SEEKONK, Mass. — Just two weekends remaining in the 2023 Seekonk Speedway short-track racing season, and it’s time to crown some champions at the end of the month. This weekend, September 22-23, the final four drivers in all nine track divisions will be set in the second round of the Sunoco Drive For The Cup, as championship weekend on September 29-30 is quickly closing in.



As the drivers return to the track for both Fast Friday and NASCAR Saturday, both Bandolero divisions will cut their playoff field from five to four, while all other divisions will cut from six to four. In all divisions, including Bandolero’s, the four eligible drivers who finish highest this week in their race will advance to the final four. 


The NASCAR Saturday Pro Stock battle eliminated Rick Martin and Dylan Estrella last week, leaving six to contend for this week. Mike Brightman, Bobby Pelland, Mark Jenison, Tom Scully Jr., Dick Benoit and Mike Rotondo are the six remaining drivers. The group includes a mix of veterans who have titles - two of them former Pro Stock champions and two former Late Model champions. Jenison is the defending Pro Stock champion, Scully won the title in 2016. They are joined by Brightman and Pelland, two former Late Model title holders who have been near the front of the pack all year long. Dick Benoit is a stranger to championship contention, but has shown consistent speed all year in the Pro Stocks in the Danny Cabral Racing entry. And Mike Rotondo - who is driving one of the New England region’s most historic rides - the Rollie Lindblad No. 48 special as a Rookie of the Year contender - has a shot at the championship. Four of them will advance, two will go home.


The Late Model division is down to six, with two former division champions in the mix. Vinnie Arrenegado and Mark Jenison are the top-two seeds and enter both with championships - Jenison’s coming last year in this format. Arrenegado has been consistently strong all year with feature wins and another podium last week. Both will be tough to beat - but will have to contend with Jacob “Rowdy” Burns, who has won both of the first two playoff races, holding off Charlie Rose to do it last week. Rose, a veteran of racing at Seekonk and other tracks in New England, seems to have found some speed he needs just at the right time to contend for the title himself. Connor Souza and Chase Belcher might be the two dark-horses in the battle, but both are proven winners in the division. Belcher came down to the final few feet last year in contention for the title and was part of a wild wreck that ended up with Jenison as champion.


The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman division had a shake-up in their playoff battle after post-race inspection last week. With the disqualification of Chad Baxter, Steve Axon and Colby Lambert, the Sportsman field looks different entering round two than we originally thought. Axon still advances as the third seed, earning enough points in the first race of the playoffs to barely be in front of Lambert and Baxter, who have both been eliminated. That leaves Axon to battle top seeds Adam Pettey and Craig Pianka, Ryan Lineham, Randy Moretti and Don Perry. Lineham won last week - asserting his shot to make the final four strong as a former division champion. Pianka is the defending Sportsman champion, and “Captain Fun” would love to go out on top in his retirement season. Axon still has just as good of a chance as anyone to win the crown, and has been in contention right from the first laps of the season. Randy Moretti and Don Perry were originally eliminated, but are now back in. Do they have a chance to shock the division and make the Final Four this week?


In Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck action, the first two weeks of the playoffs saw Dave Darling, a non-playoff driver, and Jake Vanada, the number two playoff seed, pick up feature wins. Vanada might be getting hot at just the right time, as the No. 29 has been fast all year, but a second playoff race win came at the perfect time. He will have to contend with Rick Martin, who needs no introduction and is also the defending Truck champion. Brittany Campbell scored a podium last week and the Busch Light Accelerate Her driver is certainly showing the speed she needs to make the Final Four. Speaking of Busch Light drivers, fellow female Amy Arsenault joins her in the final six and has been consistently picking up speed as the season winds down. Those four are joined by two other track veterans - Bobby Tripp and Mike Cavallaro - as contenders. Tripp and Cavallaro have both won this season and many times in their career. Cavallaro is a former multiple-time Truck champion. Picking the Final Four in this division is a tough task.

SEEKONK, Mass. — It took Luke LeBrun a while to find Victory Lane in the Late Models at Seekonk Speedway, but now, he’s two-for-two in the last two events. LeBrun used a move in the middle of the race to pass Scott Serydynski Jr. to take the lead, then held off the field on a final restart to score his second consecutive victory.


Jacob Burns and Chase Belcher finished second and third. Burns quickly worked his way from seventh up to third by the time the field hit lap 13, then raced hard for second with LeBrun before LeBrun took the lead. Once LeBrun jumped out front, Burns followed to second, but couldn’t slide around before the end. The run for Belcher was one of his best of the season so far.


Corey Fanning and Charlie Rose finished the top-five. Tyler Tomassi, Mark Jenison, Nathan Tracey, Bill Goodrow and Serydynski finished the top-10 spots.


The Late Models will return to the track for another 30-lap feature on Saturday, July 1, before an off week on July 8 for the Independence Day Thrill Show. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media.
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SEEKONK, Mass. — Dave Darling is back, and back in Victory Lane in the Pro Stocks at Seekonk Speedway. Darling returned yet again on Saturday night and picked up the victory in the first round of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown for the Pro Stocks, a 60-lap main event. Darling used the outside lane to pass Colbey Fournier for the lead in the middle of the race and never looked back en route to yet another Seekonk win.


Fournier ran for second with Bobby Pelland III in a thrilling battle over the final laps, with Fournier coming out on top at the end. Pelland was third, an impressive run up through the pack for the former Late Model champion.


Rick Martin finished the race fourth with Tom Scully Jr. in fifth. Darrell Stampfl, Dick Benoit, Dylan Estrella, Mark Jenison and Mike Rotondo completed the top-10.


The Pro Stocks will return to the track for another feature, this time 75 laps in the American Racer 75 on Saturday, July 1. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media.

SEEKONK, Mass. — Brittany Campbell and Mike Duarte ended the second round of the Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck Triple Crown inches apart on Saturday night. Luckily for everyone in attendance, their exciting and close race was for the win in the second round of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series. 


Campbell was not in the lead of the race, but took over the top spot after leaders Mike Cavallaro and Bobby Tripp tangled when the field crossed at lap 11. 


She led from laps 12 through 32, until a caution went in the air and slowed the race. She restarted on the bottom in the lead and her and Duarte went wheel-to-wheel coming down to the finish. At the line at the white flag, Duarte edged out for the lead. But as they came off turn four to the checkered, Duarte slid back just a bit, and Campbell took full advantage to beat him to the line.


Campbell finished ahead of Duarte by just .005 seconds. Darryl Church was third, followed by Amy Arsenault and Tom Scully III after 35 laps. Lenny Guy, Marissa Morgan, Mike Cavallaro, Rick Martin and Jake Vanada completed the top-10.


The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks will return to the track for another feature, this time 25 laps on Saturday, July 1. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media.

SEEKONK, Mass. — After running the final race of the night on Saturday, after the Whelen Modified Tour, the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman did not disappoint. Chad Baxter led most of the middle part of the race, but Steve Axon worked the outside lane to victory by mere inches, after the two tossed the lead back and forth in a classic, clean Street Stock battle. 



Axon and Baxter battled side-by-side for the lead for the final 15 laps of the race, barely touching. As two former champions battled it out, when they came to the line, Axon won by .072 seconds over Baxter after 35 laps, with Adam Pettey watching both of them from close behind, finishing in third. The race was the first in the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series for the division.


Colby Lambert and Randy Moretti finished the top-five. Ed Perry, Chris Gomes, Ryan Lineham, Craig Pianka and Don Perry finished the top-10.


The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman will return to the track on Saturday, June 17 for a 25-lap main event. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates.
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SEEKONK, Mass. — For the second straight race in the Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks, Jake Vanada was celebrating in Victory Lane on Saturday night at Seekonk Speedway. In the first round of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown, Vanada worked his way through the field slowly, but methodically, passing to the front of the pack and taking the lead from Bobby Tripp with just a few laps remaining to win his second straight.



Vanada took the lead on lap 31, then drove away from defending champion Rick Martin to take the feature win. Martin would finish second, with Mike Duarte scoring yet another podium on the season, finishing third. Tripp and opening night winner Brittany Campbell rounded out the top-five at the end of 35 laps.


Daryl Church, Amy Arsenault, Ethan Heilborn, Tom Scully III and Marissa Morgan would complete the top-10.


The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks will return to the track on Saturday, June 17 for a 25-lap main event. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates.

SEEKONK, Mass. — Luke LeBrun has shown plenty of speed at Seekonk Speedway in the Late Models this season, and on Saturday night, it all ended with a feature win. In the third race of the year, LeBrun rocketed to the front of the field and pulled away in the final laps to win the opener of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown, a 45-lap feature.


LeBrun had to chase down former Sportsman champion Corey Fanning, who took the top spot on lap eight and led until LeBrun made the winning move on lap 28. From there, LeBrun drove away, while Fanning had to fend-off the challenges of defending champion Mark Jenison over the final laps and was able to accomplish the goal.


Jenison would finish third, adding another podium, now with top-three finishes in all three races. Vinnie Arrenegado finished fourth and Jacob Burns finished fifth, as the two drivers traded the positions back and forth over the final few laps in a thrilling battle. Bill Goodrow, Scott Serydysnki Jr., Charlie Rose, Chase Belcher and Nathan Tracey finished the top-10. 


The Late Models will return to the track on Saturday, June 17 for a 30-lap main event. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates.

SEEKONK, Mass. — Seekonk Speedway helps officially kick-off the summer with a full weekend doubleheader this Friday and Saturday as part of Memorial Day celebrations. On Friday, Fast Friday hits the track for the first time in 2023 with their season-opener, while Saturday, the Memorial Day Thrill Show hits the track with the spills and thrills of summer fun at the Action Track of the East. Friday’s season-opener begins with the first green flag at 7 p.m., while Saturday, the Memorial Day Thrill Show begins at 5 p.m.



Fast Friday includes the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits and Outlaws, the Sport 4’s, Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Pure Stocks and Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars. In nearly all of the divisions, Seekonk is almost guaranteed a different champion for 2023.


Defending Bandit champion Sam Macedo and Sport 4 champion Crystal Murray are the only two on Fast Friday who will attempt to defend their crown. Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaw champion Bradley Strickland, Pure Stock champion Jeremy Lambert and Legend Cars champion Devin Deshaies, all from 2022, have all moved in directions for the new season. 


Macedo and Murray will have their work cut out for them as the top challengers in their divisions look to knock them off the top in the second annual Sunoco Drive For The Cup. Their seasons begin Friday with 15 laps in the Bandits and 25 laps in the Sport 4's.


The Pure Stocks and Legends Cars, both set for 25 lap races weekly, will have a mix of veteran challengers looking to get back to Victory Lane with rising stars looking to make a name for themselves. In the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero divisions, the youth of Seekonk Speedway will be showcased. Fast Friday championship racing begins this week and rolls through championship night in the Drive For The Cup on September 29. All of the action begins weekly at 7 p.m. 


The Memorial Day Thrill Show will include the first races of the season for the East Coast Towing Spectator Drag Series, after their opener was rained out last week. The Thrill Show will also include the Insane Chain Race, Crazy Figure 8 Races, Car & Truck Enduro Races, Car & Truck Enduro Drags and the Powder Puff Races.


Tickets for Saturday are $25 online now as part of a pre-sale. At the gate, tickets will be $28 for adults. Youth are $12 online now (6-12), and will be $15 at the gates. Kids five and under and parking are free at Seekonk Speedway. Front grandstand gates will open at 2:30PM for advanced ticket holders and 3PM for those who purchase on race day. The rain date for this show if needed is Sunday, May 28.


Tickets for all events are available today at SeekonkSpeedway.com — including Fast Friday, NASCAR Saturday, Thrill Shows and major events. Fans are encouraged to purchase ahead and save not only time, but money, as tickets online are a bit cheaper than they will be at the gates, and online ticket holders may enter the grandstands before those who buy at the track on race day.


For more information on Seekonk Speedway, fans are encouraged to visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates.

SEEKONK, Mass. – Picking a champion in the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Pure Stocks for 2023 is going to be a tough task. In fact, even picking a race winner for this division is going to be difficult. As of the season preview, over 30 drivers have filed their registration to compete in this exciting class, which runs at least 25 laps weekly, sometimes 30.



The defending Pure Stock champion is Jeremy Lambert, but he isn’t planning on defending the crown. Instead, he’s tabbed a veteran and champion of the division from many years ago – Scott Cestodio – to drive the No. 15 with a shot at the title in 2023. Cestodio may not have run in the division for years, but he’s expected to be fast right out of the gate and contend for wins weekly.


He’s joined as title contenders with names like Greg Perry, Mike Henriques, Ethan Souza, Sam Lincoln, Danny Massa and others. Perry is a former division champion and wins at least one or two races a year, while Henriques had arguably his best season in 2022 and will look to build on that in 2023. Souza and Lincoln are some of the youngest, but fastest drivers in the division. Souza is a former winner with a new body and paint scheme for this season, while Lincoln is the defending champion of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series and looks to add the overall track title to his resume this year. Danny Massa was the clear favorite for much of last year, and even though it didn’t work out his way in the playoffs, look out for Massa to be on a revenge tour during the 2023 campaign and win often.


Additional names to watch in this division include Nick Brightman, Ed Gould, Billy Chouinard, Jared Cordeia, Matthew Talbot, Rob Hendrickson, Emily Brightman, Timmy Ouellette and more. Each of them have their own unique story behind them. Nick Brightman picked up his first career win last season and ran strong, while Gould and Chouinard are division regulars for years. Cordeira had what was definitely his best season in 2022, while Talbot, Hendrickson and Emily Brightman enter the new season looking for their first career victories. Ouellette, a graduate of Seekonk’s Youth Racing Association, looks to make a name for himself in a big way in the Pure Stocks this year after a few years of getting some experience. 


Fans can also look out for Justin Rioux, Michael Marcou, Bobby Bettencourt III, Donald Courtemanche and many others during the season. Additional registrations continued to pour in for this growing division, now running on race tires.


The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Pure Stocks will hit the track for the first time in 2023 on Friday, May 26 for opening night and will roll through Friday, September 29 for championship night in the Sunoco Drive For The Cup. The only Fast Friday off will be June 30. 


For more information on Seekonk Speedway, fans are encouraged to visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates, including from the track on race day.