One year after watching Darren Krantz Jr. rocket to the championship in the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits, the rest of the field is going to be right on his bumper when they hit the track in 2022. Beginning on Friday, May 27, the Bandolero Bandits — a group of drivers that range from ages 8-12 — will hit the track to compete for feature wins in 15 lap feature races as part of Seekonk’s Youth Racing Association. 


Krantz is the favorite heading into the year, especially off his success from last year. But, with a new playoff format in the cards for 2022, anything can, and will happen, and every lap matters. As Seekonk introduces the playoff system — the Drive 4 For The Cup — including three races in September, where the field will be cut from 6 drivers, to 5 drivers, to 4 drivers for the final race — who will be the one to become champion? 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?


Krantz is high on the list, but will be closely followed by names like Ryan Vanasse Jr., Sam Macedo, Collin Vanasse and Milania Shilosky, all expected to be contenders. Macedo went on a tear during the 2021 season, winning seven in a row, and even though he came up short in the end, this new format with winning mattering a ton could play right into his favor. The Vanasse family — both Ryan and Collin — have both proven before they know how to run in the front. Ryan is a multiple-time winner in the division, while Collin has been a top-five contender and should pick up his first victory in 2022.


Shilosky continues a storied history of female, youth contenders in the Seekonk Youth Racing Association and was on fire at the end of 2021. The driver of the pink and black No. 99 should be right where she needs to be when the season gets underway. 


Other returning contenders are expected to include Nick Uhrig Jr., Luka Dib, Zacarias Kelley, Colin Floyd, Mike Hanafin and RJ Murphy. After a ton of pre-season laps, Murphy, the son of former Sport Truck champion Rob Murphy, should be a contender to get to Victory Lane this year.


As always, the division will welcome multiple newcomers, many of them ready for their first laps of racing in their life. Names like Brody Wakefield, Allyha DeSomma, Parker Davis, Grayson Day, Bryson Robidoux and Zachary Keith are all expected to race, and many of them have been practicing ahead of the year.


Look out for Robidoux — who has a brother, Brent, who is a two-time winner in the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaw, and a father, John, who is a former track winner on Fast Friday in the Pure Stocks.


The Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandit season begins on Friday, May 27 with a 15-lap feature and will roll through Friday, September 23, where the champion will be crowned. Tickets for all Seekonk Speedway Fast Friday, NASCAR Saturday and Thrill Show events are available today at SeekonkSpeedway.com. Fans are encouraged to follow the track on social media for the latest updates and information. 

There was a little bit of everything in the second Pro Stock race of the 2022 season at Seekonk Speedway, but in the end, Tommy Adams was holding the trophy for the first time in his career on Saturday, May 21. Adams started towards the front of the field and was chasing the back bumper of Dave Darling early, but contact sent the two of them to the rear of the pack.


On their way back to the front, they battled again for third in the final 10 laps, and when Adams bested Darling in that race, it ended up being part of the winning move. A caution inside the final five laps gave Adams one more shot, with Ryan Vanasse and Bobby Pelland III on the front row. Adams used a bump to the back bumper of Vanasse, got under him, and rocketed to Victory Lane for the first time in his Pro Stock career.  


Vanasse would finish second, coming oh-so-close to his first win of the year, while Pelland settled for third. Darling came back through the field to finish fourth, with Mike Brightman rounding out the top-five.


Colbey Fournier was sixth, followed by Mark Jenison, Ryan Lineham, Kenny Spencer and Tom Scully Jr.


The Pro Stocks will return to the track on Saturday, June 4, for a 60-lap feature in round one of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series. The division will be off next week for the Memorial Day Thrill Show. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates.

Vinnie Arrenegado may not have been to Victory Lane in the first two weeks of the Seekonk Speedway Late Model season, but he picked a good time to get back to the front of the pack. Arrenegado scored the victory in round one of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown, a 45-lap feature on Saturday, May 21, dominating the second half of the race en route to the victory.



Arrenegado bested Gerry DeGasparre Jr. on the final restart of the night, and pulled away in the final laps to Victory Lane. DeGasparre, one week after winning his first race of the year, would finish second in the extra-distance race, while Charlie Rose worked his way to the front and finished third from the rear.


Jacob “Rowdy” Burns ran inside the top-five for the duration of the night and finished fourth, while Richie Murray scored his third straight top-five finish to open the year, finishing fifth. 


Reese Bogue was sixth, followed by Chase Belcher, Josh Hedges, Paul Lallier and Mark Jenison.


The Late Models will return to the track on Saturday, June 4, for a 30-lap feature. The division will be off next week for the Memorial Day Thrill Show. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates.
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Rick Martin used a late restart to rocket his way to the front of the Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck field, taking down the impressive victory in their 25-lap feature on Saturday, May 21. Martin used the outside lane to pass leader Jake Vanada on the restart with just nine laps to go, and never looked back en route to his 101st career Seekonk Speedway victory.


Behind Martin, Brittany Campbell continued her impressive start to the season, grabbing a second-place finish in the No. 8. With Campbell in the runner-up spot, Vanada had to settle for third after leading the opening stages of the race. Mike Cavallaro was fourth and Barry Shaw Jr. was fifth. 


Darryl Church finished sixth, followed by Danny Thibeault, Lenny Guy, Ethan Heilborn and Tom Scully III.


Through the first three races of the Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck season, three different drivers have been to Victory Lane: Martin, Shaw and Cavallaro, three former champions of the Division IV NASCAR class.


The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks will return to the track on Saturday, June 4, for a 25-lap feature. The division will be off next week for the Memorial Day Thrill Show. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates.

Craig Pianka was in the right place, at the right time, to capture his second victory of the season in the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman at Seekonk Speedway on Saturday, May 21. Pianka, the one they nickname “Captain Fun” seemed to be content to finish third in the 25-lap race, but when Ed Perry and Steve Axon got together racing for the lead late, Pianka took advantage. 


Pianka worked to the top spot on the restart at lap 23 and never looked back, pulling away from the pack in the final laps to take down the win. Scott Serydysnki Jr. was second, posting a strong run in the No. 22, his first podium of the season. Doug Benoit, a former Fast Friday Pure Stock champion, jumped to third at the finish.


Colby Lambert and defending division champion Chad Baxter completed the top-five. Tyler Almeida was sixth, followed by Adam Petty, Vinny Pangelinan, Adam Giacomozzi and Kaleb Marcou. 


The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman will return to the track on Saturday, June 4, for another 25-lap feature. The division will be off next week for the Memorial Day Thrill Show. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates.

As part of the 2022 NASCAR Saturday season at Seekonk Speedway, the third-mile track is proud to offer an increased purse structure for all four divisions and a point fund at the end of the season. Between the four divisions, weekly purses rise over $15,000 distributed each Saturday night for a full field of cars, with increases across all four divisions by at least five percent — most times more -- compared to last year.



In the middle of a difficult time in racing economics — including increased tire and fuel costs — along with the increases in daily life costs — Seekonk Speedway is happy to assist teams by increasing the purse to help bring them to the track each week to showcase some of the best racing in New England to race fans. 


“We know these are trying times for our race teams and we want to support those drivers and teams who are dedicated to racing at Seekonk Speedway,” David Alburn, Competition Director at Seekonk Speedway, said. “Our race teams are some of the most committed in the entire country and they put on a great show for our dedicated race fans each Saturday night. We are happy to produce purse increases for the season and also excited to pay a point fund at the end of the weekly grind that rewards those who race weekly.”


With the $15,000 number spread across all over divisions, the money throughout the field is some of the best in the 76-year history of Seekonk Speedway. In the Pro Stocks, the purse increased by just over five percent compared to last year on a weekly basis. In the Late Models, the total purse is up over $1,500, while in the Sportsman and Sport Trucks, the total is up over $1,000. 


Seekonk Speedway is also excited to welcome $30,000 in point fund payouts into the 2022 season, spread across all four NASCAR divisions. Between payouts from Seekonk and NASCAR directly — the Pro Stock point fund for top-10 finishers will be nearly $15,000. In the Late Models, the point fund is just over $7,000, while the Sportsman and Sport Trucks will see point fund payouts of just over $4,000. 


The Pro Stock champion will go home with $5,000, while the Late Model crown-holder will go home with $2,500. The Sportsman champion will collect $1,100 and the Sport Truck champion a smooth $1,000. Don’t forget that Seekonk Speedway is also introducing a new playoff format, the Drive 4 The Cup presented by Sunoco Race Fuels, which will keep drivers engaged throughout the year and fans will not know the champion right until the final laps of the final race of the season.


Full information on purses, and the point fund, is also available online at SeekonkSpeedway.com under the “racing stuff” tab on the all-new website for 2022.


Already set as one of the top weekly Division I purses in New England, a 40-lap Pro Stock feature pays $1,500 to win, $1,000 for second and $800 for third. The total purse throughout the field rises over $8,000. For a race in the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series, the total rises over $10,300, and the winner will collect $1,750, while second is $1,200 and third is $900. In the American Racer 75-lap race in August, a $2,000 winning prize will be on the line. Over the course of the entire season, the increased purse for the Pro Stock division includes over $7,000 more in prizes.


The Division II Late Models also have seen an increase for the 2022 season. For a 30-lap feature, the $800 winning prize is set with $500 for second, and $450 for third. The total purse for a 30-lap weekly race is over $5,000. For the 45-lap Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown events, the winner will collect $1,000, while second is $700 and third is $600. For the Triple Crown events, the total purse will be over $6,700. 


The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman will see a regular 25-lap race pay $375 to win, the highest figure for a weekly show at Seekonk for the Division III class in many years. Second-place pays $250, while third is $200. For a 25-lap race, the total purse is over $1,500. For the Everett’s Triple Crown races, set for 35 laps, the winner will collect $500, while second is $350 and third is $275. The total Triple Crown purse is over $3,400 for the division. 


In the Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks, the division also sees the highest payout compared to recent years in 2022. A weekly, 25-lap race will pay over $2,500 throughout the field, including $350 to win, $250 for second and $200 for third. In the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series races, set for 35 laps, the division pays $500 to win, $350 for second and $275 for third, as part of a total purse that rises over $3,400. 


On top of NASCAR Saturday, Seekonk will also welcome the Nick Lascuola Racing Summer Showdown for the INEX Legends on Wednesday, July 27 as part of the Bay State Classic, worth $1,000 to win. The Legends Cars will battle alongside the $10,000 to win Pro All Star Series Pro Stock race, with a total top-10 purse of over $2,500 on the line. Second-place will pay $500, third $300, and more throughout the field. 


For Thrill Shows, the Powder Puff races pay $150 to win, $100 for second and $75 for third. In the Figure 8 division, races are $200 to win, $150 for second, and $100 for third. In the Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags, races are $200 to win, $150 for second and $100 for third. 


“We’re excited to welcome these increased purses into the realm for 2022 and happy to see the commitment from our weekly racing teams,” Ed St. Germain, Director of Business Development at Seekonk Speedway, said. “Our race teams work hard to get to the track each week and we’re happy to reward them for their commitment to Seekonk Speedway, a family-owned and operated business since inception in 1946."


Seekonk Speedway racing returns on Saturday, May 21, for another night of NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series action including the Pro Stocks, Late Models, Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman and Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks. The Late Models will hit the track for 45 laps in round one of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series. 


For more information on all Seekonk Speedway events and to purchase tickets in advance for NASCAR Saturday, Fast Friday and Thrill Show races, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com. Follow the track on social media for the latest updates, including on race day.

 With two races in the books on NASCAR Saturday, Seekonk Speedway will roar back to life this Saturday, May 21 for the third racing night of the season and the final for teams in the month of May. Beginning at 6PM, the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series continues — this time with the Late Models for 45-laps — along with the Pro Stocks, Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman and Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks.


Advance tickets for the event are available online at SeekonkSpeedway.com, and will also be available at the track on race day. Tickets are $15 for adults. 


Through two weeks, the Late Model field is chasing sophomore contender Richie Murray, who picked up his first career win on opening day and finished third in race two after starting 11th. Murray will be a strong contender to come from the rear in the first extra-distance event of the season, but will have stout competition. Gerry DeGasparre Jr. picked up the victory in the second race of the year and will be looking to make it back-to-back. Names like Vinnie Arrenegado Jr., Chase Belcher and Josh Hedges are also off to fast starts — with Hedges posting top-five finishes in the first two events. The extra-distance affair will see plenty of positions change from the drop of the green through lap 45.


After not racing last week due to Mother Nature, the Pro Stocks are back for their second race of the season. Dave Darling may have eight titles and may be the favorite going into the year, but the division looks to be shaping up to give him a run for his money. Mike Brightman won the opening day 40-lap feature and last week, in the two heat races, Tom Scully Jr. and Tommy Adams were at the top of their game. Adams, a former Late Model champion, is going to be tough to beat, along with Scully, Darling, Ryan Vanasse, Bobby Pelland, Rick Martin, Brightman and many more. The Pro Stocks are set for another 40-lap feature on Saturday night. 


The Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck division rolls into their third race of the year with two different winners in the first two, but a lot of consistency inside the top-five. Mike Cavallaro and Barry Shaw Jr. have already been to Victory Lane, but names like Rick Martin, Brittany Campbell and Mike Duarte haven’t been far behind. Duarte has been on the podium in both races so far this season. Jake Vanada and Amy Arsenault have also shown plenty of speed in the first few weeks of competition.


Two weeks into the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman season, there are two different winners, but tons of drivers who are hungry to get their first checkered flag of the year. Names like Steve Axon and defending champion Chad Baxter come to mind as drivers who are going to be tough to beat in their 25-lap feature this Saturday night. After dominating the division last year, Baxter struggled in week two after a wreck and will need to rebound this week. Look out for former Fast Friday Pure Stock champion Doug Benoit, who was strong last week, to try and contend for the win himself, along with Sparky Arsenault, who led countless laps a week ago. 


NASCAR Saturday night racing at Seekonk Speedway on Saturday, May 21 will begin with the drop of the first green flag at 6 p.m. General admission gates will open at 4 p.m.


On Saturday, May 28, NASCAR Saturday teams will have the week off for the Memorial Day Thrill Show, and will return to action on Saturday, June 5. 


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.

After coming up short on opening day, Barry Shaw Jr. wasn’t going to mess around in week two of Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck racing at Seekonk Speedway. Shaw started near the front of the field in round one of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series, a 35-lap feature, quickly taking the lead from Amy Arsenault. 

However — from there — Shaw had to fight the charges of Radical Rick Martin, who worked the outside on multiple restarts over the second half of the race, and made it a battle to remember. Martin edged out Shaw a few times, but wasn’t able to do it on the right lap, when the checkered flag was in the air.

Shaw bested Martin to the finish, locking himself into the Final Four of the Triple Crown Series with the victory, while Martin finished second, and former division champion Mike Duarte was third for the second straight week. 

Mike Cavallaro, the opening day winner, finished fourth, followed by Brittany Campbell, posting her second straight top-five to open the year. Rick Albernaz was sixth, followed by Jake Vanada, Tom Scully III, Amy Arsenault and Lenny Guy, wrapping the top-10 in a 16 Truck field.

The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks will return to the track on Saturday, May 21, for another 25-lap feature. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates. 

SEEKONK, Mass. -- Former Late Model champion Gerry DeGasparre Jr. is looking to capture his eighth championship in 2022, and he’s off to a strong start in his quest. DeGasparre Jr. captured his first victory of the season on Saturday, May 14, rocketing to the front early in the 30-lap feature and never looking back.


Over the second half of the race, DeGasparre had to fend off the charges of defending division champion Vinnie Arrenegado and frontrunner Chase Belcher, who chased him around on multiple restarts. However, the driver of the No. 71 wasn’t going to be denied in his quest for victory lane.

DeGasparre took down the win with Arrenegado crossing the line second. Richie Murray, who picked up the opening day win for his first career checkered flag, finished third. 

Chase Belcher settled for fourth at the finish and Josh Hedges rounded out the top-five. Jeramee Lillie was sixth, followed by Jacob Burns, Mark Jenison, Ryan Flood and Mike Duarte.

The Late Models will return to the track on Saturday, May 21, for round one of their Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series, a 45-lap feature. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates. 

By Souza Media



Some of Seekonk Speedway’s top youth racing stars, mixed with rising stars and polished veterans, hit the track for the second time in 2022 on Friday, May 13. The Fast Friday competitors — including drivers from all five divisions on Friday nights — had their second and final test and tune session ahead of opening night on Friday, May 27.


The night included a mix of drivers looking to get their feet wet before racing begins and others who were looking to fine tune their rides with hopes of opening the season in Victory Lane.


The youth stars of the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits hit the track with names like Milania Shilosky, last years championship runner-up, showing the most speed. She was followed closely by newcomer Zachary Keith, returning drivers Zacarias Kelley and Luka Dib, and RJ Murphy. In the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaws, Mikey LeFort III picked up where he ended last season in the Bandit division, showing plenty of speed. LeFort paced many of the practice rounds but was closely followed by Andrew Gomes, and Brent Robidoux, a multiple-time winner last season. Newcomers Bobby Bettencourt III, Abbie Badejo and Jordan Duquette also took some laps to prepare for the season.


The Everett’s Auto Parts Sport 4 division hit the track with Crystal Murray flexing her muscle in the practice rounds to open the year. Murray was at the top of most of the practice sessions with names like Karlin Levesque, Henry Lavallee, Daniel Hayes, Stephanie Bruneau and Taylor Bowser also taking some laps. 


In the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Pure Stocks, Danny Massa and Ethan Souza seemed to have two of the fastest rides. Massa, a multiple-time winner early in 2021, came up short of the championship but will be looking to grab it this year. Souza picked up his first win last season and showed speed throughout the year. Names like Timmy Ouellette, Austin Flanagan, Rob Hendrickson, Jared Cordeira and others also took advantage of the pre-season practice. 


And in the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars, some of the early contenders for the 2022 season were there to shake down their rides. As part of a new partnership this year, Devin Deshaies is moving over to drive for B&M Maintenance and they posted the fastest lap of the night. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Racing duo of Richie Helger Jr and Mason Tessier were not far behind, with Tessier looking to grab more wins this year, while Helger is planning on making his Rookie season one to remember. Names like Reese Bogue, Isaiah Newcomb, Branden LaBelle, Brody Monahan and others also attended the practice rounds.


Tickets for all Fast Friday events are available now online by visiting SeekonkSpeedway.com. Fast Friday tickets are $10 for adults with kids 12 and under free and all parking free. By purchasing in advance, you will be able to skip the lines on race day. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates.