FAST FRIDAY PLAYOFF UPDATE: AUGUST SET TO BEGIN AT SEEKONK

As the month of August begins this weekend at Seekonk Speedway, NASCAR Saturday divisions will not be on track due to the Midsummer Thrill Show. However, Fast Friday classes return to racing on August 4, with just four scheduled events remaining before the fields are set for the Sunoco Drive For The Cup championship battle in September.



Let’s take a look at where the cutline stands in each division heading into August. The battle to make the playoffs or just miss it by a few points is on at the Action Track of the East.


BANDOLERO BANDITS


After another 15-lap feature last week won by defending champion Sam Macedo, the battle is now closer near the bubble in the Bandolero Bandits. Macedo is comfortable on top of the standings, tied with Nick Uhrig Jr. for the lead, while Mike Hanafin and Parker Davis aren’t far behind. Mason Silva is in fifth, with a 22-point gap ahead of Ryder Aguiar, who currently holds the final spot in sixth.


Remember, the Bandolero Bandits and Outlaws will have a six-car playoff field, not eight like the other divisions.


Just outside the cutline is Luka Dib, but only by 8 points. Carl Satterlund Jr. is in eighth but will continue to hope others have trouble if he’s going to have a chance, now 44 points back.


The race for sixth in the Bandits is going to be one to watch in August, as the eight-point gap is only four positions in the feature finishing order.


BANDOLERO OUTLAWS


The battle at the bubble in the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaw division is really close with four races left. Ryan Vanasse Jr., Collin Vanasse, Bryson Robidoux, Brent Robidoux and Andrew Gomes currently hold the top-five positions. Gomes is ahead of sixth-place Dylan Calabro by 28 points, a margin of 14 positions on the track and probably feels good. Without trouble, expect the top-five to advance. 


The real battle is now between Calabro and Zachary Keith. Right now, Calabro leads for the final spot by just six points. It looks like this one is going to go down to the wire to decide who makes it.


Mikey LeFort III is in eighth, but 40 points out, with RJ Murphy right behind, 46 back. Those two will be hoping for someone in front of them to have trouble at least twice if they want to get in.


SPORT 4’s


The top-five drivers should feel comfortable in the Sport 4 division heading for August. Right now, Jarrod Freitas leads over Henry Lavallee, Crystal Murray, Richie Johnson and Taylor Bowser. She has the fifth spot by 16 points over Daniel Hayes in sixth, with Christine Cavallaro just two points back of Hayes in seventh. After running last week, Mikey LeFort bumped himself into the playoff cut, now leading Justin Leduc for the final spot by 10 points. 


Leduc has really stormed to the front of the division the last few weeks, with two wins in a row. If his pace keeps up, he could find himself in. LeFort is just 20 points back of Christine Cavallaro for seventh and will look to run forward to avoid Leduc chasing him down. Just outside the cutline as well in 10th is Tyler Duhancik, who had trouble last week. Certainly one of the fastest cars in the division, Duhancik is now 22 points back from the bubble and will be looking to gain major ground quickly.


Remember, eight drivers will advance in the Sport 4’s. This one includes one driver who is hot right now sitting outside the cut, and one in 10th you expect would be in when it comes time for September.


6 Daniel Hayes - 290
7 Christine Cavallaro - 288
8 Mikey LeFort - 268
9 Justin Leduc - 250
10 Tyler Duhancik - 246


PURE STOCKS


Although Scott Cestodio won for the fourth time last week, Ethan Souza and Danny Massa are ahead of him in the Helger’s Pure Stock championship race. Mike Henriques and Sam Lincoln are tied in fourth and fifth, also feeling comfortable heading for the stretch run.


Timmy Ouellette is a one-time feature winner in sixth and Jared Cordeira is only six-points behind him in seventh. Cordeira leads by 36 points over the bubble and should feel rather comfortable, along with all of those ahead of him.


Then, it gets more interesting. Greg Perry found some speed last week and got back on the podium, as the former champion tries to make the playoffs in 2023. Right now, Perry is tied with Don Courtemanche for the final spot. Tied - you read that right!


Both with 258 points, they lead Josh Badach and Matt Talbot, who are 10th and 11th. Badach is 26 points back, while Talbot is 36.


Right now, Perry must be the favorite in the race for eighth. With championship experience, Perry struggled much of the first half of the year. But, he seems to have found his groove. Will it be enough to get in or can Don find more speed?


7 Jared Cordeira - 294
8 Don Courtemanche - 258
9 Greg Perry - 258
10 Josh Badach - 232
11 Matt Talbot - 222


LEGENDS CARS
Jacob Burns has pulling away with the top spot in the Legends Cars for most of the season. He’s comfortably ahead of recent winner Isaiah Newcomb by 24 points, with Nicholas Bulkeley in third and Richie Helger Jr. fourth. Helger is ahead of the cut by 60 points, feeling comfortable.


Behind him, Mason Tessier and Brendan LaBelle follow. LaBelle missed two races but still leads by 32 points over the cutline. Look out for Josh Parsons, who also won a race, but is now seventh, 22 points ahead of the cutline himself.


It’s a battle of the Silvia’s in the current standings for eighth. Chase Silvia leads Jimmy “Pepe” Silvia by 30 points, with Kevin Davis now 40 points back. The Legends Cars division could go down to the wire for the final spot themselves.


7 Josh Parsons - 272
8 Chase Silvia - 250
9 Jimmy silvia - 220
10 Kevin Davis - 210


The four weekends in August will decide who will make the Seekonk Sunoco Drive For The Cup in 2023 for Fast Friday. Don’t miss it as drivers battle each Friday at 7PM looking to make the playoffs!


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

​