Meet The Champs: Nine Drivers Grab Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Championships at Seekonk Speedway

SEEKONK, Mass. — For the first time, Everett’s Auto Parts sponsored the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series in 2022 at Seekonk Speedway. And after a full weekend of racing that included Triple Crown championship events in all nine Seekonk divisions, nine drivers have earned the right to be called Triple Crown champion at the third-mile.


On Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 6, Triple Crown champions were crowned as part of extra-distance racing in every division except the Bandolero class.


In the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits and Outlaws, the winner of the 15-lap feature earned the crown, and both of them are well deserving based off their 2022 stats. Darren Krantz Jr. raced to another Seekonk win in the No. 31 to clinch the crown, while Chase Silvia held off Bradley Strickland in the final few feet to score the Outlaw title. Both drivers are worthy of the crown, but had a list of three other finalists in their respective divisions to compete with and beat on the track, and were able to accomplish the task.


In the Everett’s Auto Parts Sport 4’s, it was a farewell tour complete for AJ Manuel. The former division champion captured the Triple Crown title by winning all three Triple Crown events, including the finale. In the process, he announced in Victory Lane it would be his final race in the Sport 4 division, and for now, he’s retiring from racing behind the wheel. What a way to end a career — in Victory Lane, and capturing the Triple Crown title.


The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Pure Stock Triple Crown champion for 2022 is Sam Lincoln. As Sam said in Victory Lane, the honor is a major confidence booster in his quest to grab his first feature win during the rest of the season. Lincoln, with help from former Pure Stock champion Doug Benoit, is catching onto the Pure Stock division quickly, and now can add this accolade to his resume, as he looks to become the division champion later in the season.


Mason Tessier had to start at the rear of the 30-lap Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars Triple Crown finale, but found his way to the front when it mattered most. Tessier earned the Triple Crown title over Reese Bogue, Brendon Hammann and Devin Deshaies. Early in the race it looked like it would be Deshaies taking the title, but a mechanical failure sidelined him. Hammann and Bogue were not able to best Tessier, who continued a hot streak with the crown.


On NASCAR Saturday, there is no surprise in the Pro Stocks. Dave Darling, an eight-time track champion, captured his second career Triple Crown championship in dominating fashion in their 60-lap feature. Mike Brightman won the first event in the series to lock himself into the finale, but Darling won the final two and the title, with Brightman and Tom Scully Jr. close behind.


Gerry DeGasparre Jr. had been trying for years to win the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown championship, and the seven-time division champion finally captured it in the 45-lap Late Model feature. DeGasparre passed Richie Murray for second just before lap 20, then passed Jeramee Lillie for the lead shortly after, winning both the race, and the Triple Crown together. 


Chad Baxter and the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman field went through a long 35-lap feature before their Triple Crown champion was crowned, but it was Baxter who earned it. The driver of the No. 0 rolled to the lead by halfway and dominated the second half of the event. It was Baxter’s fourth win in the last five Sportsman races, as the defending champion is back to his winning ways with his old faithful car after struggling to start the season.


Rick Martin’s fourth victory of the season in the Chaz Auto Body Sport Truck division was enough to clinch him the crown in their 35-lap feature. There was no doubting that Martin was going to be the favorite when the green flag dropped, as he moved his way through the pack to the front quickly and drove away with the extra-distance event. The Triple Crown championship is yet another accolade on the resume for Martin, one of the most historic drivers in Seekonk Speedway history.


Seekonk Speedway wishes to thank Everett’s Auto Parts for their support of the track and the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series in 2022, and beyond.


Seekonk Speedway will return to both Fast Friday and NASCAR Saturday racing on Friday, August 12 and Saturday, August 13. The race towards the inaugural Seekonk Speedway Drive For The Cup presented by Sunoco Race Fuel continues to heat up with just three races to go before the field is set.


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