PASS INVADES SEEKONK FOR $5,000 BATTLE SATURDAY; NASCAR, FAST FRIDAY DIVISIONS BACK ON TRACK

SEEKONK, Mass. — Seekonk Speedway will end the month of July with two nights of short-track racing action this weekend. On Friday, July 27, the Fast Friday Series returns with five divisions of excitement under the lights, beginning at 7 p.m. On Saturday, July 28, the Pro All Star Series makes their one and only appearance of the season for the Bay State Summer Classic - a $5,000 to win, 150-lap special that will pin some of Seekonk’s weekly Pro Stock competitors against PASS invaders. Saturday racing goes green at 6 p.m.


While the weekly Pro Stock division has the night off, multiple Seekonk competitors will challenge the best from PASS in the 150-lap event Saturday. Eight-time Pro Stock champion Dave Darling, who is the most recent weekly division winner, will be in the field. He will be joined by current points leader Bobby Pelland III, who holds a 19-point lead in the standings, with one feature win this season. Dylan Estrella, currently fourth in the championship battle and a feature winner in 2024, is also planning to compete. They will be joined by Late Model and Legend Cars (defending champion) standout Jacob “Rowdy” Burns, who will wheel the No. 30. Fans will also recognize former Seekonk Speedway champions - Angelo Belsito and defending event winner Ryan Kuhn. Two years ago, Kuhn rocketed to victory in the special event. Last year, the event was cancelled due to weather.


Some of the top contenders from PASS fans can expect include Johnny Clark, DJ Shaw, Gabe Brown, Austin Teras, Dennis Spencer, Rusty Poland and more. In the history of PASS events at Seekonk, the track regulars have stolen the checkered flag a few times. Will someone defend the home turf this Saturday or will a PASS driver grab the trophy? 


The Seekonk Late Models will be on the card for 30 laps of their own. Entering the weekend, the race for the final playoff spot with four races to go sees Mark Jenison ahead of Connor Souza by 21 points. Last week, Richie Murray made a few three-wide moves to get to the front to score his second win of the season, holding off Charlie Rose and Jacob Burns to win. They will be contending with Luke Lebrun, Brittany Campbell, Andrew Gomes and others in the feature this week.


The Helger’s Sportsman had yet another wild one last week, with Gerry DeGasparre Jr. rocketing back to Seekonk Victory Lane for the first time in over 20 years in a Sportsman. Although he’s not competing in the championship battle, Colby Lambert used another strong run to open his points lead to 30 markers with four events remaining until the playoffs. Names like Adam Pettey, Josh Hedges, Scott Serydynski Jr., Tyler Almeida, Doug Benoit, Randy Moretti and others will be in contention in the 25-lap feature.


In the Chaz’s Auto Body Sport Trucks, Mike Duarte has yet to win this season, but has been consistent in the top-five. He leads the standings heading into this week over Radical Rick Martin, Jake Vanada, last week’s winner Tim Bolger Jr. and Amy Arsenault, who is coming off a second-place finish last week. All of those names and more will be on track for 25 laps on Saturday.


NASCAR Saturday racing also includes the N.E.A.R. division. The New England Auto Racers Antique Racers will showcase some of the old cars in the history of the sport. NEAR will also have a booth on the midway for fans to learn more about their organization. They will be inducting seven-time track champion Rick Martin into their 2024 class this November. 


Fast Friday action includes both of the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero divisions - the Bandits and the Outlaws. Last week, David Bernier added another win to his Bandit season, holding off a late charge from Mason Silva. In the Outlaws, it was the first win of the season for Nick Uhrig Jr. This week, look out for some names who could grab their first checkered. In the Bandits, Ayla Martin and Jase Chaber are top-five in points, but have yet to win. In the Outlaws, Parker Davis and Ryder Aguiar are in the same boat. 


The Sport 4 division had another repeat winner last week, with Justin Leduc storming to the front. He’s joined near the top of the standings by leader Matt Pion, Richie Johnson, Tyler Duhancik, Crystal Murray and Taylor Bowser. Out of those six contenders, only Bowser and Johnson haven’t won this year. Will they grab a trophy this week?


As the Helger’s Pure Stocks get ready to storm to the track for 25 laps, Danny Massa is coming off his first win of the year. He’s currently eighth, two spots outside of the playoffs, but only 10 points back of the cutline. Mike Henriques and Jared Cordeira sit at the top of the standings, with Brent Robidoux, Ethan Souza and Matt Talbot rounding out the top-five. Similar to the other divisions, everyone in the top-five except Talbot has won this season. Can he sneak his way into Victory Lane on Friday night?


The Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars will also be on track Friday for 25 laps. Last week, Chase Silvia earned his first career win. Of the six drivers currently locked in the playoffs, only fifth-place Mason Tessier has yet to visit Victory Lane. Those who have include Richie Helger Jr., Jacob Burns, Brendan LaBelle, Josh Parsons and Silvia.


Fast Friday racing begins at 7 p.m. and NASCAR Saturday begins at 6 p.m. In total, 10 different divisions will hit the track this weekend at the Action Track of the East.


Tickets for both nights of racing are available online at SeekonkSpeedway.com. Fans who purchase tickets online will be able to skip the line on race day and will save money on costs. For more information, visit the track online at SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow on social media for the latest news and updates.