Russ Dowd

Russ Dowd racing career started at an early age, racing go-karts at the age of 8 years old at Thompson Speedway. He won his first race on the old quarter-mile oval at age 10. He would win the 1962 midseason Single Open division championship at State Line Raceway in Wilsonville, CT. He would also compete in mini-midgets for 5 years, winning 5 races at Stafford in 1975. In the modifieds, he would run the Lindblad Chassis #98 at Pocono, Stafford and Thompson speedways.

But it was behind the microphone as a track announcer where Dowd left an indelible mark on New England racing. He began announcing Go-Karts races as a teenager at the Woodstock Fairgrounds in the 1960’s. He became Club President in 1971 and convinced them to pave the track in the mid-1970’s. He also helped build Pomfret Speedway, another go-kart track in Connecticut.

His reign as “The Voice of Thompson Speedway” began in 1980, calling over 600 events there including the first 130 NASCAR Modified Tour races. Thompson owner Don Hoenig would call him “the perfect gentleman. And that voice. It was fantastic, just a natural.” He would additional become Thompson’s General Manager in 1998 and later Director of Operations. He retired in 2016 after announcing for 4 decades.

Dowd also announced at Stafford Speedway for 13 years and was also heard at Pocono Raceway, Riverside Park Speedway, Waterford Speedbowl and Westboro Speedway.

Other honors Dowd recieved over the years include Best Track Announcer in 2014 by speed51.com, the Frank Maratta Award by NEAR in 2016 and the Sonny Richards Award for contributions to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, also in 2016.