![]() SEEKONK, Mass. -- The NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series got back to action on Saturday, August 6 after a week off for Seekonk Speedway’s annual Midsummer Thrill Show. Saturday’s program served up extra-distance racing across all four divisions, as round three of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown underscored the evening's entertainment. Each division had four drivers in the running for the crown, providing a little race within a race for fans to keep an eye out for through Saturday’s event. While the culmination of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown upped the excitement for Saturday’s show, season-long points battles certainly loomed large for those drivers sitting close by the bubble leading into the inaugural Seekonk Speedway Drive For The Cup presented by Sunoco Race Fuel. Let’s take a look at how Saturday’s features unfolded for the drivers who are still in the hunt for the playoffs. Chaz’s Auto Body Sport Trucks The Chaz’s Auto Body Sport Truck Division took to the third-mile for 35 laps this weekend and saw Rick Martin take down the win as well as the 2022 Everett’s Triple Crown for the division. Martin’s win keeps him at the top of the standings by nine points, but seven spots down is where things really get interesting. Tom Scully III and Jake Vanada continue to stare each other down for the last spot in the top eight, and fittingly enough, the two drivers were staring each other down for those points on track during the feature. With Scully leading the field to green and Vanada starting right behind him, the battle was on right from the start. The two drivers battled for nine laps, with Scully leading every one of them, until Scully spun exiting turn four with a little bit of help from the front bumper of Vanada. As a result, both drivers were sent to the rear of the field for the restart. Vanada and Scully went to work trying to recoup their losses, and a caution just five laps later allowed Vanada to restart seventh, and Scully on Vanada’s bumper in ninth. The two drivers trended forward during the remaining 24 laps, and Vanada finished fifth to secure his sixth top-five finish on the season, while Scully finished seventh, matching his season-best feature result. All said and done, Vanada’s outing on Saturday yielded him five more points than Scully’s. This includes the points they earned during heat races earlier that evening (four for Vanada, and three for Scully.) Vanada’s performance shaved his deficit to just 14 points behind Scully. As far as other drivers who are yet to be locked in, Amy Arsenault finished just behind Scully on track for the 35-lapper, and earned just one point during her qualifying heat. Arsenault earned four fewer points than Scully with her drive on Saturday, but remains seventh in points with a 20-point advantage over Scully on the bubble. Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman The 35-lap Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman feature saw Chad Baxter continue his torrid pace around the rest of his competitors as he scored his fourth feature win in five races, and claimed the division’s Everett’s Triple Crown in the process. The drive of the night however may well have been executed by Adam Pettey, who started at the rear of the 19-car field, and drove himself all the way up to a third-place finish, earning himself a much needed 46 points (plus four more from his heat) as he chases after Tyler Almeida’s eighth-place standing in the points. The drivers were separated by 24 points going into the weekend. Almeida on the other hand had a complete opposite kind of night. Starting on pole, Almeida led laps early and tried as best as he could to hold off a hard-charging swarm of front runners led by division rising star Cody Tripp. On a lap 12 stack up between the leaders that stayed green through turns one and two, Almeida ended up getting into the back of Steve Axon, incurring some front end damage. Almeida continued to circulate in an effort to hold out for as many points as possible. Meanwhile, Pettey was storming his way towards the top 10. The two drivers crossed paths when Pettey sent his No. 57 machine three-wide on the inside of Almeida and Kyle Casper into turn one on lap 16. Pettey successfully pulled off the two-for-one move and set his sights on the top five, while Almeida ceded the positions, and ultimately retired after 22 laps complete. The early exit scored Almeida 17th overall. Including his heat run which earned him five points, Almeida earned just 23 points on the night. As a result, Pettey had an incredibly efficient night in the points standings, making up 27 points and eclipsing Almeida for eighth place; Almeida now on the outside looking in by three points. Next to the good of the bubble is Colby Lambert, who went into the weekend 14 points ahead of the bubble, and came out the other end 23 points to the good. Next to Almeida on the outside looking in is Jim “Pepe” Silvia, who entered the weekend 49 points out, and after finishing 16th overall, now owns a 52-point deficit to Pettey. Late Models Seekonk’s Late Model division was afforded 45-laps in their extra distance feature on Saturday, and when the checkered flag waved, it was Gerry DeGasparre Jr. who crossed the line first, notching his second feature win of the season, and laying claim to his first ever triple crown title. The closest points race of the night got a little bit closer when results were finalized, making the final spot in the top eight still very much up for grabs. Jeramee Lillie went into the weekend as the bubble driver with 44 points separating him from Josh Hedges. Hedges, who had missed the previous two weeks of competition, was faced with a notable deficit to overcome if he wanted a shot at keeping his playoff hopes alive. That is unless disaster struck for any of the top eight. Well, that is exactly what happened -- to Paul Lallier. Going into the weekend, Lallier sat seventh in the points, just four points ahead of Lillie, but 48 points ahead of Hedges. All this went into the blender when Lallier lost control of his No. 70 machine and backed it into the wall in turn one on a lap four restart. The impact did not look terminal, but clearly the resulting damage was enough to end Lallier’s night, scoring 14 points for his 19th-place finish -- add two more for his fourth place heat performance. Lillie fought hard to keep his No. 3 car at the lead of the field, and did so until about lap 20, when he was caught and passed by DeGasparre, and ultimately held on for his third second-place finish of the season. Hedges made his presence known in his first week back by notching a seventh place finish, and was perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Lallier’s bad luck, as Hedges was able to make up a whopping 24 points on the bubble! Another top eight driver who fell on hard times this weekend was Jacob Burns, who was scored 18th after completing just 12 laps before taking his Late Model to the pits for good. Burns now sits seventh in points, 9 points ahead of Lallier. Bill Goodrow lost ground on Hedges in the points, but made up ground on the bubble, cutting his deficit from 73 points to 54 points. Pro Stocks The Seekonk Pro Stocks took to the track for their third 60-lap feature of the season last weekend. After a lap one spin involving Tommy Adams, Daryl Stampfl,, and ultimately ousting Billy Joerres, Rick Martin had the task of holding off Dave Darling, Mike Brightman, and Tom Scully Jr during the race. In an effort to catapult himself back into the top eight, Martin staved off the slew of Pro Stock heavyweights for a solid chunk of laps in the early stages of the race. Darling eventually made the high groove work to pass Martin for the lead, and sailed on to victory, claiming his second of the season, along with the division’s Triple Crown. Martin’s effort wasn’t all for naught, however. After sliding back to fourth shortly after ceding the lead, Martin shared close battles with Bobby Pelland III all night, swapping for fourth and fifth positions. Taking advantage of a couple of strong late race restarts, Martin was able to solidify a fourth place finish on the night, making up 19 points on then-bubble driver Kenny Spencer. Martin now sits on the bubble, with just a five point edge over Spencer. Speaking of Spencer, the woes continued for the No. 0 team. Spencer seemed to be trending in a positive direction on track Saturday evening, reaching as high as sixth place until significant handling issues found Spencer, and forced him to bow out of competition with 46 laps complete. While an 11th place finish on the night for Spencer certainly didn’t help his run up to the playoffs, there may be some consolation in knowing it’s only five points that separates him from taking back the eight place spot from Martin. Scully’s third-place finish further insulated himself from the bubble, owning a 33-point cushion to the good of the hot seat. Tommy Adams took a slight hit in the points with his 12th-place finish, yet still sits sixth in points with a comfortable 50 point lead over the bubble. Danny Thibeault made strides in the overall points standings up to tenth, leaping Ryan Vanasse and Ryan Lineham, who were both absent from competition. Points wise, Thibeault gained on the bubble by a slim two points, still 47 points to the bad of the hot seat. In Conclusion Only three weeks remain before the playoffs begin, and the battle of the bubble is only drawing tighter across all four of our divisions. Come on out and witness for yourself who can rise to the occasion and lock themselves into the first ever Seekonk Speedway Drive For The Cup presented by Sunoco Race Fuel. The battle continues this Saturday, August 13 at. 6:00PM. For tickets and more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit seekonkspeedway.com.
0 Comments
PIT PARTY, FANS ON PARADE, MONSTER TRUCKS & MORE HEADLINE TRIPLEHEADER WEEKEND AT SEEKONK SPEEDWAY8/10/2022 ![]() SEEKONK, Mass. — For the second time this year, it’s time for Seekonk Speedway to do the triple this weekend. Set for three straight days of racing beginning on Friday, August 12 with Fast Friday and ending on Sunday, August 14 with the second and final Monster Truck appearance of the year, NASCAR Saturday will be smashed in the middle to complete a full card of racing. On Fast Friday, the race for the inaugural Seekonk Speedway Drive For The Cup presented by Sunoco Race Fuel continues with just three weeks remaining before the playoff field is set for the Bandolero divisions, Legends Cars, Pure Stocks and Sport 4’s. On NASCAR Saturday, the annual Pit Party will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the pit area, where fans can enter and meet the cars and stars of the track up close and personal. The night also includes the annual Fans on Parade event, where the fans can take a walk around the track during intermission to show support for their favorite driver. On Sunday, the Monster Trucks invade Seekonk Speedway along with the Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags and their one-on-one drags and the Summer Showdown race. Racing on Friday begins at 7 p.m., while Saturday rolls off at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets for all three events are available today online at SeekonkSpeedway.com, where you can purchase both pit passes and grandstand admission and skip the lines on race day. In Friday’s Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero divisions, Darren Krantz Jr. (Bandits) and Chase Silvia (Outlaws) look to continue their lead in the championship standings. In both of the Bandolero classes, only the top-six drivers at the end of August will advance into the playoffs. Right now, Bryson Robidoux leads Nick Uhrig Jr. by just eight points in the Bandit race for sixth, while Bradley Strickland and Adam Harrison are fifth and sixth in the Outlaws, leading Brent Robidoux by just six points. In the Everett’s Auto Parts Sport 4 class, the race for the final playoff spot has quieted down, and the race for the feature win in Friday’s 25-lap feature could see a first-time winner. Is this the week Taylor Bowser breaks into prime form out front? Can someone like Daniel Hayes or Justin Leduc or Stephanie Bruneau grab their first checkered flag? The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Pure Stocks and Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars divisions have both been a toss-up lately when trying to pick a winner. Mike Henriques has three wins on the season in the Pure Stocks, including the last two events, but Sam Lincoln, the Triple Crown champion, and names like Jordan Threllfall, Mike Rotondo and Jared Cordeira haven’t been far behind. Right now, Cordeira leads Ethan Souza by 14 points for the final playoff spot. In the Legends Cars, Mason Tessier has been the hot driver lately, but names like Devin Deshaies, Brendon Hammann and others will look to get back to the top this week. Have you seen their race for eighth in the playoffs? Jake Silvia, Josh Parsons, Brendan LaBelle and Richie Helger Jr. are all separated by just about 20 points. NASCAR Saturday will be busy with the Pit Party from 4:30-5:30PM, while intermission will be packed with the Fans on Parade. On the track, Dave Darling looks to return to prime form again and capture the win in the Pro Stock 40-lap feature. He will be chased by names like Rick Martin, Mike Brightman, Tom Scully Jr., Tommy Adams and more in the main event. The Late Model division could see another driver add their name to the list of repeat winners in 2022. Chase Belcher and Gerry DeGasparre Jr. are some of the only drivers to visit Victory Lane more than once, with Gerry winning three times, and Chase twice. Names like Vinnie Arrenegado, points leader Richie Murray, Paul Lallier and others all will look to get back to the top. In the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman, Chad Baxter has been the dominant force for the last month, but will look to hold off names like Craig Pianka, Ed Perry, Doug Benoit and Scott Serydysnki Jr. in their 25-lap feature on Saturday night. Can a name like Colby Lambert or Adam Pettey get to Victory Lane? The Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck division currently has one of the tightest playoff battles in all nine of Seekonk’s divisions, with Tom Scully III leading Jake Vanada by just over 10 points. While all eyes will be on their race for the playoffs, the feature win is still up for battle this Saturday night in their 25-lap feature. Update to Sundays Monster Truck Show Due to some trucks having mechanical damage and not being able to get parts in time for this weekends event we have had to adjust a line up still featuring six great trucks. We apologize to anyone who was expecting to see a certain truck as these circumstances are out of our control. Sunday’s Monster Truck event includes six different Trucks and the Spectator Drags, wrapping a full weekend of Seekonk Speedway action. Check out the updated list of trucks that will be appearing… Stinger Unleased, Toxic, Virginia Giant, Crushstation, Lumberjack & Toxic Too For more information on Seekonk Speedway and the weekend full of events, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest events. Tickets for all of the remaining 2022 Seekonk Speedway events are available today at SeekonkSpeedway.com. ![]() SEEKONK, Mass. — It appears like seven-time Late Model champion Gerry DeGasparre Jr. might be the man to beat in the division in 2022. Even after taking a week off last week, DeGasparre rocketed to the front of the field in the final round of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series feature, winning the 45-lap main event on Saturday night. Not only did he win the race, DeGasparre also earned the right to be called Triple Crown champion for the first time in his career. Will his eighth championship come during the 2022 season? Only time will tell. Jeramee Lillie crossed the second after 45 laps, capturing another podium run this season. Charlie Rose followed in the third spot, appearing at the track for the first time in a few weeks. Vinnie Arrenegado rocketed to the fourth spot, working his way through the field, while Richie Murray was able to score another top-five, finishing in fifth. Chase Belcher was sixth, followed by Josh Hedges, Mark Jenison, Bill Goodrow and Nick Uhrig. The Late Models will return to the track on Saturday, August 13, for another 30-lap feature on the same night of the Pit Party and Fans on Parade. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates. ![]() SEEKONK, Mass. — Chad Baxter has the perfect combination right now in the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman at Seekonk Speedway. The defending division champion rolled his way back to Victory Lane on Saturday night, taking with him the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series championship in the 35-lap feature. Baxter passed Craig Pianka for the lead just before halfway, but it wasn’t an easy task. The two traded a bit of paint, with Baxter coming out on top. Pianka finished second at the end of the race, another podium run for “Captain Fun”, while Adam Pettey returned to the podium in the third spot. Kyle Casper made an appearance in the Sportsman to finish fourth, while Scott Serydysnki Jr. followed to round out the top-five. Steve Axon was sixth, followed by Adam Giacomozzi, Cody Tripp, Colby Lambert and Donald Perry. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman will return to the track on Saturday, August 13, for another 25-lap feature on the same night of the Pit Party and Fans on Parade. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates. ![]() SEEKONK, Mass. — Dave Darling returned to prime form once again on Saturday night in the Pro Stocks at Seekonk Speedway. The eight-time division champion took the lead early in the 60-lap finale of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown and never looked back, holding off some hard chargers on a few final restarts to take the win. The victory in the extra-distance race also marked another Triple Crown championship for the veteran. Mike Brightman finished in the second spot, followed by Tom Scully Jr. — as both of them did everything they could to find the way around, but put together an impressive battle for second down the stretch, with Brightman coming out on top. Rick Martin scored a fourth-place finish, while Bobby Pelland followed to round out the top-five. Mark Jenison was sixth, followed by Colbey Fournier, Danny Thibeault, Tyler Tomassi and Darryl Stampfl. The Pro Stocks will return to the track on Saturday, August 13, for another 40-lap feature on the same night of the Pit Party and Fans on Parade. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates. ![]() SEEKONK, Mass. — Rick Martin and the Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks have been the perfect combination so far in 2022. Driving a new ride, Martin rolled to his fourth win of the season on Saturday night to kick-off the month of August, capturing the checkered flag in the 35-lap feature. In the process, Martin also collected the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series championship in the No. 14. Mike Duarte followed after the race in second spot, while Barry Shaw Jr. finished in third. Darryl Church and Jake Vanada followed to complete the top-five. Brittany Campbell finished sixth, followed by Tom Scully III, Amy Arsenault, Danny Thibeault and Ethan Heilborn. The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks will return to the track on Saturday, August 13, for another 25-lap feature on the same night of the Pit Party and Fans on Parade. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates. ![]() SEEKONK, Mass. — On Saturday, August 6, Seekonk Speedway will go the extra distance with four Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series finale races. As part of each event, four drivers will be racing each other for the Triple Crown title, with the one that finishes the best capturing the crown. In the Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks, Mike Cavallaro, Brittany Campbell, Rick Martin and Barry Shaw Jr will race for the Triple Crown title. All four of them have victories during the 2022 season, but Campbell and Martin have been especially strong of late. Campbell picked up her first win of the season a few weeks ago, and Martin has three wins of his own. Shaw may have won the first Triple Crown race to lock himself into the final four, and Cavallaro may have got in on points — but can they find their way to the top of the class in the 35-lap feature? The Pro Stock 60-lap finale might be the most anticipated since the inception of the Triple Crown Series. With four drivers racing for the crown, three of them come to light as recent success drivers in the division. Mike Brightman and Dave Darling battled down the final laps of the first Triple Crown race, with Brightman edging out for the victory. In the second round, Darling passed Brightman in the final laps to take the win. Will the two of them resume their battle in the finale and race for it between themselves? Tom Scully Jr. and Colbey Fournier join them in the final race, with Scully picking up an emotional win just a month ago, and Fournier becoming consistent of late inside the top-five. Can they steal it? The Late Models might be the biggest toss-up of all of the NASCAR Saturday divisions, with Vinnie Arrenegado, Gerry DeGasparre, Richie Murray and Chase Belcher set to battle it out. Arrenegado won early in the season but has struggled of late, while Belcher is coming off a victory last time on the track. Richie Murray won on opening day and has consistently been around the top-five, and DeGasparre is one of few drivers who has two victories this season. Who will come out on top in their 45-lap main event? Finally, Chad Baxter has to be the favorite in the final four of the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman, but Craig Pianka, Ed Perry and Doug Benoit are right there on his back. Baxter has three wins in the last four races, while Pianka and Perry have been consistent to run inside the top-10 lately. For both Pianka and Perry, who won early in the season, winning success hasn’t been tasted recently, but this could be a great return to the top. Benoit, a former Pure Stock champion on Fast Friday, has shown speed all year — but could really cement his season with a Triple Crown title on Saturday in the 35-lap feature. To purchase tickets to NASCAR Saturday on August 6 and all 2022 Seekonk Speedway events, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com, where you can purchase tickets and skip the lines on race day. ![]() SEEKONK, Mass. — Mike Brightman held off a hard-charging Tom Scully Jr. to take down his second Pro Stock victory of the season at Seekonk Speedway on Saturday. Brightman started in the middle of the pack and quickly worked his way to the front, passing Tyler Tomassi for the lead at the halfway point and holding off Scully over the final 10 laps to take the win. Brightman has the setup figured out this season and has been among the dominant forces in the division. The third victory of the year continues to give him confidence going forward. Scully would finish second, while Tomassi crossed the stripe third on the track, but didn’t pass post-race inspection. Dave Darling finished fourth, inheriting third. The Pro Stocks will return to the track on Saturday, August 6 for a 60-lap feature in the final round of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates. ![]() SEEKONK, Mass. — Scott Serydynski Jr. is following in the footsteps of his father at Seekonk Speedway. In the record books, Serydynski won the 25-lap Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment feature on Saturday. He may have crossed the line second at the finish, but when Randy Moretti didn’t pass post-race inspection, Serydynski earned the win he deserved. He led the first 24 laps, before Moretti made the move to take the win before inspection. In the final results, Serydynski picked up the win over Ed Perry, Craig Pianka and Chad Baxter. Steve Axon would finish the top-five. Ryan Lineham finished sixth, followed by Doug Benoit, Jimmy Silvia, Colby Lambert and Adam Giacomozzi. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman will return to the track on Saturday, August 6 for a 35-lap feature in the final round of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates. ![]() SEEKONK, Mass. — After weeks of coming so close, Amy Arsenault rocketed to her first Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck win of the season on Saturday night at Seekonk Speedway. Arsenault jumped out front from the outside pole position in the 25 lap feature and led the entire distance - taking her first win or the year in dominating fashion. The victory wasn’t her first career, but it was certainly an impressive one. Behind Arsenault, who stretched out a large lead, Rick Martin finished second, coming up one spot short of his fourth win of the season. Barry Shaw Jr. returned to the podium in his No. 85 finishing in third, while Jake Vanada & Mike Duarte completed the top-five. Darryl Church finished sixth, followed by Gil Bradstreet, Tom Scully III, Brittany Campbell and Danny Thibeault. The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks will return to the track on Saturday, August 6 for a 35-lap feature in the final round of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates. |
AuthorSeekonk Speedway Features stories on the Stars and Cars that race at Seekonk Speedway Categories
All
Archives
July 2024
|