As first reported earlier today by RaceDayCT, the American Canadian Tour and Pro All Stars Series will work in partnership to promote two events later this year at Thompson Speedway.
The joint press release from the sanctioning bodies is below:
The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) have reached an agreement with Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park to promote multiple events at the Thompson, CT oval track this season. The events will be the first held on the historic 5/8-mile speedway in 2020 after multiple postponements and cancellations due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
The first event ACT and PASS are hosting at Thompson Speedway has been set for Wednesday, September 2 and features a visit from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. They will then promote the 58th annual World Series of Speedway Racing from Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11. The organizations are currently in talks with track ownership regarding the 2021 season and beyond.
Full division lines-ups, times, and pricing for both 2020 events will be announced next week. Attendance will be limited to 25% of capacity per Connecticut state mandate. ACT and PASS plan to offer advance ticket sales for the September 2 event beginning Monday, August 10.
In addition, ACT managing partner Cris Michaud and PASS owner Tom Mayberry are hosting an open practice at Thompson Speedway on Wednesday, August 19. The practice schedule will also be announced next week.
Thompson Speedway is the oldest asphalt auto racing facility in the United States. It opened its doors in 1940 and was long known as the “Indianapolis of the East”. The agreement with ACT and PASS will ensure that the oval remains open for another season.
“We’re excited about this opportunity,” Michaud said. “The ACT Tour was part of the World Series the last five years, and we were always impressed with the facility and with the racing there. We’re looking forward to working with the local teams and touring series that have made Thompson their home and putting on a great show for the fans.”
“It’s a remarkable race track,” Mayberry added. “I spent a lot of nights on the backstretch with Don Hoenig watching the Modifieds and the local divisions. You can practically feel the history every time you’re there. Being part of the Icebreaker for three years was one of the biggest stages PASS has ever raced on. We’re glad to continue contributing to the legacy of such an important speedway.”
For more information, contact the ACT at (802) 244-6963, [email protected], or visit www.acttour.com or www.thompsonspeedway.com. You can also get updates on Facebook and Twitter at @ACTTour.
For technical information concerning all PASS divisions, and for media or marketing questions, please contact [email protected] or visit www.proallstarsseries.com. Don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
This is the BEST NEWS that I have seen for the Crown Jewel of Nascar racing , Thompson Speedway .
The HIGH BANKS provide the best racing for the Modifieds and every division that runs there. The HIGH SPEEDS provide exciting passing and side by side Racing . The High Speeds really do separate the MEN from the Boys, I have witnessed firsthand many drivers going out to practice and return to the pits white knuckled hands for squeezing the wheel so tight , Saying wow this place is FAST !! The fast drivers really can come through the field there, traffic is not as much a factor like some of the smaller and flatter one groove tracks. The Supermodifieds are amazing to watch there also, Jon McKennedy really put on a show and took the Win last time I was there. So many great memories from Bugsy to Park and Coby , Justin, Teddy, Reggie, Richie and many more. I am so happy that the History will continue !!!
The Guys that are promoting these races are solid Men that Understand the History and recognize the great venue and Importance of the Icebreaker and World Series to New England race fans.. Maybe next year they can Restore the Thompson 300 back to the Glory Days Open Competition Races. Well Shawn thanks for the updates …. Glad we can keep Thompson open and not lose this Track in the Northeast…
Jimmy Wilson, any comment yet?
What happened to Terry Eames and his group?
Looks like there is a new Sheriff in town, great to hear Thompson is back in 2020.
Surprised they can do this when there is a deal already in place with Terry Eames and friends to promote the Thompson Speedway this year. Eames isn’t mentioned anywhere so I assume he isnt part of this deal I guess if you back out of your first scheduled race, there isn’t much promise for the rest of the season. The contract is either voided or already breached. It is probably a better fit. The ACT and PASS groups don’t have the sorted history that Eames has in CT.
Things have gotten worse at Seekonk. Now the State of MA or town of Seekonk is requiring negative Covid tests for people from RI to go to the track. They are near the RI border and approximately 40 percent of their competitors are RI residents. I am sure a large percentage of their fans are also from RI. So essentially no one from RI can go to Seekonk until restrictions are eased. In response to these new rules Seekonk has cancelled this weekends racing. They were holding races without fans for their Friday night schedule and I believe were supposed to run some Saturday night divisions starting this weekend. Tri track has 2 races scheduled there with Open Wheel Wednesday and the Haunted Hundred., Seekonk is getting absolutely screwed. In my opinion, if these rules remain in place I dont think we see another race there this year. I dont see how RI residents who race at the track could comply.
AWESOME NEWS !!!!!!
Great to see this news, hopefully everything works out. Some people have put the horse before the carriage, hoping they will restore the track to greatness in the coming years, yet all 3 articles only mention them promoting 2 events. Guess we’ll have to wait and see. If they’re held to the same standard as Stafford, it looks as though either they’ll offer a really small purse, or lose money. Can’t see how a track can hold a tour event at 25% capacity, and not lose money. People are only willing to pay a finite amount of money to see a race, so high gate prices aren’t going to help the cause. A one day tour show with support divisions, to me, is only worth about 35 bucks, others may be willing to pay more. Again wait and see
CSG,
There is no deal in place with Terry Eames he had worked to try to put together a deal for two events at Thompson. No contracts were voided or breached. Also, the word is sordid not sorted. Sorted is when you organize or put things in order. The garbage about making Terry Eames look bad just because gets old. Most of all that “sorted” history you mention is just exaggerated BS that people continue to spread because they have nothing better to do.
Where and how do I get tickets?
Deez noo gize made dem an offuh dey couldn’t reefyooz.
capeesh?
It’s getting late in the season and the NWMT is still looking for open ports. They can’t be too choosey or demanding.
Thank you for that correction and subsequent explanation Shawn!
Rob P, don’t try to figure it out, not your issue, it’s happening and if you don’t like it don’t go. I am sure someone who wants to attend will be more than happy to go in your place.
Jimmy Wilson sent this email to owners and crew chiefs at 12:52 pm today>
Good afternoon,
In a few minutes NASCAR will release through our media platforms that the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour has secured two dates at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. We will race on Wednesday night, September 2nd and again for the World Series of Speedway Racing the weekend of October 10 – 11. The actual race date (either Saturday or Sunday) has not yet been finalized but will be in the coming days and communicated to you.
We are working to continue to finalize the September schedule and will have that out to you soon. Our schedule through September 2nd is:
August 22 – Jennerstown Speedway
August 29 – Monadnock Speedway
September 2 – Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park
Thank you,
Jimmy Wilson | Director, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
If Thompson can have the tour and make money, why can’t Stafford?
Maybe even with 25% capacity Thompson might be workable along with the PPV. I don’t know the official track grandstand capacity but it seems to have more seating than Stafford, going completely down the front straight and around turn 4. I’m thinking the connection made with WMMP for those two races may have helped develop this. Obviously NASCAR was happy with the racing there, hence the second one. Hope this works and tickets become available!!!
Fast Eddie,
You can’t do a PPV for a Whelen Modified Tour event. Those events are already part of the NBC Sports Gold Trackpass package.
STOP SAYING WHY CANT STAFFORD
Maybe just Maybe Stafford in happy with OPEN SHOWS getting 30 cars at 24 k purse and PPV
Not looking good for Oswego on Sep 5.
Thompson on Wed Sep 2, then Oswego on Sat Sep 5?
Has Oswego been officially canceled yet? Probably won’t get Hirschman to show up for these Thompson events.
Sorry Shawn, that’s what I was referring to. Do you know if the track earns anything from that, or is it all income for NASCAR and NBC?
I’m not sure how the income from that deal is distributed.
I would think the Track does get something FROM the deal in the race contract with NASCAR, if WMMP can pay 56 k maybe holding 2000 people and Monadnock later this month again maybe 2 or 3 k tops but again STAFFORD gets alll there CUT from PPV weekly
WMass01013,
Stafford does not get 100 percent of what is paid for their pay per view showings. My understanding is that they collect about 50 percent of the purchase price paid for their broadcast, with half of that cut they receive going directly into purses for weekly competitors.
Ok Shawn yeah i forgot 25% went to the teams
and i am sure whoever does the production gets a cut, i guess my bigger point is they get PPV $$ unlike if they bring in the WMT
Here’s a concept…How about supporting this great news for fans, race teams and Thompson Speedway. Regardless of the past history. Thompson’s Speedway business and the two parties that put this together are not my business…or your business but…their business. Doesn’t the present situation with racing at the speedway for 2020 and future look a little brighter? Yup..! Those who choose to keep looking back…will never help to move this good news forward. So how about we all just move forward and look forward to more racing…at the track we all love…See you on September 2nd.
Positive news for the track that separates the men from the boys.
Hank Scott, well said !!!!
Next thing you will tell me is Stafford is hosting a TT event this season. Crazy year.
Speaking of Stafford, tickets available at the gate tonight and tomorrow. The $30/$60(for both nights) ticket now that the unemployment gravy train is over might be showing its effects. I hope the Thompson guys calculated for that. A $50 ticket is a big hit if you aren’t working.
Concerning that Nascar didn’t confirm NHMS in that email. If it’s a done deal why not announce it for planning purposes? No fans at Oswego and RH makes me think one or all fall by the wayside. The White Mountains are beautiful in Sept/Oct.
Da-Hypocrite inquiring about tickets? Need I say more? The prosecution rests your honor. The defendant has rights.
Having these 2 races at Thompson is great. It’s an awesome track for racing. The question is, with 25% capacity, are the promoters going to lose money, and therefore Lise interest going forward
It would be great to see more racing there in 2021, but if your losing money for each event, I don’t see it happening. Hopefully some major sponsors hop on board and make these 2 events financially feasible so the costs aren’t passed on to the fans. $30-$35 is about the most people will tolerate paying for a one night show, especially in these trying times.
I think if Stafford sold the PPV for half of what they charge now three times as many people would buy it.
The Thompson Speedbowl.What a mess
In the current situation, with more and more people losing their jobs a cheap PPV option would be great. Even better if they hooked up with Comcast, and other cable providers, so you don’t need internet to get PPV. I do like how a cut of the proceeds goes into the purses, something they didn’t have to do. Just shows the respect they gave for the racers.
Good news. Still a month away. A lot can happen. If I was to sign that contract I would get a team of lawyers to sift through it. Lots of variables and if I were them I would assume all are in favor of 1 party. And it wouldn’t be me, or them in this case. Just my 2 cents.
changing gears posted: “The Thompson Speedbowl.”
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
Dafella wrote, “where and how can I get tickets”. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😷😷😷😷😷
Well said Hank, you’ve always been a class act!
Just be happy there is racing, the financial aspects don’t concern you.