Thompson Speedway in 2021 was all about new things happening.
Veteran short track racing businessmen Cris Michaud and Tom Mayberry took over operations of the oval track at Thompson prior to the 2021 season and set forth putting together a six-event schedule for the season, highlighted by the track’s annual Icebreaker weekend, Sunoco World Series weekend and the return of the Thompson 300 to close out the year.
Michaud and Mayberry return to operating the facility in 2022 and have added two NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events in addition to pushing forward on a similar schedule from 2021.
With the new in 2021 though, there also came something quite familiar to fans of the track. Larry Barnett, the track’s all-time winningest Limited Sportsman division driver, snapped a three-year winless streak on the way to his fifth career track title.
Barnett, who turns 60 in May, will return to Thompson in 2022 looking to extend his record for Limited Sportsman victories and chase a sixth track title.
“I think the whole management of the Thompson Speedway [with operators Cris Michaud and Tom Mayberry] it’s building,” Barnett said on the latest edition of the Unmuffled podcast. “It feels like everything is heading in the right direction. I think the people that are racing are essentially having a good time. I hope that it just keeps building on that. We had a pretty good car count for the World Series. Never terrible the rest of the year. … Hopefully it keeps building.”
To hear much more from Larry Barnett and also Tim Jordan, and hear plenty of chatter on all sorts of topics listen to the latest edition of Unmuffled.
The Unmuffled podcasts are available for $5 a month through the RaceDayCT Insider Program through Patreon. For 2022 we’ve introduced an all new format for the Unmuffled podcast. Along with the regular interviews, we’ve also added a weekly segment overflowing with topics running the gamut, from opinion to controversy, to who we’re feuding with, to good old stories and looks at the rumor mill. If you’d like to hear for yourself with no commitment check out Episode 115 with Ben Dodge and Matt Swanson, which we’re offering with free access for a limited time. The RaceDayCT Insider Program allows readers to support the continued professional coverage of short track racing across New England. Sign up now and get access to our new podcasts every week and all of previous podcasts, plus exclusive RaceDayCT Insider news throughout the season.
I thought Ted Christopher was the all time winningest driver. With 99 feature victories. Am I wrong? Saw that last one and wreck in turn three the subsequent feature. Please tell me otherwise.
Kayman,
Should have read all-time winningest Limited Sportsman division driver. Updated.
Whenever I see Larry Barnett’s car, I get an urge for a Big Mac and large fries.