EVERETT’S AUTO PARTS TRIPLE CROWN, SPECTATOR DRAGS KICK-OFF THIS SATURDAY AT SEEKONK SPEEDWAY5/5/2022 Coming off a rainout last week, Seekonk Speedway will roar back to life for the first NASCAR Saturday racing of the season this Saturday night, May 14. The night will include five divisions of racing on the card, including the kick-off of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series and the Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags. Tickets are available in advance for the first Saturday race of the year by visiting SeekonkSpeedway.com, where fans can grab their general admission passes and skip the line on race day. Fans, teams and drivers can also purchase pit passes ahead online to skip the line. The Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series, newly sponsored by Everett’s Auto Parts, will debut for the new year with the Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks and Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman in a double-dip of extra-distance racing. The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks will compete in a 35-lap feature in their second race of the season, with 10 extra laps to let it go down. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman will also run for 35 laps. The Triple Crown format will be similar to past years, with the winner of the first race, winner of the second race and the top two points drivers between the first two events making up the Final Four into the Triple Crown championship weekend in August. On that night, whichever of the four drivers finishes ahead of the other will win the Triple Crown. The Sport Trucks roll into race two with Amy Arsenault looking to rebound and get back on track. The driver of the No. 9 Truck led 23 of the 25 laps on opening day, but a mechanical failure while in the lead ended her day just short of Victory Lane. When she hit the sidelines, former champion Mike Cavallaro blasted through and opened the year with a win. Additional contenders will include Rick Martin, Mike Duarte, opening day runner-up Brittany Campbell, Jake Vanada and others in the extra-distance feature. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman went into the season knowing they were chasing defending champion Chad Baxter, but “Captain Fun” Craig Pianka made sure to grab the first trophy. Pianka won the opening 25-lap race of the year and showed the speed under the hood he needs to be a contender. Names like Baxter, Ed Perry, Steve Axon and more will be looking to visit Victory Lane for the first time in 2022 this Saturday night. The Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags also debut for the 2022 season on Saturday night. Coming off a successful 2021 campaign, many of the same drivers will be back to battle for the crown in their 10-race schedule, which includes multiple NASCAR Saturday nights and Thrill Show races. Defending champion John Fielding will be closely chased by former champion Jonathon Johnson, Rob Gingras and more in their events, which will take place just before qualifying heats. The Late Model division is chasing sophomore contender Richie Murray through the first week, as the driver of the No. 08, a third-generation racer, picked up his first career win on opening day. Leading into week two, there are multiple top contenders who need to rebound, including defending champion Vinnie Arrenegado, Chase Belcher, Gerry DeGasparre Jr. and more. All of them had some speed in the opener, but their standards are top-five finishes — and they will be looking to get to where they want to be in the 30-lap Late Model feature. The Pro Stock division had one of the wildest races in recent memory in their first event of 2022, and if it was any indication of what is ahead, it could be a crazy year. “Mighty" Mike Brightman pocketed the first win of the year after spinning early and hanging on late, while former champion Kenny Spencer made his early season mark, finishing second on opening day. It won’t be long before Dave Darling returns to the track, or Tom Scully Jr., who was involved in a wreck early and didn’t finish race one. Tommy Adams, a former Late Model champion moving to the Pro Stocks this year, also showed plenty of speed last weekend. NASCAR Saturday night racing at Seekonk Speedway on Saturday, May 14 will begin with the drop of the first green flag at 6 p.m. General admission gates will open at 4 p.m., and although tickets are available in advance, they will also be available at the gate on race day. Tickets are $15 for adults and kids 12 and under and parking is free. For more information on Seekonk Speedway including to purchase tickets and learn more about the 2022 track schedule, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates.
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With another 10-race schedule planned for the 2022 season, the Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags will roar back to life this Saturday, May 7, with round one of the season.
Seekonk Speedway has been running the Spectator Drags for many years — where fans can literally bring their own car off the street, down onto the track, and compete in a one-lap race against others. The Spectator Drag events include elimination rounds where the winner advances, and the loser either is out in their first shot, or gets a second chance, depending on the night. By the end — there are two drivers left and they battle for two laps around the third-mile to pick a winner on the night. Entering the opener, John Fielding is looking for a repeat performance in 2022, and hoping to get off on the right foot. In 10 events last year, Fielding earned championship glory by a healthy margin of 17 points over Joey Morrissette, who also competed in the Seekonk Speedway Fast Friday Pure Stock division. With Morrissette moving across the country and no longer competing full-time, Fielding is going to have a long list of challengers trying to take him off the top of the division. Jonathan Johnson, a former division champion, didn’t have quite the season he was looking for in 2021, but will be looking to rebound this year. One of the top crowd favorites, Rob Gingras, brings his 1948 Ford Truck to the track each time, and his girlfriend, Christine Pierce, will also be joining him on the track this year as a Rookie contender. Names like Matt Desrosiers, Franz Weidlinger, Richie Johnson, Kyle Buchanan, Brad Johnson and others are also expected to compete. Last year, between NASCAR Saturday and Thrill Show events, over 110 drivers competed in at least one event. The list of contenders rolling into 2022 is a long one, as one of Seekonk’s most popular divisions gets ready to roll. “The Troy City Tactical Spectator Drag Series continues to grow and we’re looking forward to watching drivers battle for the first time this weekend,” Ed St. Germain, Director of Business Development for Seekonk Speedway, said. “Some of our NASCAR Saturday drivers started in the Spectator Drags and have worked their way up into the divisions that fans watch on a weekly basis. These drivers don’t mess around on the track and put on some of the best action of the year.” Troy City Tactical, located in Fall River, Massachusetts, have created an environment for safety, respect and quality in firearms. Whether you are new to firearms, or a seasoned veteran, their goal is to provide you with the best service and best experience the moment you walk through their door. They offer classes, lessons, sales and service. You can visit them online at TroyCityTactical.com or give them a call today at 508-536-3158 for more information. The rules for the Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags are simple — the car competing must be registered with the DMV with a current inspection sticker, with no dealer or repair plates. Bodies must be legal using a stock chassis. A full face helmet must be worn at all times and participants must have a valid license and be at least 18-years-old. For a full set of rules, including tires, windows and more, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com to be sure your car fits the needs. In order to compete in all events, including this Saturday, teams must register at the pit booth by posted times, and must have a license and car registration with them. Spectator Drag events are first-come, first-serve. For Saturday races, registration will open at 4 p.m. and close at 5 p.m. The top-3 in each event earn trophies and the payout varies per event. For each race, drivers earn points for being inside the final 10 during the race, with 10th earning 1 point, 9th earning two points, etc. — down to the winner — who earns 10 for taking the checkered flag first. This season, the Spectator Drags have scheduled events on May 7, May 28 (Memorial Day Thrill Show), June 19, July 2 (Independence Day Thrill Show), July 16, July 30 (Midsummer Thrill Show), August 14 (Monster Trucks show), September 3 (Labor Day Thrill Show), September 17 and October 8 (Pumpkin Smash). NASCAR Saturday night racing at Seekonk Speedway on Saturday, May 7 will begin with the drop of the first green flag at 6 p.m. General admission gates will open at 4 p.m., and although tickets are available in advance, they will also be available at the gate on race day. Tickets are $15 for adults and kids 12 and under and parking are free. On top of the Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags, the event will also include round one of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown for the Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks and feature racing for the Pro Stocks, Late Models and Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman. For more information on Seekonk Speedway including to purchase tickets and learn more about the 2022 track schedule, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates. Craig Pianka, nicknamed “Captain Fun”, was having all the fun he wanted at Seekonk Speedway on Sunday afternoon, May 1. Pianka rocketed to the front early in the 25-lap Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman feature, and held off defending division champion Chad Baxter to take down the first victory of the season. Pianka, who had the speed to win multiple races last year, carried the setup over to the new year, with a few adjustments to make it even better. On opening day, he made sure that he was going to square things away early, and get to Victory Lane right from race one. He posted the fastest lap of the race, and held the checkered flag at the end of 25 laps. Baxter put together a solid start to his title defense, driving the No. 0 machine to a second-place run and showing he wasn’t going anywhere. The team may have only showed up the day before opening day for a few laps, but the speed was right there with a shot to win. Ed Perry finished third, continuing his streak of success dating back to last year, while former champion Steve Axon was fourth and Scott Serydysnki Jr. fifth. Tyler Almeida finished sixth, followed by Kyle Casper, Chris Rioux, Vinny Pangelinan and Doug Benoit. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman will return to the track for the first NASCAR Saturday night of the season on Saturday, May 7 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available in advance today at SeekonkSpeedway.com. ![]() It was a wild one — really wild. But, after 40 laps of Pro Stock racing on opening day at Seekonk Speedway, Mike Brightman found himself in Victory Lane in the No. 27, opening the year with the checkered flag in his hand. For the last few years, beating Dave Darling on opening day has been a nearly impossible task. And it looked like Darling was in position to pounce yet again. But it didn’t work out, and Brightman was the one who beat the rest to get to the winner’s circle. Early in the race, “The Rocket” Ryan Vanasse seemed to be the favorite. He jumped to the lead early and was at the point of the race for much of the distance. After Mark Jenison and Tommy Adams both slid around with 14 laps to go, Vanasse was the lucky man when the two got together and Vanasse and inherited the lead back. The final 12 laps of the race included multiple yellows, including a wild three-wide battle where Darling was on the bottom, Vanasse in the middle and Rick Martin on the outside. When they entered turn one, it worked. When they excited turn two, it didn’t work anymore. All three cars were collected and that handed the lead to Brightman, who wasn’t going to give it up. Brightman beat former division champion Kenny Spencer to the line, followed by Jenison, who came away with a solid third. Colbey Fournier was fourth in the 40-lap race and Bobby Pelland III rounded out the top-five. Ryan Lineham finished sixth, followed by Danny Thibeault, Martin, Darling and Vanasse. The Pro Stocks will return to the track for the first NASCAR Saturday night of the season on Saturday, May 7 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available in advance today at SeekonkSpeedway.com. Richie Murray is making sure the sophomore slump won’t be a factor for him at Seekonk Speedway.
One year after moving up to the Late Models, and finishing podium multiple times, Murray opened the 2022 season right where he wanted to be — in Victory Lane. Driving the familiar No. 08, with the green colors that have become tradition with the Murray family, Richie made sure race fans would have something to remember on opening day. Murray started fourth, quickly moved to third, and passed Mark Jenison just into the second half of the race, on lap 17, to rocket to Victory Lane. It was the first Late Model win for the former Sport Truck champion, which will likely be the first of many to come in his career. Behind Murray, Jenison — returning to the division — rocketed to the front early, and had to settle for second at the finish. Jenison was chased to the line by Josh Hedges, who worked from ninth up into the third spot by the end of the 30-lap race. Behind them, Ryan Flood and Jacob “Rowdy” Burns opened their season with impressive top-five finishes. Jennison would also grab a podium finish in the Pro Stocks later in the afternoon, part of a busy opening day. Paul Lallier was sixth, while Vinnie Arrenegado, Charlie Rose, Gerry DeGasparre Jr. and Chase Belcher completed the top-10. The Late Models will return to the track for the first NASCAR Saturday night of the season on Saturday, May 7 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available in advance today at SeekonkSpeedway.com. Multiple-time Seekonk Speedway Chaz’s Auto Body Sport Truck champion Mike Cavallaro has been in Victory Lane countless times before. But when the 2022 season took the green flag on Sunday, May 1, Cavallaro was ready to settle for second, until the door opened. He captured the win after Amy Arsenault’s truck suffered a mechanical failure and opened the year in Victory Lane. For 23 laps, it was Arsenault’s race to lose. The driver of the No. 9 Moe’s Moving Truck was at the front of the field right from the drop of the green flag, and had gapped the competition by enough to likely visit the winner’s circle in the season-opener. However, with just two laps to go, the mechanical failure came out of no where -- and there was nothing she could do to avoid it. Arsenault coasted around, while Cavallaro slid by, and captured the big win. Behind Cavallaro, Brittany Campbell, who struggled in practice and her heat race, seemed to find her groove, finishing second in the 25-lap event. Mike Duarte was third in a brand new truck, while Rick Martin, also in a new truck, and defending Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck champion Barry Shaw Jr. rounded out the top-five. Darryl Church was sixth, followed by Ethan Heilborn, Rick Albernaz, Tom Scully III and Lenny Guy, who completed the top-10. The 25-lap feature, which included 17 Trucks, went without a caution flag. The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks will return to the track for the first NASCAR Saturday night of the season on Saturday, May 7 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available in advance today at SeekonkSpeedway.com. ![]() SEEKONK, Mass. -- The long offseason wait is over, race fans. This weekend, Seekonk Speedway roars back to life with NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series action — including four divisions — with NASCAR Opening Day on Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m. As part of the weekend, Saturday, April 30 includes one final test and tune practice session for NASCAR teams and the return of the annual Custom Car Show after a few years off. NASCAR divisions will rumble to the track in their first race of a busy 2022 schedule — one that includes the inaugural Seekonk Speedway Drive 4 For The Cup playoff system. The Playoff system will include three races — during the month of September — where NASCAR fields will be cut from eight drivers, to six, to four. On championship finale weekend — September 24 — as part of the Fall Classic — each of the four NASCAR divisions will crown a champion. In the racing that day, there will be four eligible drivers in each class who can win the crown. The one that beats the other three on the track in that feature will become the 76th season champion for their division. The playoff system should keep fans engaged throughout the entire season and will keep drivers trying to figure out the strategy right down to the final laps. With teams looking to find every advantage they can on the track, all they need to do now is figure out how to be in the top eight cars in the point standings at the end of August. Once they are there, anyone can win. That is why every single race, and every single lap, matters in 2022. “We’re excited to get rolling — glad the offseason is in the books,” Ed St. Germain, Director of Business Development at Seekonk Speedway, said. “We are especially excited to watch the first laps of the NASCAR Saturday season with our traditional Sunday opening day and the weather is looking great. The Car Show on Saturday is always a major hit and after a few years off due to COVID we are excited to bring that back. Make sure to buy your tickets today for all of our events so you don’t miss the side-by-side racing from some of your favorite drivers at Seekonk Speedway.” All tickets are available at SeekonkSpeedway.com for the entire season. Tickets will also be sold at the gate for each event. Defending NASCAR Saturday champions begin their championship quests on Sunday. Dave Darling (Pro Stocks), Vinnie Arrenegado (Late Models), Chad Baxter (Sportsman) and Barry Shaw Jr. (Sport Trucks) all dominated their divisions in 2021 — but will they be major contenders to start the year? Most likely. Darling leads a group of intense challengers who are excited about the playoff system and ready to try and take him down. Names like Ryan Vanasse, Tom Scully Jr., Rick Martin, Mike Brightman, Tommy Adams and more are ready to get to work in Sunday’s 40-lap feature. In the Late Models, Arrenegado may be the pre-season favorite to win the title again — but look out behind him. Richie Murray, Chase Belcher, Jacob “Rowdy” Burns, Josh Hedges, Gerry DeGasparre Jr., Ryan Flood and others aren’t going to let him get away easy. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman return with a long list of registered competitors looking to keep fans engaged like they always do. Baxter will have competition from drivers like Steve Axon, Ed Perry, Craig Pianka and more in Sunday’s 25-lap season-opener. The Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck drivers are not going to let Shaw get too far out in front of them. With names like Rick Martin, Jake Vanada, Brittany Campbell, Amy Arsenault and more ready to challenge the defending champion, Sunday’s 25-lap race could be anyone’s to win. The Custom Car Show will take place from 9-2 p.m. on Saturday, and is just $10 per car. The admission into the event is free for race fans — who will also be able to check out NASCAR teams practicing on the track in the grandstands for free. There will be live judging beginning at 9 a.m. for fans and all cars attending must be parked by 11 a.m. There will be burnout drags on the track at 1 p.m., and over five awards will be distributed including Top Three Best of Show, Best Open car and more. Entertainment will be provided by Crusin Bruce and food and beverage will be available. On Sunday, front grandstands gates open at 12 p.m., with the first green flag for qualifying heats will be at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and kids 12 and under and parking are free. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, including all events for the 2022 season, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com. Following opening day, regular NASCAR Saturday night racing kicks-off on Saturday, May 7 at 6 p.m. The Fast Friday season will begin on Friday, May 27, the day before the Memorial Day Thrill Show. When the green flag drops on the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Seekonk Speedway Pro Stock season on Sunday, May 1, it’s a safe bet to say that most of the storylines will be on David Darling. The eight-time Pro Stock champion made Seekonk history last year — becoming the first driver to win eight titles in the 75-year history of racing — and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Everyone knows the story — fast car, strong crew, great driver — and all of those pieces together have allowed him to smash through the competition for many years. But, is there anyone who could be there to try to take him off the top in 2022? With a new points system in place, the Drive 4 For the Cup presented by Sunoco Race Fuels, drivers will have their best chance in many years to knock him down. The playoff system will be three races in September, where the field will be cut from 8 drivers, to 6, down to the final 4. In that final championship race, the driver that bests the other three in the feature will be the champion. Does his favor Darling, who wins so often every year, or someone else, who can defeat him in one race? Will he even make the final four? There are multiple drivers looking to knock him down. You have to look first at a few former track champions looking to make their mark. Tom Scully Jr., a former Pro Stock champion, comes to mind. Scully has been there to race with Darling for many years, and always finds his way to the front of the point standings by the end of the year. In this new format, all he needs to do is make the final four to have a shot. Can he be the one to win that finale and take the crown back? Surely the fan favorite, Rick Martin is up near the top of the list. Coming off a historic year where he won his 100th race in dramatic fashion by inches over Scully, Martin is looking to become a threat for the title this year. In the familiar No. 14, Martin will be looking to get into the final four and drive his guts out with hopes of hoisting another track title. How about Ryan Vanasse? Mike Brightman? Ryan Lineham? Kenny Spencer? Colbey Fournier? Mark Jenison? All of these drivers will have a shot. Vanasse, refreshed after a year of a partial schedule, will drive the No. 11 and look to become a Pro Stock champion. He is no stranger to the front of the points battle — as a former Late Model champ — and he’s been to Victory Lane in the Pro Stocks before. Could 2022 be the year the Rocket blasts to the front of the title battle? Mike Brightman went back to Victory Lane in the last few years and seems to have a re-energized kick in his step. That familiar No. 27 — also a former track Late Model champion -- has been there week in, and week out, for so many years. Will a fresh start to the 2022 season mean he could be the one? Kenny Spencer and Colbey Fournier, working out of the same shop, are looking to rebound in the new year. Last year wasn’t the one either of them wanted — but for Spencer — a former track champion — and Fournier — a former Pro Stock winner and Modified regular — does the new format fit them best? Consistency should get them into the first round of the playoffs, then, the game is on. All it takes is a few strong runs to make the final four, and be in contention. Mark Jenison is a former Seekonk Late Model winner, looking for his first Pro Stock checkered flag, and that is surely on the top of his goals list for the new year. Ryan Lineham, registered to drive for Richard Sprague again in the No. 10, seems to always be there when it matters most. He was inside the top-three so many times in 2021, just couldn’t grab that checkered flag. Can he do it this year? Names like former Fast Friday regular Dave Simpson, Bob Hussey, Billy Joeress, Daryl Stampfl and Mark Henshaw Jr. are also expected to compete. Dylan Estrella, a former regular, will scale back to a part-time schedule, along with former track Late Model champion Ryan Kuhn. But there are two other names, both former Late Model champions, to watch: Bobby Pelland and Tommy Adams. Pelland went to Victory Lane last year in his return to Seekonk on a part-time schedule, and we will find out how many races he runs this year. Will a consistent schedule get him into the playoffs to chase his first Pro Stock title? And how about Tommy Adams? It was just a few years ago he won the Late Model title, then took some time off. Now, he’s got a new car on order, and it appears this former Seekonk standout will look to grab wins at the top level. Are there other drivers we are missing who will show up to battle? The Pro Stocks will have regular 40 lap feature races, along with the three events in the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series, set for 60 laps each. The American Racer Pro Stock 75 also returns this season. The Pro Stock season opens on Sunday, May 1 at 2PM, along with the other three Seekonk Speedway NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series divisions. Tickets are available in advance online at SeekonkSpeedway.com and will also be available at the gate on race day. Last year, Vinnie Arrenegado finally grabbed the championship crown he had been fighting for in the Late Models. But last year is in the past, and 2022 is a brand new year. Is he poised to repeat as the Seekonk Speedway NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Late Model track champion?
The chance is high. After trying for so many years, and winning so many races, Vinnie was finally able to put the consistency together to win the championship in 2021 — but he has to be rolling into a new format with a completely different mindset. There’s no doubt that Arrenegado will make the new playoff system as part of the Drive 4 For The Cup. The playoff system will be three races in September, where the field will be cut from 8 drivers, to 6, down to the final 4. In that final championship race, the driver that bests the other three in the feature will be the champion. The first 8 will be determined based off the eight drivers that are at the front of the point standings, where we know Arrenegado will be. From there, it will be about hitting your stride at the end of the year — something Vinnie has no problem doing. For many years, he’s been the one to win the Fall Classic, and some of the final events of the year. In 2022, if he captures the final race of the season, he may have the chance to call himself a two-time champion. But there are a few drivers that come to mind as his major threats: Gerry DeGasparre Jr., Josh Hedges, Richie Murray, Chase Belcher and Jacob “Rowdy” Burns. Let’s break them down. DeGasparre needs no introduction. As a seven-time Seekonk Speedway Late Model champion, Gerry is chasing history, as Pro Stock standout Dave Darling is the only driver to win eight titles. Can Gerry boost himself to that level in 2022? He may not have won a championship in a while, but don’t let that fool you. The driver of the familiar No. 71 is sure to have speed, and sure to be close when the final championship battle begins. Chase Belcher has to be one of the odds-on favorites to knock Arrenegado from the top. Belcher, driver of the No. 35 Everett’s Auto Parts machine, was the class of the field multiple times in 2021. When Belcher was on, he was on. When he was off, he was still in the top-10. A few years after winning the Sport Truck title, Belcher seems more poised than ever to have the year of his dreams. He won multiple times last year, and is expected to do the same this year. If he makes the Final Four, is he the favorite? Hedges and Murray are two former Seekonk Sport Truck champions looking to make their mark by becoming champion in the Late Models. Hedges picked up his first Seekonk Late Model win last year, while Murray missed the first few races, but stormed onto the scene during the summer to be in contention for wins each week. Although he didn’t win, it’s almost a near certainty that Murray will hold the checkered flag this season, you can bet on it. Are either of them title threats? Sure. Making the playoffs shouldn’t be a major issue, and once they get there, they will be towards the front of the field when the checkered flag falls. For Hedges, it’s about winning races and being consistent to get there to the Final 4. For Murray, the major goal is to grab that first winning trophy, then go from there. Jacob “Rowdy” Burns has proved that he can get the job done. Moving up from the Legends Cars in the second half of last year, Burns was competitive in the Late Models, you can expect him to contend for his first win, and be in the mix when it comes time to determine the playoff field. What about names like Mike Duarte and Nick Uhrig? Both are former track champions, just in a different divisions. Duarte won the Sport Truck title, while Uhrig won the Pure Stock title on Fast Friday. They both are inching closer to their first Late Model wins, and this could be the year. Defending Rookie of the Year Ryan Flood is also expected to contend for more wins, and potentially the championship. Tied-in with the DeGasparre team, Flood has the ability to get the job done. Two drivers are going to be the major threats for Rookie of the Year — both moving up from other divisions. Reese Bogue, a former Seekonk Youth Racing Association Fast Friday champion, will be making his Late Model debut with the chase for Rookie honors his major goal. Winning races in the Bandolero division wasn’t an issue for Bogue, and he moved to the Legends Cars last year, scoring multiple top-five runs. For the new year, he goes from small to big for the first time — jumping behind the wheel of a Late Model. Christopher Gomes, moving up from the Sportsman division, has registered for Late Model battle. Gomes worked hard for many years to build his speed in the Sportsman class, and was running at the front of the field inside the top-10 on most weeks. Now, as he registers for a higher division, the learning curve begins again for the driver of the No. 10 machine. What about names like Nathan Tracy? Mark Hudson? Are registered Pro Stock drivers Mark Jenison and Ryan Lineham going to slide in for a few starts? Is there someone we are missing who will contend for wins or potentially the title? The Late Models will have regular 30 lap feature races, along with the three events in the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series, set for 50 laps each. The Late Model season opens on Sunday, May 1 at 2PM, along with the other three Seekonk Speedway NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series divisions. Tickets are available in advance online at SeekonkSpeedway.com and will also be available at the gate on race day. DIVISION PREVIEW: Baxter is The Favorite — But Who Can Knock Him Off in Sportsman?
Chad Baxter put together one of the most dominating performances in Seekonk Speedway NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Sportsman history in 2021. Countless wins, top-five finishes just about every week, a track championship, and a NASCAR National Division III title. Is he going to be able to match it again in 2022 and hoist a second straight championship in the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman class? Only time will tell. With a new playoff system in place — the Drive 4 For The Cup — including three races in September, where the field will be cut from 8 drivers, to 6, down to the final 4 — the Sportsman field will have so many drivers in contention, it might be the toughest to pick the final 4. In that final championship race, the driver that bests the other three in the feature will be the champion. The question is: who will make it there to be able to race for it? Seekonk Speedway welcomes back Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment — located in Westport, Massachusetts, as the Sportsman division sponsor for the 2022 season. Helger’s has the latest & greatest in power equipment products at the best prices! Give them a call today at 774-264-9550 for more information or visit southcoastpowerequipment.com. Even though Baxter is the favorite, the list of drivers hot on his tail is endless. A few names that come to mind first are Craig Pianka and Ed Perry. Pianka, nicknamed “Captain Fun”, is the perfect fit to contend for a title in this championship format. As someone who has been inside the top-five for many years, Pianka sometimes has one or two bad races which force him out of contention. This new format could play right into the hands of the driver of the No. 4 machine. How about Ed Perry? Known as the one with a different paint scheme it seems like every week, Perry has proven to be fast and consistent. Could Perry be a major threat to Baxter’s title crown? How about Adam Petty? As the hottest driver not named Baxter at the end of last year, Petty has proven to have the speed to get the job done. Although he may have struggled with consistency in the past, will this new format play right into his favor? Former Pro Stock regular Dean Petty — in the same family — has also filed a number registration. Will he get back behind the wheel? Defending Sportsman Rookie of the Year contender Scott Serydysnki Jr. also has to be on the list of favorites. Coming off a year where he celebrated multiple accomplishments, including his first career win, the experience gained last year could help him in 2022. Is a title in his future? Maybe it’s a bit early for that. But he has to be in the discussion for multiple wins during the new season. Chris Rioux, a former division winner, intends to be back, and should be a threat to make the playoffs and contend for the crown. Chris Gomes, who finished eighth in the point standings last year, also has a number registered for the Late Models. Former Fast Friday Pure Stock champion Doug Benoit looks to be returning to the Helger’s Sportsman division as well, hoping to make his mark on NASCAR Saturday. How about former division champion Steve Axon? He won his championship in the old format years ago, becoming the master of consistency and capturing a crown. And even though he’s run select events and skipped some along the way over the last few years, will he come back in this new format to contend? Could he miss a few races and still make the top-8? If he happens to get there, look out. He’s fast. How about names like Sparky Arsenault and Tyler Almeida? Both of these drivers come from completely different backgrounds — with Sparky a former division champion — and Almeida coming off an impressive year of finishing runner-up in the Rookie of the Year battle. Sparky only ran a partial schedule last year, but if he turns around and runs a full season, he could be in contention. Almeida will look to build on the 2021 season and improve towards winning in 2022. Don’t forget names like Cody Tripp, Vinny Pangelinan, Dave Gargaro Jr., Justin Travis and Don Perry. All of these drivers will be looking to capture the checkered flag before the season is out. Add Adam Giacomozzi, Joe Melberg, Jay Steely, Randy Moretti, Tim Watson, Jared Cordeira, Paul Williams, Kaleb Marcou, and so many more into the list, and we have a true battle. How about the man who finished second in points last year and the won the title a few years ago: Corey Fanning. Is he planning on racing a full year? If he does, he will be in contention for the points title. Even if he only runs select events, look out for him to grab a win or two. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman will have regular 25 lap feature races, along with the three events in the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series, set for 35 laps each. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman season opens on Sunday, May 1 at 2PM, along with the other three Seekonk Speedway NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series divisions. Tickets are available in advance online at SeekonkSpeedway.com and will also be available at the gate on race day. |
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