Thompson International Speedway
Encyclopedia
Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Connecticut
, USA, is a 5/8 mi paved oval racetrack that was once known as the Indianapolis
of the East. It was the first asphalt-paved racing oval track in the United States and is now under the NASCAR
Whelen All-American Series
banner. Each year Thompson hosts one of the great fall variety events "The World Series of Auto Racing" highlighted by the ISMA Super Modifieds and the NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour
. This event frequently draws over 600 race cars in 15 separate divisions over three days.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Thompson's Sunday night program was a who's who of modified greats such as Carl "Bugs" Stevens, Fred DeSarro
, Fred Schulz, Ron Bouchard
, Ed Flemke, Leo Cleary, Smoky Boutwell, and Geoff Bodine
. During this period the track hosted memorable special events which drew legendary Southern drivers like Ray Hendrick
in the famous "fire" #1 to battle the locals. Other surprise stars included Long Island's Fred Harbach and Rene Charland from Massachusetts.
In the late 1970s, the track drew 55 winged Super Modifieds to their World Series race. By owner's choice, all 55 started. During the energy crisis during the 1970s Thompson hosted a unique division called the "Open Competitive" division which merged the Super Modifieds with the Modifieds. Later, Thompson tried a lower cost stock-cylinder-head modified division which chased away some of the tracks regulars. Until the 1980s the track had a unique barrier outside turns 1-2 and 3-4 made of dirt fill.
The track has endured some tragic moments which have claimed the lives of DeSarro, Harry Kourafus Jr., Dick Dixon, Corky Cookman, Tom Baldwin, Sr.
, John Blewett III
, and most recently Shane Hammond (April 6, 2008). DeSarro's death prompted a memorial fund-raiser which drew the largest crowd to date and the Northeast's best drivers in an open competition Modified race with no purse. Both Evans and Bodine mounted their cars with wings. Baldwin and Blewett died while competing in the same race on the tour, three years apart.
Thompson, Connecticut
Thompson is a rural town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The town was named after Sir Robert Thompson, an English landholder. The population was 9,458 at the 2010 census...
, USA, is a 5/8 mi paved oval racetrack that was once known as the Indianapolis
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
of the East. It was the first asphalt-paved racing oval track in the United States and is now under the NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Whelen All-American Series
Whelen All-American Series
The Whelen All-American Series is a points championship for NASCAR sanctioned local racetracks around the United States and Canada....
banner. Each year Thompson hosts one of the great fall variety events "The World Series of Auto Racing" highlighted by the ISMA Super Modifieds and the NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Whelen Modified Tour
Whelen Modified Tour
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR in the Modified division. The Modified division is NASCAR's oldest division, and its one of two open-wheeled divisions...
. This event frequently draws over 600 race cars in 15 separate divisions over three days.
History
Following cleanup from the hurricane of 1938, John Hoenig built a combined 5/8 mi paved oval and 1.6 miles (2.6 km) road racing course on his farmland in the northeast corner of Connecticut.In the 1960s and 1970s, Thompson's Sunday night program was a who's who of modified greats such as Carl "Bugs" Stevens, Fred DeSarro
Fred DeSarro
Frederick DeSarro was an American racecar driver. He was the 1970 NASCAR National Modified Champion. In NASCAR's Modified All-Time Top 10 drivers, he was ranked eighth.-Career:...
, Fred Schulz, Ron Bouchard
Ron Bouchard
Ron Bouchard is a former NASCAR driver who was the 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year. His brother Ken Bouchard was the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year.-Local driving career:...
, Ed Flemke, Leo Cleary, Smoky Boutwell, and Geoff Bodine
Geoff Bodine
Geoffrey Eli Bodine is an American motorsport driver and bobsled builder. He is the oldest of the three Bodine brothers . Bodine currently lives in Cornelius, North Carolina....
. During this period the track hosted memorable special events which drew legendary Southern drivers like Ray Hendrick
Ray Hendrick
Ray Hendrick , was known as "Mr. Modified" during his 36-year career in motorsports mainly in the modified stock car racing class....
in the famous "fire" #1 to battle the locals. Other surprise stars included Long Island's Fred Harbach and Rene Charland from Massachusetts.
In the late 1970s, the track drew 55 winged Super Modifieds to their World Series race. By owner's choice, all 55 started. During the energy crisis during the 1970s Thompson hosted a unique division called the "Open Competitive" division which merged the Super Modifieds with the Modifieds. Later, Thompson tried a lower cost stock-cylinder-head modified division which chased away some of the tracks regulars. Until the 1980s the track had a unique barrier outside turns 1-2 and 3-4 made of dirt fill.
The track has endured some tragic moments which have claimed the lives of DeSarro, Harry Kourafus Jr., Dick Dixon, Corky Cookman, Tom Baldwin, Sr.
Tom Baldwin (NASCAR Driver)
Tom Baldwin was a NASCAR Modified race driver. He competed for 40 seasons, winning 6 modified races as well as numerous other races. His 11 wins at Riverhead Raceway spanned from June 30, 1978 to June 6, 1992. He was given the "Most Popular driver" award on the Modified tour for 2003...
, John Blewett III
John Blewett III
John Richard Blewett, III from Howell Township, New Jersey, was a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver.-Career:...
, and most recently Shane Hammond (April 6, 2008). DeSarro's death prompted a memorial fund-raiser which drew the largest crowd to date and the Northeast's best drivers in an open competition Modified race with no purse. Both Evans and Bodine mounted their cars with wings. Baldwin and Blewett died while competing in the same race on the tour, three years apart.