The only female driver ever to win an SK Modified feature at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl will return to the track Saturday after nearly six years away from racing.
Nichole Thibeault will run her first race since 2014 Saturday at the Speedbowl, driving in the SK Light Modified feature for car owner Larry Goss.
Thibeault (nee Morgillo) raced regularly in SK Modifieds at the Speedbowl and Stafford Speedway from 2009 to 2014.
On September 21, 2013 Thibeault became the first female driver to win an SK Modified feature at the track and only the second female driver in the track’s history to win a feature in one of the track’s regular weekly racing divisions. She actually missed being the first by minutes. Victoria Bergenty had won the SK Light Modified feature on the same night to become the first female driver in the track’s history to win a weekly racing division event at the track.
Since stepping away from racing following the 2014 season, Thibeault and her husband – former racer Shawn Thibeault – have become parents to twins Logan and Lianna. The twins will turn four in September.
“I always wanted to show my kids that their mommy was once a badass,” Thibeault told RaceDayCT Wednesday.
Thibeault said she had hoped to keep the news quiet until Saturday, but her mom spilled the beans with a social media post Wednesday morning. She said the Goss car will be renumbered to her old number, 56. Thibeault said the deal to drive the car came together during a night celebrating the birthday of Cassie Rocco, SK Modified driver Keith Rocco’s wife.
“We were having a good time and we started to make some phone calls and it just happened,” Thibeault said.
Thibeault said the itch to drive a race car has never left since walking away in 2014.
“Every time we go to Stafford [Speedway] I get that feeling that I miss it,” Thibeault said. “But actually sometimes when I see the cars go by I think ‘[Wow], I can’t believe I did that.’ But Shawn [Thibeault] has gone out a couple of times with [Keith Rocco’s] rental cars. Everybody tells me ‘You should be the one renting that.’ I have more experience in a Modified than Shawn does. Shawn was always more of a Late Model guy. I definitely have always had that little itch. But as a mom to twins, it takes up every second of my time.”
It will mark Thibeault’s first time racing an SK Light Modified. She made the jump from Sprint Cars directly to SK Modifieds in 2009. Thibeault said she’s unsure what Saturday will lead to going forward.
“It’s hard to say right now,” Thibeault said. “I haven’t practiced the car. I have no idea what the car feels like. … The car owner wants to do it. He wants to go weekly. I think it just depends week to week for me being comfortable in the car and how well I can do. But I don’t think I’m going to suck.”
It will be great to see Nicole back in a car!
What an amazing night for the Speedbowl and the record books with both Nichole and Victoria Bergenty winning features in Modified divisions on the same night. That is one of the few that I regret not being present for! Glad to hear Nichole is going to take another shot at it!
Welcome back Nichole. Good luck to you and your team on your new endeavor.
Go Girl Go!!!
I was there the night that Nichole and Victoria won their respective features and I will admit I was a little choked up.
Welcome back Nichole.
It was an incredible night that probably will never happen again anywhere. Vic the quick, and whatever Buckler calls Nichole. I believe she considered TC her childhood hero. So so to hold him off for the win was amazing. And then there was that other time that she got wrecked by him and she went bonkers. Didn’t he call her Betty Crocker in an interview?
Yes,welcome back Nichole.I remember the night she went after TC(The King) on the backstretch.He was smart enough not to tangle with that tiger!
Welcome back, I always enjoyed watching you race, totally fearless!
What was Nicole’s maiden name, I forget. I remember her racing and getting her marriage proposal on the track
Ron p,
It’s in the third paragraph of the story you just commented on.
This is what racing needs.
I’ll be there she Rocks !!!
That’s right 🍼🍼🍼😷😷😷 darealmedoicrefella😷😷😷🍼🍼🍼!!! Good to see you are supporting women in racing and not trolling me about Melissa’s points position for once! 🥃🍷🍸🍹🍻🥂🍾 Bottoms up boys!
I only know what I need. To watch a race in person. I am just asking if there is some social distancing standing in the corners. If not I am out. I am assuming the 1/4 rule is in effect. I do not believe this is happening. From second hand testimonials from life long friends.
I said it before and I will say it again, if you don’t like it then don’t go. It will make room for someone else that wants to go.
There are plenty of other locations you can watch the race from if you really want to see it. You are just looking for an excuse not to go or breaking stones.
Oh by the way, wear a mask and you won’t have to worry about where you watch it from.
Earl,
I’m 100 percent on board in telling people if you don’t feel safe being somewhere then don’t go there if you don’t have to.
But, here’s where it becomes an issue. If you publicly advertise your business as being operated one way and then you don’t actually enforce the rules you say you’re going to enforce, then that’s not fair to paying customers who went there expecting it to be run a certain way because as a business owner you said it would be run that way.
If I didn’t like dogs and Home Depot advertised publicly that you can’t bring your dog in with you and I showed up at a Home Depot store and all the other customers had dogs, I’m going to be upset because I went all that way expecting one thing and found it wasn’t true.
So yes, if you advertise very publicly that everyone must wear a mask sitting in the grandstand and that’s your stated rule, then people who go there and find out it’s not really a rule and that it’s actually more likely just something stated on social media to make the health board happy, then you have every right to be upset.
I’ve been to Stafford, Manadnock, Hudson and Waterford this year. Kayman, if you don’t feel like you’ll be or feel safe at Waterford, that’s a valid point. But don’t think you can go to any of the other tracks and feel any safer.
Is it The Speedbowls position that you must wear masks in the stands. Because I know when I went to Stafford for the Open show, they allowed no masks in stands except for one section. I did see some people walking the Midway without masks, but they were eating and or drinking, so that I think is acceptable. I have not been to Waterford yet.
Hello all,
Just going to go with my gut and assume I can watch a race socially distant at Waterford. I will assume I can stand well behind people if need be or sit in the stands. It really is not about me but my parents. They live with me and their safety is my number 1 concern. At work we had a 1st Covid-19 positive and I cringed when I heard that. I need to keep my family safe and still get my fix. I was not trying to get people annoyed.
Thank you all,
Kayman
The information came from second hand testimonials from what is claimed to be life long friends. Witnessing it first hand and having proof positive is another matter.
You have every right to be protected from others however if you have any brains you also have an obligation to protect yourself.
As far as I am concerned go to the track, take your mask and wear it like you are instructed and or social distance when appropriate. If the rules that have been set forth by the track are not being adhered to by others, go to the track management and personally voice your concerns. If the track elects not to react to the complaint then take it to the next level.
Take the complaint to the health district, Town and or the State of CT and they will deal with it.
If you don’t have the testicular fortitude to do any of the above then stay home because you are just stirring up 💩.
IMHO…….
Kayman, I regularly check in and keep an eye on my 86 year old dad with at least three high risk factors, so I have a pretty good idea of where your head and heart is. Stafford has a mandatory mask section. For all other events I wear my mask anyway. If you have a quality mask and it’s on correctly you should be safe from anyone near you, along with hand washing. Despite funny looks from some people who don’t get it, I wear my mask most of time at any track I go to, regardless of their rules. It keeps me safe and in turn keeps dad safe as well. I’ve been to ten races so far in Connecticut and New Hampshire and, thank God, no problems!