Before I get going, I want to take a minute and congratulate a race fan for an achievement. For those of you who have been coming to the track for the past several years, you know the Shriner’s night is always a fun one here. It’s the night of our annual Tryke race, and the Shriner’s clowns come out in full force to join the fun. Over this past winter, Tim Delaney, who is one of the lead clowns, was nominated for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Of course you know the name France. They were the family who founded NASCAR.
Here’s the link to the story: http://seekonkspeedway.com/seekonk-race-fan-nominated-for-nascar-betty-jane-france-humanitarian-award/. Good luck Tim. You have already made us here at Seekonk proud.
Here we are, one week away from the moment all of us race fans have been waiting for. New paint schemes, a fresh start, and hopefully, no bad memories from 2016.
For me, my job is an easy one. I talk to people, learn new plans, sponsors and division names. I turn on the P.A. system, do a microphone check, and open my mouth. But to the hundreds of teams, it is anything but easy.
Our season ended 6 months ago. From the time they unloaded their cars from their final event, they have been disassembling, repairing and replacing parts as needed, upgrading as their budget would allow, assembling for fit and finish, disassembling again to paint/touch up, assemble again, and working on the setup for the upcoming season.
Engines have been sent out for freshening, and for some, they may still be waiting for them to return. With only a few engine builders around, it can take some time to get through them all.
Then comes sponsor, or as I like to call them, marketing partners, obligations. Maybe bringing the car somewhere to show off for the opportunity for their partners to show off what they are involved in, and hopefully, gain new fans somewhere along the way.
Once all of that is done, and the thousands and thousands of dollars are spent, then it’s time to test everything you did all winter long. Take the car out onto the track and hope it wasn’t all for naught. Unfortunately, there are times when it doesn’t all come through the way it was supposed to. Is the car more comfortable? Is it faster? Is everything tight? Were there any leaks? Did anything fail? Hopefully the answers to all of these questions are positive.
There are times when something happens when it is not. An engine may fail, a tire may go down and cause damage, you may make a rookie mistake and hit something or someone. That is all part of the experience. Not everyone goes home at the end of the day with a smile on their face.
One thing that each competitor must remember though, is the fact that they do this for fun. Wait, what did I say? That’s right. This is supposed to be fun. No one here does it because they HAVE TO. They compete each week because they WANT to. This is a passion for many of us. It’s like a drug, which there is no cure.
Wall of Famer Ronnie Bouchard said it during an interview he did once. He didn’t go to the races after he retired because he didn’t want the temptation of getting back behind the wheel. Yes, we saw him on a rare occasion, but it wasn’t easy to get him to come out. Others, like Bugsy, or Leo Cleary will show up from time to time, because they love the sport and enjoy the people that they have associated with for many years.
So, what does Seekonk Speedway have in store for the fans in 2017? Well, when you walk in the gate, things may appear to be the same. Not much visually has changed. Behind the scenes, there has been a couple. For the competitors, new Race Directors on Fast Friday and NASCAR Saturday night events will be manning the tower. Tim Bolduc has been a flagger here at Seekonk for many years, working both nights of events. This year, he takes over the duties of Race Director. Having worked with Tim for many years, he brings in a fresh attitude and a new presence to the race control. On the stand will be defending Sport4 Champion Mike Belanger, who started flagging last year on Saturday nights. He will be working with Kyle Neiderberger, who has been on the stand for the past few seasons. They should work together.
On Saturdays, taking back control of Race Control is Wall of Famer, Ron Manfredo. Ron has held many positions at the track over his lifetime, including starter and Race Director. His experience in the position should lend to a new atmosphere in the pit area.
Welcome aboard gentlemen. We are all looking forward to a positive step this year.
Looking at the competitor side, there aren’t many changes in the top division. Only one driver has signed up for Rookie honors, that being Nick Johnson. He is planning on only running a couple of races this year, just to get his feet wet.
Returning this year is a host of top competitors. Defending champion Tom Scully Jr will continue to be behind the wheel of the family #2. New sponsorship for him will be announces shortly. His usual competition will be the ones we have all come to depend on to put on a great show. Fred Astle Jr, Angelo Belsito, Dave Darling, Ken Spencer, Mike Brightman and more. Will we see new winners in this division this year? Only time will tell.
With the changes to the rules package for the Pro Stocks, we should see more outsiders come in and try to take the money home. Teams from the Granite State Pro Stocks and the Pro All Stars Series will have more chances to compete on a NASCAR Saturday night than previously.
That, plus the addition of the Granite State Pro Stocks to the schedule should make the season more exciting for our top division. That, and a $10,000 mid summer classic returning will make the Pro Stocks one of the most exciting divisions in the North East.
The Everett’s Auto Parts Late Models seem to be just the opposite in the rookie rankings. Several drivers have made the commitment to the 2017 season, including reigning Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Champion Jake Johnson. Jake will be competing against his cousins, bringing the Johnson total to three in the division. The over/under on first name screw ups by yours truly will be put at 9 for the season. Sounds like a fair number.
Legends hot shot Ryan Kuhn has made the move into the B division, as has Joey Parker, who tried his hands at open wheels over the last couple of years. Mike Toner Jr is making the leap from the Seekonk Youth Racing Association to the Late Model ranks. Add in a couple more once the final registrations come in, and this will be a great rookie battle.
The race for the championship will also be one to watch. 2-time defending champion Dylan Estrella will have his hands full holding off the charges of Austin Blais, seven time champ Gerry DeGasparre Jr, Charlie Rose Jr, Nick and Dan Johnson. Vinny Arrenegado Jr, the return of Ray Parent and Nick Uhrig to full time competition, and a host of others should make this one exciting year. Add in Ryan Lineham running a second mount out of the Uhrig stables, Branden Dion coming back, John Paiva, not to mention a few others, and this will be fun.
On top of all of that in the Late Models, there are several extra distance and money races on the schedule for them. Of course the Phil’s Triple Crown returns, giving the drivers three 50 lap events for a separate points championship, the Crab Manchester Memorial, and the new Propane Plus late Model Power 5 races, giving the top five in each event $500 extra, with an additional 5 laps to compete. Talk about a full schedule for them.
The Street Stocks aren’t Street Stocks anymore, at least by name. They are now the Sportsman Division. Well, South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman Division to be exact. The teams voted on the name change, and it has been well received by the competitors and fans alike. The over/under for calling them Streeters? Five. Giving myself the benefit of the doubt on that one.
They too will have five races giving them five extra laps, with $100 going to the top five. It’s the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Sportsman Power 5.
The Sport Trucks will see some new names, but a lot of familiarity at the same time. David Simpson is making the leap from the Sport4’s to the Sport Trucks this season. He will be joined by Anastasia LeBrun, Bryan Parisee and Scott Harkin in the Rookie running.
Six time and defending champion Mike Cavallaro will have to be laser focused to keep former champion Chase Belcher from taking the title back to W. Wareham. Darryl Church has a new truck under him this year, with twice as many cylinders as he is used to. Mike Duarte, Josh Hedges and John Paiva will continue to push the top of the division, in terms of competition.
While I refuse to get into any details, the issues surrounding a not too distant short track may bring in some competitors for the 2017 season. We will most likely see the impact with the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends, Pure Stocks, Sport4's and Seekonk Grand Prix Bandoleros, with our Fast Friday program. Over 35 Legends have registered, making this one of the hottest INEX nights in New England. There have been a couple of Late Models that have sent in their entries as well.
It’s time, Ladies and Gentlemen. Strap in, sit down, hold on and get ready for The Action Track of the East to CRANK IT UP!
with Race Voice