Spring Has Sprung

OK, so we have one MRS and one Whelen race on the books and one rain out. Stafford is up next and hopefully mother nature will let us get this one in.

What have we learned so far?? Well the #4 team is a solid team and with a good driver behind the wheel who is now Bobby Santos the III can win on any track. Ryan Preece has started the year where he left off with another second place finish and looking to move up one spot in the standings. Mike Stefanik looks to be on a mission to show yes he is getting older but that is not going to slow him down. TC fought the race car most of the Icebreaker for a 4th place finish. Todd Szegedy had one his usual solid top 5 finishes.

I think what we may also learn is that while we may not have the largest fields of cars it is a quality field of cars. Walking through the pits at Thompson there are a lot of new and freshened race cars that should make for great racing this year.

Several cars that caught my eye did not finish up front but it was good to see them in action.

Burt Myers from NC looked strong early but faded at the end to a 14th place finish. I think everyone would like to see him back for more. Richie Pallai Jr. finished 21st in his 1st modified start at the track. Johnnny Bush in his immaculate #68 had a crate motor and a GPS from Nascar to keep an eye on it. Teammates Wade Cole and Jake Morosz had there ups and downs but I think it was fair to say most were happy to see 2 of the long time tour supporters at the track.

Jimmy Blewett will give the 14 a good ride this year but is is strange not seeing the Reg at the Icebreaker. Hopefully we have not seen the last of him on the tour. Southern tour champ George Brunnhoelzl III who is a native Long Islander is keeping up a family tradition that dates back to the 1950's of winning races and championships.

So its now its on to Stafford and the 200 lap Spring Sizzler, a race that has been won by the biggest names ever to drive a modified. Lets hope the weather holds off so we can run the 39th annual Sizzler! It all starts with the morning pit party on the track from 11:00-12:00 and ends with 200 laps of modified action.

See you at the track.

Jaws

Can Ryan Preece win his 3rd in a row at Thompson?

It's almost like watching Joey Logano blossom on the Sprint Cup level, Ryan Preece is moving to the top of the pack on the Whelen Mod Tour.

At only 18 years of age and just out of high school, Ryan has really taken off this year. Starting with a solid 4th in the Icebreaker it has been almost all top 10's including 2 wins. The lone poor finish was a 24th at the New Hampshire Speedway. Ryan currently sits in third place in points behind Todd Szegedy and Ted Christopher only 27 points out of first place.

Next up is the 8th race of the season, the Bud 150 at Thompson International Speedway Thursday August 13. Can Ryan make it 3 wins in a row? I think a good starting spot could help and Ryan has been timing well recently.

Will winning 3 in a row for Ryan be easy, no. There are several drivers that always run well at Thompson and are always a threat to visit victory lane.

Those drivers include Jimmy Blewett, Tedd Christopher, Donnie Lia plus Mike Stefanick is due for a win, Todd Szegedy has been so close this year and would like the point lead back .

Then there are several local drivers who always seem to be near the front of the pack including Eric Bernt who took the pole at Stafford last Friday, Chris Pasteryak, Woody Pitkat, the Reg, Reggie Ruggerio plus always strong running Ronnie Silk in the immaculate Hill billy #79. Jamie Tomanio ran real strong in April at the Icebreaker and could be a threat to win.

Time trials start at 5:30 followed by a 6:15 autograph session, Thompson's 6 regular divisions then take to the track followed by the Bud 150 at 8:45.

Thompson Speedway is located at 205 East Thompson Road, Thompson, CT 06277 , exit 99 off of rt 395.