Track: Seekonk Speedway (MA)
Date: Friday, September 8, 2023
Winners: Parker Davis (Bandolero Bandits); Ryan Vanasse Jr. (Bandolero Outlaws); Isaiah Newcomb (Legends)
Photo credit: track posted
Stories as posted by the track.
THREE-WIDE: Davis Makes Late Move To Win Bandits Playoff Race One
Friday marked another exciting round of racing for Seekonk Speedway’s youth racing division, the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits. For the last month, the finishes across the line on the final lap have been close, clean and exciting to watch. This week, in round one of the Sunoco Drive For The Cup, all three of those things were true again.
When the field took the white flag, it was defending champion Sam Macedo out front. But, when they came down the backstretch, Nick Uhrig Jr. was to the inside and they entered the final two turns racing wheel-to-wheel for the lead.
However, Parker Davis wasn’t going to be denied. He found a lane to the bottom, three-wide for the lead, and crossed the line just inches ahead of Nick Uhrig Jr. for the top spot. It was the fifth win of the season for Davis and on the transponder, he officially won by .015 seconds over Uhrig, with Macedo on the outside of the three-wide battles finishing .078 seconds back.
Three-wide to the finish with Seekonk’s youngest drivers.
Mike Hanafin and Ryder Aguiar followed in fourth and fifth at the finish. The top-six drivers in the finishing order, including Mason Silva in sixth, are the six drivers battling for the 2023 championship in the playoffs.
The Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits will return to the track on Friday, September 15, for the second race in the first round of the Sunoco Drive For The Cup. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest news and updates.
VANASSE GETS ANOTHER WIN WITH LATE PASS IN OUTLAWS
SEEKONK, Mass. — For much of Friday’s Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaw feature, it looked like Ben Moribito might be on his way to a second straight win. But, when the checkered flag went into the air, it was Ryan Vanasse Jr. rolling across the line first, for his eighth win of the season in the No. 11.
Vanasse worked the outside lane for much of the race. Once he got out front, he had to hold off his cousin, Collin Vanasse, who was right there on his bumper. Ryan was able to accomplish the task to add another win to his second in the first race of the first round of the Sunoco Drive For The Cup and kick-off his championship bid on top.
Collin finished second, a strong opening to his own playoff bid. Andrew Gomes charged to the front to finish third, with Brent Robidoux and Bryson Robidoux, brothers, finishing fourth and fifth. Nathan Rioux, Mikey LeFort III, Brody Wakefield, Zachary Keith and Moribito finished off the top-10 after 15 laps.
The Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaws will return to the track on Friday, September 15, for the second race in the first round of the Sunoco Drive For The Cup. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest news and updates.
NEWCOMB GETS OUT FRONT EARLY, WINS FIRST ROUND OF LEGENDS CARS PLAYOFFS
SEEKONK, Mass. — Isaiah Newcomb has been no stranger to the front of the field in the Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars at Seekonk Speedway for most of 2023. Friday night, in the first race of the Sunoco Drive For The Cup, Newcomb was out front right from lap one and never looked back. He started third, made a three-wide move to take the lead, and wasn’t to be denied in the final laps on multiple restarts.
Newcomb, who ended the regular season second in points, is off to a strong start in his chase for the track championship in the playoffs. He was followed to the line after 25 laps by Josh Parsons and Brendan LaBalle, also playoff drivers. Three more playoff drivers followed in fourth through sixth: Jacob Burns, Richie Helger Jr and Nicholaus Bulkeley.
Cole Robie, Chase Silvia, PJ Evans and Kevin Davis finished off the top-10.
The Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars will return to the track on Friday, September 15, for the second race in the first round of the Sunoco Drive For The Cup. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media for the latest news and updates.
