Story By: KYLE SOUZA / THOMPSON SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK – THOMPSON, CT – The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) have released the full schedule of events for the 59th Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on October 8-10.
They have also released entry forms and event information for several of the divisions on the schedule.
A total of 17 divisions will be in action throughout the three-day racing festival. The culmination of the Sunoco World Series is the return of the $20,000-to-win Thompson 300 for the Outlaw Open Modified Series. Tour-type Modified standouts such as Patrick Emerling, Eric Goodale, Doug Coby, Ron Silk, Keith Rocco, Jon McKennedy, and Ronnie Williams are already registered for the first edition of the Thompson 300 since 2005.
In addition to the guaranteed $20,000 winner’s purse, the Thompson 300 is also awarding $50 to the leader of each sponsored lap. In part because of this wrinkle, officials have announced the event will be 300 green-flag laps. This means that drivers will have to earn every lap they lead in the same vein as the Oxford 250, the Vermont Milk Bowl, and other high-profile Northeast events that award lap money.
Sixteen other classes have main events prior to the Thompson 300 going green. Friday, October 8 will have rotating practice beginning at 12:30pm for all World Series divisions except the ACT Late Model Tour and PASS North Super Late Models. The grandstands open at 2:30pm with post time for that night’s racing at 5:30pm. All divisions will hold their qualifying and feature events on the same day.
Twisted Tea World Series Saturday on October 9 has practice beginning at 10:00am and the grandstands opening at 11:30am. Following the end of rotating practice at 12:55pm, the ACT Late Models and PASS Super Late Models will have separate 40-minute practice blocks. Post time is 2:30pm with an estimated completion time of 9:30pm.
On Sunday, October 10, racing begins at 12:30pm. The Outlaw Open Modified Series will have a 20-minute practice session prior to post time once engines are allowed to fire. The Thompson 300 will go green at approximately 3:30pm.
In addition to the schedule of events, entry forms have been released for the ACT Late Model Tour, Sunoco Modified Triple Crown Series, and 8-Cylinder Street Stock Open. The ACT Late Models are racing for $2,500 to win and $450 to start in Saturday’s Sunoco World Series 75 presented by Twisted Tea.
Combined with Friday night’s $1,200-to-win, 25-lap local Late Model feature, a driver can pocket up to $3,700 over the two-day span. The local Late Models use 100% ACT rules, allowing teams to compete in both if they choose.
The Sunoco Modified Triple Crown Series for SK Modifieds consists of three 30-lap features. One feature will be held each day of the World Series with separate qualifying and purse payouts for each event. A full purse has been posted for all three features with $1,500 to win and $200 to start.
This adds up to nearly $27,000 in posted awards across the three events based on a 26-car starting field. If a driver sweeps all three events, they will take home $4,500 in prize money for the weekend. The events also count for points towards the 2021 Sunoco Modified track championship.
The 8-Cylinder Street Stock Open is paying $1,000 to win for the 25-lap feature with more than $4,500 in posted awards. The rules will be the same as those used for last year’s Sunoco World Series 25 and both Street Stock Opens held at Thompson in 2021.
Advance ticket sales are now live at www.happsnow.com/event/Thompson-Speedway-Motorsports-Park-YHPQ. Three-day general admission to the Sunoco World Series is $75 for adults, $20 for kids ages 6-12, and free for kids ages 5 and under. Fans can also purchase single-day tickets or a two-day Saturday-Sunday ticket.
Both three-day and single-day pit passes are being offered. These can only be purchased at the track on race days.
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park presents the 59th annual Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing from Friday, October 8 to Sunday, October 10. The weekend is highlighted by the $20,000-to-win Sunoco Thompson 300 for the Outlaw Open Modified Series. The 17-division program also includes the Sunoco Modified Triple Crown Series, ACT Late Model Tour, PASS Super Late Models, NEMA Midgets and Lites, all local divisions, and much more.