Seekonk to Crown PASS Champion in October
Pro All Star Series North Added To Haunted Hundred Schedule
SEEKONK, Mass. – For the first time since 2012, Pro All Star Series Super Late Models will return to the “Cement Palace” of Seekonk Speedway in 2018.
A 150-lap main event has been scheduled for Saturday, October 27, adding to an already impressive lineup of racing that includes the Tri Track Open Modified Series and Late Models at the Massachusetts oval. The race will also be the finale for the PASS schedule, which means the 2018 series champion will be crowned following the checkered flag.
“We’re really excited to get to work with Wayne Darling of the Tri Track Open Modified Series,” Tom Mayberry, the president of PASS said. “And, we are happy to return to the “Cement Palace” to crown the 2018 PASS North champion.”
Seekonk runs Super Late Models on a weekly basis as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, and in some of the most recent PASS action at Seekonk, drivers that run weekly seem to have put together a stout effort. In 2009, Tom Scully Jr., held off champion Ben Rowe en route to the win in the 150-lap affair, while in 2010, defending Seekonk Pro Stock champion David Darling won the race, holding off Trevor Sanborn. In 2011, Johnny Clark found his way into Victory Lane, while DJ Shaw won the most recent event in 2012.
For Darling, who captured the 2017 Seekonk Pro Stock title in dominating fashion, the opportunity to race against PASS drivers provides him and other local competitors a chance to defend the home turf.
“I think it’s pretty important (to defend our home turf),” Darling said. “Our cars are a lot closer to their cars now, — over the last few years the rule changes have made our cars more competitive with them.”
Among the outsiders coming in with the PASS on that Saturday afternoon will be Derek Griffith, who has already seen his fair share of success at the third-mile. In 2016, Griffith came off turn four battling for the lead on the final lap of the SLM Nationals, but came up just short in the end. Last year, he charged through the field in the second half of the 200-lap SLM Nationals feature, capturing the checkered flag and a smooth $10,000 paycheck with it.
“When they brought this up to us looking for some ideas, I was all for it,” Griffith said. “I think my worst finish there is third, so we have a great record. I’m looking forward to going back, especially as the championship race. To close out the year at a place we know we are really strong, we are going to go in pretty confident.”
As the addition to the Tri Track Open Modified Series “Haunted Hundred”, a race which will crown the Tri Track champion, PASS provides another opportunity for fans to see multiple different styles of cars in the same day. With the open-wheel modifieds, full-fendered SLM’s and Late Models, fans will have the chance to witness the finale of the New England racing season. The Tri Track race is scheduled for 100 laps, while the Late Models will run 60, and the PASS will run 150 circuits.
“It’s the last race of the year to decide two championships,” Wayne Darling, Managing Partner of the Tri Track Series said. “It’s a Pro Stock and a Modified show, and both of them are ending their points races. It’s a step in the right direction to make our show even better for the fans.”
For more information on Seekonk Speedway, fans can visit the track website, www.seekonkspeedway.com. For more information on the Pro All Star Series, including their entire 2018 racing schedule, fans can visit www.proallstarseries.com.
Additional details, including the event schedule for the day, will be released at a later date.
Sources: Kyle Souza/Seekonk Speedway PR