Halloween Happening Closes Out 63rd Season at Seekonk Speedway
Seekonk, MA — Seekonk Speedway closed the books on another successful season, with the Halloween Happening returned to the schedule. On a picture perfect autumn day, the competitors took to the track for some Trick-of-Treating with the youngsters, as they competed in a costume contest.
For the first time, Drifting was part of the program. NEDrift.com was the team that brought the growing sport to the state of Massachusetts for the first time. Once they found the right groove for drifting, they proceeded to burn their tires down to the cords in a show of appreciation.
Over 35 cars turned out for the Spectator One on One drags. Cadillacs and Lincolns, Camaros and Mustangs, Mitsubishis and Subarus, and many other makes took to the one-third mile oval. One lap at a time, drivers were eliminated in the singe elimination contest. The final event was two laps around the speedway, and after a little rubbin’, it was Pawtucket RI’s Al Amarantes in his 1994 Chevy Camaro picking up his second Spectator Drag win of the season over Marc Denardo and his 1986 Camaro.
The Enduro Drags are similar to the Spectator Drags, as there is only one lap in this single elimination event. But that is where the similarities end. With several cars racing at the same time, anything goes in this first to the finish line event. After eliminating over 40 cars, Vincent Arrenegado of Warren RI was the survivor.
Vincent made the day two for two, as he also picked up the win in the 15 lap Enduro event. In a normally green to checkered event, Vincent was the third leader of the event, which saw the red flag come out at lap 5 for Pop Valentine, who rolled his Monte Carlo onto its side while leading the event. He climbed out of his car under his own power.
Returning after several years of absence from the Thrill Show schedule was the reverse race. In the end, it was Seekonk’s Adam Burke backing over the finish line first.
Figure Eight racing has always been a fan favorite at these events and with the introduction of the 4×4 division there is added excitement in the pits. Rich Townsend of Swansea was the winner in the 4xr4 class. Kris Mancini of Middletown RI was the winner of the car event.
This was the final event of the 2008 schedule. Already, plans are being made for the 64th season at The Action Track of the East. To keep up to date with 2009, be sure to check our website regularly at seekonkspeedway.com
Sources: Kevin M Boucher, Sr./Seekonk Speedway PR