NASCAR SATURDAY PLAYOFF FIELDS GOING DOWN TO THE WIRE AT SEEKONK SPEEDWAY

Multiple of the Seekonk Speedway NASCAR Saturday divisions will go right down to the final laps of this weekend’s racing before deciding the eight drivers who will race for the championship next month. As the Sunoco Drive For The Cup draws near, Saturday’s racing action on August 26 includes the final race of the regular season for the Sport Trucks, Late Models, Sportsman and Pro Stocks.


Not only are there a few drivers who can win their way into the playoffs since they competed in every race in the division so far, there are also a few who can point their way into each playoff battle.


Let’s break down each division heading into Saturday.


CHAZ AUTO BODY SPORT TRUCKS


Entering Saturday night, Mike Cavallaro leads Tom Scully III by 35 points in the Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks for the final spot. In order for Scully to close the gap and advance by points, it’s going to take a lot of work and some bad luck for Cavallaro, or Bob Tripp, who is just 5 points ahead of Cavallaro.


It’s more likely that the field for the Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks is set: Rick Martin, Jack Vanada, Mike Duarte, Brittany Campbell, Amy Arsenault, Darryl Church, Bob Tripp and Mike Cavallaro.


Tom Scully III, Ethan Heilborn and DJ Thibeault are the three Sport Truck drivers who could win Saturday’s 25-lap race and automatically advance to the playoffs. Will it happen and add a ninth car?


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HELGER’S POWER EQUIPMENT SPORTSMAN


Like the Sport Trucks, it’s going to take some luck for someone outside of the top-eight to bust their way into the playoffs in the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman.


The following are mathematically locked in already: Adam Pettey, Craig Pianka, Colby Lambert, Chad Baxter, Steve Axon, Randy Moretti and Ryan Lineham.


In eighth spot right now on the bubble is Don Perry. He holds this position over Tyler Almeida by 29 points. If Almeida is going to get in, he’s going to need a top-three performance and hope that Perry doesn’t finish the race at all, and gets out early, finishing just about last. It’s unlikely, as long as Perry takes the green.


In the Sportsman, Tyler Almeida, Jimmy “Pepe” Silvia and Mark Healy would become a ninth car in the playoffs if they win on Saturday night.


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LATE MODELS


The 30-lap Late Model regular season finale has the look of being absolutely wild. The following drivers are locked into the Sunoco Drive For The Cup: Luke LeBrun, Jacob Burns, Vinnie Arrenegado, Mark Jenison. Behind them it’s all up for grabs for the final four spots.


Charlie Rose sits fifth, just 23 points ahead of the final spot. Chase Belcher follows, 21 ahead. Tyler Tomassi is seventh, 7 points up. And Connor Souza is on the bubble, seven points ahead of the first car out. 


Wow.


Just outside in ninth is Richie Murray, who missed one race during the summer, but enters Saturday with a shot to bust-into the playoffs. Bill Goodrow is just eight points out of the final spot, with Scott Serydynski Jr. just 21 points out.


This division alone is going to go down to the final lap, not only in the feature, but the heat races. Since heats pay 5 points to win, 4 to second, 3 to third, 2 to fourth and 1 for fifth, and the feature pays 50 to win and 2 points less per position throughout the field, look out.


Every lap matters when you want to race for the championship next month. Only Goodrow and Serydynski would automatically advance with a feature win.


5 Charlie Rose - 308 points
6 Chase Belcher - 306 points
7 Tyler Tomassi - 292 points
8 Connor Souza - 285 points
9 Richie Murray - 278 points
10 Bill Goodrow - 277 points
11 Scott Serydynski Jr. 264 points


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PRO STOCKS


As long as he takes the green flag Saturday, Mike Rotondo will advance to the playoffs. Dave Darling sits in the eighth and final spot right now, but isn’t planning on racing, so will fall out of contention.


That leaves Dylan Estrella, Mike Brightman, Bobby Pelland III, Mark Jenison, Rick Martin, Dick Benoit, Tom Scully Jr. and Mike Rotondo to battle for the championship.


Otherwise, with a win on Saturday, Darryl Stampfl and Mike Mitchell would advance


The Sunoco Drive For The Cup is coming up in September, but first, it’s time for the final race of the NASCAR Saturday regular season this Saturday, August 26. Be here for high-speed excitement to race for a playoff spot! Visit SeekonkSpeedway.com for tickets and the latest news and information on the track. Racing begins at 6PM.

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