(Press Release from Thompson Speedway)
The Budweiser Modified Open at this weekend’s Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing is shaping up as one of the biggest events of the three-day festival. Entries have been pouring in from the biggest names of Northeast Modified racing for the 75-lap, $5,000-to-win showdown at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Saturday, October 10.
Top ground-pounders from both touring and weekly racing have signed up for the Tour-type Modified showdown. Drivers such as Matt Swanson, Eric Goodale, Rob Richardi Jr., Chase Dowling, and Richard Savary are ready to go at it for more than $26,000 in posted awards.
Harvard, MA’s Swanson is one of several drivers doing double-, triple-, and even quadruple-duty on Sunoco World Series weekend. The 20-year-old hot shoe will run both the Budweiser Modified Open and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco World Series 150 in the famed “Ole Blue” #3MA.
Swanson finally broke through with a big Tour-type Modified win earlier this year when he captured the Modified Racing Series season opener at New London-Waterford Speedbowl. He now turns his attention to the high banks and high speeds of Thompson Speedway, where the youngster has four top-five finishes in Whelen Modified Tour competition.
“I’m really excited for a weekend full of racing,” Swanson said. “Myself and my team are really looking forward to it and we are thankful for our sponsors and everyone that helps us out coming together to allow us to run both races. Hopefully we can get the job done in the Open race, but of course the main goal and main focus is to finally check that first win off the list for the Tour race.”
Racers from four states have entered the Budweiser Modified Open, trekking from far and wide for a show at World Series glory. Longtime Sunoco Modified and Stafford Motor Speedway standout Todd Owen of Somers, CT is one several drivers coming over for Saturday’s $5,000 shootout after the Friday night finale at Stafford Motor Speedway. Chase Dowling and Mike Christopher Jr. are also confirmed entries. Although Ronnie Williams has not officially filed an entry, reports are that he will be seen on track in the Budweiser Modified Open along with the NASCAR Modified, Sunoco, Modified, and ISMA Supermodified events.
Others will have a little bit farther of a trip. Riverhead, NY’s Eric Goodale, Center Conway, NH’s Andy Shaw, Westport, MA’s Carl Medeiros Jr., and Holbrook, MA’s Richard Savary are all potential names to watch. The drive home for each would certainly be much easier with a $5,000 cash prize along for the ride.
The race will be a family affair for the Meservey’s as both Dan and Brett have entered the show. Oakdale, CT’s Max Zachem has shown speed in a limited schedule and is still looking for that elusive big-money score. Joey Cipriano, Ryan Doucette, Jeff Gallup, Craig Dolphin, and Dylan Izzo are just some of the other names that will roll into the pits this weekend.
The Budweiser Modified Open is part of the three-day Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park from Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11. A total of 19 divisions and series will compete throughout the weekend. Fans will also get to see the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ISMA Big Block Super Modifieds, Pro All Stars Super Late Models, Sunoco Modifieds, ACT-type Late Model Open, 350 Supermodifieds, NEMA Midgets, Truly NEMA Lites, and much more.
Advance general admission tickets for the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing can be purchased at https://happsnow.com/event/Thompson-Speedway-Motorsports-Park-YHPQ/WORLD-SERIES–NO2QX. A three-day ticket is $55 for adults and $15 for kids ages 12 and under. Pit passes will be sold at the track and are $75 for adults and $40 for kids ages 12 and under.
The Budweiser Modified Open, along with 12 other divisions of action on Saturday and Sunday, will also be broadcast via pay-per-view on Speed51TV. The live stream is $50 for a two-day ticket or $30 for each separate day. Learn more or sign up at https://www.speed51.tv/products/ppv-thompson-world-series-two-day-ticket. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour cannot be seen on Speed51TV due to a separate broadcast agreement.
For more information about the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing schedule, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, [email protected], or visit www.acttour.com/thompson-speedway. You can also get updates on Facebook and Twitter at @ACTTour.
For camping information and general Thompson Speedway inquires, call (860) 923-2280, email [email protected], or visit www.thompsonspeedway.com. You can follow Thompson Speedway on Facebook and Instagram at @ThompsonSpeedway or on Twitter at @ThompsonSpdwy.
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.
Williams in the 25 for the Saturday night mod race at Thompson?
Rafter Fan,
Yes, Ronnie Williams is in the Gary Casella #25 for the Open Modified event.
I thought Zachem was still looking for that elusive big money score since that guy he wrecked at Waterford five years ago punched him in the mouth. Arrest, charges, lawsuit. That’s usually how it goes for that type of guy.
Anyone know if single day Saturday only tickets will be available? I have a friend who can’t come on Sunday.
What happened with Zachem? Who was the perpetrator?
Farmer, I think your friend is out of luck. Thompson has never done single day tickets for multi-day events, not in this century anyways. Although I’ve always thought they would make more $$ in the long run with single day tickets along with weekend passes. For example, two $30 single day tickets are $5 more than one $55 pass. Plus odds are those one-day visitors that might not go otherwise will still hit the concession stands. Maybe more people that can’t go for the weekend would go for one day. I think many people that buy an event ticket are at least going for Sat. & Sun. anyway.
It’s a little different this year. The one day option is available via PPV for $30.
I remember that wreck. It was in turns 1&2 on the white flag lap. Zachem was racing for position 7 or 8 if I recall correctly. Violent hit, destroyed the kids car and lucky the kid did not get hurt.
So there was an altercation after the race over 7th place?
Potato Farmer , I had the same deal last year, sold my buddies ticket outside the ticket booth quite easily for $40 on Sunday.
I think it may have been more about Zachem’s driving style and end result. Especially when there was no points involved and a minuscule difference in payout between the positions. IMHO
So Earl, Zachem needlessly wadded up a guy’s car to get $25 more for 7th and ended up buying a knuckle sandwich for dessert? Who was the car victim/punch assailant? I’m surprised more there wasn’t much chatter about that when it went down.
As if Dafella needs any more reasons not to attend. The ridiculous amount of Trump flags in the lot and camping areas would send him to the loony bin for sure. I’ve never seen so many in one place.
I believe Nick Ladyga threw the punch.
Takes a real man to hit someone while still strapped in a racecar after competing the event that night
Detectives on here should know the whole story the kid went through from something 3 years ago
Please do tell the whole story Detective.
Whatever happened to Ladyga? For awhile he had raced everything. Legends, sks, tour mods, late models. And do you realize what happens when you add a ga to the end of his name?