WITH THREE RACES TO GO, NASCAR SATURDAY PLAYOFF CUTLINES TIGHT

SEEKONK, Mass. — Just three NASCAR Saturday events remain before the field is set for the Sunoco Drive For The Cup at Seekonk Speedway. All four NASCAR Advance Auto Parts divisions will compete in three feature events before the field of six is set in each division. In the Pro Stocks, the field appears rather set. But in all three other divisions, it’s going to go right down to the wire.


NASCAR Saturday battles before the cutoff: August 10, 17 and 24.


Remember - the top-six drivers in each division at the end of the August 24 event will advance to the playoffs. Also, don’t forget, the driver who leads the standings at the end of the regular season earns three bonus points towards the playoffs and will automatically lead everyone by three.


The Pro Stock battle sees Mike Brightman in fifth with 239 and Colbey Fournier in sixth with 232. The gap between Fournier and the next closest contender, Jeramee Lillie, is 26 points. Dick Benoit is behind Lillie, but is 33 points behind. If Brightman and Fournier can put together three solid weeks, the field should be set. Bobby Pelland, Vinnie Arrenegado, Mark Jenison, Dylan Estrella, Mike Brightman and Colbey Fournier currently hold the six playoff spots. In the battle for the regular season top points holder, Pelland leads Arrenegado by 19 points.

1. Mike Brightman - 239 points
2. Colbey Fournier - 232 points
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3. Jeramee Lillie -26 points
4. Dick Benoit -33 points

The Late Model chase is a bit closer with three races to go. Charlie Rose leads Jacob Burns by 10 points for the lead in the division, with Luke Lebrun only 21 back in third. The fun begins from fourth on back. Chase Belcher with 297 points, Richie Murray with 295 points and Mark Jenison with 292 are the current drivers in fourth through sixth. Jenison, a former champion, holds the final spot by just 14 points over Connor Souza. Andrew Gomes, a Rookie of the Year contender, is about 40 points out. Can Souza find his way in, and if he does, who ends up out?

1. Chase Belcher - 297 points
2. Richie Murray - 295 points
3. Mark Jenison - 292 points
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4. Connor Souza -14 points
5. Andrew Gomes -39 points

In the Helger’s Sportsman, Colby Lambert has a comfortable lead - almost a full race - over the rest of the field. Adam Pettey and Josh Hedges are close in the battle for second. The top three should feel extremely comfortable going for the playoff run. In fourth, Tyler Almeida has 264, while Scott Serydynski in fifth has 262. Holding the final spot right now is Jimmy “Pepe” Silvia with 252 points, coming off a three-wide showdown that earned him his first win in over 10 years last time out. Just outside the cut, Jeremy Lambert is nine points back, while Doug Benoit is just 16 out and Randy Moretti just 25 back. The Helger’s Sportsman may have one of the wildest conclusions to the regular season of all Seekonk divisions.

1. Scott Serydynski Jr - 262 points
2. Jimmy “Pepe” Silvia - 252 points
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3. Jeremy Lambert -9 points
4. Doug Benoit -16 points
5. Randy Moretti -25 points

The top five drivers in the Chaz’s Auto Body Sport Trucks are feeling rather comfortable themselves heading for the stretch run. Mike Duarte (333 points), Rick Martin (323), Amy Arsenault (310), Tim Bolger (308) and Jake Vanada (307) are all inside the top-five. Vanada’s gap back to sixth-place Mike Cavallaro is 25 points. Cavallaro on the other hand only leads Darryl Church by 7 points, DJ Thibeault by 8 points and Tom Scully III by 25 points. The Sport Truck battle will also go down to the stretch run. The other battle to watch here is the battle for the lead and the bonus points, with Duarte only 10 points ahead of Martin.

1. Jake Vanada - 307 points
2. Mike Cavallaro - 282 points
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3. Darryl Church -7 points
4. DJ Thibeault -8 points
5. Tom Scully III -25 points

Seekonk Speedway returns to NASCAR Saturday racing with the finale of the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series on Saturday, August 10, 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.

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