SPORT FOUR DIVISION FOR BLAST OFF
2016 SEASON PREVIEW
For a division that started with only one car about seven years ago, the Seekonk Speedway Sport 4 class has grown into something that fans love to watch each and every Friday night.
The division includes both veteran and rookie talent as they compete around the 1/3 mile oval in their street cars converted to race cars. The safety in the 4 cylinder division is right up to par with all other classes, but the drivers truly have to drive the wheels off the cars to compete in the front with the best weekly.
Going into the 2016 season, David Westgate is the odds on favorite. He won his first championship last year behind the wheel of his No. 49 and comes into this year riding momentum. The veteran has run the division for years and knows the way around the track, which should make him a contender for a repeat championship this year.
Multiple other drivers in the Sport 4 division that have run well before are back again for the upcoming year as well. Bob Henry, native of Cranston, R.I. will compete in his No. 9, while the TTM Motorsports gang will return with most of their cars for this year.
TTM front runner from last year Gilbert Bradstreet has decided to make the move up to the Pure Stock division for this year, but Sam Mattera, "The Mad Scientist" Eric Schwegal, David Simpson and Nick Mattera are among some of the names that will carry the TTM sticker for the 20 lap feature events each week.
Other drivers returning for another voyage this year will include teammates Glen Leduc and Mike Glad, along with Christine Cavallaro, the daughter of former Sports Truck champion Mike Cavallaro. Each of those drivers have shown improvement in the past few years and Cavallaro is right on the edge of her first career victory. Expect all three to challenge not only for victories, but for the division championship.
There are also plenty of rookie contenders entered for this year. Names like Tommy Salvato, Joey Nereu, Russel Lacy, Christine Simpson and former SYRA competitor Alexandra Lille are among those on that rookie list. These drivers will be looking to gain valuable track time and experience around the 1/3 mile oval and get themselves to the end of each feature event without issue.
Former New London-Waterford Speedbowl champion and Seekonk winner Dave Gargaro Jr. has also filed an entry for the upcoming year. Though it is unclear if he will run the car full-time, whenever he shows up at the track he will be a threat to carry the checkered flag. Don't forget about Mike Belanger, Matthew Smith and Emily Sprague. All drivers ran last year and will be back to run once again.
The Fast Friday series starts on Friday June 3 and will run until the final week of September. You can catch all the action each
COMPETITORS GET READY FOR MEMORIAL DAY BLAST OFF
SPORT 4's