup Champion and member of the 2013 class of NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees, will be on hand to meet and greet Thompson fans on Thursday, July 12th. Wallace, the spokesman for California Paint’s Storm System, will be a great addition to that evening which will also feature the Pro All-Star Series (PASS) tour in a 75-lap main event.
Wallace, the winner of 55 Sprint Cup races, retired from the driver’s seat in 2005 and is the only driver to become a first-ballot selection to the NASCAR Hall of Fame since the inaugural class was inducted. He has been very involved in the promotion of the Hall of Fame and has continued his involvement in the sport as a car owner in the Nationwide series, an analyst for ESPN, a race track designer, philanthropist for the NASCAR Foundation and spokesperson for some very select products. His appearance for California Paint’s Storm System is a perfect match since California Paints has been a long-time sponsor and promoter of the Thompson International Speedway.
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by Jay | Jun 21, 2012 | Connecticut, Modified, New England, Thompson
Jim Banfield and Jesse Gleason scored their first season wins and led a roster of exciting finishes in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Thursday Night Thompson Thunder at Thompson International Speedway this week. Ted Christopher and Tommy O’Sullivan earned milestone career finishes for their teams while Cam McDermott and John Lewinski-Loh added to their season totals.
Patience paid off for Jim Banfield in the 50-lap Super Late Model feature Thursday night. The So. Glastonbury, Conn.-native took the lead with two laps to go after then-leader Mike O’Sullivan blew a tire in turn one. Banfield drove to the lead and eventual victory unchallenged. Derek Ramstrom catapulted to the front at the drop of the green, and even an early-race caution couldn’t slow him down. Dick Houlihan and Mike O’Sullivan took over second and third on the restart as the top-five began to string out single file. O’Sullivan maneuvered by Houlihan for second and set his sights on Ramstrom, who was already out to a half-a-straightaway lead. Caution flew on lap seven and tightened the field back up again. O’Sullivan won the drag race into turn one on the drop of the green and took over the lead on lap eight with Ramstrom in his rear view mirror and Larry Gelinas in third. Ramstrom continued to pressure O’Sullivan before reclaiming the top spot at lap 20. Once out front, he was able to pull away by five-car lengths over O’Sullivan and Gelinas. With 14 laps to go, the No. 41 of Scott Rotherforth spun into the infield retaining wall on the front stretch and brought out the caution flag. O’Sullivan beat Ramstrom to the lead, but a caution would force him to try again. Ramstrom appeared to have the lead heading into turn one, but Gelinas went low making it a three-wide battle into turn one. Gelinas took the lead in commanding style, but had a lot of pressure by Ramstrom and O’Sullivan. Ramstrom dove low to challenge, and as he attempted to go by for the lead on lap 40 in turn one, Ramstrom started to go around and collected Gelinas in the mix. O’Sullivan inherited the lead for the restart with Jim Banfield and Rick Gentes rounding out the top-three. With two laps to go, O’Sullivan lost the left front tire on his No. 08 machine and handed the lead and win to Jim Banfield. (more…)
