PLAYOFF BATTLES: Less Than Two Months Until Playoff Fields Are Set On NASCAR Saturday

SEEKONK, Mass. — As the heat of the summer revs up at Seekonk Speedway, NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series drivers are heading straight for the Sunoco Drive For The Cup in September. With Mother Nature cancelling some events, the battle to make the playoffs is down to the final six NASCAR Saturday’s - and not all divisions compete on each night.


The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks, Helger’s Sportsman and Pro Stocks are down to 5 races remaining before the field is set. The Late Models are scheduled to compete in all six remaining NASCAR Saturday’s before September.


Dates included for the Late Models: July 13, 20, 27 and August 10, 17 and 24
The Trucks/Sportsman are off on July 13
The Pro Stocks are off on July 27


New for 2024, Seekonk Speedway has trimmed the playoff field down to just the top six contenders in the championship standings at the end of the night on August 24. 


In the Chaz’s Sport Trucks, Mike Duarte is in the lead. Although he hasn’t won, consistency has him a comfortable margin inside the playoffs. He’s joined by four straight 2024 winners - Jake Vanada in second, Rick Martin in third, Tim Bolger Jr. in fourth and Darryl Church in fifth. Right now, Church rounds out the top-five and Amy Arsenault follows in the final playoff spot in sixth. Arsenault is 10 points up on DJ Thibeault (first car outside the bubble) and Mike Cavallaro, who are tied for seventh. Behind them, Marissa Morgan and Tom Scully III are still within striking distance as well, rounding out the top-10 in the current standings.

1. Amy Arsenault - 203 points
2. DJ Thibault -10 points from the cutline
3. Mike Cavallaro -10 points from the cutline
4. Marissa Morgan -24 points from the cutline
5. Tom Scully III -25 points from the cutline

In the Helger’s Sportsman, Colby Lambert has been the most consistent of all this season and leads by a smooth 19 points over Adam Pettey. For the driver of the No. 57, Pettey has three straight wins in the competitive Sportsman division and is hitting his stride into the summer. In third is Josh Hedges, who won opening night and has been consistently inside the top-10. Behind him, Tyler Almeida and Scott Serydynski Jr are tied for fourth spot, with Doug Benoit behind them holding the final spot in sixth. Just outside the cutline, Randy Moretti is just four points back, while former Fast Friday Pure Stock champion Jeremy Lambert is just 12 back. 

1. Doug Benoit - 185 points
2. Randy Moretti -4 points from cutline
3. Jeremy Lambert -12 points from cutline
4. Nick Wood -35 points from cutline
5. Jimmy Silva -36 points from cutline

The Late Model battle is tight, separated by just two points at the cutline. Charlie Rose leads Luke Lebrun by 8 points for the overall lead, with Jacob Burns in third, Chase Belcher fourth and Mark Jenison in fifth. Richie Murray, the opening night winner, currently holds the final spot, two points ahead of Connor Souza. Andrew Gomes is also just 20 points back in his Rookie season, with Brittany Campbell, also in her Rookie season, just 23 points back. First through sixth are separated by just 29 points with six races to go, meaning anything could change at any time.

1. Chase Belcher - 169 points
2. Mark Jenison - 164 points
3. Richie Murray - 163 points
4. Connor Souza -2 points from cutline
5. Andrew Gomes -20 points from cutline
6. Brittany Campbell -23 points from cutline
7. Bobby Pelland III -34 points from cutline

In the Pro Stocks, five races remain and Vinnie Arrenegado, a Rookie of the Year contender, leads. He’s becoming comfortable finishing second every week, but would like to win before long. He’s currently four points up on Bobby Pelland, and nine points up on Dylan Estrella. These three have been among the most consistent so far this season. Two-time and defending champion Mark Jenison is fourth, while Colbey Fournier fifth and Mike Brightman finishing out the current top-six. The Pro Stock field is a little bit more separated - with Jeramee Lillie 26 points back of the cut, tied with Kenny Spencer, and Kevin Casper two points behind them. Is the field of six already “set” in this division?

1. Colbey Fournier - 169 points
2. Mike Brightman - 159 points
3. Jeramee Lillie -26 points from cutline
4. Kenny Spencer -26 points from cutline
5. Kevin Casper -28 points from cutline
6. Rick Martin -37 points from cutline

The Seekonk Speedway NASCAR Saturday battles continue on Saturday, July 13. The NEMA Midgets and NEMA Lites will be in town for their annual Boston Louie Seymour Memorial Classic events, while the Pro Stocks and Late Models will continue their NASCAR season. The Sportsman and Trucks will be back on July 20.


Tickets for all Seekonk Speedway events are available online now at SeekonkSpeedway.com. ​