NICK’S PIT STOP LEGENDS PREVIEW: CAN HELGER BEAT BURNS & OTHERS TO REPEAT AS CHAMPION?

SEEKONK, Mass. – One of the many divisions that showcase youth and veterans together at Seekonk Speedway is the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars. Since their inception, the Legends Cars have continued to grow. It’s proven to be a stepping point on Fast Friday for drivers moving up to the Bandolero’s and getting ready for NASCAR Saturday. 

In 2024, Richie Helger Jr., a former Bandolero champion, bested three other contenders to win the championship on the final night. Entering 2025, is the driver of the No. 99 in shape for a repeat?

Helger picked up multiple wins last year and has been very successful the last two campaigns at the front of the field. Helger drives with multiple teammates inside the Helger’s Racing stable, and enters the new year looking to carry more checkered flags and be there at the end with a chance to repeat.

His top challenger is likely to be NASCAR Pro Stock Rookie of the Year contender and defending INEX Legends Cars National Champion Jacob “Rowdy” Burns. Driving the No. 13 for East Coast Towing & Recovery, prepared by Nick Lascuola Racing, Burns was rocket fast in the pre-season practice sessions and certainly knows how to win. He has been victorious many times in the Legends Cars and Late Models, and looks to do it in the Pro Stock division in 2025. Look out for Burns to win many times in 2025 in the Legends Cars, as he races on both nights during the summer.

Outside of those two competitors, many others are going to be factors.

Names like Brenden LaBelle, Ryan Vanasse Jr., Chase Silvia, Mason Tessier, Justin Leduc and Brody Wakefield will all be involved in race win talk. LaBelle is no stranger to the front of the Legends Cars field, with multiple wins. He will look to put the consistency together to get into the playoffs and attempt to capture his first career championship at Seekonk Speedway.

While also running select Late Models events on NASCAR Saturday this season, Ryan Vanasse Jr is in shape for a run at the Legends Cars title. Vanasse made his Late Model debut on May 4, but will turn his attention to trying for his first career Legends Cars win on Fast Friday. The driver of the No. 11 graduated from the Bandolero division and won the Legends Cars Rookie of the Year in 2024. 

Silvia made the Championship 4 last year, coming close to winning. He’s been to Victory Lane multiple times in his career, and moves to Jake Silvia Racing for the new campaign, over from Helger’s Racing. He is joined by Tessier, another member of the Helger’s team. Tessier always seems to have the consistency to run around the top-five. He may not win a ton, but will find his way into contention for a playoff spot before the end of the season. 

Two young drivers entering the game this season include defending Sport 4 champion Justin Leduc and former Bandolero winner Brody Wakefield. Both of them will look for consistency and solid runs to start the year, hoping to get to Victory Lane before it all finishes off in September.

Other names to watch in the Legends Cars include Nick Chaber Jr., Leo Rossi, Jimmy “Pepe” Silvia, Brian Wilkinson Jr., Stephen Bowden, Ayla Martin and Dylan Calabro. The Legends Cars division also includes others that run part-time, some who invade from other tracks. Time will tell who else will compete.

The Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars season begins at Seekonk Speedway on Friday, May 30 at 7 p.m. For more information on Seekonk Speedway and to purchase tickets for all events, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com.