Seekonk Speedway Joins Forces with PASS
Seekonk, MA — It all started on a sunny Sunday afternoon, when Tom Mayberry held the first ever Pro All Stars Series event at a southern New Hampshire oval. 33 cars took the green flag that saw Dale Shaw win the first ever event. A 150 lap contest that saw some of the best Pro Stock drivers throughout the Northeast region of the United States compete against each other. In the almost 8 years since, there have been over 25 more names added to the winners list, with over 250 more that have attempted to bring home one of the toughest touring division trophies available.
Seekonk Speedway founder D. Anthony Venditti started a low cost Late Model division in 1978 called the All Pro’s. Since then, Seekonk Speedway has been the birthplace and the home of the Pro Stocks. They evolved into the Pro Stock division that continues to headline the racing action at the Bay State 1/3 mile oval. In the over 30 years of Pro Stock racing, there have been over 50 names that have visited Victory Lane at Seekonk Speedway.
On Saturday Night, August 15, 2009, the two will meet for the first time in a 150 lap contest. “This is something that we’ve wanted to try for a long time” Dave Alburn, Seekonk Speedways Race Director stated. “The timing is right for both parties to get together.” This will be the longest Pro Stock race in history at Seekonk. “We normally run 75 or 100 laps for our open competition events, so it will be interesting to see how many of our competitors will be up to the challenge.” With another week off for the Pro’s the following Saturday due to the True Value Mods coming to town, they will have time to change their cars back to Seekonk specs.
The starting field will consist of 26 cars taking the green for the century and a half grind. “We will have two 75 lap main events before PASS comes to town, and the winner of those will be guaranteed starters in the 150,” Alburn stated. “This will give our competitors a chance to run with them.”
The winner of this historic event will also be a guaranteed starter in the 18TH Annual DAV Fall Classic. “We wanted to welcome PASS with a chance to compete in out biggest weekend of the year,” Alburn continued. “We have seen some great competition from Johnny Clark, Travis Benjamin, Larry Gelinas, Dale Shaw, Mike Rowe and many other PASS competitors that have tried to win here.” The only outsiders to win the DAV Fall Classic have been Jeff Stevens in 1997 and Russ Hersey in 2006.
The August 15th event will be the first time a touring Pro Stock/Super Late Model class has visited the Cement Palace since Jeff Stevens won in 1997. “We have enjoyed the tours in the past, but wanted to focus on our own program, building one of the most competitive classes in New England,” Dave stated. “We have talked to Tom and his staff several times in the past, but it wasn’t the right time for us, or them. We feel the timing couldn’t have been better for either of us. Like peanut butter and chocolate, Seekonk and PASS will go together well.”
For updates on this historic event, keep an eye on Seekonk Speedways website at seekonkspeedway.com. You can also visit PASS website at racewithpass.com.
Sources: Kevin Boucher/Seekonk Speedway PR