LALLIER SET TO BATTLE AGAIN IN HARD CHARGING STREET STOCK DIVISION
SEASON PREVIEW
Beating and banging their way around the 1/3 mile oval, the Street Stocks at Seekonk Speedway are one of the most exciting divisions in New England for a fan to watch. The excitement on the track never fails to amaze the fans and keep them on the edge of their seat for the entire 25 lap distance each Saturday night.
This season, the Lallier family comes into action as the favorites. Paul was able to capture the championship easily, winning multiple times throughout the season in 2015. It always seemed like Paul unloaded the fastest car in the field each week right from practice through the heats and into the feature where it showed the most, cutting his way through traffic. He came across a few bumps on the road, but it was a title season for the veteran.
There is no reason why he should slow down any this year. His son, Tyler, was able to capture the Phil's Propane Triple Crown Series title last year, making it a two-for-two for the family. They both will unload quick at open practice and both should be in contention for the title at the years end.
Mapleville, R.I. driver Corey Fanning, who also has his hands on a Late Model for 2016, will be back in the Street Stocks looking to continue his success. It looked like at the end of last season, Fanning was at the scales after finishing a feature inside the top-five almost every week. This year, he has more experience with the handling of the car and he should be a title threat.
New to the Street Stock division this year will be Taunton, Mass. driver Jesse Melberg. The former Fast Friday Pure Stock champion comes off a strong season in the Nick's Pit Stop Legend Cars and makes the move up to Saturday night after purchasing a ride over the offseason. Melberg has always been a front-runner in anything he has driven at the track before and he should catch on quickly.
Though it is unclear how many races he will run, former champion Robert "Sparky" Arsenault has filed an entry behind the wheel of the familiar No. 96. Drivers like Vinny Pangelinan and Tommy Adams are also on the list of ones to watch for this season. Both ran extremely well at times last year and after a few rough patches in their Street Stock careers they seem to be on the rise as possible threats for the championship.
One driver not mentioned is former champion Rey Lovelace. Reason for that is he will be moving up to the Pro Stock division this season. Lovelace has mentioned that he may drive a few races in the Streeters and may have a fill-in driver here or there, but the car is not expected to run the entire schedule at this point.
What about veteran Rey Negley? Or upcoming second-year Street Stock driver Ed Flanagan? Adam Dion? Kevin Bowe? Steve Potter? The list just goes on and on. The talented list of the Street Stock veterans at Seekonk can stack up against the list of any track in New England.
The Street Stocks open their season as part of the 71st season kick-off special on Sunday May 1, with a 25 lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature. Action begins at 2 p.m.
STREET STOCKS