Thompson Speedway Announces Expanded Oval Track Schedule For 2016

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to Thompson Speedway four times again in 2016 (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to Thompson Speedway four times again in 2016 (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

Get ready for more racing at Thompson Speedway in 2016.

Tuesday, track management announced an expanded 10-event schedule that will include events from a host of Northeast based touring divisions, showcased by four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will kick off its 2016 season with the running of the Icebreaker 150 on April 10. The Whelen Modified Tour will also close its season with the Sunoco World Series 150 on Oct. 16. The division will also run the Mr. Rooter 125 on June 15 and the Budweiser 150 on Aug. 10.

In all the track will host 12 touring divisions in 2016. In addition to the four Whelen Modified Tour events, the track will host the Valenti Modified Racing Series, the Pro All-Stars Series, the American-Canadian Tour, the Northeastern Midget Association Midgets, the NEMA Lites, the International SuperModified Association, the North East Mini Stock Tour, the North East Street Stock Tour, the New England Pro Four Modifieds and the Vintage Outlaws.

The track’s annual Icebreaker weekend will be expanding. In addition to the Whelen Modified Tour and the track’s four weekly divisions, the event will also include features for the Pro All Stars Series (75-laps on April 10), the North East Street Stock Tour and the New England Pro Four Modifieds.

Of the track’s weekly divisions, the schedule features 12 points events for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified division, 11 points races for the Late Model division and 10 points events each for the Limited Sportsman and Mini Stock divisions.

Outside of the opening and closing weekend, the track’s schedule features seven Wednesday night shows and one Saturday night event (July 9).

“We’re excited to release another creative oval schedule,” Thompson Speedway general manager Josh Vanada said in a release. “We’re proud to showcase our talented drivers in three additional events. It’s a privilege for us to honor both our fans and drivers with their own special events in July. It’s the least we can do with their great support throughout our 75-year history. It will be an exciting year with traditional favorites and some new, exciting formats.”

Information below from Thompson Speedway Press Release

1. Friday, April 8 – Sunday, April 10: 42nd Annual Icebreaker
(Inclement Weather Date: Friday, April 15 – Sunday, April 17)
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (150), Sunoco Modified (30), Late Model (25), TC1 – Limited Sportsman (20), TC1 – Mini Stock (15), Pro All Stars Series (75), NEMA Lites (20), North East Street Stock Tour (20), Trucks (20), New England Pro 4 Modifieds (20), Lite Modified (20), Vintage Outlaws (2 – 15)

Friday: Practice

Saturday: Practice and qualifying for all divisions. NEMA Lite, North East Street Stock Tour, Truck, Pro 4, Lite Modified and one Vintage Outlaw feature will all take place following the conclusion of qualifying.

Sunday: Will kick off with second Vintage Outlaw race, following Fan Appreciation Party. Triple Crown races for Limited and Minis. PASS race. Sunoco Modified and Late Model features. Day culminated with the Icebreaker 150 for the NWMT.

The season-opening Icebreaker has been enhanced to include 12 divisions in 2016. It will once again be headlined by the first championship event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, as well as TSMP’s four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Divisions. The Pro All Stars Series is the most notable addition, as they will do battle in a 75-lap main event on Sunday afternoon. Their return will mark their first stop at the 5/8-mile oval since 2012. The North East Street Stock Tour and New England Pro 4 Modifieds also will be opening their seasons at Thompson. Limited Sportsman will have an opportunity to race in both their feature and the NESST race. Thompson will also be organizing their own truck race, paying a fair and consistent purse throughout.

In addition to all the on-track activity, there will also be plenty for fans to do. The Fan Appreciation Party on the racetrack on Sunday morning will return for a third consecutive season. We will also have live entertainment, as we did last year. Prior to that, however, will be a new addition: Champion’s Banner Raising ceremony. The banners of our 2014 champions will be hung on the back of the grandstands leading into our Fan Appreciation Party.

2. Wednesday, May 18: Limited Sportsman Long Distance, presented by Circuit One Events

Sunoco Modified (30), Late Model (25), Limited Sportsman (40), Mini Stock (15)

A new event in 2016, the Limited Sportsman Long Distance will be an opportunity for our D3 drivers to be showcased. Known for their wheel-to-wheel racing, the drivers of the Limited Sportsman will headline our only event in the month of May. The winner is guaranteed to take home a handsome $700 check, which does not include any additional contingency awards. Our goal is to make the race $1,000 to win., and continue to pay well throughout the balance of the field. Total purse, prior to contingencies is over $4,000. Sportsman will be joined by the Sunoco Modified, Late Model, and Mini Stock divisions.

Circuit One Events is the presenting sponsor for that race. They organize and promote Circuit One, which is an exotic driving experience, as well as the Fiat 500 rally which gives folks chance to race a Fiat around a closed circuit course. The driver with the fastest time at the end of the competition period will take home a Ferrari.

3. Wednesday, June 1: Military Night

3rd Annual Late Model 20/20 Sprint (2 – 20-lap race; 1 – 10-lap sprint); Sunoco Modified (30) Limited Sportsman (20), Mini Stock (15)

The 3rd Annual Late Model 20/20 Sprint will once again be the showcase event for TSMP’s top-tiered fendered division. Known for it’s unique, segment-style format, the Sprint will once again be run in the same format that it has been for the past two seasons. A complete inversion of the second segment will-set the stage for a charge to the front for the front-runners of the first segment. The final segment will be ordered by lap times of lead lap cars. The winner will not only take home $1,000 in purse money, but will be a guaranteed starter for the American-Canadian Tour race at the World Series. The total purse, prior to bonus money, pays over $7,500. That’s nearly twice the normal purse.

This will also be the event that we express our gratitude for our military. We will be offering discounted pricing for our military.

4. Wednesday, June 15: 2nd Annual Mr. Rooter 125
(Inclement Weather Date: Thursday, June 16)

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (125), Sunoco Modified (30), Late Model (25), Limited Sportsman (20), Mini Stock (15), NEMA Lite (20)

Our friends at Mr. Rooter plumbing are returning as the title sponsors for our second NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event, and the first of our summer stretch. The only 125-lap event of our four NWMT events, this one proved to be exciting with pit strategy playing a big part. TSMP’s four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions will all be in competition, as well as the NEMA Lites. This will be their second of three stops.

5. Saturday, July 9: For the Fans Night

Sunoco Modified (30), Late Model (25), TC2 – Limited Sportsman (20), TC2 – Mini Stock (25), Lite Modified (20), North East Mini Stock Tour (20), Miata (TBD)

This special event kicks off fan and driver appreciation month at Thompson. With Waterford being off, this is a terrific opportunity for us to give our fans a weekend opportunity at a reduced ticket price. This is also going to be Ladies Night, in which honor females in motorsports. We are going to also have two trophies made for drivers. One will be theirs to keep, and a fan will have the opportunity to take the other one home. There will be a great opportunity for fans and drivers to interact as well. More to come on that.

As far as our divisional lineup for that night, we will have seven in action. It will be the second leg of the Triple Crown for Limiteds and Minis, and a great opportunity for Waterford competitors to make the trip North with them having an off-week. Thompson Minis will go 25 laps, with a winner’s spoils totaling $300 before any special awards. We will also have the North East Mini Stock Tour on hand, providing drivers the opportunity to race in two different Mini Stock races that night. Lite Modified make their second of four stops. We will also provide Mazda Miatas – sports cars accustomed to racing on our road course with the opportunity to make laps on our oval.

6. Wednesday, July 27: For the Drivers

3rd Annual Sunoco Modified 20/20 Sprint (2 – 20-lap race; 1 – 10-lap sprint), Late Model (25), Limited Sportsman (20), Mini Stock (15), Lite Modified (20)

Continuing the theme of fan and driver appreciation month, July 27 it will be an opportunity for us to show our appreciation to our drivers. Drivers will be admitted free of charge that night. We will also be working diligently on getting cash bonuses to be spread throughout the field. This is also our 3rd Annual Sunoco Modified 20/20 Sprint. A $2,000 purse is up for the winner of the race. Tenth position pays over $300 and it’s $200 to start. We will also include the Lite Modified division for their third visit. Purses for this event will total over $22,000 before any special awards.

7. Wednesday, August 10: 27th Annual Bud ‘King of Beers’ 150
(Inclement Weather Date: Thursday, August 11)

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (150), NEMA (25), Sunoco Modified (30), Late Model (25), Limited Sportsman (20), Mini Stock (15)

Our mid-summer staple, the Bud ‘King of Beers’ 150 will be identical in format to 2015. Six divisions comprise the program, including the first of two stops for the NEMA Midgets. At least one NWMT driver is expected in the field.

8. Wednesday, August 24: Sunoco Modified Twin 25’s

Sunoco Modified (2 – 25-lap races), Late Model (25), TC3 – Limited Sportsman (20), TC3 – Mini Stock (15)

Our Back to School event will be held on Wednesday, August 24. This will feature two opportunities for fans to catch the Sunoco Modifieds, and for drivers of that division to make up some ground in the NASCAR and TSMP points. NASCAR points close just a month later. Both races will pay their own purse. This is also the final race in the Triple Crown for the Limited Sportsman and Mini Stock Divisions.

9. Wednesday, September 7: #WayBackWednesday

Sunoco Modified (30), Late Model (25), Limited Sportsman (20), Mini Stock (15), Vintage Outlaw (15), Other Local Vintage Divisions TBA

Our final event of the summer stretch will be a throwback event. It will feature many of the cars and drivers of our rich 75-year history at TSMP. It will include local involvement from racing museums and historical organizations. We will have a gathering of champions, and it will be a great time to reflect on and celebrate the rich history we have at Thompson. For the competitors this is a great opportunity to come and get one more time out before the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing.

10. Friday, October 14 – Sunday, October 16: 54th Annual Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing
(Inclement Weather Date: Friday, October 21 – Sunday, October 23)

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (150), International Super Modified Association (50), American Canadian Tour (75), Valenti Modified Racing Series (50), Northeastern Midget Association (25), Sunoco Modified (30), Late Model (25), Limited Sportsman (20), Mini Stock (15), Northeast Mini Stock Tour (20), Trucks (20), New England Pro 4 Modifieds (22), North East Street Stock Tour (20), Lite Modifieds (20), NEMA Lites (20)

Friday: Practice and qualifying for seven divisions. TSMP Late Model will once again race on Friday night, and crown 2016 Champions.

Saturday: NWMT, ISMA, Sunoco Modified, Limited Sportsman, NEMA Lite qualifying. ACT, NEMA, and Pro 4 will all come in and practice, qualify, and race that day. Other features include VMRS, Mini Stock, NEMST, Truck, NESST, Lite Modifieds will also race Saturday night. Nine features in total.

Sunday: Will kick off with Limited Sportsman feature and culminate in Championship Event for NWMT. ISMA, Sunoco Modified, and NEMA Lite will all crown champions, too.

We will once again have a NWMT hauler parade on Friday afternoon, and will also have fan hay rides on Sunday morning. This year they will make a lap on the race track.

“Regular” Wednesday Schedule
3pm Gates Open
4:45pm 5:45pm Practice
6pm Driver’s Meeting
6:30pm Qualifying Races Begin
To Follow Feature Races Begin
9:30pm Estimated

Comments

  1. Scaremy Badley says

    Is July 9th an off week for the Bowl?

  2. Scaremy Bradley,
    Yes, the Speedbowl typically is dark that the second weekend in July for Saturday night.

  3. Did you read the article?

  4. Scaremy Badley says

    I only skimmed the article, had two minutes at break. Sorry LM, I won’t ask stupid questions anymore? So many jerks and intellectual bullies comment on this site. t(~_~t)

  5. Glad to see PASS back at the track and teamed up with a Tour event.

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