Seekonk Speedway Awards Banquet to close out 2009 season
Seekonk, MA — With the new year upon us, there is still one more event on the 2009 schedule. The 64th Annual Awards Banquet. The banquet will be held on Saturday, January 16th, at the Venus De Milo in Swansea, MA. In what continues to be one of the biggest racing celebrations in the Northeast, the 2009 champions will be honored, Seekonk Speedway style.
Heading the list of champions is Pro Stock title holder Fred Astle Jr. Fred picked up his second consecutive, and fourth overall Pro Stock title, driving Ron Lauro’s Wood Frame Structures #30. Fred picked up seven wins in edging out Dave Darling and Tom Scully Jr in the chase. To finish off the season, Fred picked up his first 100 lap win at Seekonk, winning the DAV Fall Classic. This is Ron’s second championship as car owner, both coming with Astle behind the wheel.
The Late Model division has a new champion in Ryan Vanasse. Ryan started off the season looking at the Pro Stock division crown, but started off so hot in the Late Models, he settled in and picked up seven wins in the first nine events, and cruised to his first title. The second generation racer made this truly a family affair, with his brother Mike calling the shots in the pits, and his father Paul listed as car owner, the Vanasse spent their summer racing, and winning a lot. Ryan finished his season off in style, picking up his second straight DAV Fall Classic. He also represented Seekonk Speedway in the ACT invitational at NHMS, finishing tenth in the final rundown.
Jody Tripp became the third Tripp to pick up a championship in 2009, picking up the Seekonk Sports Truck Crown. In doing so, he had to hold off a driver that battled his father John and brother Bobby to win it. Martin missed the title by just three points on the heels of an incredible 11 wins. With Lady Luck and consistency, Tripp was able to hang on and pick up his first career championship on the heels of six wins himself. With his father by his side setting the Silver Key Inc. Chevy, Jody, in true Tripp mannerisms, was smooth as silk.
With several years experience in the Street Stocks, Cumberland RI’s Mike Mitchell found himself with the type of season needed to pry the title from the hands of Sparky Arsenault. Mike put his M&M Home Improvement Malibu through the ever competitive and tough Street Stock class to the front once, but seven top five finishes and 16 top tens were more than enough to pick up the title in one of the most competitive classes anywhere. A dozen different drivers found their way to Victory Lane in the Streets in 2009.
Scott Cestodio became the first driver to win back to back championships in the Pure Stock Division. The Swansea MA native started out a little slow, but once he got going, he reeled off a win in every other event from the third week to the final points event, bringing home six trophies total. Headlining the Fast Friday Series, the Pure Stocks continue to grow in fan base and car counts, making this title a tougher one to grab. He edged Randy Moretti for the crown.
Jake Spillers followed up his Seekonk Youth Racing Association 600 championship with the 750 division crown. The Ashburnham teen made the move up in 2009, and gained experience with the faster cars over the first several weeks. While he only picked up one win, his seven top fives were tops in the division, which gave him the 14 point cushion needed to edge out Casey Sanchez for the title.
Dave Hutchins Jr drove to the SYRA 600 championship in dominating style. Dave picked up wins in half of the events, never finishing out of the top five. After finally picking up his first win late in 08, he showed his learning curve had accelerated over the winter months.
In addition to the champions being honored at the banquet, the top ten in each class will get their time in the spotlight as well. The winners in each class will be presented their trophies during the festivities.
Also being presented will be the Rookie of the Year awards, which will be revealed at the banquet, as well as the Most Improved driver awards.
Special awards for the evening will be the annual Anthony Francis and D Anthony Venditti awards. The Anthony Venditti Award is given to a person who is dedicated to the sport of auto racing. The recipient is chosen on their total dedication and selfless giving of themselves. Former winners of this award include Ron Manfredo, Al Cunha, Mary Deveroux, Jim “Smiley” Waterman, George Martin, Kevin Boucher and Rocky Hudson. The DAV Award is given to someone who has dedicated their life to Short Track Racing. Over the years Wally Saleeba, Marvin Rifchin, John Notte, Nat Chiavettone, Maury Dumas, Rusty Rushton and R.A. Silvia, among others, have been the proud honorees of this prestigious award.
Tickets for the Awards Dinner and Celebration are still available, and can be had by calling the speedway office at (508) 336-9959. Tickets are only $30.00 per person, and include the Venus’ ever popular family style turkey and roast dinner, the awards celebration and dancing. With only a couple of weeks left before the banquet, call now and reserve your table. Cocktails start at 6, with dinner at 7pm. Join us as we close out the 64th season of racing, at The Action Track of the East.
Sources: Kevin Boucher/Seekonk Speedway PR