Weather Watchers: Thompson Speedway Management Readying For Icebreaker Forecast

Timmy Solomito celebrates his first career Whelen Modified Tour victory in the season opening Icebreaker 150 last year at Thompson Speedway (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

With his schedule already brimming with tasks in preparation for the start of the 2017 short track racing season in New England this weekend, Thompson Speedway general manager Josh Vanada has had to add the additional responsibility of amateur meteorologist to his responsibilities this week.

Thompson Speedway is staring down what would seem to be a perfectly typical ridiculous March/April New England weather outlook. Snow, rain, warm temperatures. It would seem depending on what forecast you stare at, between Friday and Sunday in Thompson could have just about anything happening.

The Friday schedule at Thompson includes practice from noon to 5:30 p.m. for all divisions besides the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Northeastern Midget Association and Pro All Stars Series.

“If we were forced to make a decision at this moment I would say we’d probably go forward,” Vanada said. “The information that I have is that whatever takes place on Friday is a question mark. … The one thing that’s starting to become consistent is that the showers are going to be ending Saturday morning, which may mean just a schedule modification. And we do have the services of the Air Titan coming to assist. I think we’re going to be in good shape. And Sunday, thankfully, looks to be the best day of all of them.”

The Whelen Modified Tour has two practices scheduled Saturday. They will change from their typical Icebreaker tradition of qualifying on Saturday to a Sunday qualifying schedule. The division will have time trials about an hour before the season opening Icebreaker 150 Sunday.

“My main concern and my main reason for going to forward with it was to be able to shorten the days for the Tour,” Vanada said.

Vanada said track officials are not against running the entire event on Sunday, if needed.

“We will make a weather statement Thursday morning and we will appropriately respond with additional statements as the forecast continues to develop,” Vanada said. “But we will make a statement Thursday morning regarding our intentions.”

Comments

  1. If the weather doesn’t allow hardly anything on Saturday I hope they postpone it all… I realize the tour controls the schedule but there are many other divissions here. All that have had no practice what so ever after a long winters break. If they do it all Sunday it will be rushed and a crash fest.. Plus wouldn’t it make more sence financially for the track to get a full weekend of revenue in??? Screw the tour, postpone the thing!

  2. Fast Eddie says

    Hopefully the weather people are right: maybe a delayed start on Saturday and a full day on Sunday. I’ve been to “weather condensed” events at Thompson before and thought they did a great job with the conditions faced to put a good event on. If you’re going to wait for great weather in New England to race, you’re not going to race much! If it’s dry, the racers will figure out a way to fly!

  3. darealgoodfella says

    If the weather has its way, this is looking like a one day event.

  4. SKL Fan,
    I would have to disagree about Saturday. Right now the weather on Saturday looks to have all precipitation done by 2pm. You dry the track and turn on the lights and go as long you have to. I race at the World Series a few years back and our feature didn’t start until 10ish on a Saturday Night. I loved every part of it! I like seeing all of the divisions, but mainly go for the WMT. Do what you can on Saturday afternoon/night. The less on Sunday the better. I wish they would bump the WMT up and Qualify at 1 and race at 2. It would make it better for the people who go to see just the tour get home at a decent time. It’s a 4 hour drive for me. Either way, I’m going and will be there no matter what!! Can’t wait for the IceBreaker to begin!! Smell of Race Fuel and Rubber can’t come soon enough!

  5. Liz Cherokee says

    Time trials on Sunday? Time trials are boring. This will necessitate bringing a second flask for Sunday.

  6. Liz, I might be in love with you

  7. Liz, I might be in love with you.

  8. darealgoodfella says

    Liz Cherokee,

    Second flask? You’re only up to a second flask?

  9. Liz Cherokee says

    Amongst other things in life, I tend to like my flasks big…

  10. Grey Matter says

    it’s been postponed till next week

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