Thompson 300
The Thompson 300 was the brainchild of track owner Don Hoenig, who wanted it to be the biggest race in the region for the small-block modifieds that ran on Sundays weekly at his track. The 300 debuted in 1975 and was won by Geoff Bodine in Dick Armstrong‘s #1 car. Bodine would win 4 of the first 5 events.
It became a NASCAR sanctioned event in 1980, with points awarded towards the Modified National Championship. When NASCAR changed the modified division to a touring series in 1985, the 300 became part of the circuit. It was switched to a Busch North Series race for two seasons (1996-97) before taking a 3-season hiatus. It returned as part of the NASCAR Modified Tour again from 2001-2005. After a 15 seasons hiatus, it returned as an open modified event in 2021, but has not returned since.
Bodine and Mike Stefanik have each won the Thompson 300 four different times, the most of any drivers. “Magic Shoes” Mike McLaughlin has won the race 3 times. Stefanik and Jeff Fuller have won both Modified Tour and Busch North Series incarnations of the event. Jeff & Rick Fuller are the only pair of brothers to win the 300. Ed Flemke and his son Eddie Jr are the only father-son duo to win the event.