Celebrating 25 years, 1995 - 2020

Ryan Waterman Wins at Thompson

Puts BFR Chassis Limited Sportsman Back in Victory Lane

Ryan Waterman celebrates victory in the Limited Sportsman feature Wednesday at Thompson Speedway (Photo: Fran Lawlor/RaceDayCT)

THOMPSON – Ryan Waterman has been a dominator in the Limited Sportsman division at Thompson Speedway in recent years.

But in the first two events of the 2021 season the Danielson driver hardly showed that typical prowess fans have become used to.

Waterman had fourth place finishes in the first two Limited Sportsman division events this year on April 10 and June 16.

Wednesday night the Waterman fans are used to seeing was on display at Thompson.

Waterman went to the lead by Jeff Van Pelt on lap four and then checked out on the field to win the 20-lap Limited Sportsman feature Wednesday at Thompson Speedway.

“We got the drive back to set the car up for Thompson,” Waterman said. “We’ve been focusing on [the New London-Waterford Speedbowl] because I’m the points leader there and have four wins there. Finally put in the effort for Thompson that I haven’t this year. That was pretty much the difference.”

Larry Barnett of Moosup was second and Brent Gleason of Griswold third.

On June 16 Buddy Charette scored his first career SK Light Modified victory at Thompson Speedway.

Wednesday the Woodstock driver started his first winning streak in the divison.

Charette scored his second consecutive victory in winning the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature.

“We’ve had good cars this year,” Charette said. “Of course that helps out a ton. Without those we’d be tenth or whatever if I was still setting them up myself. My hats off to Jason Shepard, who does all the setup stuff. These things have been awesome. That was one of the best cars I’ve ever driven. I’ve never driven a car that good here.”

Anthony Bello of Newtown was second and John O’Sullivan of Salem third.

Paul Newcomb of Plymouth, Mass. scored the $1,000 first place purse in the 25-lap Street Stock Open feature. It was the second Street Stock Open victory of the 2021 season at Thompson for Newcomb.

Corey Fanning of Mapleville, R.I. was second and Jimmy Renfrew Jr. of Candia, N.H. third.

Mark Jenison found the best way to possible to put the struggles of his first two starts of the season behind him.

Jenison, of Warwick, R.I., led every lap on the way to victory in the 25-lap Late Model feature.

“After the first two races we had, they were drastically bad,” Jenison said. “We went back to the drawing board. We figured out where we were missing it at. We were still missing it a little bit tonight toward the end, but it was 100 times faster than we’ve been.”

Woody Pitkat of Stafford was second and Nick Johnson of Rehoboth, Mass. third.

Jared Roy of Sterling got his second victory of the season in the 15-lap Mini Stock feature.

“This is our second win at Thompson this year and I couldn’t be happier about it, ” Roy said. “Tonight I was racing with some of the guys that showed me the way around here when I first started racing.”

Eric Bourgeois of East Haddam was second and Jared Barboza of Plainfield third.

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