On the Road Again: North East Street Stock Tour Sets Sights on Road Course

Posted by Wayne G. Barber & Photos Wayne G. Barber Collection

THOMPSON, CT – The North East Street Stock Tour will be a part of history, as the drivers will take to the road course at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, for the Stock Car Road Race Challenge, on September 11-12. 

 

Entrants will negotiate the 1.7-mile course for the seventh race on the North East Street Stock Tour (NESST) schedule.  This will be the first time stock cars will be on the recently-renovated course, first built in 1952.

 

Larry Barnett, a former champion of the 5/8-mile oval at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP), is excited for the new challenge.  Barnett commented “It should be a lot of fun.  I have worked with Dale Quarterly, as a spotter, on driving the road course.  He told me the corners do not matter as much, but to try to make as many straightaways as possible.”

 

Barnett feels this event will be unique, and highlight driver’s talents all over the layout of the course.  Larry continues “Different drivers will be faster on different portions of the track, and the skinny tires will be a great equalizer.  Whoever has brakes that last throughout the event, and without making a major mess up, will be there at the end.”  Barnett holds a slight advantage over some of the drivers, as he took part in the practice session in April.

 

Steve Kenneway, also a former champion on the oval, thinks drivers will learn the track quickly.  Kenneway explained “I think the drivers on the tour won’t have their ability tested, as most of the drivers have multiple wins and championships.  I think everyone will adapt quickly.  The biggest difference about this race, other than the fact it's a road course, is that no one has a home track advantage, like all the other tracks.”

  

The Stock Car Road Race Challenge is just one of the reasons Kenneway chose to run the tour.  “I look forward to trying something new and trying to figure out a good setup,” Kenneway said.  “That's what I like about the tour as a whole, each track has been brand new to me so far.”

 

An increased purse has been offered for this event, with $750 going to the winner.  A hefty $500 will be handed to the second place finisher, and $350 will go to the third place driver, with added money throughout the field

The NESST will be joined by the North East Mini Stock Tour, New England Truck Series, and Thompson-legal Mini Stocks, as well as a race with The Racing School.  Also, the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park Late Model division will have an open practice.

 

Friday’s events will consist of classroom time to discuss the course, a mandatory driver’s meeting, and practice, with registration beginning at 11AM.  Saturday will consist of a final practice, with qualifying and feature events beginning at 10:30AM.  The paddock area is open to all fans, with the price of admission.  Friday’s ticket price is $15, and Saturday’s will cost $30.  For more information, visit www.nestreetstocktour.com.

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