For the second time in his Seekonk Speedway career, Richie Helger Jr. is a track champion. In 2024, in the Sunoco Drive For The Cup, Helger made it into the Final Four, and once he got there, he drove away from the rest of his challengers to seal the deal. Helger’s first track title came in the Bandolero division, but this was the second straight year he qualified for the Final Four in the Legends. This time, he didn’t let the opportunity pass him by - driving the No. 99 into title glory.


He was joined in the Final Four by Jacob “Rowdy” Burns, Mason Tessier and Chase Silvia. Each of these drivers found their way to the Final Four in different fashions. Burns was the most consistent of anyone in the division this year, finishing second in the overall point standings. Burns had three wins, while Silvia, who came onto the scene strong this season, had two himself. Tessier made it to the final race with a shot strictly based off consistency, with just two podium runs to his credit.


In the Legends, among playoff contenders, Josh Parsons, who was eliminated from contention before the Final Four, had the most wins with four, including the season-finale. Burns had three, while Helger and Silvia had two. Additional playoff contender Brenden LaBelle also had one win.

As the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandit field prepared to take the green flag in the Sunoco Drive For The Cup championship event, everyone knew it was anyone’s game to come away with the championship crown. In the end, after 15 laps of excitement, it was David Bernier hoisting the trophy as the winner of the final race of the season and also the track title for the 2024 season. Bernier won the championship with an impressive drive throughout the whole season, only finishing outside the podium once all year. 


He was joined in the Final Four by Mason Silva, Luka Dib and Jase Chaber. All three of these drivers finished inside the top-five in nearly all of the races this season. They all had a shot at the crown, but it was Dib who gave Bernier the best run for the title down the stretch, coming up just one spot short in the season-finale.


In the Bandits, among playoff contenders, Dib had six wins, while Bernier had five and Silva two. Those were the other three winners in the Bandits this season. They were joined in the playoffs by Chaber, Ayla Martin and Carl Satterlund Jr.
2024 Sunoco Drive For The Cup Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandit Champion: David Bernier


As the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandit field prepared to take the green flag in the Sunoco Drive For The Cup championship event, everyone knew it was anyone’s game to come away with the championship crown. In the end, after 15 laps of excitement, it was David Bernier hoisting the trophy as the winner of the final race of the season and also the track title for the 2024 season. Bernier won the championship with an impressive drive throughout the whole season, only finishing outside the podium once all year. 


He was joined in the Final Four by Mason Silva, Luka Dib and Jase Chaber. All three of these drivers finished inside the top-five in nearly all of the races this season. They all had a shot at the crown, but it was Dib who gave Bernier the best run for the title down the stretch, coming up just one spot short in the season-finale.


In the Bandits, among playoff contenders, Dib had six wins, while Bernier had five and Silva two. Those were the other three winners in the Bandits this season. They were joined in the playoffs by Chaber, Ayla Martin and Carl Satterlund Jr.

Perhaps one of the most competitive divisions at Seekonk Speedway in 2024, the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaw season came right down to the final laps, just like everyone knew it would. And in the end, in the Final Four round of the Sunoco Drive For The Cup, Bryson Robidoux captured his first career track championship. In a race that saw all of the championship contenders battling it out up front, Robidoux seized opportunity to get the lead late, then drove away into title glory.


He was joined in the Final Four by Parker Davis, Brody Wakefield and Nick Uhrig Jr. Each of these drivers had impressive seasons once again. Davis, a former Bandit champion, has moved up into the Outlaws and come into his own, ending the year with a consistent drive, many wins and a shot at the crown. Wakefield started off the year strong, and cooled off down the stretch, but Wakefield made a heavy presence felt in the championship event. Uhrig, who had ups and downs all year, led much of the championship race and came up just short of the title.


Among playoff contenders in the Outlaws, Robidoux led everyone with five wins, while Davis had four. Wakefield added two, while Uhrig and Mike Hanafin, who was eliminated before the Final Four, had one each. The other playoff contender in the Outlaws was Ryder Aguiar.

Justin Leduc seized an opportunity in the Sport 4 division in 2024. With the fastest car down the stretch run of the season, Leduc dominated the Sunoco Drive For The Cup playoffs to capture the track championship. Along with the title, Leduc added victories in the final two events, and was on the podium in all three playoff races. In fact, in the final nine races of the year, Leduc was on the podium in eight of them, scoring four wins in the stretch.


Leduc was joined in the Final Four by Richie Johnson, Tyler Duhancik and Matt Pion. All three of these drivers earned their way into the Final Four with strong seasons. Johnson never won, but had a consistent drive all year to make his way there with a shot. He came up one spot short, but it was a great season for him. Pion and Duhancik also had good years. With multiple wins, he may have cooled off down the stretch, but it was still his best year yet. And, you can definitely argue it was a career year for Duhancik. He won multiple times and came away with a shot at the title in the No. 48.


Among playoff contenders in the Sport 4’s, Leduc led the way with four wins. Pion and Duhancik both had two, while Crystal Murray, who was eliminated before the Final Four, also had two. The other playoff contender in the Sport 4 division was Taylor Bowser.

SEEKONK, Mass. — All season, Seekonk Speedway competitors chase the championship trophy for their division. But, inside each class, there is also another title chase: the Columbus Energies Rookie of the Year. This title is earned by the Rookie contender who finishes highest in the championship standings at the end of each season. This year, some of the battles came down to the wire again on Fast Friday.


All three of the Fast Friday Rookie award winners moved up from the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero divisions into their respective classes.


Ryan Vanasse Jr. captured the Rookie of the Year in the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars. Moving up from the Outlaws, where he won often, Vanasse found himself on the podium multiple times in the Legends in his debut year. He didn’t run every single race, but got by Dylan Calabro in the Rookie battle late and held on by just 22 points to capture the title.


In the Helger’s Pure Stocks, the Rookie of the Year also won the track championship. Brent Robidoux added four wins to his 2024 campaign, driving away from the competition to win both the Rookie and track title. Robidoux bested Peter Bleau, who also had a successful Rookie season scoring his first career win, to capture the crown.


In the Sport 4 class, Mikey LeFort III was the top Rookie. LeFort entered the division and got his feet wet at first, but improved throughout the season, besting all Rookies in the point standings. 


Supporting the Rookie of the Year award again in 2024, you can also give Columbus Energies a call at 508-674-1492 for immediate service.



​

SEEKONK, Mass. — All season, Seekonk Speedway competitors chase the championship trophy for their division. But, inside each class, there is also another title chase: the Columbus Energies Rookie of the Year. This title is earned by the Rookie contender who finishes highest in the championship standings at the end of each season. This year, some of the battles came down to the wire again.


With seven second-place finishes to his credit during the season, Vinnie Arrenegado Jr. earned the Pro Stock Rookie of the Year crown in 2024. Arrenegado, who won the Late Model overall championship crown in 2023, moved up into the Pro Stocks with the goal of capturing this Rookie title. He accomplished the goal - scoring the most points of anyone during the course of the season, and finishing second in the final points standings in Seekonk’s top division. 


In the Late Models, it was Andrew Gomes winning the Rookie of the Year for 2024. Gomes moved up to NASCAR Saturday from Fast Friday and the Bandolero division and did it in style. He got his feet wet early in the season, but when the year wound down, Gomes turned it on. In the final six races, Gomes finished on the podium three times to help him seal up the Rookie crown. Gomes bested Brittany Campbell by 90 points to win it.


In the Helger’s Sportsman, Nick Brightman moved from Fast Friday and the Pure Stocks up to the Sportsman and captured the Rookie of the Year. Brightman had his ups and downs, but came up with Rookie honors when it was all set and done. He bested fellow former Pure Stock competitor Sam Lincoln to win it. In the Chaz’s Auto Body Sport Trucks, Jack Brewer bested Steven Buckley to win the Rookie of the Year. 


Supporting the Rookie of the Year award again in 2024, you can also give Columbus Energies a call at 508-674-1492 for immediate service.