Branden Dion scores first career SYRA victory. Stephen Gardiner Jr wins 750, Liquid Lou in Pure Stocks and Kyle Poodiak in Allison Legacy North
Seekonk, MA — On Friday, August 14, Branden Dion continued to follow in his father’s footsteps by becoming a winner at Seekonk Speedway. His father Scott is a multi time winner in the Late Model division. Branden picked up his first career win in the Seekonk Youth Racing Association 600 class. Branded started on the pole in the 25 lap feature, and survived a restart on lap 11, and kept Jason Enos II at bay for the entire event.
Point leader Dave Hutchens raced with Nick Lascoula for several laps early in the event, when Willie Sanchez moved into the top five and challenged the two former winners for the third position. On lap eleven, contact was made, sending Hutchins around, bringing out the only caution of the event. Sanchez was sent to the rear for the assist. Hutchens came back to post a third place finish. Sanchez wound up seventh.
Jason Enos ran second the full distance, but could not muster up a charge on the young racer. Nick Lascoula, who rolled his racer the previous week, was back in action and held off Tyler Nailer for fourth in the final rundown.
In the 25 lap Pure Stock feature, Amy Arsenault opened up a commanding lead in the first six laps, as she was looking to pick up her first win of the season. The lead disappeared on lap six when Ed Flanagan Jr spun, bringing out the first caution. Once back under way, it became clear that Robinson would not be defeated.
Jamie Salley overtook Arsenault for second on lap 11, and followed Robinson for the duration of the event. Defending champion Scott Cestodio started 16th in the 18 car field, and was able to climb through the field with authority, but came up short, ending up third in the tally. Nick Uhrig, who also has 3 wins this year, was fourth. Arsenault rounded out the top five.
Stephen Gardiner Jr moved to the front of the field on the opening lap of the SYRA 750 feature, and held on through 3 restarts to pick up his first win of the season. Nick Ladyga moved into second and fought for the lead for the first nine laps, while trying to hold off Chris Igo Jr. Igo started third, and moved into second on lap ten for the first time while he tried to get under Ladyga after a lap nine restart. Ladyga moved back into second on lap 11, but at the halfway, Igo moved back into second.
Jake Spillers, fresh off his first 750 win was charging through the field and moved into the runner up position on lap 16. Over the last ten laps, Spillers and Ladyga fought for second while continuing to hound Gardiner. Once into second, Spillers tried to make it two in a row, but came up a little short. Ladyga was third, with Adam and Jacob Swift fourth and fifth.
The Allison Legacy North Series returned to Seekonk Speedway for their second engagement, and Kyle Poodiak won his first ever race after a 30 lap marathon. The race saw several different leaders, including Cody Gneiting, Eric Bourgeois and Tommy Barret. The race was slowed 14 times for various incidents, but had 12 of the original 14 cars still on the lead lap. Only Emily Packard didn’t finish after a lap 16 accident with Melissa Fifield and Steven Proc Jr.
Fast Friday action returns with a full lineup of Pure Stocks, Sport4 and SYRA 750 and 600 features. The Karts will also be in action in the back pit area. General admission is just $5.00 for adults, with kids 12 And under FREE. For more information, check out seekonkspeedway.com.
Sources: Kevin Boucher/Seekonk Speedway PR