Seekonk Speedway

Seekonk Speedway is a semi-banked 1/3 mile paved oval located on U.S. Route 6 in Seekonk, Massachusetts.

The track holds the distinction of being the longest continually operated race track in the United States,fact|date=July 2007 under the guidance of the Venditti family since it opened on May 30, 1946, as well as being the widest track in New England at 72 feet.

The track's all-time winningest driver is George Summers of Upton, Massachusetts.fact|date=July 2007

Weekly Racing

Typically starting on the first Sunday of May, the Action Track of the East plays host to short track action every Saturday night, depending on the weather. Most weekly programs are comprised of Seekonk's four regular divisions: Pro Stock, Late Model, Sport Truck, and Street Stock. In addition to the staple series, two New England open wheel series have events on the Seekonk schedule. The True Value Modified Racing Series and Northeastern Midget Association both tackle the Concrete Palace on four occasions.

Fast Friday Series

On Friday nights, Seekonk Speedway is open for lower-budget competition as well as youth racing. Seekonk's least expensive division, Pure Stock, races on the oval along with the two Seekonk Youth Racing Association Mini Cup classes open to competitors age 10-18. Fast Fridays also include go-kart racing on a temporary road course. Karting divisions are open to both adult and child competitors alike.

Figure 8 Racing

The speedway's figure 8 path is considerably longer than average tracks, and is fully paved, increasing the speed of racing cars (as well as the risk of injury). Another unique facet to the track are the four "humps" placed within the "X" of the figure 8, which typically cause cars to become completely airborne multiple times throughout an event.

Seekonk Speedway holds four to five races of twenty five cars each twice a year, on the Sundays of Independence Day and Labor Day weekends, as well as several somewhat smaller figure 8 and demolition derby events from May through October. Due to the high intensity of each race, densely packed fields of cars, and the geometry of the track, vehicles tend to crash out very quickly, keeping most races to five or ten complete laps. [ [http://www.seekonkspeedway.com/ Official website] ]

Notable Events

In addition to the regular shows, Seekonk Speedway's schedule includes a variety of special events. The D. Anthony Vendetti Memorial, usually referred to as DAV, is usually held on the first Sunday in October. A two-day festival of speed, 100 lap Modified and Pro Stock features headline the program. Open Wheel Wednesday has also become a popular event at the speedway. The True Value Modifieds compete in a $10,000 to win feature, and are joined by both the NEMA Midgets and NEMA Lights. NEMA's most prestigious race, the Boston Louie Seymour Memorial, is also held at Seekonk. Seekonk also runs multiple extra-distance races for their regular divisions, including the Francis Farm Midseason Championships, which feature more laps and higher payout in all divisions. Propane Plus presents a 75-lap Pro Stock main event, which will pay out $4,000 to the winner. The Coors Light Silver Cup and Miller Lite Gold Cup Pro Stock events also extend the feature race to 75 laps, but have a smaller purse for the winner at $2,000.

References

* The History of America's Speedways: Past and Present by Allan Brown

External links

* [http://www.seekonkspeedway.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.syradivision.com Seekonk Youth Racing Association]