Tom Scully Sr., Matt Breault, Chris DeMoura, and Hugh Bowser Shine in Victory Lane
Seekonk, MA — Westport Ma. native Tom Scully Sr. went wire to wire to pick up his first win since 2006.After crashing out on opening night, the Subway of Seekonk, East Coast Collision Monte Carlo was back up to full song. Tom grabbed the lead on the initial green, overpowering Mike Brightman from Acushnet Ma. Mike tried to hang on in his Impact Collision Fusion #29, but Ken Spencer, who led much of the opening nights events, glued himself to the rear bumper of Scully. Brightman settled into third, while Rookie of the Year contender Jake Vanada and Fred Astle followed suite in the top 5. There was no change in the top five until Astle, in the Wood Frame Structures Chevy #30 slip up to the second groove, and worked his way into 4th by lap 15.
It was on the eighteenth circuit that the field was slowed for the first and only time. Opening night feature winner Tom Scully Jr was working his way up from his fourteenth starting position. He was working the outside of Vanada, while also trying to squeeze under the lapped car of Joseph Melberg of Attleboro, MA. Vanada got a little loose, and he slid up into the deuce of Scully, forcing him and the Melberg mount into the wall, ending both of their nights. Joey Cerullo in the Flood Auto Group Ford Fusion #6 retired to the pits at this time, fighting mechanical woes.
On the ensuing restart, fans were treated to fender to fender racing, as Ken Spencer was able to keep his Pub 76-RF Transport #03 even with the Sr. Scully. For the next several laps, the fought side by side while Astle stayed right with the 2 leaders. The top 3 cars started to pull away from 4th place runner Brightman, while reigning Pro Stock Champion Dave Darling was starting to make his presence felt. Darling started 11th, and by lap 25, had brought the Johnson Landscaping-Almeida Farms #52 into the top five.
Scully Sr. continued to set his pace with Spencer now on his rear bumper. While Spencer fought on the outside, Fred Astle was able to slide his blue and white Chevy under Spencer and take over the second position. Spencer fell back in line to third. Dave Darling had fought his way up to the fourth by lap 35, while Brightman’s Impact Collision Parts 27 fell back to fifth. With 3 laps to go, Ken Spencer fought to the inside of Astle, and the 2 battled side by side for the remaining laps, while Tom Scully Sr. opened up a 2 length advantage at the checkered flag. Spencer was able to regain the second spot, with Astle third, Dave Darling fourth, and Mike Brightman rounding out the top five. A pair of rookies in Jake Vanada and Ryan Vanasse had great runs, and they finished sixth and seventh respectively, with Matt Hudon, Scott Dion and Steve O’Brien rounded out the top ten.
“This feels good” Tom would say in Victory Lane. “After the way things ended early last year, and wrecking last week, it’s nice to be back in Victory Lane. Too bad Tommy wrecked. Maybe next week we can get both cars to finish the race. It was fun racing Fred and Kenny. They are great competitors.”
Matt Breault picked up his first win in the Late Model 30 lap main event. Robert Hussey of Wellfleet, MA and rookie Rey Lovelace of Providence, RI brought the field down for the initial green. It wasn’t a full lap before they first caution was displayed, as opening night winner Somerset, MA’s Kyle Casper spun in turn 3 into the infield. No damage was done, and he rejoined the field in the rear. Lovelace jumped out to an early lead, while 2007 Rookie of the Year Matt Breault from Acushnet MA filled in right behind. On lap 2, pole sitter Robert Hussey stalled his Erin H Charters #80 stalled in turn 4.
On the ensuing restart, Breault powered his Breault Roofing #20 into the lead. While he was opening up an advantage over the next several laps, West Warwick’s Jeramee Lillie was working through the field from his 12th place starting spot. The Phil’s Propane Chevy of Kevin Casper of Somerset MA and brother Kyle were also finding their way through the traffic. By lap 12, Lillie and Kyle Casper had moved into second and third, with Kevin Casper and Lovelace rounding out the top 5. By then, Matt Breault had a straightaway lead. He would continue to dominate until Mark Langloise of Seekonk, MA spun his #12 in turn 2, which brought out the 3rd yellow.
With his lead evaporated, Matt found himself in familiar territory. Opening night saw Matt lead several laps, before falling back into he top 5, before spinning late. He would not let that happen again. With just over half the race remaining, Matt knew this would be a fight. Matt continued to set the pace after the restart, but Lillie, in the 3D Motorsports #3 worked the high side. Try as he might, he could not find a way by the orange 20 of Breault. On lap 21, early leader Rey Lovelace spun his Rey’s Car Care #14, bringing out the 4th and final caution.
With 9 laps remaining, the top 5 looked like Breault, Lillie, Kyle Casper, Kevin Casper, and reigning champion Gerry DeGasparre of Pawtucket RI finally cracking the top 5. John Hanafin, Dennis Stampfl, John Dickerman, Bill Bernard, and Marc Curtis Jr were running sixth through tenth. Once again, Matt would keep the point, as Lillie, Kyle Casper and Kevin Casper would all fight for racing room. Side by side racing for the top 4 positions would continue for the final laps. As the field roared down the back straight for the final time, Kyle Casper would find an open groove under Lille. At the stripe, behind Breault, Kyle Casper would finish second, with Lillie, DeGasparre, and Kevin Casper rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth were John Hanafin, John Dickerman, Marc Curtis Jr, Dennis Stampfl and Bill Bernard.
Matt must have been watching the big boys on TV, as he put on a smoke show as well as anyone after his win, to the delight of all the fans. “This is great!” Matt explained in Victory Lane. “Jeramee, Kyle, they all raced me clean. It was great racing with those guys. Thanks to Breault Roofing and all my sponsors.”
It was career win number 1 for sophomore competitor Chris DeMoura. Crystal Serydynski of Johnston RI and Rey Negley from Coventry RI brought the field down for their 20 lap main. Serydynski and Negley would run side by side for the first two laps. After lap 5, Negley would slide up the racetrack and lose several positions. DeMoura quickly filed in line to second, while Tony Oliveira ran third, Paul Lallier and Bob Bettencourt Jr. ran fourth and fifth. The first yellow would fall on lap 8, and Pawtucket RI native Chris Rioux would stall in turn 3. Only one lap would transpire before Ryan Lineham of Coventry RI spun, but it was an important lap for DeMoura, as he was able to power by Crystal on the restart. When they went back to green on lap 9, DeMoura would open a 2 car length lead over Paul Lallier, who was moving up on the outside. At lap 10, the top ten looked like DeMoura, Lallier, Oliveira, Mark Henshaw, Bettencourt, and Paul Newcomb.
While DeMoura continued to set the pace, the race to watch was back in the 4th, 5th, and 6th positions. Reigning champ Sparky Arsenault was starting to navigate through the heavy traffic, and was battling with Bettencourt and Newcomb. The 3 cars would hook up in a 3 wide battle that lasted for over 2 laps, with Newcomb on the inside and Bettencourt up in the 3rd groove. Dave Radcliffe would make it 4 wide down the backstretch, but ran out of real estate, and spun the #01 in turn 3. That would bring the yellow out again on lap 13. The top five at this time was DeMoura, Lallier, Henshaw, Newcomb, and Arsenault.
Once again, Lallier would continue his fight on the outside of DeMoura, trying to wrestle the lead away from the sophomore. Side by Side they would battle for the lead with Henshaw, Newcomb and Arsenault in a 5 car battle. On lap 17, the 89 of Mike Szczoczarz III would slow and stall in turn 2, bringing out the 5th slow up of the feature. A quick lap at speed would slow one final time for the 45 of rookie Justin Travis, who spun in turn 1.
It was a green-white-checker setup to the finish. Chris DeMoura brought the field down one more time, and with Paul Lallier caught on the outside, Sparky was able to squeeze underneath for the second spot. Coming down for the checkered, Arsenault would take a shot for the win, but would come up half a car length short, and Chris DeMoura would pick up career win #1. Sparky Arsenault would have to settle for second, with Paul Lallier, Scott Serydynski and Dennis Dupuis fighting their way into the top 5 in the final laps. Mark Henshaw, Steve Axon, Paul Newcomb, Rey Negley and Tony Oliveira would round out the top ten.
In the 20 lap Seekonk Sports Truck feature, it was time for a new face in Victory Lane. Billy Clark of Seekonk, Ma and Lenny Guy of New Bedford brought the field down for the green. They would run side by side for a lap. It was on lap 2, when the hardest hit of the night would happen, as rookie Jody Tripp would find out the hard way that the turn 4 wall is not forgiving. A hard hit would sideline Tripp for the night. He climbed out ok, but was checked out by the safety crew. Hugh Bowser had worked his way up from his 7th starting spot, and was sitting on the outside of Guy on the restart.
When the green came back out, it was Bowers of Taunton Ma getting the grip on the outside, and picking up the lead. As they came out of turn 2, Lenny Guy would lose his traction and spin on the backstretch. Clarke continued to run second, with Bill Prisco, Zach Tucan and Ed Gannon III running third through fifth. Tucan was trying to hang on to the outside, when the caution came back out for Carlos Silva of Swansea MA, as he went up in smoke out of the fourth corner.
On the lap 6 restart, Prisco would get by Clarke for the second spot. Meanwhile, reigning champ Mike Cavallaro, Rick Martin and Charlie Rose Jr. were working their way through the field. On lap 8, Billy Clarke would bring out the yellow when he spun in turn 2. They would only get two more laps in, before Mike Cavallaro and Clarke would rub, causing the left rear tire to go down on the Rebel Racing #80.
At the halfway point, Bowser set the pace, while Prisco, Charlie Rose, Gannon and Lenny Guy rounded out the top five. Cavallaro, Brian Murray, Tucan, Jason Heroux and Darryl Church rounded out the top ten. On lap 11, the 88 of Prisco started to lose the handles, and Charlie Rose slid underneath for the second position. When coming off of turn 4, Prisco had a fistful of steering wheel as he tried to get the handles on his machine. Ed Gannon III made contact with Prisco, and they locked together. By this time Rick Martin, Cavallaro and Guy rounded out the top 5.
A last restart with 5 laps to go had the fans on the edge of their seats. Rose was lined up on the outside of Bowser, Martin right behind, and you can never count out Cavallaro. Rose fought hard on the outside, evening up several times over the 5 lap sprint. But it was to no avail, as Hugh Bowser picked up a very popular win. Charlie rose would have to settle for second, with Martin, Cavallaro, and Guy rounding out the top 5. Brian Murray, Ed Gannon III, Jason Heroux, Zach Tucan and Darryl Church would round out the top ten.
“This win was a long time coming.” sighed Hugh in the winners circle. “I could taste it over the last several laps. Caution after caution. Man, this is great. Charlie, Rick, to beat them is awesome. We had the truck up for sale over the winter, but there were no takers. So we figured we’d make them pay. Thanks to Dave Lougee, M&D Cabinetry and DPW Woodworking. They put a heck of a ride together for me.”
The ARC Saturday night action continues on Saturday May 24, with the “Coors Light 75 Silver Cup” main event for the Pro Stocks. 75 laps of green flag racing will highlight the 3rd week of racing at Seekonk Speedway. The Late Models, Seekonk Sport Trucks and Street Stocks will round out the program for the evening. Action starts at 6PM,. General admission is $12.00 for an adult, with children 12 and under, just $1.00. Pit gate opens at 2, while the general admission gates open at 3.
On Sunday, May 25th, Seekonk will have their first of 4 Sunday Thrill shows. The Kraze Korlacki Speed Equipment Pure Stocks will have their season opener on that afternoon. Also on tap will be the Spectator Drags, as folks will take their daily driven sedans and compete in one on one drags around the 1/3 mile oval. Enduro Drags and racing will help highlight the event, with Figure Eight racing and the ever popular Demo Derby topping off a fun filled evening. Celebrate the holiday Seekonk Speedway style. It’s just $20.00 for an adult general admission ticket, children 12 and under, $5.00 each. Tickets can be purchased online at www.seekonkspeedway.com. Save time by printing your tickets at home and avoid the lines.
Fast Friday racing returns on Friday Night May June 6th, with the Seekonk Youth Racing Association, Kraze Korlacki Pure Stocks, and Go-Kart racing. With a $5.00 admission, it’s a great Friday night out with the family.
Official Finishes:
ARC Pro Stocks
Heat 1 finish:
1. 03 Ken Spencer, Taunton MA
2. 3 Tom Scully Sr., Westport MA
3. 30 Fred Astle Jr., Westport MA
4. 00 John Dabrowski, West Bridgewater MA
5. 2 Tom Scully Jr., Saunderstown RI
6. 52 David Darling, Rehoboth MA
7. 4 Scott Dion, Taunton, MA
8. 99 Dan O’Brien, Scituate MA ®
9. 96 Dave Hutchins, Somerset MA
Heat 2 finish:
1. 16 Jake Vanada, Berkley MA ®
2. 27 Mike Brightman, Acushnet MA
3. 11 Ryan Vanasse, Warwick, RI ®
4. 22 Matt Hudon, Acushnet MA
5. 95 Steve O’Brien, Scituate MA
6. 6 Joey Cerullo, Cranston, RI
7. 100 Joe Melberg, Attleboro MA ®
8. 74 Mike Mortimer, Patchogue NY
40 Lap feature Finish:
1. 3 Tom Scully Sr., Westport MA
2. 03 Ken Spencer, Taunton MA
3. 30 Fred Astle Jr., Westport MA
4. 52 David Darling, Rehoboth MA
5. 27 Mike Brightman, Acushnet MA
6. 16 Jake Vanada, Berkley MA ®
7. 11 Ryan Vanasse, Warwick, RI ®
8. 22 Matt Hudon, Acushnet MA
9. 4 Scott Dion, Taunton, MA
10. 95 Steve O’Brien, Scituate MA
11. 00 John Dabrowski, West Bridgewater MA
12. 96 Dave Hutchins, Somerset MA
13. 99 Dan O’Brien, Scituate MA ®
14. 2 Tom Scully Jr., Saunderstown RI
15. 100 Joe Melberg, Attleboro MA ®
16. 6 Joey Cerullo, Cranston, RI
17. 74 Mike Mortimer, Patchogue NY DNS
Late Models:
Heat 1:
1. 7 Kyle Casper, Somerset Ma
2. 71 Gerry DeGasparre Jr., Pawtucket RI
3. 13 John Dickerman, Weymouth MA
4. 14 Rey Lovelace, Providence RI
5. 76 John Hanafin, Quincy MA
6. 12 Mark Langlois, Seekonk MA
7. 47 Bill Bernard, Holliston MA
Heat 2:
1. 20 Matt Breault, Acushnet, Ma
2. 88 Kevin Casper, Somerset MA
3. 3 Jeramee Lillie, West Warwick RI
4. 80 Robert Hussey, Wellfleet MA
5. 2 Dennis Stampfl, Norwood MA
6. 93 Randy Clark, East Harwich MA
7. 27 Marc Curtis Jr, Westport MA DQ
30 Lap Feature:
1. 20 Matt Breault, Acushnet, Ma
2. 7 Kyle Casper, Somerset Ma
3. 3 Jeramee Lillie, West Warwick RI
4. 71 Gerry DeGasparre Jr., Pawtucket RI
5. 88 Kevin Casper, Somerset MA
6. 76 John Hanafin, Quincy MA
7. 13 John Dickerman, Weymouth MA
8. 27 Marc Curtis Jr, Westport MA
9. 2 Dennis Stampfl, Norwood MA
10. 47 Bill Bernard, Holliston MA
11. 14 Rey Lovelace, Providence RI
12. 12 Mark Langlois, Seekonk MA
13. 80 Robert Hussey, Wellfleet MA
14. 93 Randy Clark, East Harwich MA DNS
Street Stocks:
Heat 1:
1. 1 Scott Serydynski, Johnston RI
2. 41 Tony Oliviera, Taunton MA
3. 04 Steve Axon, Attleboro Ma
4. 22 Brian Spillane, Attleboro MA
5. 24 John Gerimia III, Cranston RI
6. 45 Justin Travis, East Taunton MA
7. 76, Ronald Lum, Randolph MA
8. 20 Doug Rioux, Whitman MA
9. 19 Ryan Lineham, Coventry RI
Heat 2:
1. 70 Paul Lallier, Attleboro, MA
2. 17 Mark Henshaw Jr., Raynham, MA
3. 96 Sparky Arsenault, Attleboro MA
4. 26 Dennis Dupuis, Randolph MA
5. 7 Ray Negley, Coventry RI
6. 92 Dan Gamache Jr., Manville RI
7. 07 Jeff Amaral, Bristol RI
8. 89 Mike Szczoczarz, Attleboro MA
9. 2 Ron Barboza Jr., Warren RI
Heat 3:
1. 08 Chris DeMoura, North Dighton MA
2. 21 Bob Bettencourt Jr., Fall River, MA
3. 16 Paul Newcomb, Plymouth MA
4. 8 Crystal Serydynski, Johnston, RI
5. 01 Dave Radcliffe, Harrisville RI
6. 3 Chris Rioux, Pawtucket, RI
7. 15 Michael Glad, Cumberland RI
8. 74 Scott Bruneau, Tiverton RI
9. 6 Dick Cavallaro, Seekonk MA
Consi:
1. 07 Jeff Amaral, Bristol RI
2. 20 Doug Rioux, Whitman MA
3. 19 Ryan Lineham, Coventry RI
4. 2 Ron Barboza Jr., Warren RI
5. 89 Mike Szczoczarz, Attleboro MA
6. 76, Ronald Lum, Randolph MA
7. 6 Dick Cavallaro, Seekonk MA
8. 74 Scott Bruneau, Tiverton RI
9. 15 Michael Glad, Cumberland RI
20 Lap Feature:
1. 08 Chris DeMoura, North Dighton MA
2. 96 Sparky Arsenault, Attleboro MA
3. 70 Paul Lallier, Attleboro, MA
4. 1 Scott Serydynski, Johnston RI
5. 26 Dennis Dupuis, Randolph MA
6. 17 Mark Henshaw Jr., Raynham, MA
7. O4 Steve Axon, Attleboro Ma
8. 16 Paul Newcomb, Plymouth MA
9. 7 Ray Negley, Coventry RI
10. 41 Tony Oliviera, Taunton MA
11. 07 Jeff Amaral, Bristol RI
12. 74 Scott Bruneau, Tiverton RI
13. 22 Brian Spillane, Attleboro MA
14. 92 Dan Gamache Jr., Manville RI
15. 3 Chris Rioux, Pawtucket, RI
16. 45 Justin Travis, East Taunton Ma
17. 8 Crystal Serydynski, Johnston, RI
18. 21 Bob Bettencourt Jr., Fall River, MA
19. 01 Dave Radcliffe, Harrisville RI
20. 24 John Gerimia III, Cranston RI
21. 89 Mike Szczoczarz, Attleboro MA
22. 2 Ron Barboza Jr., Warren RI
23. 19 Ryan Lineham, Coventry RI
24. 20 Doug Rioux, Whitman MA
25. 76, Ronald Lum, Randolph MA
26. 6 Dick Cavallaro, Seekonk MA
15 Michael Glad, Cumberland RI DNQ
Seekonk Sport Trucks
Heat 1:
1. 38 Jody Tripp, Tiverton, RI
2. 80 Mike Cavallaro, Seekonk MA
3. 41 Charlie Rose Jr., Tiverton RI
4. 10 Ed Gannon III, Fall River MA
5. 3 Zach Tucan, Taunton MA
6. 33 Carlos Silva, Swansea MA
7. 1 Billy Clarke, Seekonk MA
Heat 2:
1. 22 Hugh Bowser, Taunton MA
2. 88 Bill Prisco, Cranston RI
3. 77 Len Guy, New Bedford MA
4. 14 Rick Martin, Westport MA
5. 96 Jason Heroux, Johnston RI
6. 4 Darryl Church, Brockton MA
7. 13 Brian Murray, Tiverton, RI
20 Lap Feature:
1. 22 Hugh Bowser, Taunton MA
2. 41 Charlie Rose Jr., Tiverton RI
3. 14 Rick Martin, Westport MA
4. 80 Mike Cavallaro, Seekonk MA
5. 77 Len Guy, New Bedford MA
6. 13 Brian Murray, Tiverton, RI
7. 10 Ed Gannon III, Fall River MA
8. 96 Jason Heroux, Johnston RI
9. 3 Zach Tucan, Taunton MA
10. 4 Darryl Church, Brockton MA
11. 1 Billy Clarke, Seekonk MA
12. 88 Bill Prisco, Cranston RI
13. 33 Carlos Silva, Swansea MA
14. 38 Jody Tripp, Tiverton, RI
Sources: Kevin Boucher/Seekonk Speedway PR