Thompson, CT – Some of the top open-wheel racers from throughout the Northeast are getting ready for two major open events as part of the 58th Annual Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. The Budweiser Modified Open and 350 Supermodified Open on Saturday, October 10 have big prizes up for grabs and big names ready to chase them.

The 75-lap open event for Tour-type Modifieds has more than $26,000 in posted awards with $5,000 for the winner. Notable Modified racers such as Eric Goodale, Chase Dowling, Jeff Gallup, and Mike Christopher Jr. are preparing their ground-pounders for one of the most anticipated events on the packed World Series schedule.

Of the early entries for the Budweiser Modified Open, Bethlehem, CT’s Dowling might be the one to keep the closest eye on. The 22-year-old hot shoe is already a winner at Thompson Speedway in the Modified Racing Series at the 2019 Icebreaker.

Dowling also has victories with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Tri-Track Open Modified Series, Modified Touring Series, and Stafford Motor Speedway SK Modifieds in his young career. For the Budweiser Modified Open, he will team with veteran car owner Jimmy Paige and his #00 Troyer machine. Dowling will also drive a NEMA Midget during the weekend, and says the Modified might feel like slow motion, compared to the winged midget around the .625-mile oval.

"We’ve been good at Thompson in the past few years, winning or finishing second,” Dowling said. “But we’ve been struggling lately with Jimmy’s car. The guys took the car apart, found a few things wrong with it and I think we will be good going back there. Thompson is its own character... the racing has been aggressive there lately, which is good for the fans. It’s creates a risk versus reward.”

Riverhead, NY’s Goodale comes into the Budweiser Modified Open on an upswing. The veteran recently won the pole for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Stafford, producing a much-needed highlight in a tough season. The multi-time NASCAR Modified winner has a career-best Thompson finish of third and looks to improve on that in his familiar #58.

The Mike Christopher Jr. entry is one of the most intriguing to date. Wolcott, CT’s Christopher, the nephew of the all-time leading Thompson Speedway winner Ted Christopher, will drive for Tommy Baldwin Racing in the Budweiser Modified Open. The pairing of the second-generation racer and the Daytona 500–winning crew chief has run up front in the Stafford Open Modified series this year. Christopher has a Sunoco Modified win at Thompson and now is aiming for an even bigger score.

Agawam, MA’s Jeff Gallup, Center Conway, NH’s Andy Shaw, and Copiague, NY’s Glen Steger are among the other Modified racers who have field entries. Gallup and Shaw are proven frontrunners in various touring Modified divisions while Steger is a longtime competitor in the local Sunoco Modifieds. The many rules options for the event allows these racers and many more to share the asphalt at America’s oldest paved race track.

Several household names are also gearing up for the 30-lap, $2,000-to-win 350 Small Block Supermodified Open. Two racers from Windham, ME, Bobby Timmons III and Brad Babb, have committed to the event.

Both had successful careers in Late Model and Super Late Model racing before transitioning to the Supermodified ranks. Babb won the 2017 championship at Epping, NH’s Star Speedway in his first Supermodified season. Timmons recently won the Star Mayor’s Cup and was a top-5 finisher in the Star Classic.

Seabrook, NH’s Rich Eaton is another noteworthy entry for the 350 Supermodifieds. Eaton is a winner at Star Speedway this year and scored a podium finish in the 2019 Oswego Classic at New York’s Oswego Speedway.

Drivers can still enter both the Budweiser Modified Open and the 350 Supermodified Open. The entry forms and rules are available at www.thompsonspeedway.com, www.acttour.com/thompson-speedway, and www.proallstarsseries.com.

These events are part of a 19-division card at the 58th Annual Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing. The three-day racing festival from Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11 also includes the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ISMA Big Block Supermodifieds, ACT-type Late Model Open, NEMA Midgets, Street Stock Open, North East Mini Stock Tour and much more.

General admission at the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing is $55 for a three-day adult ticket and $15 for kids ages 12 and under. Advance tickets can be purchased by visiting https://happsnow.com/event/Thompson-Speedway-Motorsports-Park-YHPQ/WORLD-SERIES--NO2QX. Pit passes will be sold at the track and are $75 for adults and $40 for kids ages 12 and under.

For more information about the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing schedule, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, 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 oval@thompsonspeedway.com, 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 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.