Officials from Thompson International Speedway announced Friday that longtime special advisor to the track, Ben Dodge Jr. has left the facility.
Dodge spent the last 21 years working with the track and also worked at the facility in the 1970’s.
“I personally want to thank Ben for his many years of dedicated service and for all of the positive contributions he made to this track,” track owner Don Hoenig said in a release. “Ben and I have had a great working relationship for well over 30 years and I know that he will be missed by our staff, sponsors, competitors and the entire racing fraternity. I want to wish only the best for Ben in his future endeavors,”
Dodge was not immediately available for comment on the situation.
The Friday release from the track also stated simply that weekly racing will continue at the track in 2013, with no other details concerning that program. There has been much speculation concerning the possibility of a major overhaul of the weekly racing program at Thompson.
The release stated: “The complete schedule will be released in the next week to ten days. We will also be releasing our future plans for the expansion and operation of the facility in the very near future. The 2013 rules for racing competition are also just about ready for release.”
“We are looking to enhance and expand the facilities and over all motorsports operations here at Thompson Speedway,” Jonathan Hoenig, director of marketing at the track, said in the release. “With these programs, we are all looking forward to many new changes, advancements in the operations and product offerings to the motorsports community.”
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Ben was a good guy and he did work to help keep racing going at many tracks. He got the job done…..helped us racers get out of the tracks early most nights before 10and did this at Thompson / Riverside. I hope the best for him.
I hope the overhaul make for better racing for the 2013 season.
Hope he takes over the NASCAR Whelan modified tour.
We can't thank Ben enough for all his years of support and wish him the best with his future plans.
As an outsider looking in, I got the impression Mr. Dodge was being fazed out of management decisions for some time now. Obviously with the way the weekly racing program has struggled, cost cutting measures were going to take place.
I have to believe there is still a place for Ben Dodge in NE modified racing in a position of his choosing.
Thanks Ben for all of the years our family has raced with you! You are truely a gentleman and I hope we meet up with you in the future! Good luck with your future endeavors! 🙂
Ben is a good guy, and in my opinion one of the very best promoters in this area over the last 25 years. If he chooses to stay in racing he will be a big asset where ever goes.
I think Ben would be a good fit for the mods , he know the mod teams and tracks
Ben Dodge has kept racing alive in New England for as long as I can remember. Maybe he’s at the time when he needs something new. I hope he remains in the sport for years to come. My deep thanks to Ben. He made my life what it was. Best of luck, my friend.
Message from The Rod Father. I know Ben from the swap meets he runs. Does an excellent job with them!! Great racing promotor!!! A pleasure to talk to and has treated me well!! I now am the pace car driver at Lee USA speedway in N.H. and would like to invite you Ben to be our VIP guest for any of our race meets next season. See ya,Les Sanborn