Going the Extra-miles: Seekonk 2021 Schedule Includes Plenty of Extra-distance Racing

SEEKONK, Mass. — Drivers, teams, and specifically fans, are itching for the first green flag to fly at Seekonk Speedway in 2021. Outside of plenty of regular Fast Friday and NASCAR Saturday night racing, Seekonk Speedway’s schedule includes countless examples of races that will see drivers go extra miles on the track.
Extra-distance racing has become the norm over the last few years. Whether it’s the Phil’s Propane Triple Crown Series, Everett’s Auto Parts Diamond Dash, Power 5 races, or other select events, drivers on both Friday and Saturday will compete in races that push them to the next-level and keep fans engaged to the end.
The Phil’s Propane Triple Crown Series, entering its 8th season, is sponsored by Phil’s Propane in Tiverton, Rhode Island. As a proud supporter of Seekonk, and multiple drivers on the track, Phil Viveiros and his team continue to put their full efforts behind Seekonk’s weekly competitors. With drivers on NASCAR Saturday sitting silent for the duration of 2020, due to COVID-19, they are going to be all-for as much racing as they can get. For the Pro Stocks, the Triple Crown includes 60 lap races, while the Late Models shift to 45-laps in 2021. The Sport Trucks and Sportsman remain at 35 laps. On Fast Friday, the Pure Stocks, Legends Cars, Sport 4’s, and Bandolero’s will also compete in a Phil’s Triple Crown Series, with all but the Bandolero’s running a few extra laps. The Bandolero’s continue their 15-lap features no matter the event, to keep rising stars consistent on the track.

As part of the Phil’s Triple Crown Series, a champion will be crowned for each division, outside of the track championship standings. The Triple Crown is a three-race series for each class, with a “Chase” style format used to crown the champion, similar to the NASCAR Cup Series. The drivers that win the first two of three races are locked into the final round, while the top-two point drivers who didn’t win complete the final four. On the final night, set for August 20-21, all nine divisions will compete in their finale’s of the Phil’s Triple Crown Series. Whichever of the four drivers eligible on that night finishes ahead of the others will win the title. The Phil’s championship has become one of the most prestigious achievements for drivers each year, and something most circle on their calendar to attempt to accomplish.
Although set to debut in 2020, COVID-19 had different ideas for Everett’s Auto Parts Diamond Dash Series. Instead, the new group of races will debut in 2021 for the Pro Stocks and Late Models on Saturday night’s. There are three special events planned for each division — with each race set for 50 laps, and some extra cash on the line. On Saturday, August 14, both divisions will run their finale 50-lap events. Unlike the Phil’s Propane Triple Crown Series, there is no champion for the Diamond Dash — just a chase of cold-hard cash on the track. Everett’s Auto Parts continues to support grassroots racing at Seekonk, just like they have for multiple decades.
The Power 5 Series, which debuted just a few years ago, gives competitors the chance to run five extra laps in specified feature events. For the Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment Sportsman, races will be 30 laps instead of 25, with a bit of extra purse money on the line, courtesy of Helger’s. Although it doesn’t seem like much, five laps in a competitive Sportsman field could turn the finishing order upside-down. On top of sponsoring the Sportsman, and the Pure Stocks on Fridays, Helger’s Southcoast, located in Westport, Massachusetts, continues to support the Speedway and countless drivers on the track. There are currently sponsorship opportunities available for Power 5 races for the remainder of Seekonk’s divisions.
Outside of these three special segments of racing, there are also other extra-distance events planned for weekly drivers in 2021. On Saturday, August 7, the Pro Stocks take center stage with a 75-lap special, sponsored by American Racer. Not only are they the tire supplier for multiple Seekonk classes, but American Racer has been a long-standing supporter of racing at the third-mile and its competitors for decades.
 The Sportsman get a huge 50-lap race of their own on July 28, a Wednesday night special, sponsored again by Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment.
Outside of the weekly divisions, there are endless amounts of touring series classes that will run feature races spanning from 100 to 150 laps, including the Pro All Star Series, Tri Track Open Modified Series, ISMA Supermodifieds, and American Canadian Tour. Each of the special events that are non-weekly will be featured in additional stories leading up to the season.
For more information on Seekonk Speedway, fans are encouraged to visit seekonkspeedway.com and follow the track on social media.
Sources: Souza Media/Kyle Souza