Seekonk Speedway Moving Forward with Plans for 2010 Season Banquet
Seekonk, MA — With only 6 more weeks left before the 2010 season Awards Dinner and Dance, the Seekonk Speedway management team is putting the finishing touches on the 65th seasonal Awards Banquet. Once again, the Venus
De Milo, located on Route 6 in Swansea, MA will be the host for the largest short track awards ceremony in the Northeast, with over 600 guests celebrating the intense competition Seekonk Speedway offers. The 65th Awards Banquet & Celebration will be held on Saturday, January 15th, 2011.
Gracing the head table this year will be a couple of familiar faces, and a host of new ones. For the third year in a row, Ron Lauro’s machine has brought Fred Astle Jr to the top of the championship standings. They have become the second team in Pro Stock history to win 3 Pro Titles in a row, matching Norm Holden’s team from 1983-1985. Fred is also the second driver to win five titles, matching Vinny Annarummo.
For the second consecutive year, Ryan Vanasse picked up the Late Model title. Led by his father Paul and his brother Mike, the Vanasse’s have gelled at Seekonk, picking up wins in the Pro Stocks as well over the past 2 seasons.
Rick Martin picked up his fifth championship as well in 2010, edging out the competition in the Sport Truck class. Rick piled on a handful of wins after missing the title in 2009 by 2 points. Rick was not to be denied this season in the driver chase. While he picked up the driver title, Jeff Mercure picked up the owners portion of the championship, edging out Martin by 2 points. The difference was when regular driver Dylan Estrella missed a night of action, two time Pro Stock champion Dick Houlihan subbed, bringing home a top five finish.
Steve Axon picked up his first Street Stock championship, in a battle that went down to the final laps. The #1 position changed hands several times between four drivers over the final eight weeks, and it wasn’t until the final checkered waved that Steve was officially the champion. Two wins, several top fives and tens, and some Lady Luck helped secure the title for the South Attleboro native.
Also joining the head table will be first time champion, Nick Uhrig, who picked up the Pure Stock title, leading the Fast Friday contingent. Nick picked up several wins and top fives on his way to the title. Dave Hutchins Jr moved from the 600 class to the 750 class of the Seekonk Youth Racing Association, and didn’t skip a beat on the way to the 750 title. Nick Lascoula moved to the top of the class in the 600 class, picking up his first title. Ken Silva won the first ever championship in the all new Sport4 class.
In addition to the championship awards, the top ten in each class, as well as the winners in each class will pick up their hardware for their efforts. Also, the Rookie of the Year winners will be honored, as well as the Most Improved in each class.
The two biggest awards to be handed out will be the Anthony Francis Memorial Award, handed out to the person who has shown outstanding sportsmanship at the speedway. The DAV Memorial Award is given to an individual who has given so much dedication to the sport of auto racing.
Tickets are still available for the 65th season Awards Banquet & Celebration. Tickets are just $35.00 each, and can be had from the new seekonkspeedway.com, or by stopping by the office on Fall River Ave, Rt. 6 in Seekonk MA.
Sources: Kevin Boucher/Seekonk Speedway PR