Burns, the defending Fast Friday Legends Cars champion, established his name in the Late Models the last two years. Burns is going to win often, and he’s going to make the playoffs with a shot to add a NASCAR Late Model title to his credit in the No. 30. Two more drivers to watch are Chase Belcher and Connor Souza. Both of these young drivers have proven they can win races. Souza won twice last year, including the season-finale in the No. 38, and is coming back in 2024 looking for more. Belcher, driving the No. 35 for Everett’s Auto Parts, has multiple career wins, and came so close to the championship in 2022. Can either of them challenge to make the head table? Former Sport Truck champion Richie Murray looks to get back to Victory Lane in 2024. He picked up his first career Late Model win on opening day in 2022, and had top-five finishes last season in his No. 08. Luke Lebrun is a former Legends Cars champion and has been to Victory Lane in the Late Models before at Seekonk. Look out for him in his No. 27 to contend for wins and the chase for the title. Another name to add to the list is veteran Charlie Rose, who made the Final Four last year and will surely be a threat on the track. Moving up from the Fast Friday Sport 4 division, Jarrod Freitas will contend for the Rookie of the Year in the Late Models in the No. 47. Moving from Fast Friday himself is former Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero winner Andrew Gomes, who will compete with Freitas for the Rookie of the Year honors, driving the No. 10. The move for both of those drivers shows the continued growth in Seekonk’s Fast Friday program helping drivers eventually make the move to NASCAR Saturday. Brittany Campbell, a multiple-time Sport Truck winner, also will be part of the Rookie of the Year class in her Late Model debut season. Tyler Lallier may not be a Rookie, but the former Sportsman championship contender has plans to return to competition this year in his familiar No. 7. Look out for names like Jerammee Lillie, who always runs near the front. Ryan Souliere is also registered in the No. 4 and Bill Goodrow the No. 32, while Manny Dias has registered the No. 42. Expected to run a partial schedule is former Late Model champion Bobby Pelland III, driving for the Vanasse family. We mentioned it off the top, but look for Arrenegado to contend for wins when he runs. Others to watch include Nathan Tracy, Dennis Stampfl and more. The 2024 season opens for Seekonk’s Late Models on Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. The season includes events from May through September. The championship night for the Pro Stocks will be Saturday, September 28. The Late Models will also have the opportunity to race with the American Canadian Tour in non-Seekonk points events on June 8 and November 2. For more information on the 2024 Late Model season, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest news.
0 Comments
Seekonk Speedway is happy to announce a partnership with East Bay Boat Tours for the 2024 season at the Action Track of the East. East Bay Boat Tours offers folks an opportunity to board and explore the beautiful Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island during the 2024 summer season. They offer daily narrated boat tours around Narragansett, Bristol, Prudence Island and Newport! Imagine the history since its establishment in 1790! You can also host an engagement, anniversary, birthday, bereavement, company outing or a fun day on the water with East Bay Boat Tours. Book with them and cool off with the ocean breeze or by jumping into the bay! To book, give them a call at 401-222-0277, or visit eastbayboattours.com for more information. “East Bay Boat Tours is very excited about this opportunity to partner with Seekonk Speedway,” Captain Marie from East Bay Boat Tours said. “Just 3.7 miles away from Seekonk Speedway is the beautiful Narragansett Bay. Book a 3-hour charter and get the third hour FREE when you mention “Seekonk Speedway” as a special 2024 partnership offer!” “We often find that the members of our race community are connected with boating and the water - either directly or through their friends and family,” Ed St. Germain, Director of Business Development at Seekonk Speedway, said. “Partnering with East Bay Boat Tours is a great way to have fans see the opportunities out there. Purchase a tour with them and sit back and relax and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the ocean locally here in New England.” Seekonk Speedway’s 2024 season will open with NASCAR Opening Day on Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. for the Pro Stocks, Late Models, Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman and Chaz’s Auto Body Sport Trucks. One day earlier, the Classic Car Show returns on Saturday, May 4, including Burnout Drags on track at 1 p.m. and NASCAR Test & Tune from 12-4 p.m. Tickets for all Seekonk Speedway events are available online at SeekonkSpeedway.com. National and Regional Points will end for all NASCAR divisions on September 22, 2024. Seekonk Speedway Division 1 State Championship will end with our last points race scheduled for September 28th with a rain date of October 5th. SEEKONK, Mass. — Seekonk Speedway is saddened to share the news that Vinny Annarummo, a Seekonk Wall of Fame member and six-time track champion, has passed away. Annarummo, better known to many race fans and competitors he raced against as “Vinny Who”, was the first driver in the history of Seekonk Speedway to win six championships. He actually captured the nickname “Vinny Who” from NASCAR Hall of Fame Modified champion Richie Evans, who raced against him at Seekonk. Annarummo’s first Seekonk title came in 1973, when he won the Class B championship. He followed it up by winning multiple Pro Stock titles, where he really captured a ton of wins at Seekonk. Annarummo’s first Pro Stock title came in 1990 and he followed it up with more in 1992, 1993, 2004 and 2005, driving the familiar yellow and black No. 11. As part of his titles in 2004 and 2005, Annarummo was also honored nationally, celebrating the NASCAR championship in Nashville, Tennessee. "Every championship is special, and any time an honor like this comes along it's definitely a thrill," he said back in 2005. "The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national banquet is really something. Everything is done just perfectly. It was really an honor for us to represent Seekonk Speedway in Nashville." Annarummo also competed in Modifieds at Seekonk, and finally broke-through, going to victory lane in June of 2007 in a True Value Modified Racing Series event. He followed it up by capturing the famed “Open Wheel Wednesday” in 2007, collecting a $10,000 check. Years later, his son, Todd, also captured Open Wheel Wednesday’s top honors. The Annarummo father and son combination are the first to both capture the big win. They raced together, against each other and worked with each other to share in success, for many years. Vinny was inducted into the Seekonk Speedway Wall of Fame in 2018 and also the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame one year later in 2019. He was inducted into the Seekonk Wall of Fame with his friend and fellow competitor, Ed St. Angelo. Angelo also introduced Vinny for his New England Auto Hall of Fame induction. Seekonk Speedway is saddened to hear of the loss of a track great like Vinny Annarummo. His dedication to the sport of short-track racing was immense, even after he stopped driving - continuously helping others at every chance he had. The track sends condolences to his entire family and friends for their loss. Godspeed, Vinny Who. SEEKONK, Mass. — Seekonk Speedway is happy to announce the addition of Myles Heger to the NASCAR Saturday and Thrill Show announce team for the 2024 season. Myles became a part of the Speedway team last season and the track is excited to see him excel in a new role for 2024. Myles, who grew up in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, is an avid NASCAR and motorsports fan, who also hosts the popular “Myles on Motorsports” every Wednesday night at 7pm on 95.9 WATD FM radio in Marshfield, MA. Myles was hooked in motorsports after watching Dale Earnhardt rattle Terry Labonte’s cage on tv at the conclusion of the Bristol Night race in 1999. Myles has hosted Greater Bridgewater on local cable access in East Bridgewater, as well as Play-by-Play announcer for East Bridgewater sports in years past. Myles’ radio experience is vast, and eclectic. From interning on the Metro South Morning News with Kevin Tocci in 2010, to hosting “Rise and Shine with Myles Heger” Saturday Mornings from 2011- 2014 on WXBR. Myles now turns his attention to spotlighting the local short tracks, and local racers, all while talking NASCAR on Myles on Motorsports each week, and now will thrill Seekonk race fans. In 2024, Seekonk Speedway is excited to add Myles to the announce team to join historic Race Voice Kevin Boucher. Seekonk Speedway’s 2024 schedule is shaping up to be incredible for race fans and competitors. The season begins on May 5 with NASCAR opening day and the Fast Friday campaign opens on May 24. The final event of the season, newly added, is the return of the Tri-Track & ACT Tour staple Haunted Hundred on November 2. Tickets are on sale for all events today at SeekonkSpeedway.com. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates. Event Set For Saturday, November 2
SEEKONK, Mass. — Officials announced today the return of the Haunted Hundred to Seekonk Speedway for the 2024 season, with a new date set of Saturday November 2, 2024. The event will see the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series compete for 100 laps, while the American-Canadian Tour will also be on track for 100 circuits. There will also be an additional Street Stock Open event set for race day, with a rules package coming soon. The three-division card will close out the New England racing season with a bang. The event will see the crowning of champions for both the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series and the American-Canadian Tour. The event is a partnership between Seekonk, Tri-Track and ACT. One. More. Race. “We’re happy to have the Haunted Hundred returning to Seekonk Speedway for 2024,” Ed St. Germain, Director of Business Development for Seekonk Speedway, said. “This event will close out the New England racing season in a big way with the Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks all competing in front of our dedicated fans for one more event before everyone buckles down for the winter. We are looking forward to a busy 2024 season at Seekonk Speedway.” Seekonk Speedway hosted the Haunted Hundred since its inception, prior to last season. The track is excited to host the event again in 2024. Tickets will be on sale for this event and all 2024 Seekonk Speedway events by visiting SeekonkSpeedway.com. Seekonk Speedway’s 2024 event schedule includes events spread from May through the first weekend in November. The schedule includes Fast Friday racing, NASCAR Saturday competition, Thrill Shows, special events and more. For a full 2024 schedule, fans should visit SeekonkSpeedway.com. Fast Friday & NASCAR Saturday Weekly Series Staple Events; Touring Series Headliners All on 2024 Lineup Seekonk Speedway released on Tuesday the 2024 event schedule for the Massachusetts third-mile oval. Highlighted by championship weekly racing for the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Saturday divisions and Fast Friday, the schedule begins with events in May and ends in October. In the middle, racing will take place across all weekends, with a bit of something different each one. The schedule also includes one mid-week event on June 26, the annual Open Wheel Wednesday Modified Madness worth $10,000 to win. The season opens with NASCAR Opening Day on Sunday, May 5, with the Pro Stocks, Late Models, Sportsman and Sport Trucks in action. After NASCAR Saturday night racing on May 11 and 18, the Fast Friday series opens on May 24, with the Legends Cars, Pure Stocks, Sport 4’s and Bandolero Outlaws and Bandits. Both the Fast Friday and NASCAR seasons roll through the summer with the playoffs taking place over four weekends from September 6-7 through September 27-28. The Drive For The Cup playoff format will return for the 2024 season, with some tweaks. A full copy of the playoff format for the new season will be released once available along with all divisional rules for 2024. “Seekonk Speedway is excited to present a schedule that has just about 40 events for the 2024 season,” David Alburn, General Manager of Seekonk Speedway, said. “From weekly racing on both Friday and Saturday to Thrill Shows and some of the best Touring Series divisions from across New England, we’re excited to celebrate our 79th season of short-track racing in 2024 here in Massachusetts.” On top of weekly racing, multiple major touring series events are back on the calendar for the new year. For the second straight year, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to Seekonk for the Seekonk 150 on June 1. This event will be followed the next Saturday, June 8, by the return of the American-Canadian Tour for the Spring Green 124 for the second straight year. Open Wheel Wednesday is headlined by the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series, SMAC 350 Supers and NEMA Lites on Wednesday, June 26. This is followed by Scout Night on NASCAR Saturday, June 29. The NEMA divisions will be back for the Boston Louie Memorial Classic on Saturday, July 13, joined by the Senior Tour Auto Racers for their only 2024 appearance. Their July 13 night will be Ocean State Oil night at the track, also including the Pro Stocks and Late Models. The Pro All Star Series Bay State Classic 150 is also back on the schedule after a year off due to rain, with a Saturday night special set for July 27. This night will also include the New England Antique Racers. The Fast Friday schedule also includes a INEX Legend Car National Qualifier on July 12 and the Bandolero National Qualifier on July 19. During the summer, the weekly racing series will have multiple highlight events. Headlined by the return of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series, a three-race series with its own championship battle in a Final Four format, all divisions will have special events. The Triple Crown Series begins with its first event on May 18 and concludes with a two-day spectacular of Everett’s Triple Crown Finale weekend on August 9-10. The season also includes highlights like Military Appreciation night on June 29, Rhode Island Shriners night with the American Racer USA Pro Stock Classic on July 20, Back To School night on August 17, and the annual Fan Appreciation night and Pit Party, along with Providence Bruins night, on August 24. First Responders night is also back on September 7 along with Blue Collar Customs. The spills and thrills of Thrill Show racing at Seekonk Speedway will also continue for 2024, with major events throughout the season. The Memorial Day Thrill Show on May 25 will kick-off the action, followed by the Independence Day celebration on July 6, including a major fireworks show. On August 3, the Midsummer Thrill Show returns, while the Labor Day Thrill Show & Fireworks on August 31 and Pumpkin Smash on October 12 will round out the season. The Monster Trucks will also return to Seekonk Speedway in 2024 with one, mid-summer event on Sunday, June 16, celebrating Father’s Day. The Spectator Drag Series presented by East Coast Towing & Recovery will also be back for a new season. The 10-event schedule will include NASCAR Saturday night races including May 11, June 29, August 3, August 17 and September 14, joining the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts divisions to kick-off the night. The Spectator Drags will also compete at Thrill Show events on May 25, July 6, August 3, August 3 and October 12, and the Monster Truck event in June.
“Thrill Show racing and Spectator Drag action are two important parts of our event schedule each year,” Ed St. Germain, Director of Business Development for Seekonk Speedway, said. “Many families from across New England come to Seekonk for these special events, many around long weekends with holidays like Independence Day and Labor Day. We’re looking forward to another year of major excitement.” A full copy of the 2024 Seekonk Speedway schedule can be found by visiting SeekonkSpeedway.com. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, fans can visit the track online or follow on social media for the latest news and updates. SEEKONK, Mass. — The finale of the Late Model season came right down to the final laps at Seekonk Speedway on Saturday night. And in the end, it was Connor Souza capturing his second win of the season to finish the year, and Vinnie Arrenegado scoring his second track championship. Connor jumped out front quickly and led all 45 laps in the feature. But it wasn’t easy in the final few laps, with Arrenegado and Mark Jenison right on his tail, battling for the championship between them. Arrenegado ended up on top of Jenison for the title, and was right to the inside of Souza as the two made a little bit of contact coming to the finish line battling hard for the win. Souza won, with Arrenegado capturing a second Late Model title. The driver of the No. 17 went to Victory Lane multiple times this year and sealed the season with the title. Jenison finished third, one spot short, while the two other Final Four drivers, Charlie Rose and Jacob Burns, finished fourth and fifth. The season is now complete for the Late Models. The 2024 schedule will be released in the winter months. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.comand follow the track on social media for all of the latest news and information. SEEKONK, Mass. — The final Fast Friday of the Seekonk Speedway season will take place this Friday, September 29. Not only will track champions be crowned in five divisions as part of the Sunoco Drive For The Cup, the final event of the night will be a 30-lap Pure Stock special - but not with the normal Pure Stock drivers.
After they run their normal championship event, drivers will step out of their rides and hand them to NASCAR Saturday or INEX Legends Cars drivers — one of their choice. Currently, as of this release, 15 teams have planned to compete, most of them with drivers lined up already. Some of the drivers who plan to race in the event include Ryan Vanasse, multiple-time Late Model champion Gerry DeGasparre Jr., Jacob “Rowdy” Burns, Mike Brightman, Colby Lambert, Mike Rotondo, Richie Helger Jr. and Dick Benoit. One of the surprises in the field is former multiple-time Pro Stock champion Fred Astle Jr., who will sit behind the wheel of the No. 30, normally driven by Ethan Souza. He hasn’t been behind the wheel of a Pro Stock for a few years, but his abilities are clear, and it’s going to be something fans will not want to miss when he gets back behind the wheel this Friday night. The event will be sponsored by Spring Villa Memory Care. Located in West Warwick, Rhode Island, Spring Villa is an assisted living residence specializing in Dementia, Alzheimers and Memory Care. The CEO of the business is Craig Pianka — the defending NASCAR Saturday Sportsman champion. Pianka will also be contending in the Final Four of the Sunoco Drive For The Cup to try and win another title this Saturday night. “I think it’s awesome to have some of the NASCAR Saturday and Legends Cars drivers race in the Pure Stocks,” Pianka said. “Not only are they able to earn their car owner some cash, they may even be able to give feedback on the handling and have some fun. We’re happy to partner with Seekonk to sponsor this special race.” Seekonk Speedway has matched the purse put up by Spring Villa. As of this writing, $1,000 will be distributed to car owners who allow their car to be run with a driver in the event. The Pure Stock that is on the track for the “WTF” race must have been competing at Seekonk this season for at least a minimum of two races and must run the championship points race on that night first. This event is one the fans will not want to miss. Current team numbers running, with driver if they have one: 0 - DRIVER TBD 03 - DRIVER TBD 1 - Jacob Burns 5 - Mike Brightman 15 - Colby Lambert 18 - Kaleb Marcou 21 - Driver TBD 26 - Colbey Fournier 30 - Fred Astle Jr 37 - Mike Rotondo 41 - Richie Helger Jr 73 - Ryan Vanasse 77 - Gerry DeGasparre Jr. 83 - Driver TBD 95 - Dick Benoit For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest news and updates, including from the track on championship weekend. The championship four drivers are now set in all Seekonk Speedway divisions, as the track prepares for D. Anthony Venditti Fall Classic championship weekend on September 29-30. The Fast Friday championship four was set on Friday, September 22, with eliminations occurring during racing events. With Mother Nature impacting the show on September 23, cancelling NASCAR Saturday, the final four is decided based off remaining playoff cars seeding in the way they entered the first round of the playoffs. The seeding was determined based off point standings at the end of the weekend of August 25-26 (Regular Season). Every lap, every heat race and every feature mattered during the entire season. In the Pro Stocks, the Final Four will be made up of Mike Brightman, Bobby Pelland III, Mark Jenison and Tom Scully Jr. All track champions in their history, Brightman and Pelland have Late Model crowns, while Jenison is the defending Pro Stock champion and Scully won the title in 2016. Eliminated from contention due to the rain are Dick Benoit and Mike Rotondo. Benoit had quite the impressive run in the Pro Stocks this year in the Danny Cabral Racing mount, coming close to contending for the title with multiple top podium runs. Rotondo, in his Rookie season, drove the Rollie Lindblad No. 48 special to multiple strong runs himself. The Late Model Final Four will be made up of Vinnie Arrenegado, Mark Jenison, Jacob Burns and Charlie Rose. The top four seeds entering the playoffs have advanced to the finals and are ready to contend for the crown. Arrenegado and Jenison both have Late Model titles to their credit at Seekonk. Burns has been the dominant force through the first two races of the playoffs, sweeping both, and Rose came close to snagging last week’s win and is the most veteran of the group. Eliminated due to rain are Chase Belcher and Connor Souza. Belcher had a year filled with ups and downs, while Souza scored his first career win in 2023. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Final Four includes Adam Pettey, Craig Pianka, Steve Axon and Ryan Lineham. When you talk about veterans, you make up the Final Four. Axon, Pianka and Lineham are all former champions, with Pianka winning in this format last year. Pettey has been the most consistent of the whole division this year and now has the chance to make himself a champion. Eliminated in the Sportsman were Randy Moretti and Don Perry. The Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck Final Four also comes down to drivers who were the top four seeds at the end of the regular season. Rick Martin, Jake Vanada, Brittany Campbell and Amy Arsenault have all advanced. Martin, Vanada and Campbell all have multiple wins this season. Arsenault advanced to the Final Four off consistency. Eliminated in the Trucks are Bobby Tripp and Mike Cavallaro — two drivers that won this season in years filled with ups and downs. On Fast Friday, the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits and Outlaws completed their Final Four on Friday night. In the Bandits, Nick Uhrig Jr., Sam Macedo, Parker Davis and Mason Silva make up the final round. All but Silva have won this year, with Davis on a roll, sweeping the first three playoff events. Macedo is the defending champion, Uhrig is the fan favorite. And Silva, sneaking his way in, could spoil the party for all of them. In the Outlaws, Ryan Vanasse Jr.’s dominant season will come down to one week in the quest for a title. He will be joined by Collin Vanasse, his cousin, Brent Robidoux and Andrew Gomes. With competitive action all around the track in Seekonk’s youth racing divisions, these may be some of the most exciting championship events to watch. Eliminated on Friday were Mike Hanafin from the Bandits and Bryson Robidoux from the Outlaws. The Sport 4 championship looks like it may run through Crystal Murray, as the defending champion rocketed to the front again this week and has victories in two of three playoff races. She will be joined by regular season top contender and multiple-time winner Jarrod Freitas, former Thrill Show standout who is now racing on Fast Friday Richie Johnson, and multiple-time Sport 4 champion Mikey LeFort. This may be one of the toughest divisions to pick a champion. Christine Cavallaro and Daniel Hayes were eliminated on Friday. The Helger’s Pure Stocks saw the shock of Scott Cestodio, the number one seed, being eliminated. He was joined by Mike Henriques in the group where championship hopes were over. That leaves Ethan Souza, Danny Massa, Jared Cordeira and Greg Perry to battle for the championship. All of them are worthy of getting to this point, but all eyes might be on Perry - who started off slow this season - but has come into the playoffs hot and is the most recent winner. In Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars competition, the top four seeds have advanced. Jacob Burns, Isaiah Newcomb, Richie Helger Jr and Nicholaus Bulkeley are the four who will contend for the crown. All of them have won this year, Newcomb the most of anyone. Bulkeley scored his first and second career win, while Helger visited Victory Lane for the first time in his career. Burns enters championship weekend with a chance to win titles in both the Legends Cars and Late Models. Eliminated in the Legends were Brendan LaBelle and Josh Parsons. Seekonk Speedway’s championship weekend will take place on September 29-30. Tickets for both nights, the final short-track racing of the season, are available online at SeekonkSpeedway.com. Fans are encouraged to follow the track on social media for the latest news and updates. |
AuthorSeekonk Speedway Features stories on the Stars and Cars that race at Seekonk Speedway Categories
All
Archives
April 2024
|