PREVIEW: LEGENDS CARS CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE IS WIDE OPEN HEADING INTO 2022

With the defending champion who dominated the division moving on, the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars field at Seekonk Speedway for 2022 has a long list of challengers looking to contend for the championship. The new season may be one of the most competitive in the history of the Seekonk’s INEX Legends Cars class, with a mix of veterans, rising stars, and Rookie of the Year contenders ready to roll.


Picking a favorite? Almost impossible. But at the top of the list is runner-up in the point standings last year, Mason Tessier, and new B&M Maintenance driver, Devin Deshaies. Tessier only picked up one win during the 2021 season, but was a threat, inside the top-five most of the weeks, and is driving for Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Racing along with Richie Helger Jr. this year. Deshaies is going to pilot the same car Luke Lebrun drove last year, back under the Nick Lascuola Racing banner, and he will be a threat to win, and win often. 


Behind them, names Brenden LaBelle, Reese Bogue, Brendon Hammann, Josh Parsons and Jacob “Rowdy” Burns are some more to watch. LaBelle and Bogue are both graduates of the Seekonk Youth Racing Association and are going to be contenders to get to Victory Lane for the first time in the Legends Cars in 2022. LaBelle will be running full-time to contend for the title, while Bogue may run select events, while also running in the Late Models on NASCAR Saturday. 


Hammann and Parsons are some of the more polished veterans in the Legends Cars at Seekonk, both with multiple feature wins to their credit, including last year. Hammann drives for his family-owned team, while Parsons is part of the Nick Lascuola Racing group and planning to be a major threat for the championship. Rowdy Burns, who also competes in the NASCAR Saturday Late Models, is a Legends Cars winner and one of the more exciting drivers to watch on the track.


Names like Isaiah Newcomb, Brody Monahan, Ty LeClerc, Jake Silvia and Ethan Avellar should also be ones to watch. Newcomb is no stranger to Seekonk, winning the championship in the Bandolero division in 2020, and will be back full-time in a Legend Car in 2022. Monahan, moving over to Seekonk this year, will be looking to make a name for himself. LeClerc is inside the Nick Lascuola Racing stable, ready to battle for another year, and Silvia, who had speed last year, will be looking to break into Victory Lane. Ethan Avellar is looking to continue to gain momentum and increase his confidence during the season.


A few more drivers are also going to be moving up from the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero division into the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars. Look out for Nick Chaber Jr, Jase Mongeon, Nicholaus Bulkeley and defending Bandolero Outlaw champion Richie Helger Jr to be contenders. Helger, who dominated the Bandolero divisions for the last two years and finally won the title last year, has been quick in the pre-season practice rounds and should be a contender to grab his first win, maybe quickly. 


Additional names to watch include Kevin Logan Davis, Christian Schulz, Brandon Tiezzi, Jimmy “Pepe” Silvia, Cainen Schulz, Matt Carpenter, Ben Amado, Mike Floyd, Wade Oemcke, Andrew Carpenter and others, who will also be planning to compete. 


The Legends Cars division is also known for a few drivers we didn’t expect sneaking their way into contention at the front of the field, so be on the lookout for it in 2022!


The Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars season begins on Friday, May 27 with a 25-lap feature and will roll through Friday, September 23, where the champion will be crowned. Tickets for all Seekonk Speedway Fast Friday, NASCAR Saturday and Thrill Show events are available today at SeekonkSpeedway.com. Fans are encouraged to follow the track on social media for the latest updates and information. 

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