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SEEKONK, Mass. — The 2026 NASCAR Saturday season at Seekonk Speedway is upon us, with four returning divisions set to compete in the NASCAR Local Racing Series. The Pro Stocks, Late Models, Sportsman and Sport Trucks return as the premiere racing divisions at the Action Track of the East, set to chase the championship in the returning Sunoco Drive For The Cup, which has a new twist. The new championship format includes the top four drivers in each division at the end of the August 23 event racing for the title in the final four weeks of the season, with a combined points format determining the champion.
All four divisions are filled with storylines to follow going into the new season.
The Pro Stocks return for another year with a clear storyline at the top. David Darling captured a record-breaking ninth championship last year, and even though he wasn’t as dominant as he was in years past, Darling was consistently in the top-five. Going into a new year, if he runs the whole ship, Darling is the major favorite to become champion.
But, his list of challengers is strong.
Vinnie Arrenegado, a two-time Late Model champion, looks to rebound after a tough 2025. Dylan Estrella, the 2024 Pro Stock champion and a two-time Late Model champion himself, would love to get back to the top. Mike Brightman has been chasing his elusive first Pro Stock title for two decades, and is back again looking to capture it. Nick Lascuola, a former Legends Cars champion, impressed last year with a victory and multiple strong runs, and intends to run the whole season in 2026. Look out for names like Colbey Fournier, who always seems to get to Victory Lane, two-time Pro Stock champion Mark Jenison, who intends to run both the Pro Stocks and Late Models again, and former champion Kenny Spencer. Veteran campaigner Daryl Stampfl, Tommy Adams and Billy Joerres will be some others to watch., along with more.
Another stout Late Model field is lining up to compete on NASCAR Saturday with a strong mix of veterans, rising stars and rookie contenders. Defending champion Charlie Rose, who finally captured his first Seekonk crown in 2025, would love to do it again behind the wheel of the No. 91. Rose will be closely contended with by names like Richie Murray, a former Sport Truck champion, Andrew Gomes, a rising star who captured his first career win last year, Mark Jenison, a former Late Model champion, and David Lougee, the defending Rookie of the Year.
Perhaps the toughest challenger Rose will face? Chase Belcher. The driver of the No. 35 Everett’s Auto Parts entry put together his most consistent and impressive year in 2025. It’s likely he’s coming back with even more fire power and drive to succeed. Look for Belcher to potentially set the world on fire, if he can maintain the speed he had last year.
The Fast Friday crowd will be well represented, with multiple drivers making the move up to the Late Models for 2026. Brenden LaBelle makes the step from the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars to chase the Rookie of the Year against fellow Legends Cars driver Ryan Vanasse Jr., and returning driver to Seekonk Speedway, Michael Cooper, who previously competed in the Bandolero division. Look out for former Bandolero standout Nick Uhrig Jr. to also make his Late Model debut, with select starts during the season on tap. Vanasse got his feet wet in the Late Models last year, leading laps.
Other names to watch in the Late Models? Nathan Tracy, a veteran campaigner, Brittany Campbell, a former Sport Truck winner, Bill Goodrow, Manny Dias, Jeff Belyea and Tyler Almeida. Three part-time contenders to watch will be former Late Model champion Ryan Kuhn, two-time and reigning Sportsman champion Adam Pettey, and Ryan Flood, among others.
The Sportsman division returns for more three-wide racing, with a new look at the front of the class. The Lambert brothers have moved onto touring racing, along with Adam Pettey, the two-time and reigning champion, not planning to run full-time. This opens the door for some other names to contend at the front for race wins and the championship. The favorites of the returning crowd would have to be Scott Serydynski Jr., Doug Benoit, Nick Wood, Adam Giacomozzi, Nick Brightman, and Josh Hedges.
Sportsman competition will also include some new names, and returning faces. It’s unclear how many races two-time champion Steve Axon will run, but when he shows up, he is always a contender. Josh Gerard impressed in select starts last year, hoping to return to do some of the same this season. Former Fast Friday Pure Stock winner Sam Lincoln was successful at times in 2025, while Randy Moretti, Jimmy “Pepe” Silvia and Al Clements are some drivers who have been around this division for years and are coming back for more.
Some new contenders joining the crowd include former Bandolero standout Mike Hanafin, who anticipates competing and has registered to share a car with his dad, John, a former Sportsman champion himself. Kent Aspden III is scheduled to compete for the Rookie of the Year. Defending Fast Friday Pure Stock champion Matt Talbot will join Aspden in that chase. As always, there are a flurry of others who will compete either part or full-time in one of Seekonk’s most exciting divisions.
The NASCAR Local Racing Series Division IV Sport Trucks are back with familiar faces and some new challengers. In the familiar category, Rick Martin has moved on, and won’t be racing for the crown. That leaves defending champion Jake Vanada, who won his first crown last year, the favorite in the Trucks to do it again. He will be closely challenged by Tim Bolger Jr., Dane Saritelli, former champions Mike Duarte and Mike Cavallaro, and DJ Thibeault. Saritelli inched closer and closer to his first career win last year, with Bolger struggling at times, but looking to rebound in 2026. Thibeault has come into his own as one of the top contenders in the Trucks, hoping to make a run at the title this year. You can’t forget about Ethan Heilborn either. Ethan captured multiple wins and the Everett’s Triple Crown title in 2025, bursting onto the scene with high hopes and making it count. Look out for returning contenders Darryl Church and Colton Teague as well.
Some newcomers to the Sport Truck field in 2026 include Bandolero standout Jordan Duquette, set to chase the Rookie of the Year against stout competition. Former Pure Stock champion Scott Cestodio takes the wheel of Rick Martin’s old No. 14 to drive for the Silva family. Pure Stock standout Danny Massa Jr. makes the jump to the Trucks in the No. 41, while former Legends Cars champion Richie Helger Jr will also chase the Rookie crown in the No. 99.
The Sport Truck field may have some of the most intriguing storylines to follow going into the new season.
Seekonk Speedway’s 81st season of short-track racing will begin on Sunday, May 3, with NASCAR opening day. Fans are encouraged to visit SeekonkSpeedway.com to purchase tickets for opening day and all events, online, at SeekonkSpeedway.com. For all the latest news and updates about the track, be sure to visit us on social media.
