With the racing world paused amid the COVID-19 outbreak, SPEED SPORT is highlighting race tracks around the United States. This is part of that ongoing series.
Track of the Day: Seekonk Speedway
Address: 1782 Fall River Ave., Seekonk, MA 02771
Website:Â www.seekonkspeedway.com
History: Seekonk Speedway opened its doors for the first time on May 30, 1946. Construction of the track, which was built by D. Anthony Venditti, began one year earlier.
Since the first day of competition at the third-mile oval, Seekonk Speedway has been owned and operated by the same family. Following the passing of Venditti in 1991, his wife, Irene, operated the track until she passed in 2014.
Since then D. Anthony and Irene’s son, Francis Venditti, alongside D. Anthony and Irene’s grandson, David Alburn, have jointly operated the track. The 2020 season will serve as the track’s 75th anniversary season.
Racing takes place for 26 weeks from May to October, with nine divisions battling for supremacy. The top division is the pro stock division, otherwise known as the super late models.
David Darling owns more track championships than anyone in the pro stock class after claiming his seventh title last year. Others like Norm Holden, Wayne Dion, Tom Scully Jr. and Fred Astle Jr. have claimed pro stock championships.
The track plays host to a handful of major events each season, including Open Wheel Wednesday featuring the Tri-Track Open Modified Series, the Boston Louie Memorial featuring the ISMA supermodifieds and NEMA midgets, the Bay State Classic for PASS and ACT late models and, new for 2020, a visit from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
