(Press release from Souza Media)
While the celebration of his third NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship continues, Justin Bonsignore is going to be back behind the wheel this weekend.
Bonsignore and the No. 51 Kenneth Massa Motorsports team are heading to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park this Sunday, October 10, to compete in the return of the historic Thompson 300 open modified event. This event, promoted by the team at the American-Canadian Tour and Pro All Star Series, is $20,000 to win and is returning for the first time in one and a half decades.
Since the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour didn’t visit Thompson this year, this will be the first stop of the year at the Connecticut oval for the team. Bonsignore isn’t concerned, though — as the Holtsville, New York, native has 12 wins on the high-banks and at one point, swept all four tour races in the same season.
“Since they announced the race was going to be returning it’s been something we have been looking forward to racing,” Bonsignore said. “There is a lot of history around this race and it will carry a lot of prestige, and a desire to win it will come with it. We’re excited and anxious to get there to see how it goes. We’re not concerned. We have a good baseline at Thompson, and we will see if a slightly different tire compound makes a difference, but we’re going to go there with the same package we always run and Ryan Stone (crew chief) and the guys will adapt as needed.”
Bonsignore and the team will arrive at Thompson on Friday, and compete in practice runs on both Friday and Saturday. All of the qualifying and feature racing will take place on Sunday, October 10. Qualifying begins just after 1 p.m. and the 300-lap race is scheduled to go green around 3:30 p.m. The race is all green flag laps only, and will have a rule where teams can change 12 tires during the event.
Tickets will be available at the gate to watch the return of this historic event, while fans can also watch a live Pay-Per-View broadcast on Speed51.TV. For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his athlete page on Facebook for the latest updates.
300 green flag laps??
NOT THE ENTRY LIST FOR THE THOMPSON 300
FOR PICK-EM USE ONLY
9 Chase Dowling………..A
51 Justin Bonsignor………..A
10 Doug Coby……………….A
3 Matt Swanson…………..A
25 Ronnie Williams………..A
7ny Christopher………………A
06ma Craig Lutz………………..A
79 McKennedy………………B
16 Silk………………………….B
57 Rocco………………………B
179 Kopcik…………………….C
99 Savary…………………….B
75 Pasteryak………………..B
21 Barry……………………….B
45 MeserveY…………………B
58 Goodale…………………..B
92 Nocella……………………B
4ma Gallup……………………..B
16nj Sesely……………………..B
84 JB Fortin………………….B
24 Krause…………………….C
36 Sapienza…………………B
18 Zachem…………………[..B
25 Flannery………………….B
12ma Richardi …………………B
81x Zentek……………………B
02 LaPlante …………………B
34 Etherige ………………….B
28 Charette………………….B
48 Rufrano…………………..C
07 Emerling …………………C
32 Rypkema…………………C
05 Hersey…………………..B
13 Sontag…………………..B
81 Owen………………………B
31 Korner……………………..B
01 Pederson…………………B
60 Shaw………………………B
4NH Bleau……………………….B
2 Hossfeld …………………C
60 Hirschman………………C
A Some reference in social media or press release they would participate
B Have participated in events a Thompson in 2021
C Possibles known to show up for big events like a New Smyrna
I’d suggest getting on the board with picks. We know some of the big guns that are scheduled to be there.
Change your picks at any time for any reason right up to the race.
No wild card for this one for obvious reasons I’d suggest a twist worth one point. My preference would be including one point for predicting the pole sitter.
16,51,25,57,7ny,………….25
Doug,
I’m expecting an entry list of some type to be available today.
Massa wondering out of the NWMT is a rarity with only the Islip 300 a regular stop. This one has to be a risk worth taking with the 51’s record at Thompson. He’s got to be the prohibitive favorite. Could very well be part of the reason Hirschman is likely not to be in attendance knowing the odds of capturing the big prize is marginal at best.
Question is can the 51 compete against the built engines. The Cassella 25 by far the dominant car this year at Thompson based on lap speeds. We’ll get to see top spec engine cars in the mix with all the other engine variations to see how they stack up.
Question??? Does the gas guzzling nature of the spec engine play a significant roll in strategy in this race and is it at a competitive disadvantage?
Shawn says the list will be forthcoming today and not Friday so start strategizing on your picks. Aside from that time is getting short here. Looking forward to not just seeing the picks but the associated in depth analysis on how this thing will play out from those familiar with the Thompson and the 300.
I hope the car count is larger than what is being reported elsewhere.
TJ,
I haven’t seen anything else reported elsewhere by any other media outlets. I’ve seen plenty of social media gossip. What’s the number you’re hoping it’s larger than? It was posted here yesterday that as of yesterday there were 25 pre-entries. Entry is open up until Sunday. I’d say there’s going to likely be more than 30 cars. Also “TJ”, I’ve been meaning to bring it up to you, but didn’t you make a big to-do about not posting anymore on this site when you were using the nickname “JD”?
Well Shawn, “JD” isn’t posting anymore, it’s his twin brother….
TJ = JD
Well, well, well.
😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝
Fast Eddie’s picks: Swanson, Coby, Bonsignore, McKennedy, Williams. The pole will be Dowling.
Dan for Hoosier said on Tuesday that 28 cars had ordered tires.
@Bigorange61 – yes, green laps
As of 10/6 – 103 Bonus laps have been filled
Shawn,
If you happen to get your hands on the entry list would you please post it? I am waiting to make my picks until I see something more official rather than speculating. Thanks……
Thompson 300 10/10
Picks at a glance (Picks subject to change pending final list)
Doug…..16,51,25,57,7ny,………….25
Eddie…..3,10,51,7ny,25……………..9
Earl, no offense, but there are 25 names listed in the article above. If there are any last minute new names you can adjust from there.
Bonsignore, Coby, Rocco, Silk, Williams, Emerling, Swanson, Lutz, Nocella, McKennedy, Barrett, Moelleur, Pasteryak, Goodale, Sapienza, Jankowiak, Zachem, Dowling, Bello, D. Robie, Korner, Zentek, Anglace, Izzo, and the #16 Kluth car.
I’m still looking for Santos Owen, Galko, Meservey Etheridge, Hirschman, Krause, Barry, and other Riverhead & Wall cars.
10 cars practiced for the 300 and lookie who is turning the fastest laps. My stars it’s the 51, 10 and 16. I’m shocked and all spec engines. The really bad new is that the 51 and 10 are a tenth or two faster then Speed Racer in the 25 was turning in prior races and practice at Thompson.
Sure you can turn fast laps but can you do it over a really long race and manage your fuel consumption at the same time?
Looks like the Pick-em is cancelled on account of lack of interest. No definitive list of entries and the fan base in wracked with indecision. On to the Haunted Hundred.
Top 5 PICK’EM POOL >>>> LETS GO LADIES AND GENTS >>>> GET YOUR PICKS IN FOR THE 300>> LETS GO SUNDAY THOMPSON 300…. HAVE FUN = BE HAPPY …….. Sunday Pick’em POOL
1. 51
2. 16 Silk
3. McKennedy
4. Coby
5. Rocco
POLE PICK
51
Bonsignore
Coby
Silk
Dowling
Christopher
Silk
Thompson 300 10/10
Picks at a glance (Picks subject to change pending final list)
57,28,16,92,3
Doug…..16,51,25,57,7ny………0+2+
Eddie…..3,10,51,7ny,25……….0+1
Jake…….51,16,79,10,57……….0+2
Earl……..51,10,16,9,7ny……….0+1
You can pick a winner if you like but as far as I can see we all whiffed on this one and our turn out disappointing as well.