Story By: KYLE SOUZA / SEEKONK SPEEDWAY – SEEKONK, MA – Seekonk Speedway will be back on the track on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, with another doubleheader of New England short-track racing on tap. Friday includes the third round of the Fast Friday season for 2024, with the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars, Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Pure Stocks, Sport 4’s and Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits and Outlaws all on track.
Saturday includes the return of the American-Canadian Tour for their first of two visits to Seekonk in 2024 – the Spring Green 124. A historic event on the schedule for ACT, this special event will pin Seekonk’s weekly Late Model stars up against touring series invaders. Also on the card for Saturday, the Everett’s Auto Parts Triple Crown Series kicks-off for both the Helger’s Sportsman and Chaz’s Sport Trucks, and the Pro Stocks return to competition for just the second race of their season.
The American-Canadian Tour field enters Seekonk with four championship points events in the books for their 2024 season. Former Seekonk frontrunner Derek Gluchacki leads the standings entering the race, with Gabe Brown, Alexander Tarfit, DJ Shaw and Kasey Beattie not far behind. Gluchacki and Tardif are two of four winners on the season – joined by Jesse Switser and Chris Pelkey.
Seekonk drivers expected to compete include current NASCAR Division II points leader Richie Murray, Connor Souza, Vinnie Arrenegado Jr., Bobby Pelland III, Jacob “Rowdy” Burns and more. Can a Seekonk regular grab the checkered flag in the Spring Green 124 and defend the home turf?
The Seekonk NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Division I Pro Stocks are back on track this week for round two of their season. Their first race on May 11 went to Colbey Fournier, but Vinnie Arrenegado, Mike Brightman, Pelland and Dick Benoit were all in the fight. It seems like forever since they have been on track – but they are back for 40 laps this week.
Both the Sportsman and the Trucks are preparing for their first of three races each in the Everett’s Triple Crown Series. In two Sportsman events so far, Josh Hedges and Scott Serydynski Jr. have been to Victory Lane. It’s Colby Lambert, though, who leads the early point standings over former Fast Friday champion Doug Benoit. Hedges, Tyler Almeida and Jeremy Lambert aren’t far behind. Look out specifically for Adam Pettey to redeem himself after a wreck week one and near victory week two and come out strong this Saturday.
In the Trucks, Jake Vanada, Mike Duarte and Amy Arsenault are the top three in their current points – but none of them have won yet. Tim Bolger (4th) and Rick Martin (5th) are the two winners so far in 2024. Both the Sport Trucks and Sportsman will go for 35 laps on Saturday night.
Two weeks in, the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars division on Fast Friday has seen two different winners. Week one went to Jacob “Rowdy” Burns, while the second showdown went to Richie Helger Jr. Some names to watch heading into week three include Rodney Dowless Jr., Mason Tessier, Kevin Davis and more, as they get set for another 25 laps. The Helger’s Pure Stock division saw Brent Robidoux use the outside lane to rocket to Victory Lane last week, his first career in just his second start. Mike Henriques led most of the race, but Robidoux slid by late. Names like Ethan Souza, Matt Talbot, Greg Perry and more will be looking to grab their first win of the year this Friday night in their 25-lap race.
The Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits and Outlaws have seen two weeks of hotly contested action on the track. David Bernier hasn’t won yet, but leads the point standings in a tie with Mason Silva in the Bandits. Luka Dib won the first race and Silva won round two. In the Outlaws, Mike Hanafin and Brody Wakefield are the two winners so far. Names like Bryson Robidoux, Nick Uhrig Jr, Zachary Keith and others will be looking to challenge this week in the Outlaw 15-lap feature.
In the Sport 4 class, Matt Pion and Crystal Murray have both won, and both been on the podium in both events. Taylor Bowser, Richie Johnson, Mikey LeFort, Tyler Duhancik and others will look to add their name to the winners list for 2024.
Tickets for both nights of racing are available online at SeekonkSpeedway.com. Friday’s racing begins at 7 p.m. Grandstands open at 5:30 p.m. for fans to enter the track and catch the end of practice. On Saturday, racing begins at 6 p.m. Front gates on Saturday open for those with advance purchased tickets at 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. for all others.