Shawn Courchesne | Auto Racing

No Open Doors At Lime Rock Park For the Whelen Modified Tour

With a dwindling base of short tracks looking to host major touring events, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour has seen their event schedule pared down over the past decade to a select few tracks.

The Modified Tour visits 8 tracks this season as part of a 16 race schedule. That schedule includes 5 events at Thompson International Speedway and 4 events at Stafford Motor Speedway.

Getting the tour to new venues is something first year series director Chad Little said recently was one of his goals.

Don't Blame The Racetrack For Racing Tragedies

The knee jerk reaction was nearly automatic when word started to spread Sunday that NorthEastern Midget Association driver Shane Hammond had been killed in an accident during the season opening Icebreaker at Thompson International Speedway.

Automatically people were pointing fingers at the track.

Three lives lost in less than 4 years at Thompson.

It’s not surprising that people, almost immediately following the news of Hammond’s death, came out firing against Thompson, blaming the track, calling it an unsafe place to race. 

Ed Flemke Jr. To Hit The Airwaves This Week

Ed Flemke Jr. will be making sure the Whelen Modified Tour gets its fair share of air time this week.

Coming off his victory in the season opening Icebreaker 2008 Sunday at Thompson International Speedway, the Southington driver will make a pair of radio appearances in the coming days.

Ed Flemke Jr. Reflects On The Tragic Days Of Racing From A Driver's Perspective

On Sunday, after being declared the winner of the rain shortened Whelen Modified Tour Icebreaker 2008 at Thompson International Speedway, Ed Flemke Jr. of Southington spent some of his time in the press box with the media on hand reflecting about the day and being a driver and dealing with deaths of other drivers.

Prior to Flemke and his fellow Whelen Modified Tour competitors taking the track on Sunday, 27-year NEMA Midget driver Shane Hammond had been killed in a crash in turn 3 of the .625-mile Thompson International Speedway oval.

“I’m getting tired of it. I’m getting real tired of it. It’s just so sad that the price is so great. You hit a foul ball, what’s the price? You fumble, what’s the price? You fumble the ball here, the price is just too great. I’m just getting tired of it. It’s sad, it’s really sad. But my dad told me a long time ago, at [Modified racing legend Fred DeSarro’s] wake, pick that chin up, it’s OK to cry, just pick your chin up and you’ll be alright. We’ve got to do it for them. We’ll be back. We’re too stupid to stop so we’ll be back.

NEMA Midget Driver Shane Hammond Killed In Crash At Thompson Sunday

NorthEastern Midget Association driver Shane Hammond was killed in an accident Sunday at Thompson International Speedway, the Connecticut State police confirmed.

Hammond, 27, of Halifax, Mass. was involved in a crash on the fourth lap of a scheduled 25-lap NEMA Midget feature.

Hammond’s car made contact with the car driven by Chris Leonard of Pelham, N.H. heading into turn 3. Hammond’s car ended up going over the concrete wall at the entrance to the corner and into a loose banner billboard above the wall.

Thompson Sources: "Serious" And "Traumatic" Injuries Sustained By NEMA Midget Driver Shane Hammond

According to multiple sources at Thompson International Speedway, NEMA Driver Shane Hammond was being treated for what were described as “serious” and “traumatic” injuries following a crash in the NEMA Midget feature Sunday at Thompson International Speedway.

Hammond, 27, got together with the car driven by Chris Leonard of Pelham, N.H. heading into turn 3 on lap 4 and his car ended up going over the concrete wall at the entrance to the corner and through a loose banner billboard above the wall.

It was unclear if Hammond’s car impacted with the stanchion holding the banner billboard upright.

Harrowing NEMA Midget Wreck At Thompson International Speedway

A dramatic crash in turn 3 on lap 4 of the NEMA Midget feature has brought action to a stop at Thompson International Speedway.

According to track officials NEMA driver Shane Hammond of Halifax, Mass. was transported to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam following the wreck.

Hammond got together with another car on the track going into turn 3 and his car ended up going over the concrete wall at the entrance to the turn and through a loose banner billboard above the wall.

Moving Right Along On Icebreaker Sunday At Thompson

Ah peace again in the press box at Thompson International Speedway.

The radio boys from the morning show have disappeared (to their credit, the small bit I listened to was quite funny). It’s back to normal life here though with the regular band of merry characters populating the cozy warm confines up here.

Yes, it still feels at Thompson like Christmas is right around the corner. It is April right?

Welcome To Thompson: I Want My Press Box Back

Welcome to Thompson International Speedway.

Well, that would be the frozen tundra of Thompson International Speedway.

It’s cold, it’s windy, its overcast.

Did I mention that its cold? Very cold.

James Civali On Top In Icebreaker Qualifying; Marvin, Zuidema Win Features

Defending race winner James Civali kicked off Icebreaker 2008 race weekend in style, winning the pole in qualifying for Sunday’s Whelen Modified Tour season opener at Thompson Speedway. The Meriden driver toured the .625-mile oval in 18.613 seconds (119.916 mph) for his first career Modified Tour pole.

“I didn’t think we’d be able to get it,” Civali said. “We were fast all day but the track changes so much. You can go from one tenth to another. You never think you’re going to get a pole. I never get a pole.”

Bobby Grigas of Marshfield, Mass. was second (18.792 seconds) and Todd Szegedy of Ridgfield third (18.759 seconds). The top six qualifiers redrew for their starting spots putting Grigas at the front of the field. Ronnie Silk of Norwalk will start second. Civali will start fifth.