PREVIEW: ROBIDOUX, HARRISON AMONG TITLE CONTENDERS IN BANDOLERO OUTLAW FIELD

With some of the top contenders from the 2021 season moving on, the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaw field will welcome a new set of challengers to race for the title this year. Names like Brent Robidoux and Adam Harrison, two of the more polished veterans of the class, will be some of the favorites to win the crown, joined by Bradley Strickland, Mikey LeFort III, Joey Lemay and more.


As Seekonk introduces the playoff system — the Drive 4 For The Cup — including three races in September, where the field will be cut from 6 drivers, to 5 drivers, to 4 drivers for the final race — who will be the one to become champion? In that final championship race, the driver that bests the other three in the feature will be the champion. The question is: who will make it there?


Robidoux and Harrison do seem to be the favorites. Robidoux went to Victory Lane twice last year, including in the season-finale, and has come into his own in a difficult division behind the wheel of the No. 25. Harrison, who may not win as much as he would like, is known as “Hollywood” and was in the top-five more often than not when you look at the results from the end of the 2021 season. Both of these drivers should win, often.


Behind them, the list of contenders is a close and tough to pick through. Even though defending division champion Richie Helger Jr. is registered to race, he isn’t necessarily planning on running the full schedule, as of now. However, the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Racing team isn’t going to be giving up. They have Mikey LeFort III, moving up to the Outlaws from the Bandits for 2022, and newcomer Bobby Bettencourt III, both planning to race.


LeFort didn’t win in the Bandits, but was consistently improving and has some of the highest confidence in the division. Bettencourt, who comes from a racing family that includes Bobby Bettencourt, a very successful Sportsman driver in his day, will be looking to learn and soak up the experience with hopes of contending for his first win. 


Other returning contenders to the class include Joey Lemay, a multiple-time winner, Andrew Gomes and Dylan Calabro. These three rising stars will be looking to fend-off the charges of those above, and those who are entering the class for the first time this season looking to make their own mark. 


Names like Jordan Duquette, son of former Late Model and Sportsman competitor Frank Duquette, Leo Rossi and Abbie Badejo are also planning to compete. All of them have been part of the pre-season practice sessions and will be looking to gain their own experience and contend to visit Victory Lane. 


The Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaw season begins on Friday, May 27 with a 15-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.