SEEKONK SPEEDWAY FIELDS TO BE SET FOR DRIVE FOR THE CUP PRESENTED BY SUNOCO THIS WEEKEND

SEEKONK, Mass. — This weekend, Seekonk Speedway will set the field for the inaugural Drive For The Cup presented by Sunoco Race Fuel. In nine feature races across Fast Friday and NASCAR Saturday, all of them will help determine the eight drivers that will race for the title (six in the Bandolero divisions) during the month of September.


On Fast Friday, five divisions will hit the track for feature racing, while on NASCAR Saturday, it’s another full card of action at the third-mile, with four races on tap.


Even though some of the playoff fields are set on Fast Friday, drivers are still chasing feature wins this week, and many are hoping to grab a boost of momentum heading into the playoffs. In the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits, the race for eighth is one of the tightest at the track — as Nick Uhrig Jr. leads Bryson Robidoux for the final spot by just six points. While they race for the final playoff spot, names like Krantz, Shilosky, Vanasse, Vanasse Jr., Macedo and others will be looking to get to Victory Lane.


In the Bandolero Outlaw class, the race is also tight. Joey LeMay leads Mikey LeFort III by just 10 points for the final playoff spot. Over the last few weeks, although Chase Silvia has continued his dominance and now has nine feature wins, the competition has been tough. Keep an eye out for Andrew Gomes, Bradley Strickland, Brent Robidoux, Adam Harrison and others over their 15-lap feature this week.


In the Everett’s Auto Parts Sport 4’s, heading into the playoffs, it might be a race between points leader Crystal Murray and Tyler Duhancik. Henry Lavallee, Jarrod Freitas, Taylor Bowser, Stephanie Bruneau, Daniel Hayes and Justin Leduc are ready to contest for the championship as the the final of the eight drivers in this division. Their 25-lap feature on Friday could give someone that shot of momentum.


The Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Pure Stock races have been rough the last few weeks, but their race for eighth is also close. Ethan Souza jumped into the eighth spot last week when Jared Cordeira won, then got disqualified. Cordeira needs to race his way back in if he wants to race for the title, as he now hits eight points out of the eighth spot. It appears those two drivers will race for the final position. Look out for Sam “Hot Rod” Lincoln to take a victory lap prior to the races starting, after scoring his first career win last week. 


Devin Deshaies rocketed to another win last week in the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars, and he will be tough to beat again this week. Josh Parsons leads Brendan LaBelle by just two points for the final playoff spot, with Richie Helger Jr. also not far behind. Both Parsons and LaBelle missed a race earlier in the season and will be looking to beat the other to get into the playoffs this week. Jake Silvia is seventh, and with a strong run will make it in. But, a mistake by Silvia could allow the other two to slide by in the 25-lap feature. 


NASCAR Saturday’s playoff battles are a bit more clear. The Pro Stock race for eighth sees Rick Martin ahead of Kenny Spencer by 30 points, which is unlikely to change. Their 40-lap feature this week will be another classic battle between Dave Darling, Mike Brightman, Tom Scully Jr., last week’s winner Tommy Adams and others. Colbey Fournier finished second last week, one spot short of his first win of the season. Can he get there this week?


In the Late Models, their field of eight drivers is set, barring a complete miracle. Paul Lallier holds the final spot by 51 points, meaning he would need to just start the race to make it into the playoffs, unless ninth-place Josh Hedges has a perfect night, and wins his heat and the feature. If you’re up for a bet, put your cards on Lallier making it. Vinnie Arrenegado won their 30-lap race last week, while names like Gerry DeGasparre Jr., Richie Murray, Mark Jenison, Chase Belcher and others will look to win again this week. Can Jeramee Lillie break into the winner’s circle after multiple consistent runs?


Fresh off the Helger’s 50, the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman are back this week for 25 more laps. Chad Baxter is clearly the favorite in this division, winning most of the races in the last two months. Can someone knock him off this week? Tyler Almeida also leads Steve Axon by 40 points in the race for the final playoff spot, which means Axon, like Hedges in the Late Models, will just about need a miracle to make his way in.


The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks race for eighth has recent first-time winner Tom Scully III ahead of Jake Vanada by just eight points, which is four spots in the feature. Vanada nearly won his first race of the season last week, but came up just short. Can he win this week and pass Scully to move into the playoffs? Rick Martin picked up his fifth Truck win of the season last week and leads the standings heading for the playoffs with dominance on his side.


Fast Friday racing begins at 7 p.m., while NASCAR Saturday action will hit the track with four divisions at 6 p.m. 


Seekonk Speedway’s 2022 season is beginning to wind down, so don’t miss all of the exciting racing action on the track. On Saturday, September 3, the night sky lights up with Fireworks on and off the track during the annual Labor Day Thrill Show. In September, on September 9-10, 17-18 and 23-24, the playoffs begin and the champion will be crowned in all nine Seekonk divisions. Tickets for all events are available at SeekonkSpeedway.com, where fans can purchase and skip the lines on race day. Fans are encouraged to purchase Thrill Show tickets soon, as the event could sellout. 


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

---