(Press Release from Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park)
Rowan Pennink celebrates victory in the Whelen Modified Tour Icebreaker 150 last April at Thompson Speedway (Photo: Fran Lawlor/RaceDayCT)
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP) revealed details about The Icebreaker, which will feature eleven divisions in the 44th running of this great tradition.
“For the past 43 years, the Icebreaker has marked the beginning of the stock car racing season in New England. This year’s rendition has even more excitement with the addition of the Valenti Modified Racing Series, giving race fans an additional 50 laps of wheel-to-wheel excitement. We look forward to welcoming our loyal fans and racers back to Thompson to begin our 78th season.” explained Josh Vanada, General Manager of TSMP.
The 2018 season of racing kicks off Friday, April 6, with a Test & Tune day. On April 7-8, the New England stock car racing season will open with eleven divisions on the Icebreaker card, which is headlined by The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
The Saturday program will be compromised of practice and qualifying for ten of the eleven divisions. In addition, feature races for the NEMA Lites, Exit Realty Pro Truck Challenge Race, Exit Realty 375 Sportsman Challenge, and Lite Modified Race will all be held. Some added excitement will take place on Saturday as The Valenti Modified Racing Series will open their season with a 50-lap affair.
The highly-anticipated Fan Appreciation Party and Champion’s Banner Raising will start off the Sunday schedule followed by the NWAAS Sunoco Modified Race, Pass Race, NWAASS Limited Sportsman Race, NWAAS late Modified Race and the NWAAS Mini Stock Race. The afternoon will culminate with the 150-lap championship race for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Feature Races:
- NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (150)
- Sunoco Modified (30)
- Late Model (25)
- Limited Sportsman (20)
- Mini Stock (15)
- Pro All Star Series (100)
- NEMA Lites (20)
- Exit Realty 375 Sportsman Challenge (35)
- Lite Modified (20)
- Exit Realty Pro Truck Challenge (20)
- Valenti Modified Racing Series (50)
“One of the things that makes the Icebreaker special is that it is filled with expectation. Everyone comes in with brand new cars, optimistic about their results. Fans come, after a long winter, ready to cheer their favorite drivers on to victory. As part of our commitment to engaging with our fans, the Icebreaker affords them the opportunity to see the stars and cars up close and personal at our Banner Raising Ceremony and Fan Appreciation Party on Sunday morning. We look forward to welcoming everyone on track to kick off the stock car racing season in New England.” General Manager, Josh Vanada said.
Tickets for the Icebreaker will be available at the event.
Camping continues to grow year over year and registration will open on February 16th. You can make your reservations online here: www.thompsonspeedway.com/reservations
Inclement Weather date: Friday April 13th – Sunday April 15th
For more information on The Icebreaker and for a full calendar of events, please visit thompsonspeedway.com.
Nice!
Let’s see Rowan Pennink put Ol’ Blue back in Thompson Victory at the 2018 IceBreaker!!!
Dareal, I’ll second that!! It would be really cool to see them repeat! Also, a big plus having the VMRS added to the event. It’ll make the ticket price a better deal for anyone who can go for the weekend. Although I still think they’d do better at the front gate having single day tickets in addition to weekend tickets.
That was a nice move by Exit Realty to sponsor the new 375 Pro Sportsman Tour that debuted at Waterford last year. So far they have 5 races scheduled. 2 at Thompson, 2 at Waterford, one each at Star and Hudson.
The race at Waterford was good with 20 plus cars. An eclectic bunch of cars that including a couple of Camaro’s. I’d say it’s kind of self defeating splitting what is essentially a Street Stock, Sportsman entry level type division against the track Limited Sportsman. But apparently some of these guys like to travel and touring Street Stocks is a thing. Good luck to them.
Fast Eddie, I’d like to see Ol’ Blue in many more Victory Lanes!!! They had a good early season, then a few bad breaks later on. This will be a very good season for Ol’ Blue.
dareal, get it right… it is Ole Blue Curaçao!