Lascuola Sets Record in Seekonk Romp

By admin July 28, 2014 ACT LM Tour, New London-Waterford, Seekonk

Abington Teen Seeks LM Success, ACT Tour

Defending champion Nick Lascuola, of Abington, MA, has set a torrid pace in the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars at Seekonk Speedway this season. He has won all seven Friday night races, and the last two races in 2013. That’s not enough for Lascuola. He wants to go undefeated this season and win the championship.

“It takes a lot of hard work each week,” Lascuola said. “We prepare the car all week long and make sure it’s perfect. Come race day you have to go through the field smooth, but also have to be fast without getting into trouble.

“So sometimes it can be difficult, especially when you have Robins get out front first cause each week I need to chase him down from about a half a straight to a full straight. So you need to (be) perfect every lap and consistent even with all the lapped traffic. But also you have to have a little luck fall your way and a couple times we’ve had cautions that have fell our way and helped us out. Then other haven’t helped us out but we work and push the through it each week.”

Lascuola has nine consecutive victories, the unofficial record for the 69-year-old Route 6 oval. Ray Souliere won six consecutive Street Stock races from 1978-79, the year he would capture the first of three championships. Christopher Robinson dominated the SYRA 600 class in 2005, winning five in a row twice, a season where he won 15 of 20 races. Two drivers came close with eight wins in nine races. NEAR Hall of Famer Ralph ‘Hop’ Harrington drove the Sgambato #9 to 10 victories en route to his second of three championships. George Ponte matched that in 1968 in his #121 Class B car.

“It means a lot,” Lascuola said. “To know that we actually have more wins in a row than some of the greats that have raced at Seekonk and to know that we can still make the streak longer. And I never would have thought at 17 years old, I’d have a record at all at Seekonk, never mind most wins in a row.”

26 wins place him 29th all time, tied with Jimmy Wilkins, Jr. and Tom Scully, Jr. An impressive list of drivers have 25 wins: NEAR Hall of Famer Joe Rosenfield, Pro Stock points leader Kenny Spencer, five-time champion Rick Hanatow, Jr., Street Stock win leader Scott Serydynski and former Pro Stock champion Bobby Tripp.

“I really like the Legend Car,” Lascuola said. “They’re a great stepping stone when you’re moving up the ladder in racing. They teach you car control and throttle control.”

Lascuola raced a Legend Car at Waterford Speedbowl in Connecticut, but wanted to race his home track Seekonk. Two years ago his family talked with track officials to get the Legends Cars added. According to Lascuola, the car counts have gone up at Seekonk compared to other tracks.

“It’s good to see them build up this way and I hope they keep building up even after I stop racing in one.”

A rookie in the Late Models, Lascuola was close to his first win Saturday, losing to veteran Ray Parent in the final laps. Lascuola wants a top three points finish and Rookie of the Year honors. He points to his Legends Car experience as aiding his transition to full bodied cars.

Lascuola may attempt a few American Canadian Tour (ACT) races this season in advance of a full time effort in 2015. He estimates that he would have more information within a month.

Lascuola is supported by Barrett’s Haunted Mansion, Champion Spark Plugs, the 15-40 Connection, Midway Automotive, Crow Collision, The Brake Man Brakes, Simpson Racing Products, and US Legend Car Engine Shop.

“(I) have to thank Farbo Motorsports for the setup,” Lascuola said. “my mom, dad, stepmom, my family for their support, and my cousin Bobby for all the work he helps do to the car.”

Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com