More Than $23,000 in Posted Awards Per Event Set Between Five Divisions For 2021

(Story courtesy of Souza Media)

Waterbury, VT and Naples, ME­ — American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Pro All Star Series (PASS) officials have announced the purse structure for the five weekly divisions set for competition at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in 2021.

A total of nearly $24,000 in posted awards have been set to be distributed to the Sunoco Modifieds, Late Models, SK Light Modifieds, Limited Sportsman, and Mini Stocks at each event. All five divisions will compete as part of the six-race oval track event schedule at Thompson, which begins with the annual Icebreaker on April 10-11. The schedule also includes four Wednesday night races in the summer (June 16, July 7, August 11 & September 15) and the Sunoco World Series (October 8-10).

“When Tom (Mayberry) and I agreed to take on this role at Thompson, one of our priorities was posting a fair purse for all divisions,” ACT managing partner Cris Michaud said. “I raced for 20+ years, and I experienced firsthand the value of an extra dollar. We’ve put together a competitive structure that rewards everyone who shows up and will help teams get their cars to the track.”

The roar of the Sunoco Modifieds will return to the high-banks with drivers chasing a $1,500 winning prize for their 30-lap feature races. With $900 on the line for second, $600 for third and $200 to start each race, the Sunoco Modified purse itself rises over $8,500. Some of the top names in local Modified racing are expected to compete, including Keith Rocco, who looks to continue his dominance of the competitive class on Thompson’s 0.625-mile oval. Other names expected for the opener include Troy Talman, a former Thompson winner.

The Late Models, which will again follow ACT Tour rules — including the addition of the new Hoosier tire — will chase $1,200 to win. As part of a purse better than $7,000 throughout the field, Late Model drivers will open the season with a 40-lap special at the Icebreaker. They will continue to thrill Thompson fans with some of the top competitors from across New England. Names like Woody Pitkat, who swept both races in 2020, along with Nick Johnson, defending ACT Tour Rookie of the Year Derek Gluchacki and more will be in competition.

The Limited Sportsman are set to return with a purse over $3,000 of their own and $350 on the line to win. Known as one of the most exciting divisions at Thompson each year, the Limited Sportsman keep fans on the edge of their seat with two, and often three-wide action throughout the field.

Early entries for the season include former Thompson champions Kyle Gero and Larry Barnett, along with former Seekonk Speedway Sportsman champion Corey Fanning. At the Icebreaker, Limited Sportsman drivers may also take the opportunity to compete in a 8-Cylinder Open Street Stock open on Saturday, which pays $1,000 to win.

Rising over $3,000, the SK Light Modified purse includes another $350 to win, with $250 for second and a strong distribution of funds throughout the field. As a division that puts some of the youth of Modified racing and veterans together, it’s expected to be another stout year.

The Mini Stock thunder will return to Thompson with feature races set for $200 to win and over $1,600 in presented awards. Early entries for the season include Thompson veterans Russ Barboza, Tommy Silva and former division champion Steve Michalski.

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park opens its 82nd season of oval track racing with the Icebreaker on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. The 10-division card includes the $10,000-to-win Icebreaker 125 for the Thompson Outlaw Open Modified Series, the PASS Super Late Models, and five Thompson weekly divisions. The 8-Cylinder Street Stock Open, NEMA Lites, and EXIT Realty Pro Truck Challenge round out the card. An optional Test N’ Tune practice day is slated for Friday, April 9 with all Icebreaker divisions welcome.

Advance sale tickets for both days are available at www.happsnow.com/event/Thompson-Speedway-Motorsports-Park-YHPQ. Grandstand attendance is limited to 50% capacity due to COVID-19 guidelines.

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 find updates on Facebook and Twitter at @ACTTour.

Don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Star Series on Facebook, follow them on Twitter @PASSSLM14 or visit them at www.proallstarseries.com to keep up with breaking news as it happens.

For general Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park inquires, and camping reservations for the Icebreaker, 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.