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.

Barry Shaw Jr. made it clear that 2021 was going to be his year in the Seekonk Speedway Chaz’s Auto Body NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Sport Trucks. But, will 2022 be much of the same? It could be. 


But it might not be. 


Let the games begin and the questions be answered!


Seekonk Speedway welcomes back Chaz’s Auto Body, located in Attleboro, Massachusetts, as the division sponsor in 2022. For more information on Chaz’s Auto Body, give them a call at 508-223-2429.


The Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck season is sure to be one of multiple different winners, a strong contingent of playoff drivers, and a toss up in the championship race. As Seekonk introduces the playoff system — 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 Sport Trucks could be the one NASCAR Saturday division where things are the most wide open. 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?


Shaw is clearly the favorite. Coming off a 2021 season where he dominated the division, winning countless times and rolling to the championship, there are no signs of the Everett’s Auto Parts No. 85 slowing down. He started last year with a new truck, and while they figured it out over the course of the year, he could come out of the gate even better after a full offseason of work.


But, look out for the contingent coming behind him: Brittany Campbell, Amy Arsenault, Rich Martin, Jake Vanada, Mike Duarte, Lenny Guy and Mike Cavallaro. And that’s just the beginning of it.


Campbell and Arsenault, two of the top female contenders at Seekonk Speedway, are threats to make the playoffs and get into the final four. Campbell is a former multiple-time Sport Truck winner, while Arsenault grabbed her first trophy last year, and both finished inside the top-five in the point standings. Does a new playoff system fit the both of them best? Both are consistent and should make the top-8 — and once they get there — a championship could be in reach.


How about Radical Rick Martin? Set to compete in a brand new truck for the 2022 season, Martin is no stranger to winning, whether it’s in the Pro Stocks, or Sport Trucks. Coming off a season where he was competitive in his older Truck, a fresh machine and a smart mind should have Martin one of the top contenders right from the first green flag.


How about Jake Vanada? As one of Seekonk’s competitors in multiple different divisions over the years, Vanada has experience from the Sport Trucks, to the Late Models, to the Pro Stocks and back. Last year, Vanada debuted his new truck, late in the season, and rocketed to Victory Lane in the season-finale. With a bit of preseason testing, is Jake one of the drivers who can blast into the Final 4 to be in contention for the championship?


Duarte, Guy and Cavallaro all have different backgrounds. And two of them have a newer-style Truck. Duarte also had one built over the winter, and while it might not be up to full speed right from his first laps, the former division champion should be a threat once they get rolling. Cavallaro, a former multiple-time champion, debuted his new Truck in the middle of last year and went to Victory Lane. Like some others, after an offseason of work, this former champion will be come out of the gate strong. Guy, who has been around the Truck division for what seems like an endless amount of years, still has old faithful — but he found some speed in the second half of last year, and has plenty of veteran experience on his side.


Darryl Church debuted his own new Truck at the end of last year, and will be back, along with some newcomers to the division who have registered for 2022. Tim Bolger Jr. has filed an entry, set to move from the Fast Friday Sport 4’s in the Sport Trucks on NASCAR Saturday, while Tom Scully III has registered, looking to keep the Scully name rolling in the Sport Trucks now. Look out for Dave Simpson Jr., who finished second in the Sport 4 championship battle last year, to knock on the door of his first win after he gets his feet wet.


Additional names to watch: Anastasia Lebrun, Elias Dib and Ethan Heilborn. How about Kenneth Lavallee? Rick Albernaz? Daniel McGee? Marissa Morgan? Danny Thibeault? Will any of these drivers be in contention for the playoffs or feature wins? Only time will tell.


And, don’t look now, but will Dave Darling be making a return to the Sport Truck division after so many years away? His father, Wayne, has registered the 52 for battle, a brand new Truck. Who will drive? Will they compete for the title? Only time will tell.


The Sport Trucks 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 Sport Truck 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. 

Hello All, please read below for some clarification on the tire rules to begin the 2022 season.

 

As you know, all Sport Truck and Sportsman teams were allowed to purchase 4 tires prior to opening day. If you haven’t purchased yet, you will be able to get them either on Wednesday, April 27 from 5:30-7:30PM, or opening weekend. We are planning to allow you another 2 tires to purchase as soon as we are sure we have enough allotment to allow it, we will update you when we are there.

 

However, we just wanted to clear up the race rules for tires. You are allowed to run ANY tires you have in practice, qualifying and feature racing. This means you could run tires you had left over from last year in your heats and features, if you wish. We obviously suggest you mix in the new tires but you can run what you would like. The tire rules remain the same regarding any treatment to them, etc. It will simply not be allowed. 

 

Only the 2022 purchased tires will go towards your 2022 inventory and you are not allowed to run these tires on someone else’s car at any time.  We do not need you to add any older tires you plan on running into the inventory for 2022.

 

We are selling you tires, but also allowing you to run others you have, to make sure you have what you need to compete.

 

We hope this clears up any confusion regarding tire rules and we look forward to seeing you all for NASCAR opening weekend including practice on Saturday, April 30 & our 76th opening day on Sunday, May 1 at 2PM!
​

Hello All, please read below for some clarification on the tire rules to begin the 2022 season.

 

As you know, all Pro Stock and Late Model teams were allowed to register 8 tires prior to opening day. All tires purchased in 2022 go automatically into your race inventory for practicing. qualifying and feature events. Before or at the end of practices, qualifying and feature events, inspection will include checking tires to make sure ONLY those tires registered are on the car. If any tires are found to be on the wrong car both cars will be penalized in TCA allowances and disqualified from racing events.

 
For the first two races of the season, you may run ANY tires you have during PRACTICE runs. This includes tires from last year, two years ago, etc. This includes track rentals. 

 

However, the only thing you can NOT run in practice or rentals is tires that were purchased in 2022 by another team. For example, if the #57 car purchased tires, those tires can not end up on the #94 car for practice or a rental. Any tires purchased in 2022 MUST be run ONLY on the car they were purchased for at that time. Please take this rule seriously as we will be checking. 

 

If there are any questions at all regarding tire rules, please reach out to one of us for clarification to make sure we are on the same page.

 

We hope this clears up any confusion regarding tire rules and we look forward to seeing you all for NASCAR opening weekend including practice on Saturday, April 30 & our 76th opening day on Sunday, May 1 at 2PM!

For the first time in 2022, Seekonk Speedway’s third-mile roared to life on Saturday, April 16, for practice day ahead of the season opener for both Fast Friday and NASCAR Saturday. More than 40 teams took to the track for some test and tune laps, led by former division champions, rising stars, title favorites and Rookie of the Year contenders.

Some of the top challengers in the Pro Stock championship battle were there to start 2022 early. While eight-time track champion Dave Darling wasn’t, some took advantage of the track time to try and get a head start on the season. Former Late Model champions Ryan Vanasse, Bobby Pelland and Tommy Adams, all planning to campaign in the Pro Stocks at some level in 2022, posted some of the top times of the day. Former Pro Stock champion Kenny Spencer took a few laps, along with Billy Joeress, Daryl Stampfl and Dylan Estrella. The big question of the day was if Jeff Belyea, Dave Darling’s crew chief, who also registered as a driver for 2022, would attend. The answer was no... but will we see him on track on opening day battling his car owner for Pro Stock Glory.

In the Late Models, Mike Duarte and Richie Murray, two rising Late Model stars, were the top contenders of the day. They found themselves at the top of the chart for most of the sessions, with names like Josh Hedges and Paul Lallier not far behind. Former Legends Cars standout and now Late Model Rookie of the Year contender Reese Bogue also took his first laps around other cars and proved that he wouldn’t be shying away from the challenge.

The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman may have been the most populated division of the day, with even a few bumps and bruises of side-by-side racing going on during test laps. Names like former champion Steve Axon, Ed Perry, Don Perry, Adam Petty and Mark Healy were among the fastest of the afternoon. In the Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks, Radical Rick Martin unloaded a brand new ride in his chase to get even further over 100 wins in Seekonk history, and the veteran posted the quickest time of the day. Names like Mike Cavallaro, Danny Thibeault, Tom Scully III, and a few others also took laps.

In the Fast Friday classes, the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero’s were not allowed to attend, as they will have their own practice later in the spring. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Pure Stocks took off quickly, with names like Sam Lincoln, Ethan Souza, Rob Hendrickson, Billy Chouinard and others taking time on the track. The Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars also debuted for 2022, with Richie Helger Jr. competing in his first competitive race laps in a Legend Car, one year after winning the championship in the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaws. He was joined by teammate Mason Tessier on the track.

The Sport 4 division also started off strong with names like Kaleb Marcou, Stephanie Bruneau and more taking a few circuits.

Seekonk Speedway will open the 76th season of full-time racing as part of a packed weekend on Sunday, May 1 at 2PM. All four NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series divisions — headlined by the Pro Stocks and Late Models — will contest in their first races of the year. The Fast Friday series will begin on Friday, May 27 at 7PM.

For more information on Seekonk Speedway and tickets to all events visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow on social media for the latest updates.

for photos click below
https://seekonkspeedway.smugmug.com/RACE-PHOTOS/2022-Racing-/41622-Open-Practice-/

SEEKONK SPEEDWAY ANNOUNCES TIRE POLICY FOR START OF 2022 SEASON


SEEKONK, Mass. — Seekonk Speedway announced today the tire policy the third-mile oval will put in place to begin the 2022 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series season. Due to the national tire shortage, affecting short-track racing across the country, Seekonk Speedway will limit the number of tires teams can purchase and maintain a specific allotment throughout the year to keep competitors on an equal playing field. Not only will this allotment keep competitors equal — but it will also help the track attempt to maintain as many tires as possible over the course of the season to ensure all competitors have enough to keep racing and not be forced to cancel events like some tracks have across the country.


“We’re looking to do what is best for our competitors and fans — to make sure we have enough tires for our teams to be able to race competitively — not just in the first month — but for the entire 2022 season,” David Alburn, Competition Director at Seekonk Speedway, said. “Tire rules are nothing different to Seekonk – we’ve had tire limit rules for years to help keep fair and equal competition. This has just tightened up the rules just a little more.”


The tire allotment for teams in the Pro Stock and Late Model division will begin with 8 per car for the first scheduled race of the season on Sunday, May 1. Once drivers complete a race, the team’s TCA (Team Current Allowance of tires) will increase by two tires at the next attended race. Teams that don’t race Opening Day and attend any race after the first event will start with a TCA of 6 for their car. 


For the Seekonk Sport Trucks and Sportsman, teams will be allowed six tires per car in their allotment to open the season. Both divisions will have restrictions on the first buy to four tires with the other two coming at other released date. The Sportsman tire rule is still to be determined as this will be the first year for them on a tire limit rule. The track will release more details when available in the Sportsman based on allotment.


Teams will not be eligible to purchase tires for only practice purposes unless they are part of their allotment. Teams will have to practice on tires from previous years or will have to use part of their 8 tires (for Pro Stocks or Late Models) to practice. At the end of each feature race, the tire official will confirm that the tires on the car for that race as part of a driver’s inventory with the track for the 2022 season. If any tires are found on the car that are not registered with the track for 2022 racing, the car will be penalized. If a team is found to be racing or practicing 2022 tires that are not recorded in their inventory, they will be penalized their next TCA allowance and placed to the rear of the finishing order for that race. This means that tires purchased from Seekonk Speedway in 2022 must be run only on the car where they have been purchased for. Car 09 cannot run tires that were sold to car 15.


Tire sales will take place for the first time on Wednesday, April 13, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the track. A second mid-week date for tire sales will be Wednesday, April 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tires will also be sold to those eligible at Open Practice sessions on Saturday, April 16 and Saturday, April 30. Rain dates will be announced if necessary. Tires will not be sold on any additional dates or times. In a chance that a team doesn’t make any of the pre-season dates, they will be able to purchase their allotment on opening day. 


In order to be eligible to purchase tires, each car must be registered at the track for the 2022 season in advance — with both an owner and a driver signed up. No tires will be sold to teams who have just an owner signed up or just a driver. Both must be fully registered in order for sales to occur for that team.


New for 2022, upon arriving for tire sales, a raffle will take place a few minutes before sales begin to determine who will be first in line into the tire shed. This will prevent some competitors from showing up earlier than others who may not be able to get there early to get in line. The lottery will be a random draw to determine those who are in attendance in which order they can enter the tire shed to select their tires. Teams can only purchase four tires per week (Monday-Sunday) during specific tire sales times. Tires will be scanned at the time of purchase into a team's inventory. 


As part of their allotment, teams may register tires from last year as race tires, if they wish. They must see a tire official and fill out a registration card with each tires ID numbers. Teams must still follow the TCA for their car. If they register 8 tires from last year for opening day, those eight tires act as those in their inventory. The only tires from past years that should be registered in a team’s inventory are those that they plan to run in race competition (heats and features). Tires purchased from previous years that will be for practice only should not be registered in the allotment.


All tire sales are final. When tires are recorded and leave the tire area or once tires have been mounted on rims, tire sales are final and cannot be exchanged or refunded. Tire testing will be done at the discretion of Seekonk officials. 


Seekonk Speedway understands the frustration that comes with the current tire situation. The track has received tires to get the season going, but this is just a limited supply. If the production increases and more tires are available during the season, we will announce changes to the allowance for each team at that time. 


Any questions should be directed to Seekonk Speedway Competition Director David Alburn.


For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media.