Stafford, Thompson postpone auto racing season starts until May
One of the signs of spring — the roar of the engines — will take place a little later this year for the state’s two NASCAR race tracks, Stafford Motor Speedway and Thompson Speedway Motor Sports Park.
After postponing their season openers, both facilities have set revised schedules for the start of the 2020 season. The New London-Waterford Speedbowl has not released a schedule after being idle for the entire 2019 season. Bleacher construction is currently taking place.
Stafford Speedway announced Tuesday the regular Friday night season will get under way on May 22.
The following weekend will be one of the most ambitious scheduled at Stafford. Friday May 29 is the date of the inaugural Call Before You Dig Late Model 80. May 30 and 31 are the dates of the rescheduled NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler.
There will be 13 races during the three-day weekend, culminating with the 49th Sizzler on Sunday, May 31.
“We are in some unprecedented circumstances but we are looking forward to getting on track whenever it is safe for drivers, teams and fans,” Stafford CEO Mark Arute said in a press release. “Safety is the number one concern right now, but looking at the doubleheader this sets up at the end of May we have a unique opportunity to have a really exciting weekend for fans and teams. Thirteen races over the course of three days is something we’ve never done. We’ve taken a hard look at the schedule and reshuffled dates to make it work, We want to thank all the fans for their patience.”
Sizzler weekend originally was to take place April 26-27 and the opening Friday night was May 1.
Stafford also has rescheduled the opening practice session to Saturday, May 9.
Thompson, meanwhile, has postponed its annual Icebreaker to May 15-16. It was originally set for April 4-5.
“After working with all of the different parties involved, we feel this is the best weekend to run the Icebreaker and kick off the Thompson racing season,” Thompson general manager Terry Eames said.
The full schedule for the two-day Icebreaker will be announced at a later date.
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