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THOMPSON RELEASES XTRAMART WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE
THOMPSON,CT. The schedule of events for three-day XTRAMART World Series of
Speedway racing has been released by the Thompson International Speedway. The 35th
edition of this season-ending classic is slated for the weekend of October 17-19, 2008. The
schedule for that weekend has been posted on the track’s web page. It is also detailed in
thousands of flyers being distributed throughout New England.
The XTRAMART World Series is the largest auto racing event in the northeast and it
attracts literally hundreds of race cars and thousands of race fans. The World Series is
unique in that it brings together almost every kind of race car that competes in the northeast.
The World Series spotlights fourteen divisions of race cars thus making Thompson
International Speedway the destination of thousands race fans.
In addition to the NASCAR Whelen All American Series “Super Six” divisions, the
XTRAMART World Series will feature the incredible ISMA Super Modifieds, NEMA Midgets,
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Pro 4 Modifieds, All Star Trucks and as many as three
“outlaw” divisions.
Due to the size of the event, three days are required to complete it. It all begins on
Friday, October 17th when eight of the fourteen divisions will compete in qualifying races.
Those race cars that qualify on Friday evening will compete in feature event racing on
Saturday evening. The remaining seven divisions will qualify on Saturday and race in their
features on Sunday.
Thompson International Speedway is the perfect location for an event like this. Due to
its size, the facility can accommodate the hundreds of race teams that move in for the
weekend along with the huge number campers who arrive up to a week ahead of the event.
Many find the facility the perfect location for three days of racing, relaxation and fun. The 18
hole championship gold course, pro shop and driving range provide hours of entertainment.
The Raceway Restaurant and Lounge becomes the center of activity when the daily on-tack
events are complete. A huge breakfast buffet is offered on both Saturday and Sunday
morning and the traditional Saturday night dinner and dance make for a weekend to
remember.
For those looking to find lodging away from the track, a listing of area hotels is on the
Thompson Speedway web site. Fans wishing to secure a room are urged to act quickly as the
available rooms are already being booked.
One ticket is good for all three days of the XTRAMART World Series of Speedway
Racing. They may be purchased in advance by calling the track office. 860-923-2280. More
information and the detailed schedule of events may be found on the track’s web page. www.
thompsonspeedway.com Fans are urged to visit the site often as updates will be posted
frequently as the date of the event nears
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Blewett Scores Fifth Win in Sunoco Mods at Thompson; Malone Mod Champ
Astle, Zuidema, Sundeen, Vigeant & Field Also Crowned ‘08 Champs;
Final Thursday Night Feature to Bessette, O’Sullivan, Douton, Sullivan & Romano
Thompson, CT (September 25, 2008): The point chase went down to the wire with 2008
champions being crowned on the final Thursday Night of competition at Thompson
International Speedway. Jimmy Blewett of Howell, NJ, won the battle in the Sunoco Modifieds
but it was Kerry Malone of Needham, MA, winning the war. Fred Astle, Jr., of Westport, MA,
was the runner-up to George Bessette of Danbury, CT, in Pro Stock action on Thursday Night
to catapult him to the divisional championship.
Jeff Zuidema of N. Brookfield, MA, was crowned as the 2008 Late Model Champion while
Tommy O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, won the final regular feature event for the division. Chris
“Moose” Douton of Waterford, CT, was tops in a Limited Sportsman feature that found Scott
Sundeen of Oxford, MA, winning the championship. Kurt Vigeant, also of Oxford, MA, scored
back-to-back championships in the TIS Modified division. Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT,
was victorious in the final TIS Modified point race of season. Mike Romano of Glendale, RI, did
all he could; winning the Mini Stock feature; but, it was not enough to overtake Danny Field of
Deep River, CT, who earned the 2008 championship.
Jimmy Blewett of Howell, NJ, had the right combination of skill and luck on Thursday night to
score his fifth Sunoco Modified victory of the 2008 season. Kerry Malone of Needham, MA,
had the winning combination all year long, earning the Sunoco Modified 2008 track
championship, his first Thompson title since 1993.
After two weeks of near incident free racing, the Sunoco Modifieds had a rough and tumble
35-lap feature. Before a lap could be completed, Todd Ceravolo backed into the inside wall
on the backstretch. When the race went green, Josh Sylvester led with Tim Sullivan in tow as
the top guns were dicing it up in traffic.
Aggressive driving was the norm with cars sliding sideways and kicking up dirt. During the fray
the likes of Blewett, Cravenho, and Rocco were swapping positions. Meanwhile championship
contenders Malone and Danny Cates ran quietly deep in the pack.
During an incident on the front stretch, Shawn Monahan got launched over a sliding Sullivan.
Monahan landed, Sullivan kept going, and the green remained on the speedway. The caution
did fly a lap later on the eighth circuit for a large piece of debris on the front stretch.
On the ensuing restart, there was contact. Front row starters Josh Sylvester and Bert Marvin
along with Keith Rocco, Cravenho and others getting involved. There was heavy damage to
Cravenho and Marvin. Rocco and Cravenho were both able to continue.
When things shook out, Blewett had inherited the lead with Malone in second. Cates lined up
third with Sullivan in fourth. Pitkat rounded out the top five. Under green, Blewett continued to
lead with Cates glued to his back bumper. Pitkat had the best seat in third.
Blewett withstood a pair of late race cautions to take his fifth win of the season. Cates, who
never relented, capped off a stellar season with a second-place finish. Malone bested
teammate Pitkat to finish third and to win his Sunoco Modified track championship. Sullivan
rebounded nicely to finish fifth.
George Bessette of Danbury, CT, took top honors in a hotly contested Pro Stock main event.
Bessette took over the top spot on a restart following a lap 22 incident which took out leader
Derek Ramstrom. Point leader Fred Astle, Jr. of Westport, MA, was in the heat of the battle all
night, leading on several occasions. He crossed under the checkers in the second position
and as the Pro Stock champion.
Astle is two-for-two in Pro Stock competition in 2008. Last week, Astle earned a Pro Stock
championship at Seekonk Speedway. He survived the 30-lap Pro Stock feature event to win
the Pro Stock championship at Thompson for longtime car owner Rollie Lindblad.
The Pro Stocks also had trouble getting the first lap in as well. Contact between Ramstrom
and outside pole sitter Chris Curtis sent Curtis spinning in front of the pack. A number of cars
were collected including championship chasers Jay Macedonio and Mike O’Sullivan, along
with Jeff Connors, Steve Desmarias.
Between cautions, the leaders treated the fans to some intense racing. Early in the event,
Ramstrom, Astle, and Norm Wrenn were locked in a tremendous battle for the top spot. Lap-
after-lap the three leaders jockeyed for position. Ramstrom and Wrenn swapped the second
position before Wrenn was able to move into the second spot. The Nashua, NH, driver
immediately went to work on Astle for the lead. Bessette ran alone in fourth while Macedonio
had worked his way back into the top-five by lap ten.
Things reached a boiling point on lap 22 when the caution flew for an incident involving
Macedonio and Wrenn. Berghman was also collected. Before they could complete the lap,
leaders Astle and Ramstrom got together exiting turn four. Ramstrom spun to bring out the
caution once again.
On the ensuing restart, Bessette was able to take positions away from Chris Magee, who ran
in second, and Astle in a single lap. Bessette went on to score his third Pro Stock victory of
the season. Astle and Macedonio completed the top-three. Mike O’Sullivan rebounded to
finish fourth ahead of Magee.
Tommy O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, turned in a dominating performance to win his first Late
Model feature of the season. Jeff Zuidema of N. Brookfield, MA, accomplished his season-
long goal by winning the 2008 Late Model championship. Despite a fine piece of driving by
closest pursuer Marc Palmisano, Zuidema was able to earn the title.
Mark Jenison jumped out to the early lead in the Late Model main event with Tim O’Sullivan in
tow. Zuidema ran comfortably in third protecting his point lead while chaser Palmisano and
Gentes diced through traffic and into the top five. Once free, the duo of Palmisano and
Gentes ran down Zuidema.
Up front, O’Sullivan and Jenison went door-to-door for the top spot for a several laps before O’
Sullivan was able to take over the lead at the halfway marker. Palmisano was getting racy
with Zuidema for third. The championship chasers went fender-to-fender with Gentes right
behind. Finally on lap 16, Palmisano was able to take over the third spot. He immediately went
to work on Jenison for second.
O’Sullivan had extended his lead by a half-straightaway by the time Palmisano motored into
the second position on lap 19. With two laps to go, Jenison bobbled exiting turn two, Zuidema
checked-up while Gentes surged ahead. Gentes was able to nick Jenison at the line to take
third position behind winner O’Sullivan, and Palmisano. Zuidema completed the top-five.
Chris “Moose” Douton of Waterford, MA, decided to call Thompson home late in the season.
The veteran competitor made the move pay off when he visited Limited Sportsman victory
lane in the final point race of the season. Despite having a tough night, Scott Sundeen of
Douglas, MA, was unofficially crowned the 2008 Limited Sportsman division champion.
Point leader Scott Sundeen was involved in an early race incident that also involved his son
Jay and found himself playing catch-up for the bulk of the event. Joe Arena was among the
early leaders as Douton, championship chasers Ed Puleo and Larry Barnett, and Jesse
Gleason were in the thick of battle inside the top five.
A lap six restart meant disaster for Barnett, who was sat third in points only 22 points out.
Contact between Puleo and Barnett on the restart found Barnett’s #73 hard into the outside
wall. Cars scattered but Steve Kenneway ran out of running room t-boning Barnett. Everyone
walked away. Puleo restarted at the tail of the field.
On the ensuing restart, Douton was able to take over the top spot from Arena. A bobble at
halfway almost cost Douton the win; however, the veteran driver gathered it up to maintain his
lead to ultimately take the win. Arena settled for second ahead of Gleason, Paul Palen, and
Randy Jurcik inside the top five. Puleo recovered to finish seventh while Sundeen finished
ninth and Barnett a dismal 20th.
Brian Sullivan waited until after the halfway marker to make his move in the TIS Modified
division. Sullivan moved from the third position past Glenn Boss and Leo Oliveira for the lead
with just over five laps remaining in the main event. He went on unchallenged to the checkers
picking up his second win of the season. Oliveira came home second ahead of Boss, Cam
McDermott, and Shane Michalski inside the top five.
The point leader Kurt Vigeant suffered mechanical problems during his heat race. He settled
for running at the tail end of the top-ten in the feature. His eighth-place finish was enough to
net the Oxford, MA, driver his second straight TIS Modified championship.
Mike Romano, of Glendale, RI, gave it everything he had in an effort to repeat as the Mini
Stock championship by winning the final divisional point race. But it was not enough as Danny
Field, who had a 20-point advantage entering the night, battled Romano down to the wire for
the victory and ultimately the championship.
As the old saying goes the cream always rises to the top. Just after halfway, the two
championship contenders had worked their way into the top spots. Romano trailed Field in
the points but Field trailed on track. Field applied some pressure at the end of a caution-
laden event but settled back in line to finish second. Billy Pomposelli, Scott Michalski, and
Chuck Rogers rounded out the top five.
It was a very special evening at Thompson Speedway as Program Dynamics, the official
souvenir program of Thompson Speedway, presented “Most Popular Driver” Awards in all six
Thursday Night Thunder divisions. Danny Cates (Sunoco Modifieds), Derek Ramstrom (Pro
Stocks), Rick Gentes (Late Model), Scott Sundeen (Limited Sportsman), Scott Michalski (Mini
Stock), and R.J. Marcotte (TIS Modifieds) all received the prestigious honor.
Next up for the Thompson International Speedway is the prestigious and always exciting World
Series of Speedway racing, featuring 14-divisions of racing action. For more information call
the Speedway hotline at (860) 923-2280 or visit www.thompsonspeedway.com.
Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Jimmy Blewett Howell, NJ; 2. Danny Cates,
Chaplin, CT; 3. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 4. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 5. Tim Sullivan,
S. Windsor, CT; 6. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 7. Tommy Cravenho, Raynham, MA; 8.
Dave LaCroix, Fitchburg, MA; 9. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 10. Dave Nordman,
Woodstock, CT.
Pro Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 2. Fred Astle, Jr.,
Westport, MA; 3. Jay Macedonio, Somerset, MA; 4. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 5. Chris
Magee, Edgartown, MA; 6. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 7. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester,
MA; 8. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 9. Dave Silvia, Warwick, RI, 10. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg,
MA.
Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 2. Marc
Palmisano, Hadley, MA; 3. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 4. Mark Jenison, Danielson, CT; 5.
Jeff Zuidema, N. Brookfield, MA; 6. Pete Yetman, Peru, MA; 7. Jeff Hartwell, Putnam, CT; 8.
Mark Oliveria, Blackstone, MA; 9. Conrad Cote, Lisbon, CT; 10. Jeff Hesselton, Auburn, MA.
Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Chris Douton, Waterford, CT; 2. Joe Arena,
Bristol, CT; 3. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 4. Paul Palen, Pelham, NH; 5. Randy Jurcik,
Chaplin, CT; 6. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 7. Ed Puleo, Branford, CT; 8. Fred Bates, N.
Grosvenordale, CT; 9. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 10. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA.
TIS Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 2. Leo Oliveira,
Raynham, MA; 3. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT; 4. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI; 5. Shane
Michalski, Woodstock, CT; 6. Richie Ferreira, Raynham, MA; 7. RJ Marcotte, Millville, MA; 8.
Kurt Vigeant, Oxford, MA; 9. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 10. Jeff Zuidema, N. Brookfield, MA.
Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Mike Romano, Glendale, RI; 2. Danny Field, Deep
River, CT; 3. Billy Pomposelli, Chepachet, RI; 4. Scott Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 5. Chuck
Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT; 6. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 7. Eric Bourgeois, E. Haddam, CT;
8. Rhody Lackey, Chepachet, RI; 9. Scott Jassaume, Danielson, CT; 10. Glynn Roy, Sterling,
CT.
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Breaking News
- September 25, 2008 9:32 - Thompson Speedway's Pro Stock champion for the 2008
season is #48 Fred Astle. Mad Dog George Bessette won the final feature.
- September 25, 2008 8:20 - Breaking news from Thompson Speedway' championship
points finale. While Jimmy Blewett won the final Sunoco Modified feature in the #12,
#79 Kerry Malone took the points championship. Congrats to Kerry and his crew for a
fine season.
- September 21, 2008 - Jac Haudenschild has won the World of Outlaw feature at
Lebanon Valley Speedway. The rain delayed event was nonstop action from start to
finish. Another great night in the Valley.
- September 13, 2008 - Congratulations to Ted Christopher and Jimmy Blewett for
finishing first and second in the oddly interrupted Whelen Modified Tour feature at
Loudon this weekend. I've always maintained this race to be the most exciting event of
the weekend, but the pit-clearing brawl after the Craftsman Truck feature was a site to
behold. The difference being, the groundpounders don't need to commit assault to get
our blood pumping. Well, boys will be boys.
- August 23, 2008 - Congrats to Ted Christopher for his victory in the Whelen Modified
Tour race at Mansfield Motorsports Park. Way to bring it home Teddy!!!
- August 16, 2008 11:21 - Let's wrap up a thrilling night of open wheel racing with the
feature results for the ISMA Supers. It was a rough ride, but we made it through. The
top five finishers are - 1st #10 "Liquid" Lou Ciccone, 2nd #84 Mike Lichty, 3rd #11 Chris
Perley, 4th #41 Mike Ordway Jr., and 5th #32 Bobby Santos Jr.
- August 16, 2008 10:03 - The True Value Modified Series feature has just ended, and
the top five finishers are - 1st driving for CCP Racing Inc. #15 Chris Pasteryak, 2nd
owner/driver #43 Kirk Alexander, 3rd #78 Jeff Malave, 4th driving for Modified Racing
Inc. #28 Dwight Jarvis, and 5th #20 Ted Christopher.
- August 16, 2008 8:51 - The feature results are coming in for Waterford Speedbowl's
Wings & Wheels Modified-themed event. The top three finishers in the NEMA Midget
feature are - 1st Randy Cabral in the Atlantic Coast Trailer Sales/Exely Jewelry #47,
2nd Joey Payne in the Marilyn's Passion/Arbitrell Convenience Stores #45, and 3rd
Mike Keeler in the Arbitrell Convenience Stores #63. The top three finishers in the SK
Modified feature are - 1st #4 Ron Yuhas Jr., 2nd #71 Jeff Pearl, and 3rd #3 Dennis
Gada.
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