Location(s): Thompson International Speedway - Thompson, CT

Drive a Stock Car in Boston

Experience first-hand the thrill and excitement of racing in a Sprint Cup style stock car. A crew member buckles you in, checks your radio, and gives the "thumbs up" sign to your instructor. It is time for the thrill of a lifetime!
  • Real 500+ horse power Sprint Cup style stock cars
  • Hit speeds of 100mph like the big boys on Sundays
  • All cars have raced in competition, one even sat front row at The Daytona 500!
  • Fulfill a childhood dream and be the envy of your friends
Click Here to read full details.

Description:
Experience first-hand the thrill and excitement of racing in a Sprint cup style stock car.

After a short classroom session where you will learn vehicle dynamics, racing lines, and safety instruction you will head out to the track to find your 500 horse power Sprint Cup style stock car waiting.

A crew member buckles you in, checks your radio, and gives the "thumbs up" sign to your instructor. You will start your engine, hear that V8 roar, and pull onto the track! Then the green flag flies and it is "pedal to the metal".

As your Instructor coaches you over the radio you will drive at your own pace, passing slower cars when you catch them. Feel the exhilaration from flag to flag as you experience side-by-side racing, drafting, passing, pit stops and more.

You can choose from a variety of lap options, but don't be surprised if you leave wanting more!

Add a Ride Along
Select one of our options that includes a 4 Lap Ride Along and let a professional driver show you the full potential of these amazing racecars as he takes you on the ride of your life! The perfect addition for any Driving package!

Availability:
Select Dates - April through October
Click for Schedule
AM times are typically 8:00, 9:00 or 10:00.
PM times are typically 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 or 3:00.

Location(s):
Thompson International Speedway - Thompson, CT

Essential Information:
You will have a guaranteed amount of driving time. We've listed the number of laps a typical student will complete in the time allowed, however the actual number of laps you drive will depend on your speed, slower drivers may drive fewer laps.

Note the first 5 laps of all packages will be warm up laps, with the remaining laps under a full green flag.

Participants must be 18 years of age and must have had a valid driver's license for at least 2 years.

Participants must weigh at least 100 pounds. Individuals must also be able to fit through a standard size car window to enter the vehicle and may have difficulty if they weigh more than 300 pounds, are taller than 6' 7", or have a waist size over 50 inches.

Insurance on the race car and a DVD of your experience can both be purchased directly from your provider after the experience has been booked.

We recommend bringing snacks and drinks to enjoy while at the track. Some seating is provided, however, we recommend bringing lawn chairs to guarantee a seat for any spectators.

Duration:
8 - 80 Lap Options. Note the first 5 laps of all packages will be warm up laps, with the remaining laps under a full green flag. Plan on being at the track between 2 to 3 hours. This includes the safety & track overview, drive time, picture taking, etc.

Maximum Participants:
10 per class

Spectators:
Friends and family, cameras and video cameras are encouraged.

Weather Dependent:
This experience is weather dependent; however the experience may run in the rain. Always contact the Experience provider with any questions regarding weather conditions. In the event that the experience is unable to run due to weather, the experience provider will reschedule your reservation at no cost.

What to Wear:
Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for weather conditions and closed toed shoes, no boots. A driving suit and helmet is provided.

Booking Information:
For this experience, it is recommended to request bookings at least 30 days in advance.

Cancellation Policy:
Prior to scheduling/booking a date for this experience, Cloud 9's standard return and exchange policy shall apply. Once you have scheduled a date and received a booking confirmation, no returns or exchanges are allowed. Outside of thirty (30) days of your scheduled class date, if you need to reschedule for any reason you will be required to pay a $50 processing fee. Inside of thirty (30) days of your scheduled class date, if you need to reschedule for any reason the fee will be 50% of your class tuition. No cancellations or rescheduling allowed within 7 days of the event for any reason. Substitutions of an otherwise qualified driver to avoid these penalties are permitted.

Experience ID:
DRI-BOS-0011

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Customer Comments (View All)
Dan Beach  Drive a Stock Car
Drive a Stock Car

Home Town:
Long Beach, CA

What a blast! This was a surprise gift from my wife, and it was just fantastic. The staff were terrific, they really went out of their way to ensure I enjoyed the experience. Cross one off the Bucket List!
Dan Beach
John Hilton  Drive a Stock Car
Drive a Stock Car

Home Town:
West Sacramento, CA

I had the greatest experience and time doing this. All the people were outstanding and friendly. This was one of my things that I was able to take off my "Bucket List". If I had the opportunity, I would definitely do this again!
John Hilton
Rich Johnson  Drive a Stock Car
Drive a Stock Car

Home Town:
Lake Worth, FL

I am 70 and now I can cross driving a race car off my bucket list. It could not have been a better experience.
Rich Johnson
David Meyers  Drive a Stock Car
Drive a Stock Car

Home Town:
Wheeling, IL

I had the best time ever! It was an unbelievable experience that I hope I can do again one day soon.
David Meyers
Joe Odette Michigan International Speedway Drive a Stock Car
Drive a Stock Car

Location:
Michigan International Speedway

It was an awesome experience, I thought for sure we were going to slide into the wall but it never happened!! Thats a good thing!! WOW is all I could say
Joe Odette
Dan Beach
From Long Beach, CA

What a blast! This was a surprise gift from my wife, and it was just fantastic. The staff were terrific, they really went out of their way to ensure I enjoyed the experience. Cross one off the Bucket List!

John Hilton
From West Sacramento, CA

I had the greatest experience and time doing this. All the people were outstanding and friendly. This was one of my things that I was able to take off my "Bucket List". If I had the opportunity, I would definitely do this again!

Rich Johnson
From Lake Worth, FL

I am 70 and now I can cross driving a race car off my bucket list. It could not have been a better experience.

David Meyers
From Wheeling, IL

I had the best time ever! It was an unbelievable experience that I hope I can do again one day soon.

Joe Odette

It was an awesome experience, I thought for sure we were going to slide into the wall but it never happened!! Thats a good thing!! WOW is all I could say

Patrick Bleakney

This was as thrilling as one could get legally! Great birthday present! If you have the need for speed I would highly recommend this!! Am certainly going back again next year!

Dan Kostrova

This was the most amazing experience ever! My family got to stand in the Pit area and watch me experience, my biggest dream. Thank you Cloud 9!

Artur Bafia

Thank you Cloud 9 Living for the opportunity of a lifetime! It was better than I expected! The staff was great, the experience even greater!

Bob Kearns
From Frederick, MD

Racing 16 laps at Richmond International Speedway was the most exciting thing I've ever done! I highly recommend it. The training and staff at the school were exceptional. I felt totally prepared. Rather than simply following a pace car, we actually got to race against each other. What a rush! I'm happy to say that I can now cross racing a NASCAR at top speed off my bucket list!

Jared Gailes

Your staff is professional and friendly, spot on with details of the driving experience I was about to have. Once I arrived at Thompson Speedway in Connecticut, The Racing School staff was fantastic! They've got a boatload of experience and the tutorial given before I got behind the wheel was excellent. I have already recommended the experience to a bunch of friends. The question remains, do they have the mettle! Thanks for the great time, will do again! Dr. J. D. Gailes

Paul Waterman

Everyone was helpful, pleasant, friendly and working hard to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.

Jonathan Schulhaus

Driving a Stock Car was one of the most fun things I have EVER done. Thompson International Speedway is a fast short track. From checking in, the pre-drive class, and then on to racing, everyone was amazing. The staff was there to answer every question and were as professional as can be. I'd recommend this experience to anyone who has ever dreamed of driving one of these cars. The toughest part of the day was trying to stop my body from shaking from the excitement after driving, as well as trying to remember to abide by the speed limit on the way home!

Mike Callahan

The instructor was very professional and knowledgeable. Made everyone involved comfortable from the out set. He took away any nerves we may have had. All the other personnel were great as well. Everyone was upbeat and helpful. Mike C.

Joao Carlos Rosa

Awesome experience... will have to do it again!!! Thank you everyone at Cloud 9 Living.

Richard Singleton

My NASCAR experience was all and more than I anticipated. Driving a race car was one of my long time wishes and I was thoroughly pleased with the results. Everyone was so upbeat and knowledgeable during the whole process. I definitely would recommend this once in a life time thrill to everyone I know.

George Mascola

Very enjoyable, great experience, great job by the staff

Robert Baillie

I had a very memorable racing experience at Thompson Motor Speedway. The entire staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable about the sport of motor racing. They placed a high priority on having the best possible experience without compromising safety. I would highly recommend them to my family and friends; or maybe I might just go again myself!

Patrick Callaghan

had an incredible time,,,,,

Joshua LaBrie

What a ride! My turn at driving a stock car was just great.

Michael Torniero

I LOVED IT

Shane Conley

Thompson Speedway was an excellent place to go to drive a stock car. They teach you everything you need to know and allow you to drive at your own speed without a pace car. Everyone was friendly and went above and beyond expectations. It was a great experience.

Javier Gonzalez

The experience was awesome! It is something that I would definitely do again. This was a great anniversary gift from my wife!

Clinton Cody

Great experience, the staff at Thompson Speedway in CT were great. Great instruction and a great time, would highly recommend this experience for anyone.

Jason Williams

AWESOME

  1. What is the typical day like?
    All of our classes start with small classes, no waiting for a racecar. You'll start with a ten-page handout and a one-hour orientation in a classroom setting. Here you will learn vehicle dynamics, racing lines, and safety instruction. After this orientation, an instructor will take you in a passenger vehicle (typically a van) a few laps around the track to demonstrate the ideal racing line of the track. Now it is on to pit road for your firesuit and helmet. We'll pick a racecar, buckle you in and you'll get the command to fire engines. After those 500 horses roar to life, you'll proceed onto the track for your warm-up session that will last 4 Laps. It will cover radio contact, passing, proper line, braking and acceleration points and lastly we'll scrub the tires and start building speed. Then the command to go green will be given. Note: The first 4 laps of all packages will be warm up laps, with the remaining laps under a full green flag.
  2. What is the track like?
    The crown jewel in short track racing in the northeast, Thompson International Speedway is a 5/8 mile high banked asphalt oval track that was once known as the Indianapolis of the East. It was the first asphalt-paved racing oval track in the United States. Length: 5/8 Mile, Banking: 26 Degrees, Track Shape: High Banked Oval
  3. Is there an age requirement?
    All drivers must be at least 18 years old and must have had a driver's license for at least 2 years.
  4. Are there other requirements?
    Yes. Drivers must be between 5' and 6'7" tall, weigh at least 100 pounds and have a waist size no bigger than 50 inches. The doors on the cars do not open, so the participant must be able to fit into a standard size car window (15" high x 30" wide and 36" off the ground). If you're near the limits of the size requirements, please call prior to purchasing. There will be no refund due to a student's inability to fit in a race car.
  5. What type of cars are used?
    All of the cars are actual race cars previously used in NASCAR Nextel Cup, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Busch Series, or Dodge Weekly Racing Series. They are Ford, Chevy, and Dodges all 2005 model year and newer.
  6. Do I need to know how to drive a stick?
    No! You don't have to know how to drive a manual transmission; we are able to accommodate drivers who have never driven one before. We simply put the car into gear for you and push you off.
  7. Can I choose the car that I will drive?
    No. All of the cars are exactly the same; however the seats are different sizes to fit different body types. The Crew Chief will assign students to the cars based on their sizes.
  8. Are they "real "race cars?
    You bet! They've all been raced in competition. (Including one that sat on the front row at Daytona!) One of the Late Models was raced last fall at Thompson and climbed from 24th place to an 8th place finish.
  9. What is the track like?
    The crown jewel in short track racing in the northeast, Thompson International Speedway is a 5/8 mile high banked asphalt oval track. It plays host to several major events each year and also provides a wonderful variety of weekly racing programs.
  10. What if it rains?
    In the event your session is canceled due to weather conditions, you will be provided a rain check good for one year from your original booked date to complete your program. Refunds will not be offered.
  11. Can I bring guests?
    Spectators are always allowed, and encouraged!! We always love to have the drivers/riders friends and family at the racetrack. They are more than welcome to bring cameras and video cameras, as well as food and non-alcoholic beverages if they wish. Spectators are only allowed in the grandstands and behind the wall on pit road; due to our insurance regulations they are not allowed on the actual pit road.
  12. Do I need a reservation?
    Yes. We suggest submitting a request at least 6 weeks in advance for this particular track in order to ensure that you get the date you prefer. The dates tend to fill up quickly.
  13. Do I have to follow a pace car?
    No, you will not be required to follow a pace car. You will start behind a lead car for a few laps, and then you'll be waved by to race on your own.
  14. Do I need to bring anything?
    No, everything is provided for you. You should dress comfortably with a T-shirt that will fit under the driving suit, and sneakers (NO BOOTS). Friends and family, cameras and video cameras are encouraged.
  15. Do you offer photography or video of my experience?
    Yes. In-car video and professional digital photography to remember your day at the racetrack are available for an additional cost. DVD prices vary according to package size:

    8 -Lap Drive - $29
    16 -Lap Drive - $49
    26- Lap Drive - $69
    36- Lap Drive - $89
    50 -Lap Drive - $114
    80- Lap Drive - $159

    *Thompson Track is sized differently, therefore prices correspond to 10-Lap for $29, 20-Lap for $49, 36-Lap for $69, 50-Lap for $89, etc.

  16. Do I need to purchase insurance?
    An insurance policy is available for $60.00 for damage to the racecar, subject to a $1000.00 deductible. Due to the quality of our training and racecars, damage is rare. You are responsible for your own health insurance in the event that it is needed.
  17. What is the cancellation policy?
    Prior to scheduling/booking a date for this experience, Cloud 9's standard return and exchange policy shall apply. Once you have scheduled a date and received a booking confirmation, no returns or exchanges are allowed. Outside of thirty (30) days of your scheduled class date, if you need to reschedule for any reason you will be required to pay a $50 processing fee.  Inside of thirty (30) days of your scheduled class date, if you need to reschedule for any reason the fee will be 50% of your class tuition.  No cancellations or rescheduling allowed within 7 days of the event for any reason.  Substitutions of an otherwise qualified driver to avoid these penalties are permitted.