Seekonk Rejoining NASCAR
Pelland & Martin Respond to Seekonk Change
Seekonk (MA) Speedway informed teams through Facebook today that the facility will be NASCAR sanctioned in 2015. NASCAR announced earlier this week that Madison (WI) International Speedway and Flint Creek (OK) Speedway will join the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series this year.
“Drivers, crew members and owners. PLEASE pay high attention to this as it is of great importance. In 2015, Seekonk Speedway will be NASCAR sanctioned once again. We understand some of you have already registered as a Seekonk driver. If this is the case, please find some time to make it to eh office to redo your registrations and NASCAR license. NASCAR licenses are $100 for Trucks, Streets and Lates and $200 for Pros. We are lowering your track registration prices to $25 for Trucks, Streets and Lates and $50 for Pros. Owners still must register, with no fee. NASCAR licenses are mandatory for ALL Saturday night competitors. IF you have already registered and paid, we will only charge you the difference of what is left of payments. Admission prices in both the pits and the grandstands are not changing. It is suggested if you are a crew member to purchase a NASCAR crew license, which is $100. With this purchase, you pay the lower pit fee and are covered by NASCAR’s insurance if anything were to happen. We understand this is sudden, but we feel it is in the best interest for everyone. There are many benefits to this for all of our competitors that we will discuss with you at a later date. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. IF you have any questions, please contact Gail or myself at the office 508-336-9959. We are asking if anyone would be interested in any informative meeting regarding this change. Please respond at les us know if you would attend a evening meeting within the next two weeks. Thanks!”
“It will be,” Marketing Director Taylor Therrien confirmed. “We had to inform our teams today before the release. We cannot make a formal statement or formal announcement about it until NASCAR has made their announcement.”
Bobby Pelland, III of Cranston, RI is excited about the new development for the 69-year-old oval. “Right now think it could be a good thing,” Pelland said.
Pelland is unsure of his plans for this season. He will attempt to open this year with the American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model races at Lee (NH) USA Speedway, and Oxford (ME) Plains Speedway.
“We’re just evaluating what we can do with our three cars and what will work for sponsors then make a decision.” Pelland said. “When I know it will be posted on Facebook or @bpelland_racing.”
“Then see what’s going on with me after graduation and decide what we wanna do for the rest of the year. “Really like to focus on Pro Stocks this year, think we found some stuff in the DAV. He estimates a five to six race Late Model schedule and some additional tour events as time permits. His crew is returning and the team is working on a new sponsor, but should have more information within two weeks.
“(It) means a lot,” Pelland said. “It was one of those things I had to do, especially being so close, feel like complete now.” His father Bobby Pelland, Jr., the 1994 Late Model champion reminded him that people will call you a race winner for only marquee events, ‘but you’ll always be remembered as a champ.’ ” Plus being the first father son combo to do it in the Late Models exactly 20 years apart means a lot to my family.”
http://youtu.be/DTrCTGeYxCE
Most recently, NASCAR sanctioned weekly racing from 2001-05. Both the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returned after a hiatus in 2000, following Riverside Park Speedway’s demise.
One of the earliest NASCAR sanctioned races at the track was September 21, 1951. The season finale Sportsman 100-lapper was won by NEAR Hall of Famer Dave Humphrey in the Perry No. 3. NASCAR returned to sanction weekly Modified competition in 1972, when the track moved to Friday nights. 1973 saw the Late Models take over as the primary division and held races on Saturday nights.
The NASCAR Budweiser Modified circuit visited in the early ’80s with Richie Evans, Bugs Stevens and Ed St. Angelo claiming wins. The NASCAR North Tour held four races from 1983-85.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (formerly NASCAR Busch North) visited Seekonk eight times. A charter track for the series in 1987, they returned in 2000 until 2004. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour has raced at Seekonk six times since 1987. They returned in 2000 and held an annual race until 2005.
The 1/3 mile oval is located at 1710 Fall River Avenue (Route 6), Seekonk, MA 02771. The track’s web site is www.seekonkspeedway.com. The track hosts racing from May through October, primarily on Friday and Saturday nights.
NASCAR Home Tracks confirmed it on their Facebook page: “BREAKING: Seekonk Speedway is returning to #NASCAR!!! Massachusetts oval will have #NWAAS racing in 2015. Official announcement next week.”
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com