With COVID-19 shutting down Saturday night competition and Thrill Shows in 2020, and only Fast Friday drivers hitting the track due to regulations from the state of Massachusetts to stop the spread of the virus, it’s only fitting that the 75th anniversary be celebrated in 2021. Seekonk’s Fast Friday classes ran a 10-race slate in front of no spectators in 2020, however, they continued to showcase youth talent and some of the best racing Seekonk offers through the track’s YouTube channel.
“Our schedule includes a bit of something for everyone who is a race fan in the region.” Ed St. Germain, Director of Business Development at Seekonk Speedway, said. “We’re excited for all of our special events, but above all, we can’t wait to welcome back our great fans and get our premiere Saturday night divisions back on the track in 2021.”
The season opens with two Test & tune sessions on April 10 and 24, while opening weekend returns on Saturday and Sunday, May 1-2. Saturday will include the Classic Car Show & Swap Meet fans have come to love, with burn out drags and race practice. On Sunday, May 2, the engines fire in a race competition for the first time with the Pro Stocks, Late Models, Sportsman, Trucks and Spectator Drags. The season rolls from this starting point in May all the way through October, with more than 45 events planned.
Of the touring divisions included, two of them will visit Seekonk more than once — with the prestigious Tri Track Open Modified Series bringing their top Modified talent for Open Wheel Wednesday (June 30) and the Haunted Hundred (October 23). Both races have a large purse and always attract the best Modified talent in the region. New for 2021, the American Canadian Tour (ACT) will also join the Haunted Hundred, along with the return of the Pro All Star Series (PASS) Super Late Models. All three races as part of the season-finale will be 100 laps, matching the Haunted “Hundred” name.
PASS, New England’s premier touring Super Late Model division, will return to Seekonk for three events overall in 2021 — including the big $10,000 to win race on Wednesday, July 28. PASS will also help headline the two races that will close the season — the annual Fall Classic, with a 150 lapper on September 25, and the Haunted Hundred.
The track welcomes back five Thrill Shows to the schedule — with a show for Memorial Day (May 29), Independence Day (July 3), Mid-Summer Spectacular (July 31), Labor Day (September 4) and the Pumpkin Smash (October 9). Note that all Thrill Shows are on Saturday night’s — giving weekly competitors the night off. There will also be a special event on Sunday, August 8 — headlined by the return of Monster Trucks and the first ever Spectator Drag race — where drivers will double up and actually race for multiple laps together on the track, instead of just in a one-on-one format.
As part of the weekly slate, track champions will be crowned in all nine divisions. Championship battles for all divisions except the Pro Stocks will include as part of the DAV Fall Classic weekend on September 24 and 25, as the Fall Classic returns to a two-day race format, with a practice session on Thursday night, September 23. The Pro Stock title battle wraps on Saturday, September 18, on Ocean State Oil Night, allowing drivers to compete with PASS at the Fall Classic.
The Phil’s Propane Triple Crown Series returns after a year off due to COVID, with a three-race, extra distance, set of races for all of Seekonk’s divisions. The Pro Stock Triple Crown Series races will be 60 laps, while the Late Models will shift to 45 laps. The Sportsman and Sport Trucks remain at 35, while the Pure Stocks, Sport 4’s and Legends Cars are set for 30. As always, the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero division runs 15 laps for all of their events, but will also crown a Triple Crown champion.
Phil’s Propane Triple Crown Series Dates:
- Pro Stocks: June 5, July 16, August 21
- Late Models: May 22, June 26, August 21
- Sportsman: May 15, June 19, August 21
- Sport Trucks: May 8, June 12, August 21
- Legends Cars: June 25, July 30, August 20
- Pure Stocks: June 18, July 16, August 20
- Sport 4: June 11, July 23, August 20
- Bandolero: June 4, July 9, August 20
The Everett’s Auto Parts Diamond Races are on the schedule, with three special events for the Pro Stocks and the Late Models. All of these races will be 50 laps for both divisions, including a night where both classes run the 50’s on Saturday, August 14.
Everett’s Auto Parts Diamond Race Dates:
- Pro Stocks: June 26, July 24, August 14
- Late Models: June 19, July 17, August 14
The Troy City Tactical Spectator Drag Series is back, with drivers set to compete in a 10-race series starting on May 2 and ending on October 9. In the middle, drivers will thrill fans in front of both Saturday night crowds and Thrill Show fans.
The Power 5 Series will return for Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment Sportsman, with five races set for 30 laps instead of 25, with a bit of extra purse money on the line courtesy of Helger’s. Sponsorship is available for Power 5 races for the remainder of Seekonk’s Saturday night divisions.
The schedule also includes the special returns of Military Night, Youth Sports Night, the STAR and NEAR Antique Racer divisions, R.I. Shriners Night (with Trike Races), Fans on Parade, Scout Night, the Pit Party, Phil’s Propane night, Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment night and the annual Fan Appreciation night sponsored by Everett’s Auto Parts.
Seekonk looks forward to welcoming back a long list of supporters for the 2021 season, and can’t thank those who stepped up in 2020 enough. See below for a full list of 2021 sponsors to this point:
- Everetts Auto Parts, Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment, Phil’s Propane, Ocean State Oil, Solar Theraputics, PEPSI,T. Moreshead Landscaping, Sunoco Race Fuels, American Racer, Elmwood Dodge, Bristol Toyota, First Ford, Troy City Tactical, Shriners Childrens Hospital, Roger Williams Zoo, Precision Harley Davidison, Columbus Energies, Chick Fil A, Seekonk Grand Prix, Chaz Auto Body, Nick Lascuola Racing, Lambert Brothers Racing, Spring Villa Memory Care, Viper Graphics, Nick’s Pit Stop, Nat’s Racing Engines, KC’s Burger Bar, Miller Brewing, Coors Light, WCTK Cat Country, Four Town Farms
The full schedule is subject to change.
Seekonk Speedway will release additional updates about the 2021 season when available. For more information, follow the track on all social media channels and visit seekonkspeedway.com. Please stay tuned for ticket release dates for advanced purchase.
Fans should keep a lookout for new episodes of the Seekonk Speedway podcast series over the winter months, giving you a step back in time, a view of the present, and a look into the future.
Sources: Souza Media/Kyle Souza
SEEKONK, Mass. — Seekonk Speedway is looking ahead to a fresh, exciting 2021 season. On December 3rd, the Massachusetts third-mile announced the full schedule of events for 2021 — one that will mark the 75th anniversary of full-time racing. Seekonk Speedway looks forward to welcoming fans back to the grandstands safely, as the recent vaccine announcements for COVID-19 are welcomed news and talks continue with the state of Massachusetts.