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By Souza Media/Kyle Souza
Photo Tom Morris
SEEKONK, Mass. — Tri Track Open Modified Series officials announced on Friday that the series will be adjusting starting lineup procedures for qualifying heats beginning with the final event of the season at Seekonk Speedway on October 23.
Tri Track will eliminate the blind draw that drivers have been doing to set the lineup — and instead will base qualifying starting spots off a final scuff session that will occur on race day. In between practice and heat races, all cars will be required to go over the scales in the reserve order of practice speeds, with the slowest cars first. This means that all cars must be heat race legal — including having their heat race tires marked, and on the car. Following this final scuff session, cars will have to run that same set of tires in the heat races.
Teams will be grouped by practice speed and sent out on the track during the scuff session in groups of five. They will then be part of a four-lap green flag session, with the fastest individual lap time from the four-lap session for each car determining the heat race lineup. Once the lineups are set, the top-four from each heat will be inverted to make the starting grid.
Exact breakdowns are dependent on the number of cars entered to race. The below document will provide specifics.
“We’re making this adjustment in an effort to remove the element of luck involved with the blind draws we have been doing,” Ed Bennett, Managing Partner of the Tri Track Open Modified Series, said. “We’re looking forward to seeing how this change works out and we think it will be beneficial for all involved.”
After the heat races are lined up and complete, consi race lineups will be straight-up off the heat finishes, as usual. The feature lineup will be inverted. Just before the start of the race, a wheel will be spun at the start/finish line to determine the number of cars that will be inverted for the start of the race. The number will range from zero through 12. It could be a straight-up start, a 12-car invert, or anything in between.
Any questions regarding the new procedure should be directed to Tri Track Managing Partner Ed Bennett at 732-278-6200. A full schedule for the Haunted Hundred at Seekonk Speedway should be available within a few weeks. The race, set for October 23, will be the final of the six on the Tri Track schedule — and will also include the American-Canadian Tour and Pro All Star Series.
For more information on the Tri Track Open Modified Series, follow the series at tritrackmodifieds.com and follow the track on social media.
