Season Preview: Vanasse Family Looks to Decide Championship Among Themselves

With the top two finishers in the championship standings moving on, the battle for the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandit class title will have a different look and feel this season. At least at the top. Reese Bogue dominated 2019, winning most of the races and rolling to the title, but, with Bogue and Brenden LaBelle jumping to the Outlaw class, the Vanasse family members become the obvious title favorites.

And there is more than one.

Ryan Vanasse Jr. and Collin Vanasse, the drivers who finished third and fourth last year, are hoping to decide the championship between the two of them and not let anyone enter the battle. Vanasse family members are no strangers to Victory Lane at Seekonk, with Ryan, the father of Ryan Jr., earning countless wins in the Late Models and Pro Stocks, and a Late Model championship. However, to this point, neither of the two young-guns have been able to breakthrough to the checkered flag. These two are in line to score their first win — but maybe more importantly — in line to become champion of the 75th anniversary season Diamond Jubilee Series sponsored by Everett’s Auto Parts. Seekonk’s Fast Friday divisions are scheduled to compete in 14 races, shortened due to restrictions from Massachusetts because of COVID-19.

Seekonk Grand Prix, located just down the road from the track in Seekonk, Massachusetts, returns as the primary sponsor of the division for 2020. Check them out for your favorite outdoor go-karting fun.

Outside of the Vanasse family, there are countless drivers looking to stick with them and earn their first championship. Returning from last year, Ethan Dion, Zacarias Kelley, Brody Monahan, Colin Floyd, Mike Hanafin, Brent Robidoux and Rob Murphy Jr. are looking to continue to grow. Monahan is a former regular in Connecticut, but with his home-track shutting down, he decided to cross states last year and compete at Seekonk, where he found success. Adam Harrison, who suffered a nasty crash in pre-season testing, is also expected to be a frontrunner this season. Robidoux and Murphy are the sons of former Sport Truck competitor John Robidoux and former Sport Truck champion Rob Murphy.

As always, the division also includes a mix of newcomers looking to learn and carry the checkered flag for the first time. Rich Helger Jr., who rolled on the track for the first time late last year, has been one of the fastest cars in pre-season testing. Helger’s father, Rich Sr., is the owner of Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment, one of Seekonk’s major sponsors. Look for Rich Jr. to be a contender in 2020.

If you add Milania Shilosky, who comes to Seekonk for the first time after some experience in karting, Darren Krantz Jr., Michael Lefort III, the son of defending Sport 4 champion Mikey Lefort, and Nick Uring Jr., the son of Late Model competitor Nick Uring, you have a stout group of incoming competitors.

And there will also be more that compete throughout the season.