Thompson Street Stock Division with Additional Bonus for 2025

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

 Officials from the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) announced today their continued partnership with Eden Rafferty Attorneys, based just 25 minutes from Thompson Speedway in nearby Worcester, Massachusetts. The law firm will once again supply a cash bonus to first, second and the ‘Lucky 7’-place finisher, adding an award for the third-place podium finisher in 2025.

Based in Worcester, Massachusetts, attorneys Jane Eden and Richard Rafferty and their team of associates have represented individuals throughout The Bay State since 1987. By prioritizing each client’s specific concerns, goals, financial interests and personal well-being, the team at Eden Rafferty will go the distance on your behalf. After an accident or in the midst of a personal crisis, it truly helps to feel good about your lawyer’s ability and dedication to your cause and that’s exactly what Eden Rafferty brings to the table.

The Eden Rafferty contingency program will award an added $100 to the winner of each track championship Street Stock event, $75 to the runner-up and $50 to both third-place and the ‘Lucky 7’ seventh-place finisher. “We’re glad to continue to support the Street Stocks again this year at Thompson, along with ‘Leadfoot’ Larry Barnett,” said Eden Rafferty Associate Attorney David Maille. “A lot of the drivers in this division are just like the hard-working clients that we represent. We look forward to being at the track and watching everyone again in 2025.”

“The folks at Eden Rafferty continue to be one of our strongest supporters at Thompson Speedway,” said ACT managing partner Cris Michaud. “The added bonuses are popular among the Street Stock division and we know they’ll continue to put on a show for the added awards!”  

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park opens for its 86th racing season with the 51st Icebreaker weekend on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30 with optional Friday practice on March 28. Highlighted by the return of the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series on Saturday and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour on Sunday, Icebreaker weekend is complete with the PASS Super Late Models, Evolve Bank & Mortgage Pro Truck Challenge, R&R Race Parts Street Stock Series and season opener for the 2025 Thompson track championship divisions to make a can’t-miss weekend of short track stock car racing!

Eden Rafferty represents individuals in personal injury, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, probate, and criminal matters. To schedule a free consultation with one of their experienced attorneys, call 508-795-1601 or online at www.edenrafferty.com. Consultations can be in-person at Eden Rafferty’s convenient Worcester, Massachusetts location, virtually, or over the phone.  Clients are their #1 priority!

For more information about the American-Canadian Tour, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.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 passracing@roadrunner.com 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.

For general Thompson Speedway inquiries, call (860) 923-2280, email oval@thompsonspeedway.com, or visit www.thompsonspeedway.com. You can follow Thompson Speedway on Facebook and Instagram at @ThompsonSpeedway or on Twitter at @ThompsonSpdwy.

Thompson Speedway Release Purse Payout for 2024

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Barre, VT & Naples, ME ­— Officials with the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) released the 2024 purse structure for the weekly track championship divisions at the Thompson Speedway oval. With the introduction of the Sunoco 604 Modifieds comes their launch to the top of the heap, a $1,500-to-win, $200-to-start purse will be in place for the new division in 2024 as excitement continues to mount for the upcoming season.

Fans and teams alike have much to look forward to at Thompson Speedway this season. Expanded to 10 track championship events for each of the five divisions that will call Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park home for the 2024 season, along with the bookending 50th Icebreaker and 62nd Sunoco World Series weekends and the debut of the Sunoco 604 Modifieds! With today’s announcement of the Sunoco 604 Modified weekly purse, over $24,000 will be available to Thompson Speedway’s track championship divisions at each event!

“We continue to hear about our 604 Modified idea catching on with teams and we wanted to again show our commitment to them,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “Cris and I both think that once more folks see how they can get the same amount of speed and excitement with a much smaller expense, and race for the same great purse, it’s just going to send this skyward.”

Teams can find the complete 2024 Posted Awards for Track Championship Divisions online at www.thompsonspeedway.com/rules-competitor-info or www.acttour.com/thompson-speedway. Teams can also fill out the Number Registration forms to prepare for the opening 50th Icebreaker weekend starting with optional Practice Day Friday, April 5 before starting the 2024 season on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7!

For more information about the American-Canadian Tour, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.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 passracing@roadrunner.com 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.

For general Thompson Speedway inquiries, call (860) 923-2280, email oval@thompsonspeedway.com, or visit www.thompsonspeedway.com. You can follow Thompson Speedway on Facebook and Instagram at @ThompsonSpeedway or on Twitter at @ThompsonSpdwy.

Thompson Speedway Champions Night

 Posted By Wayne G. Barber  

 A capacity crowd of over 200 officials, drivers, team members, sponsors and families packed the Speedway Clubhouse at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park for the 2023 Banquet of Champions on Friday. All five divisions were on hand and well represented as they celebrated their accomplishments with positive comradery and excitement for the upcoming year. 

All five 2023 champions expressed thanks to their teams and supporters in their speeches, many hinting at positive plans for the upcoming year with the expanded Thompson oval schedule released by the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) promotion team. Buzz continues to surround the Sunoco 604 Modifieds with SK Light Modified Champion Alexander Pearl and Sunoco Modified champ Troy Talman also looking into the new division for 2024. 

Mini Stock champion Jared Roy is set to defend his title in 2024, as is Limited Sportsman top-seed Corey Fanning. While 2023 Late Model hot-shoe Nick Johnson said he was looking at a more limited schedule next season, he will return on a part-time basis when possible.  

The 2024 Thompson Speedway oval schedule has been released by the ACT and PASS offices highlighted by three NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events, the first-ever visit from the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series, a Memorial Day Monday special and an expanded 12-race schedule with Thursday, Wednesday and Sunday night racing throughout the summer months. Rule Books have also been released by ACT and PASS as everyone prepares for the busy season ahead. 

For more information about the American-Canadian Tour, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.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 passracing@roadrunner.com 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. 

For general Thompson Speedway inquiries, call (860) 923-2280, email oval@thompsonspeedway.com, or visit www.thompsonspeedway.com. You can follow Thompson Speedway on Facebook and Instagram at @ThompsonSpeedway or on Twitter at @ThompsonSpdwy. Photo by Nick Teto

2024 Racing Schedule

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

Jeremy Lavoie Makes Stafford History With 3rd Career Limited Late Model Track Championship

 Posted by Wayne G.Barber

(Stafford Springs, CT)---For Jeremy Lavoie and the #6 Rosati’s Limited Late Model team, the 2023 season at Stafford Speedway was all about one thing: redemption.  The 2022 season saw Lavoie go into the final race of the year with a 16 point lead in the championship standings and Lavoie was poised to win the championship, but a faulty lower control arm with 3 laps to go in the final race relegated Lavoie to a 13^th place finish and he ended up losing the championship to Rich Hammann by 2 points.  Lavoie headed into the final race of the 2023 season once again with a 16 point lead over Matt Clement only this time Lavoie would go on to win the final race to claim his third championship in grand style.

 

“Going into the year our mood was to come back for redemption,” said Lavoie.  “We were bummed about what happened in the last race of last year and we wanted to come back and win right away.  We thought we had the car to do so and we wanted to come in strong right off the bat.  I was keeping tabs on where Matt [Clement] was and I’ll admit I was a little nervous.  I had one goal for the last race and that was to win and I gave it my all.  The car was a rocket ship that night and it went right to the front.”

 

The 2023 Limited Late Model championship is the third championship of Lavoie’s career, making him the first driver to win 3 championships in the Limited Late Model division.  

 

“I was super ecstatic,” said Lavoie.  “I watch a lot of racing on YouTube and you see drag races getting hyped inside the car anytime they put down a fast pass and that kind of came out of me winning the race and the championship.  It was pretty cool to be the first driver to win 3 Limited Late Model championships and we celebrated even harder and everyone was really happy as we were spraying the champagne all over.  I’m still the only one in my family to have won a championship and to now have three is a huge accomplishment for us.  I have to thank my family, my father, my aunt and uncle, my girlfriend, my sister Marcy, Scott, Zachary, Sophia, my grandfather, and all my sponsors Rosati’s, L&S Equipment, Bobcat of CT, Gene’s Ford and Chevy, Aspen Hill Farm, Delivery Solutions LLC., Maconi Setup Shop, Riley Generators, Ranco Collision Repair, and everyone else who’s helped me throughout the years.  I also have to thank all the track contingency sponsors Sunoco, R.A.D. Auto Machine, Cas Custom Interiors, NAPA, FloRacing, Stafford for a great facility to run at, and everyone who’s helped me over the years.  I’m sure I’m missing someone, but I’m very grateful.”

 

Lavoie opened his pursuit of his third championship with 2 second place finishes and a 5^th place finish before winning his first race of the season on June 9^th, a 30-lap extra distance race sponsored by Riley Generators, also one of Lavoie’s many sponsors on his #6 machine.  As good as Lavoie was at the start of the season, Matt Clement was just as good or even better than Lavoie, scoring 2 wins, 2 second place, and a third place finish in the first 5 races of the season.  Lavoie took control of the points race following the June 30^th feature event where he finished 2^nd compared to a 12^th place finish for Clement.  The championship raced ebbed and flowed from that point to the end of the season but Lavoie’s consistency kept him at the front of the table until the season came to a close.

 

“Winning the 30 lap race was a huge boost for me, the team, and all my sponsors,” said Lavoie.  “I like the extra distance 30 lap races because it’s not something that we get to do every week.  To have a car that was able to win that race was huge.  To get our second win wasn’t a fluke, we knew we had a good car and we knew we had to just stay consistent.  It felt good to get a couple of podium finishes the first couple of weeks and even when we finished fifth, it wasn’t a bad week.”

 

Despite winning the championship with 3 wins, 14 top-5 and 15 top-10 finishes in 15 races for an average finish of 2.9, Lavoie thinks he and the #6 team could be even better in 2024 with an improved car setup.

 

“We were a little off with our setup stuff this year so we’re going to go through our notes over the winter and hopefully the track will stay the same for next season and doesn’t throw us any big changes,” said Lavoie.  “Coming out of the hot summer nights we struggled a little bit.  We knew what we had for a car and we couldn’t make too big of an adjustment because we knew how close the points were.  I didn’t quite have the car and I accepted that and all I tried to do was keep Matt behind me.  I feel pretty confident that we’ll be up to the task and we can go into next year on a positive note and try to do the same thing.”

 

Lavoie heads into the off-season looking to make a move up the Stafford ladder to either a Late Model or SK Light car, but will return to the Limited Late Model division to defend his title should nothing come to fruition.

 

“Right now I’m looking for a ride in either the Late Model or SK Light division and if nothing comes through then I’ll be running my family car again in the Limited Late Model division,” said Lavoie.

 

The official 2023 Championship videos are available to watch on Stafford’s YouTube and Facebook pages.  Visit youtube.com/staffordspeedway or facebook.com/StaffordMotorSpeedway to see the championship videos as well as videos with the top-5 finishers in each of Stafford’s 5 weekly divisions. 

 

Watch Jeremy Lavoie’s 2023 Championship Video

 

For more information, visit www.staffordspeedway.com, checkout Stafford Speedway on Facebook or Twitter, or contact the track office at 860-684-2783.

Driver Line-Up for 4-24-23

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

News, Results, Schedule Tour Up-Dates, Driver Interviews.

Live E-Mail at waynewnri@yahoo.com

Podcast to follow at anchor.fm/wayne-barber

At. 6:05 pm Tentatively Scheduled: WiscasettChampion, Josh St. Clair will discuss short track racing up North

                                                              Photo by Brooke Teras

Driver Line -Up for 4-17-23

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

News, Schedules, Tour News, Driver Interviews

E-Mail the program live at waynewnri@yahoo.com

Podcast to follow at anchor.fm/wayne-barber

Derek Gluchaki  will be our first guest.

Driver Line-Up for 4-10-23

 Posted by Wayne G.Barber 

News, Standings, Schedules, Tour News, Driver Interviews

E-Mail the program at waynewnri@yahoo.com

Podcast to follow at anchor.fm/wayne-barber 

  6:20 pm   

SK MOD DRIVER    #  Troy Talman

Driver Line-up for 4-03-23

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber  Photos property of Wayne G. Barber Library

Rick Gentes, Thank You for the great memories Champion !

News, Sponsor Changes, Schedules, Standings, Driver Interviews

E-Mail the program at waynewnri@yahoo.com

Podcast to follow later on      anchor.fm/wayne-barber 

6:05 pm Champion Cory Fanning, Sportsmen and late/model owner/driver

6:35pm 7 time Champion Gerry DeGasparra Jr. late/model

ACT & PASS Announce 2023 Thompson Speedway Oval Schedule

 Posted by Wayne G.Barber  Photo Ice Breaker 2022 by Wayne G. Barber

To keep ahead of tire shortage questions and upcoming point battles at neighboring Stafford Speedway and New London-Waterford Speedbowl, the Sunoco Modifieds have been relegated to five events; Two on Icebreaker Weekend and the return of the Sunoco Modified Triple Crown on World Series weekend.

Barre, VT & Naples, ME — Officials from the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) are excited to announce the 2023 Schedule for the Thompson Speedway oval. The nine-event schedule is highlighted by the iconic Icebreaker and World Series weekends along with four Wednesday night programs throughout the summer. 2023 will mark the fourth year ACT and PASS have sanctioned the iconic 5/8-mile oval in Northeast Connecticut.

The 84th year at Thompson Speedway will start and end with a pair of New England’s premier race weekends. Beginning with the 49th Icebreaker, an optional Friday practice day on March 31st gives a sneak-peak prior to the annual lid-lifter on Saturday, April 1st and Sunday, April 2nd. Saturday will be headlined by the PASS Super Late Models while Sunday will once again feature the $10,000-to-win Icebreaker 125 for the Thompson Outlaw Open Modifieds. Along with the Thompson Late Models, Limited Sportsman, SK Lites and Mini Stocks, a full division line-up will be announced for the Icebreaker at a later date.

The 2023 season will close with the traditional three-day Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing starting Friday, October 6th and ending Sunday, October 8th. In its 61st iteration, the annual stock car extravaganza will once again feature three days of Tour-type Modified racing starting with the Modified Racing Series on Friday followed by the $10,000-to-win Thompson Outlaw Open Modified Sunoco 100 on Saturday and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour on Sunday. The World Series will also feature championship action for the weekly Thompson divisions as well as a host of touring series that will be announced in the months ahead.

The Wednesday night showdowns will look a little different in 2023 with the introduction of the all-new Dash for Cash Series for the Thompson Outlaw Open Modifieds. In an effort to cut down on the need for a larger pit crew during these midweek events, the Dash for Cash events will be cut down to 50 lap sprints, leaving the need for change tires and scheduled pit stops behind. The three Dash for Cash events will continue to feature the $5,000 to win, $600 to start purse that has been in effect for the Wednesday Open Modified shows since 2021.

“After talking with teams, we feel the format change to 50 laps without change tires will bring more teams to our midweek shows,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “Now it’ll be up to the driver to chase down the cash, not relying on a fast right-rear tire changer.”

The Dash for Cash for the Outlaw Open Modifieds debuts on Wednesday, June 21st alongside the Thompson Late Models, SK Lite Modifieds, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stocks. The New England Supermodified Series (NESS) will also have their midweek debut on the Thompson highbanks after a stellar run at October’s World Series.

On Wednesday, July 26th the SK Lite Modifieds take center stage alongside the second Dash for Cash. The SK Lites will contend for Double Features alongside the Outlaw Open Modifieds, Thompson Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stocks.

Wednesday, August 16th brings the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour back to their midweek tradition at the Big-T. The NWMT Thompson 150 will be supported by the Thompson Late Models, SK Lite Modifieds, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stocks.

The final Wednesday night showdown on September 13th will feature the final Dash for Cash for the Outlaw Open Modifieds in 2023 alongside an Open Street Stock special and the Thompson local divisions.

Sunoco Modifieds are noticeably absent from the Wednesday shows but will remain part of Thompson Speedway in a big way in 2023. With the ongoing tire shortages still affecting the Sunoco Modifieds in particular, and keeping the upcoming point battles at Stafford Speedway and New London-Waterford Speedbowl in mind, officials have chosen to keep the Sunoco Modifieds to Icebreaker and World Series weekends.

“We didn’t want to get to June or July and begin making Sunoco Modified teams choose,” said ACT managing partner Cris Michaud. “To keep out of their tire inventories and save equipment for the Stafford and Waterford point battles, the Sunoco Mods will race both days of Icebreaker weekend and once again with the Triple Crown on World Series weekend.”

For more information about the American-Canadian Tour, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com.  You can also get updates on Facebook and Twitter at @ACTTour.

2023 Thompson Speedway Schedule of Events

#             DAY       DATE     TIME                      EVENT

--             Fri           Mar 31   10:00pm                Icebreaker Practice Day

1              Sat           April 1    6:00pm                  Icebreaker – Day 1 feat. PASS Super Late Models

2              Sun         April 2    6:00pm                  Icebreaker – Day 2 feat. $10k Open Mod Icebreaker 125

3              Wed       Jun 21    6:00pm                  Dash for Cash #1 plus the New England Supermodified Series

4              Wed       July 26    6:00pm                  Dash for Cash #2 – SK Lite Modified Double Features!

5              Wed       Aug 16   6:00pm                  NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour plus Local Divisions

6              Wed       Sept 13  6:00pm                  Dash for Cash #3 plus Street Stock Open

7              Fri           Oct 6      6:00pm                  61st World Series Friday - MRS

8              Sat           Oct 7      6:00pm                  61st World Series Saturday – Sunoco 100 Open Modifieds

9              Sun         Oct 8      7:00pm                  61st World Series Sunday – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

- Schedule Subject to Change -

ACT Tour 2023 Schedule

 2023 American-Canadian Tour Schedule of Events

#             DAY       DATE    EVENT                                                 TRACK                                                 LOCATION

**            Fri           Mar 17    St. Patrick's Day 125                               Hickory Motor Speedway                       Hickory, NC

**            Sat           Mar 18    Easter Bunny 125                                    Hickory Motor Speedway                       Hickory, NC

--             Fri            Apr 14     Northeast Classic Practice Day               New Hampshire Motor Speedway         Loudon, NH

1              Sat           Apr 15     Northeast Classic - $5,000 to Win            New Hampshire Motor Speedway         Loudon, NH

(Rain Date Sun. April 16)

2              Sat           Apr 29     Spring Sizzler ACT 75                              Stafford Motor Speedway                      Stafford Springs, CT

--             Sat           May 6      Thunder Road Car Show/Practice Day    Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl               Barre, VT

3              Sun          May 7      25^th Community Bank N.A. 150              Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl               Barre, VT

4              Sun          May 21    New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150     Lee USA Speedway                                 Lee, NH

5              Sat           Jun 3        48^th Spring Green 123                             Seekonk Speedway                                 Seekonk, MA

6              Sat           Jun 24      Claude Leclerc 150 - $5,000-to-Win         Autodrome Chaudiere                            Vallée-Jct., QC

7              Sun          July 9       Oxford 125                                              Oxford Plains Speedway                         Oxford, ME

8              Sat.          July 22     CAN-AM 200 - $10,000-to-Win                Autodrome Montmagny                         Montmagny, QC

9              Sat           Aug 5       Milton CAT Midsummer Classic 250      White Mtn. Motorsports Park                N. Woodstock, NH

$10,000-to-Win!

10            Sat           Aug 26     Oxford Plains 125                                   Oxford Plains Speedway                         Oxford, ME

11            Sun          Sep 3       45^th Labor Day Classic - $5,000 to Win    Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl               Barre, VT

presented by New England Federal Credit Union

12            Sat           Sep 16     45^th Fall Foliage 200 - $5,000 to Win       White Mtn. Motorsports Park                N. Woodstock, NH

** Sat/Sun     Sep 30/Oct 1     61^st Vermont Milk Bowl                          Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl               Barre, VT

presented by Northfield Savings Bank

13            Sat           Oct 21     Waterford 150                                        New London-Waterford Speedbowl      Waterford, CT

 - Schedule Subject to Change -