SEEKONK, Mass. – As the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits roll into 2023, this class will continue to see the evolution of drivers who are going to be the next major contenders at Seekonk Speedway well into the future. Drivers who graduate from the Seekonk Youth Racing Association often end up in the NASCAR Saturday classes, but they start right here on Fast Friday.



For 2023, the Bandolero Bandit field looks to be another one of drivers looking to get their feet wet and make their marks – but also includes a few polished “veterans” in Bandoleros compared to their challengers.


Drivers registered with experience include Luka Dib, Nick Uhrig Jr., Parker Davis, Sam Macedo and Mike Hanafin. Experience levels are different between them – only Macedo has feature wins. He picked up countless in a row two years ago and the “Green Hornet” is the defending champion of the Bandit division as well. If it’s up to him, winning the title will go through the green No. 16 again in 2023.


Uhrig is definitely going to win this year – you can nearly count on it. He picked up his first career podium in 2022 and has the speed under the hood to get the job done. With a little bit of lady luck and continued experience, Uhrig will park in Victory Lane before long this season. Parker Davis, Dib and Hanafin enter the season all looking for their first career wins as drivers with at least some experience under their belts.


And as always, the division will also have some Rookie talent making their first laps at Seekonk. As of the preview, Jase Chaber, Ryder Aguiar, Carl Satterlund Jr. and Mason Silva will be on that list, potentially with more competitors.


The Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits 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.

SEEKONK, Mass. – It’s no secret as the 2023 season begins for the Sport 4 division on Fast Friday that Crystal Murray will be one of the many cars to contend with for wins. Murray won a handful of races last year including on the final night of the Sunoco Drive For The Cup, adding her name to the list of Murray champions in Seekonk Speedway history. As she enters 2023, the driver of the No. 38 is listed as the favorite to repeat for the crown – but will have a strong group of drivers trying to make sure it doesn’t happen.



First up on the list of drivers to watch is Tyler Duhancik. Registered to again compete in the No. 48, Tyler, working out of the Phil’s Propane stable, has a new car for himself for 2023. He picked up victories the last few years and seems to have the speed to contend to get the job done. Will this be his year to compete at a high-level and potentially run for the title?


Fresh off his best season in over a decade, Henry Lavallee returns to Seekonk Speedway this year looking to pounce on the championship. He won more than once last season and had speed to run consistently inside the top-five. If Lavallee can show up with that speed and make it to the Final Four again in the playoffs, he could be looking at sealing a championship. 


Don’t forget about Jarrod Freitas, who scored his first victory in 2022, and will be looking to get more and contend for the title this season.


Names like Sam Mattera, Taylor Bowser, Daniel Hayes, Matt Pion and DJ Thibeault are also some returning drivers with experience. Mattera is a former winner, while Bowser will continue to seek her first checkered flag in 2023, after grabbing a podium last year. DJ Thibeault continues to gain experience, along with Hayes, and will both be trying for their first victories. Pion has run in the division on and off for a few years.


Additional names to watch in this division include Jacob Budzyna, Justin Leduc, James Sullivan, Richie Johnson, Andrew Rittman-McLaughlin, Joseph Mello Sr. and Jr., Christine Cavallaro and more. All of the drivers will hope to visit Victory lane during the busy summer season, along with others.


The Sport 4’s 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.

SEEKONK, Mass. – If you’re planning on picking a favorite in the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaw division in 2023 at Seekonk Speedway, goodluck. This division includes some of the top youth racing talent Seekonk has ever seen all in the same class, and may have up to 16 or more cars on some weeks racing for feature wins.



Ryan Vanasse Jr., Andrew Gomes, Mikey LeFort III, Brent Robidoux and Collin Vanasse appear to be some of the favorites you could consider. Gomes went to Victory lane multiple times in 2022 and came up just short of winning the track championship. He’s clearly the most winning experienced in the division, along with Brent Robidoux. 


Speaking of Robidoux, this rising star looks to burst into championship form in 2023. After a few years of winning races, he seems primed and ready to contend for a crown. After making the Final Four in the Bandolero Bandits last year, Ryan Vanasse Jr. moves up and should be a contender right from lap one. His cousin, Collin Vanasse, will look for his first career track win, as he moves up from the Bandits as well. LeFort III, inside the Helger’s Racing stable, is surely going to have the speed to contend for his own first victory as he moves up to the next level.


Additional names to watch include Jordan Duquette, Brody Wakefield, Nathan Rioux and RJ Murphy. All of these drivers have at least one year of experience in Bandolero racing under their belts and should be contenders up near the front. They are joined by names like Abbie Badejo, Brady Connors, Zacarias Kelley, Nicholas Saman, Colin Floyd, Zachary Keith and Dylan Calabro. 


This is going to be one division that will see continued growth throughout the season and likely multiple different winners, and maybe even some new names jumping in during the year.


The Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaws 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.

SEEKONK, Mass. — Jacob “Rowdy” Burns had all sorts of struggles in the opening day feature for the Late Models at Seekonk Speedway, but week two was a different story. Burns battled seven-time division champion Gerry DeGasparre Jr. hard for the lead early in the race, and then when DeGasparre had problems, Burns wasn’t going to be denied.


He drove the No. 30 to Victory Lane in dominating fashion in the final laps, as the rising star pulled away from a side-by-side battle between Mark Jenison and Chase Belcher for second in the final circuits. Jenison would get the better of Belcher, with Chase following close behind in third at the end of 30 laps.


Vinnie Arrenegado raced from his eighth-place starting spot after winning on opening day to finish in fourth, while pole sitter Connor Souza hung on for a top-five finish. Luke Lebrun was sixth, followed by Richie Murray, Charlie Rose, Corey Fanning and Kevin Bowe.


The Late Models will return to the track on Saturday, May 20 with another 30-lap feature. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest news and updates.

 In just his second race back at Seekonk Speedway, Dylan Estrella is already in Victory Lane. The driver of the Everett’s Auto Parts No. 46 Pro Stock held off a fierce charge from former division champion Kenny Spencer and others to win Saturday’s 40-lap feature — the first under the lights event of the Pro Stock season. 


Estrella and Spencer traded the lead back and forth for much of the middle portion of the event. It seemed as if whoever was on the outside lane had the advantage on restarts. In the final 15 circuits, Spencer got loose racing under Estrella for the lead going into turn one, and spun off turn two. From there, Estrella would drive off unchallenged in the final stint to rocket to victory.


No stranger to winning at Seekonk in his career, as a graduate of the Seekonk Youth Racing Association, Estrella went touring for a few years, and is now back to compete in Seekonk’s top class. Mark Jenison charged to the front in the second half of the race, finishing second, while Rick Martin also made a late dash to the front to finish in third. Tommy Adams and Bobby Pelland finished the top-five. 


Danny Thibeault was sixth, while Spencer, Mike Rotondo, Jerammee Lillie and Tom Scully Jr finished the top-10. The Pro Stocks will return to the track on Saturday, May 20 with another 40-lap feature. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest news and updates.

Steve Axon had just about the worst opening day you could have at Seekonk Speedway this year, but he turned it around in a big way on Saturday night. Axon used the outside lane early in the 25-lap feature to pass for the lead and pick up the feature win in the second race of the season for the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman division.



On opening day, Axon had a motor failure under the hood, in a wreck that collected multiple cars due to oil on the track. In week two, after a lot of hard work by the crew to get a new motor under the hood, Axon was the dominant force, as the former division champion was not going to be denied in his quest to victory.


A late caution had plans to mess up the night for Axon, but it worked out for him to get the win, as he drove away on the final green flag stint. Adam Pettey charged through the pack to finish second, with opening day winner Ryan Lineham also working his way through to finish third. Colby Lambert and Chris Gomes followed to finish in the fourth and fifth spots.


Craig Pianka was sixth, followed by Chad Baxter, Doug Benoit, Chris Rioux and Ed Perry.


The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman will return to the track on Saturday, May 20 with another 25-lap feature. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest news and updates.

SEEKONK, Mass. — Mike Brightman kicked-off the 2023 season on Sunday at Seekonk Speedway the same way he did 2022 — in Victory Lane. Brightman dashed away from the field to win the opener of the Pro Stock season, scoring victory in the 40-lap feature in dominating fashion.


Early, Brightman passed polesitter Colbey Fournier for the top spot, then had to fend-off Dylan Estrella for much of the middle of the race. Estrella and Brightman raced hard for the top spot, neither giving an inch. Brightman would prevail early, then Estrella spun off turn two later, sending him to the tail of the field. 


Dave Darling and Rick Martin battled hard in the final laps, while Brightman drove away to victory. Martin scored second, with Darling in third. Defending division champion Mark Jenison finished fourth and Bobby Pelland was fifth. After post-race inspection, Dick Benoit moved to fifth, as Pelland didn’t pass. Dylan Estrella finished sixth, followed by Tom Scully Jr., Tommy Adams, Colbey Fournier and Mike Mitchell.


The Pro Stocks will return to the track for another 40-lap feature as part of Saturday night NASCAR racing on May 13. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com.

SEEKONK, Mass. — Right from early in the day in the opener of the Seekonk Speedway season, it was clear Ryan Lineham was going to be one of the drivers to beat in the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman. Lineham worked from the pole position in his heat race and scored the win, then started from the pole in the feature and led the entire 25 laps to score the season-opening victory.


While Lineham won, the story of the race was a mid-race chaos crash in turn three, collecting many of the front-running cars. When Steve Axon had mechanical problems, many cars were collected including Axon, Chris Gomes, Kyle Casper and others. Once the race went back green, Lineham drove away with the win while Randy Moretti and Adam Pettey were left to battle for second, with Moretti coming out on top.


Pettey finished third, with Craig Pianka and Don Perry finishing the top-five. Chris Rioux wrapped the race sixth, followed by Chad Baxter, Tim Watson, Tyler Almeida and Jimmy “Pepe” Silvia. The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman will return to the track for another 25-lap feature as part of Saturday night NASCAR racing on May 13. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com.
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SEEKONK, Mass. — As she kicked-off her Busch Light Accelerate Her program in style, Brittany Campbell parked her No. 8 Truck in Victory Lane on Sunday to open the season at Seekonk Speedway. Racing in the Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks, Campbell raced multiple grooves battling for the lead, but in the final laps, pulled away from the competition.


She had to face the charges of names like Amy Arsenault, Mike Duarte and others. In the end, it was all her at the front driving the Truck right into Victory Lane. Duarte, a former division champion, would settle for second at the finish, followed by defending champion Rick Martin in third. Darryl Church opened the season with a strong run in fourth and Arsenault settled for fifth after some mid-race trouble. 


Jake Vanada finished sixth, with Marissa Morgan, Bobby Tripp, Tom Scully III and Manny Dias finishing the top-10. 


The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks will return to the track for another 25-lap feature as part of Saturday night NASCAR racing on May 13. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com.

Two-Day Weekend Includes Return of Classic Car Show & Swap Meet on Saturday; NASCAR Divisions Opening Day on Sunday, May 7



Weekend Preview by Souza Media


SEEKONK, Mass. – After a long offseason of quiet around the Seekonk area, Seekonk Speedway will roar to life for the first time for racing action in 2023 this weekend. The 77th season of competition at the Massachusetts third-mile officially begins on Sunday, May 7 with NASCAR Opening Day – including all four Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series divisions.


The Pro Stocks, Late Models, Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman and Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks will compete in qualifying and their first feature races of the season on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. All of the competitors in the field will be chasing the opening checkered flag of the season, but will also begin their quest towards the second Sunoco Drive For The Cup and the track championships that will come with it.


One day prior on Saturday, May 6, the 12th annual Classic Car Show & Swap Meet returns to Seekonk Speedway in a big way.  With entertainment provided by Cruisin Bruce and over five awards on the line for things like Top Three Best of Show, Best Paint, Best Engine and more, race fans will have a free opportunity to walk around the show on the frontstretch parking lot. Admission for cars is $10 per car, with gates opening at 8 a.m. and judging beginning at 10 a.m. All fans and car enthusiasts who attend the show will also have free access to watch NASCAR divisions practice on track from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday.


“It’s going to be a mega weekend of racing with so much going on at Seekonk Speedway that fans will not want to miss it,” Ed St. Germain of Seekonk Speedway said. “With the car show returning, there is going to be a big turnout on Saturday, while the NASCAR drivers make their final tune-ups for Sunday’s racing. Once Sunday begins, drivers are going to be giving everything they have in the tank to grab the first wins of the year. Race season is here and we can’t wait to see everyone at Seekonk Speedway in 2023. Fans should visit SeekonkSpeedway.com for tickets and the latest news.”


As the preseason roster sits, the Pro Stocks have 30 cars registered. With eight-time track champion Dave Darling saying he won’t run a full season, the battle is on for race wins and the chase towards the Sunoco Drive For The Cup championship. Names like defending champion Mark Jenison, Tom Scully Jr., Bobby Pelland, Rick Martin, Colbey Fournier, Mike Brightman, Dylan Estrella, Tommy Adams and others will contest their 10-lap heat races and a 40-lap feature to headline opening day.


In the Late Models, Jenison is also rolling into 2023 as the defending champion, looking to get his double-duty season off with a strong finish. A new car and confidence have former division champion Vinnie Arrenegado excited about the competition for opening day. Names like Gerry DeGasparre Jr., Richie Murray, Josh Hedges, Chase Belcher, Jacob “Rowdy” Burns and others will be ones to watch in their 10-lap heats and 30-lap feature on Sunday.


The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman, known as one of New England’s most exciting divisions, rolls into the season with Craig Pianka looking for back-to-back titles. His path to doing it will be difficult, with 2021 champion Chad Baxter, Ed Perry, Steve Axon, Adam Pettey and many others ready to chase him down, starting on opening day. The Sportsman field, set to be over 20 for the season-opener, will have 10 lap heats and a 25-lap feature.


In the Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks, Radical Rick Martin looks to pick up where he left off last yea, iin dominating fashion. Driving the No. 14, Martin will do battle against names like Amy Arsenault, Brittany Campbell, Jake Vanada, Mike Duarte, Mike Cavallaro and many others. The Trucks will run 10 lap heats, and a 25-lap feature.


Important times to note for the weekend include the Classic Car Show & Swap Meet gates opening at 8 a.m. on Saturday, while NASCAR pit gates open at 9 a.m. NASCAR division practice will roll from 12-4 p.m., with a short break for burnout drags at 1 p.m.


On Sunday, pit gates open at 9 a.m., while practice begins at 11 a.m. Front grandstands open at 12 p.m. and Pro Stock time trials will begin at 1 p.m. The first green flag for heat races, followed by feature action, is 2 p.m. 


New for 2023, Seekonk Speedway fans should be aware that hot coffee will no longer be sold at the concession stands. With the new ticketing system, where fans can buy tickets for all events online at SeekonkSpeedway.com, tickets are cheaper online and there will be a limited number of ticketing agents at the gates on race day. Ticket prices for general admission for NASCAR Saturday normal events including opening day are $18 (unless a special event), but online are $15 plus processing fees. Fans who purchase tickets online will have access to the grandstands 30 minutes before those who purchase at the track and will also pay less. 


For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media, where you can get the latest race day updates during events.