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The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour heads to Seekonk after a one-week break in their season for 150 laps on Saturday. Last time out, Matt Hirschman rocketed to Victory Lane at Lee USA Speedway to become the fifth Tour winner in five races on May 27. As they head back to Seekonk for race six, Ron Silk leads the championship standings by three points over Justin Bonsignore. Silk, Bonsignore, Hirschman, Austin Beers and Doug Coby are the five winners so far in 2023. Two of them (Bonsignore and Coby) are previous Seekonk Whelen Modified Tour winners. In 10 previous Tour races at Seekonk, no driver has been to Victory Lane twice. Will that change this week in a stout field?
The Late Models, Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman and Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks are also going to be in action Saturday, all with extra laps in the first round of their Triple Crowns. In the Late Models, the two races in the books so far went to Vinnie Arrenegado and Jacob “Rowdy” Burns, but multiple big names are off to strong starts. Defending champion Mark Jenison, Chase Belcher, Richie Murray and others look to add their name to the winners list this Saturday in the 45-lap main event.
The Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks two events saw Jake Vanada and Brittany Campbell come out of the box swinging in Victory Lane. Defending champion Rick Martin is just one point up on Mike Duarte in the early title battle, with Vanada, Campbell and Amy Arsenault not far behind. On Saturday, they go for 35 laps in their Triple Crown opener.
The Helger’s Sportsman division heads for week three with Ryan Lineham and Adam Pettey the only two drivers to finish on the podium in both events. Lineham won opening day, and Steve Axon picked up the victory in week two after blowing a motor on opening day. Can one of them return to the top or will Pettey get his first win? Defending champion Craig Pianka, former champion Chad Baxter, Randy Moretti, Chris Rioux and others are also off to a strong start with their 2023 season and look to be contenders in the 35-lapper.
Saturday racing includes NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour qualifying at 5:30 p.m., followed by the first heat races at 6 p.m. The Whelen Modified Tour will be the final event on the card, slated to begin at 8 p.m. It’s an event you will not want to miss.
Fast Friday roars back to the track with two races complete in their five divisions, headlined by a thrilling finish to last week’s Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaw race. Brent Robidoux won by just a few inches at the line, holding off opening night winner Ryan Vanasse Jr. in the first race of their Triple Crown. This Friday night, the Outlaws return along with the Bandits, who enter the race with Parker Davis winning both of the first two events.
The Sport 4 division takes center stage on Fast Friday this week with the first round of their Everett’s Triple Crown, set for 30 laps. Mikey LeFort picked up the victory in the No. 13 Helger’s Racing ride last week, with opening night winner Jarrod Freitas close behind. Defending champion Crystal Murray had struggles week one and in week two, but rebounded to finish on the podium in third. Will one of these drivers kick-off the Triple Crown on a strong note or will someone else find Victory Lane?
Scott Cestodio has two wins in the bank in the Helger’s Pure Stock division, holding off Danny Massa and Mike Henriques to win last week. Henriques joined him on the podium in both events, second in one and third in another. In the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars, after a tough first race, the division went without a caution last week with Jacob Burns holding off Isaiah Newcomb in a dash to the finish of their main event. Both divisions are back on track this week for 25 laps to cap a full Friday night of racing. All Fast Friday action begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets for all events are available today at SeekonkSpeedway.com — including Fast Friday, NASCAR Saturday, Thrill Shows and major events. Fans are encouraged to purchase ahead and save not only time, but money, as tickets online are a bit cheaper than they will be at the gates, and online ticket holders may enter the grandstands before those who buy at the track on race day.
For more information on Seekonk Speedway, fans are encouraged to visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest updates.
