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Alan Ward Photo
Barre, VT and Naples, ME — The five Thompson Speedway local divisions are ready to roll into the 48th Icebreaker weekend this Saturday, with optional practice on Friday. Everyone coming to the ‘Big-T’ is searching for glory in New England’s opening event and chomping at the bit to start their year off on a high note.
Modified legend Keith Rocco leads his fellow Sunoco Modified drivers onto the track for their first feature of the year this Saturday. ‘Kid Roc’ will again face off against the young Mike Christopher, Jr. while perennial Thompson Sunoco Modified stars Troy Talman, Jonathan Puleo and John Lowinski-Low look to steal a little glory in the coming year. Sunoco World Series Triple Crown Champion Todd Owen is also expected to start his season at the Icebreaker and face-off with foes Rocco and Christopher, Jr for the top spot.
While 2021 Late Model Champion Ryan Morgan is ready to defend his title, Tom Carey III might be the biggest player to enter the track for Sunday’s 35 lapper. ‘TC III’ took both the Icebreaker AND Sunoco World Series Late Model victories in 2021 and is well prepared to take his fan-favorite Brookside machine into O’Reilly Auto Parts Victory Lane once again. Both Morgan and Carey will have to face some stiff competition to maintain their 2021 momentum. Stalwarts Woody Pitkat, Brian Tagg, Rick Gentes and Mark Jenison are all expected to put on a show with ACT Late Models across New England welcome to join and open their season early.
The SK Lites are likewise prepared for another year of back-and-forth competition with Anthony Bello taking the division by storm in 2021 with two wins and three second-place finishes in five events. Bello’s closest competitor, 3-time 2021 winner Paul Charette, has indicated he will not be in attendance at the Icebreaker leaving the door open for possible invaders, or allowing Bello to keep at his winning ways in 2022.
One of the most entertaining divisions, not only at Thompson but across Southern New England, the Limited Sportsman competition is poised to take down ‘Leadfoot’ Larry Barnett. Ryan Waterman is seeking redemption in 2022, keeping tight behind Barnett until his off-color 22nd place finish during October’s Sunoco World Series kept the Danielson, Connecticut driver out of championship contention. Waterman will be joined by the rough and tumble crowd of Corey Fanning, Brent Gleason, Nicholas Hovey and Scott Sundeen in their collective pursuit of ol’ Leadfoot. The Limited Sportsman are not to be missed alongside Sunday’s Icebreaker 125.
The Mini Stocks will also be in tow, starting their 2022 campaign with a 20-lap feature on Saturday. 2021 Champion Jared Roy is ready to battle another season against Russell Barboza and Dave Trudeau in the six events in 2022. Being the first race of the season, it remains to be seen just how many invaders take to the 5/8-mile Thompson highbanks this Saturday.
Lastly, the Thompson Outlaw Open Modified Series kick-starts their 2022 campaign with the $10,000-to-win Icebreaker 125 on Sunday. Notable drivers like Patrick Emerling, Jonathan McKenney, Ronnie Williams, Chris Pasteryak and Anthony Nocella are all entered for the opening Tour-type Modified event of the Northeast season. Aside from joining the likes of Richie Evans, Jimmy Spencer, Steve Park, Mike Stefanik, Ted Christopher AND the $10,000 grand prize, there is also an interesting provisional at stake.
A Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series provisional for the Granite Capital 100 at Barre, Vermont’s Thunder Road is up for grabs to any Modified driver that takes the Icebreaker green flag, regardless of finishing position. This unique provisional means if a driver starts the Icebreaker 125 they are eligible for the Memorial Day provisional at Thunder Road. This provisional will be awarded on race day to the highest finishing Icebreaker driver who didn’t qualify into the event.
Like these drivers, we at the American-Canadian Tour and Pro All Stars Series can’t wait to start the New England racing season at Thompson Speedway on Saturday, April 2nd and Sunday, April 3rd. Along with the five Thompson local divisions and the Outlaw Open Modified Icebreaker 125, the weekend will also include PASS Super Late Models, NEMA Lites and the EXIT Realty Pro Truck Series.
General Admission Combo for both Saturday and Sunday is $60 for adults with ages 12-under $20. Saturday-Only is $30 with 12-under $10 and Sunday-Only is $40 with 12-under $10.
Pit Admission Combo for both Saturday and Sunday is $75 for adults, 12-under is $40. Single Day Admission, either Saturday-Only or Sunday-Only, is $50 and 12-under for $30.
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.
