AMERICAN RACER PRO STOCK 75, EVERETT’S TRIPLE CROWN ACTION SPREAD ACROSS FAST FRIDAY, NASCAR SATURDAY THIS WEEK

SEEKONK, Mass. — Seekonk Speedway is back on track for another two days of racing this weekend, June 12 and 13, with Fast Friday and NASCAR Saturday hitting the Action Track of the East full speed. 

Fast Friday includes the opener of the Everett’s Triple Crown Series for the Sport 4 and Pure Stock divisions, while the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits and Outlaws, Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars and One Way Recycling Crown Vic Cruisers will also compete. Fast Friday racing goes green at 7 p.m.

NASCAR Saturday returns with a visit from the East Coast Towing & Recovery Spectator Drags, while the Pro Stocks take center stage with the $2,500 to win American Racer 75. The Late Models will open their Everett’s Triple Crown Series with 45 laps, while the Sportsman and Sport Trucks will also be in action. NASCAR Saturday racing begins at 6 p.m. 

The Pro Stocks have two races in the books, with nine-time and defending track champion David Darling off to an incredible start. Darling dominated both of the opening events of the season, capturing career wins number 98 and 99. Darling is now only one win away from the elusive 100, a figure only George Summers and Rick Martin have accomplished in the 81-year history of the Action Track of the East. Darling will have a stout field of challengers behind him, led by former champion Kenny Spencer, who has two podiums in the first two weeks, perhaps the early surprise of the year. Mike Brightman finished second last week, rebounding from a tough opening day, and will look for one spot better in race three. Colbey Fournier, Vinnie Arrenegado, Mark Jenison, Dylan Estrella and others will look to find their own way into Victory Lane in the extra-distance showdown.

When the Late Models hit the track, they will be doing so after nearly a whole month off. Ryan Flood leads the early championship standings by five points over defending champion Charlie Rose, but Flood doesn’t plan to compete full-time. He will, however, be there when the Triple Crown opens this week for 45 laps. Rose had two consistent runs to start the year, along with young rising star Ryan Vanasse Jr., who is off to an impressive start. Mark Jenison and Richie Murray have also scored solid runs to open the year. Other names to watch going into race three of their season include Chase Belcher, who had a tough first two races, along with Manny Dias, Andrew Gomes, Tyler Almeida, Rookie of the Year contender Brenden LaBelle, Luke Lebrun and others.

The Sportsman and Trucks are the only two divisions three races deep into their campaign on NASCAR Saturday.

Randy Moretti has been on the podium in all three Sportsman events, showing the early way in their championship battle. Moretti worked his way through the field again last week, finishing third. However, Nick Wood, “The Beaver” carried the checkered flag in round two, showing impressive speed for one of the early-season favorites. Adam Pettey and Moretti are the other two winners so far this season. Rookie of the Year contender Kent Aspden looked strong for much of this past Saturday’s race, and even though he faded late, he is showing immense improvement in only a few races. Other names to watch for their 25-lap contest include Nick Brightman, Matt Talbot, Adam Giacomozzi, Scott Serydynski Jr., Jimmy “Pepe” Silvia and many more in one of Seekonk’s most exciting divisions.

Scott Cestodio has been one of the more consistent Sport Trucks to start the season, along with Jake Vanada. Both drivers have been inside the top-five in all three races, with Cestodio scoring two podiums and a fifth, and Vanada charging through to finish second last week. Both of those drivers will be to watch this week, along with names like DJ Thibeault, Tommy Adams, Tim Bolger Jr., Richie Helger Jr., Mike Duarte, Mike Cavallaro and others. Last week, Ethan Heilborn stormed into Victory Lane for the first time this year after struggling in the first two races. Colton Teague, the defending Rookie of the Year, has also been impressive off the jump.

The East Coast Towing & Recovery Spectator Drags have only been on track once this year at the Memorial Day Thrill Show, and they are excited to join the NASCAR stars. Their event, led by opening day winner Jarred Smith, will be in between the heat and feature events.

A few storylines came from last Friday’s second race of the season for the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars, one that marked the first race of the Everett’s Triple Crown Series. Jacob ‘Rowdy’ Burns rebounded after a tough week one to score the win, holding off many hard charging competitors over 30 laps. Richie Helger Jr. missed qualifying due to his High School Graduation, and still rocketed through the field to finish second, showing impressive speed for the former champion. Perhaps the biggest story, though, was Josh Parsons not competing. The defending champion didn’t attend the race, drastically impacting his chances for back to back titles. Rising star Brody Wakefield was back in the top-five for the second straight week, while names like Isaiah Newcomb, Mason Tessier, Brain Wilkinson Jr., and Stephen Bowden also showed speed. This week, the Legends headline Fast Friday with another fast 25 laps.

The Sport 4 division is chasing Arthur Meack through two weeks, with Meack capturing both checkered flags. Samantha Sleboda has also been strong, scoring podiums and leading laps in both events. Could her first win of the season be coming this Friday night in the first round of the Everett’s Triple Crown Series? Other names to watch include David Westgate, who used a borrowed ride last week to stay in the points battle, Jacob Budzyna, who scored his first podium of the year last week, Christine Cavallaro, Daniel Hayes, Nate Harris and others. 

Ethan Souza and Richie Johnson are showing they are the early-season Pure Stock favorites to contend with Brent Robidoux. Souza captured the win in week two after finishing second in week one. Johnson won his debut race in the Pure Stocks, while he charged through the field and finished on the podium in round two. Brent Robidoux, in a new ride this year after swapping with his brother, has also been consistent, inside the top-five in both events. All three of these names will be joined by names like Peter Bleau, Bryson Robidoux, Bobby Bettencourt III, Crystal Murray, Steve Aubin and more in their 30-lap contest on Friday night to open the Everett’s Triple Crown.

Defending Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandit champion Landon Solomito stormed back to Victory Lane in race two of their season last week, passing for the lead and holding off some of the best in the division to score the win. Jace Chaber has once again been impressive in the first couple of weeks, showing plenty of speed. The Bandit division, showcasing the youngest contenders at Seekonk Speedway, also includes names to watch like Tobey Lecuyer, Brooke Meyer, Joseph Bryant, Elias Dib and many more. 

In the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaws, Luka Dib was on top in week two, carrying the checkered flag for the first time this season. Ryder Aguiar and Allya DaSomma followed, with Landon Heim not far behind. The Outlaws raced three, four, and sometimes even five-wide, showing their impressive talent for youth contenders. Other names to watch going into this week include Zacarias Kelley, Brady Connors, Mackenzie Cloutier and more. 

The One Way Recycling Crown Vic Cruisers race went down to the wire, with Mike Cavallaro holding off Scott Cestodio to take their first round of the Triple Crown Series. Cestodio was driving the Lecuyer family machine, and it’s unclear how long he will be behind the wheel. If he keeps driving, look for him to find Victory Lane. John Robidoux wheeled his own borrowed ride, the Dulac family entry, and finished third last week. Tyrese Mello and John Lallier were also inside the top-five. There are rumors swirling of some other NASCAR Saturday drivers entering this division in the near future. Who are they? Find out soon.  

Seekonk Speedway returns to weekly racing on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13. Visit SeekonkSpeedway.com for tickets and information for all upcoming events.