SEEKONK ROOKIE OF THE YEAR BATTLES HEADING FOR STRETCH RUN

 While six drivers in each Seekonk Speedway division are set to race for a championship in September, and all others will continue the battle for race wins, there are a few drivers in each division looking to etch their name in a different trophy. 


The prestigious Rookie of the Year award is given to the new driver in each division for each season who bested all of the other first-time drivers in the final point standings. Heading for the stretch run, some of the battles are close as the Rookie contenders compete on the track.


Vinnie Arrenegado, a two-time and defending Late Model champion, moved to the Pro Stocks in 2024. Although he hasn’t won yet, he’s the top seed entering the Sunoco Drive For The Cup playoffs as the points leader and will win the Rookie of the Year this season.


In the Late Models, two drivers with different backgrounds will battle it out for the final four weeks. Andrew Gomes has 398 points in eighth-place in the standings, with Brittany Campbell in ninth, with 349 points. The gap may be 49 points, but it isn’t over yet. Gomes, who moved up to the Late Models this year after success in Seekonk’s youth racing division, the Bandolero’s, has been impressive, with multiple podium finishes. Campbell, who moved up from the Sport Trucks into the Late Models this year, has been improving each week, already with a top-five finish and laps led to her credit. Both are also looking for their first career Late Model win. 


The Helger’s Sportsman Rookie battle is also not as tight, and somewhat decided, barring trouble. Nick Brightman leads over Sam Lincoln by 49 points. Both of these drivers moved up from the Fast Friday Pure Stock division over the winter months. In the Chaz’s Sport Trucks, Jack Brewer has a lead of 58 points in the battle over Steven Buckley heading for the final four weeks of the NASCAR Saturday season.


On Fast Friday, in the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars, Dylan Calabro leads Ryan Vanasse Jr. by just 26 points. These two drivers have moved up from the Bandolero divisions into the Legends Cars and have both been inside the top-five during the season.


The Helger’s Pure Stock battle is nearly concluded, with Brent Robidoux currently the second seed entering the Sunoco Drive For The Cup. Robidoux has multiple wins in his Rookie season, and should seal the Rookie of the Year, one year after moving up from the Bandolero Outlaws.


The Sport 4 class sees Mikey LeFort III up by 24 points on Kaine Duby. Lefort has been around the top-10 consistently during the second half of the season, but Duby will look to close in the gap before it is all set and done.


The Seekonk Speedway Sunoco Drive For The Cup begins this weekend, September 6-7. On Fast Friday, racing includes the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars, Helger’s Pure Stocks, Sport 4s and the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits and Outlaws. Action on Friday begins at 7 p.m. On NASCAR Saturday, it’s First Responders Night at the track as the Pro Stocks, Late Models, Helger’s Sportsman and Chaz’s Auto Body Sport Trucks battle it out. Action on Saturday night begins at 6 p.m.


For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest news and updates.