with Race Voice
The D.A.V. has come and gone, and the 2016 racing season has come to a close. While some are celebrating a successful run, others are disappointed in their final race of the season.
27 Pro Stocks, 27 Street Stocks, 23 Late Models and 18 Sport Trucks were on hand on Saturday to close out the season. Some great racing, and some moments that weren’t so great.
The biggest disappointment to me was two of our 4 NASCAR Whelen All American Series Champions were missing from the lineup of action. This isn’t a knock on Mike Cavallaro or Dylan Estrella, and the reasons they weren’t competing. I just enjoy watching all of the top competitors compete.
Speaking of top competitors, we did have many of them on hand for the event. Eddie McDonald came down to race the Late Model and the Pro Stock mains. He had a great top two run in the 50 lap Late Model finale, but saw a lap five incident end his afternoon early.
It also took out another heavy favorite, Joey Pole. Several other drivers were involved causing damage to their mounts, all but taking them out of contention.
2015 Pro Stock Champion Angelo Belsito clearly passed more cars than anyone else during the 150 lap event. He started in the top ten, and moved his way to the front of the field by lap 20, with Fred Astle right behind. The pair made contact, sending the Auburn Assailant around, and Astle to the back of the field.
Angelo worked his way back through the field, and was battling for the lead late in the race, wheeling his black 8 side by side with eventual winner Derek Griffith when he spun again. Talk about a heart breaking ending. He certainly was a great part of the show.
Dave Darling was involved in a lap three wreck, and got some damage to his mount. He lost two laps repairing the damage. Thanks to some great pit work and the Free Pass, he got back onto the lead lap, and had a good finish.
On a Wednesday night in July, Derek Griffith of Hudson, NH came to Seekonk Speedway for the very first time. His car owner was familiar with the 1/3 mile oval, but the driver hadn’t been here before. He came 15 feet away from possibly willing the Super Late Model Nationals.
On a chilly October Saturday afternoon, he led much of the race, a lead he inherited when Belsito spun and Astle was penalized, held off the challenge of Belsito, and DJ Shaw over the final laps, and took home the win.
There was a lot of energy in the pit area coming into the feature events with the talent that was assembled in all of the divisions. The Late Models had a great field in the house as well, and they put on a great show. Side by side racing throughout the field.
Tiverton’s Ray Parent took home the win in what may have been his final race. Well, at least as car owner. When the dust settled, he celebrated his win by delivering his winning Ford Fusion to the new owner of his car. Fresh off the track, before he could load it up, someone came up and gave him what he was asking for it, and when the night was over, it was gone.
Ray was planning on taking some time off from the grind, and this was a perfect way to end it.
One thing that Ray did was offer all of his winnings from the event, over $1800.00, to Lee Hayes, and he opened a go fund me page for him. For those that don’t know, Lee lost his wife a couple of weeks ago, and really has his work cut out for him with everything he has going on. If you can afford anything to help him out, please help.
Saturday was also the Late Model debut for Legends stand out Ryan Kuhn. Ryan finished seconds in the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends after picking up about 9 wins on the season. He also won several races up north in the Legends, and ran a few races in the Valenti Modified Racing Series.
The Kuhn’s picked up a car from Bill Bernard last week, and on the Friday practices was among the fastest cars of the day. On Saturday, his first day in competition, he finished eighth in the final rundown, and is looking forward to competing weekly in the Everett’s Auto Parts Late Models in 2017. He was all smiles all weekend long.
On Saturday, November 12th, we officially close out the 71st season, as we crown our champions at the Venus de Milo in Swansea. Tom Scully has worked hard over the past decade to get to the top of the ladder, and on this night,
Walking into the track on Saturday, he had a different air about him. A little more confidence in his step, knowing that he has accomplished something he and his father have been chasing for over 20 years. It truly is a family team, and a close one at that.
He is the only first time champion from the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Saturday nights. Dylan Estrella, Mike Cavallaro and Scott Bruneau are all repeat champions.
The Fast Friday Champions include Jake Johnson, who is the youngest non-SYRA champion in the 71 year history of the track, at the young age of 13. Jake will be moving up into the Late Models next year, making the class and exciting one with the rookie chase.
Mike Kun picked up his second consecutive title in the Pure Stocks, the only repeat champion from Fast Fridays. Mike Belanger, Luke LeBron and Evan Marchand are the remaining champions that will be honored from Fast Friday. One more champion that will be honored will be John Johnson (no relation) in the Helger’s South Coast Power Equipment Spectator Drag Series. It will be a great night.
There are only a couple of days left to get your tickets if you haven’t already. Get them now and join us celebrate a great season.
With the season over, it’s time to reflect on our experiences of the past 6 months. I’ve completed my 22nd season on the mic, and have made a lot of friends over the years. I’ve been able to branch out to other positions over the past few seasons with the Fast Friday. I’ve been announcer, race director and pit steward. What most people don’t see or understand is the dedication it takes from the staff to put on an event.
From the ticket takers, the gate people, security staff, concession workers, pit officials, handicappers, race director, announcers, flagmen, promotions, office staff and management. Everyone works hard to make sure everything goes as smooth as possible. Trust me, they all do. And it’s not for the money. It’s for the love of the sport. It’s being a part of something special. And it is special. To every one of us. I love working with the people I do. I love working with the competitors, getting to know them better, talking about racing, family, and everything else we talk about. It’s a wonderful feeling, being a part of this.
I can’t wait until next year.