Seekonk Speedway Race Magazine Seekonk Speedway 9.8.18 | Page 31

FAST FRIDAY RECAP

Fast Friday Night Recap with Kyle Souza September 7

With all of the rain we had this season, it’s hard to believe the season is down to the final two weeks. And this past Friday night, we came one step closer to crowning out Fast Friday champions.

In the Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Bandits, Devin Deshaies continued his dominance of the division. Deshaies got to the lead early and drove away into the darkness to score another victory. When I went down to Victory Lane and asked him how many wins this season, he said he thought it was eight. Even he lost count! What an incredible season for the upcoming racing star and he is well on his way to winning the championship. Even though Devin was the story again, a major crash in the first few laps collected half the field and eliminated multiple top contenders. Luckily, all drivers were able to escape their rides under their own power.

The Seekonk Grand Prix Bandolero Outlaw feature came down to the wire with two more top rising stars battling it out for the checkered flag. Evan Marchand, who picked up his fourth victory of the season, didn’t have this one come easy. He had to chase Connor Souza for much of the event, but with just a few laps to go, Marchand got a run to the bottom and picked up the lead. He never looked back. He opens his championship lead just a little bit with two races to go, but this is going to be one of the tightest battles in the field for the final few races.

Karlin Levesque picked up a new ride over the break for the Labor Day Thrill Show and his decision paid dividends for him in the Sport 4 class. Levesque, who started up towards the front of the pack, showed exactly how well he can get the job done on the track, driving away in the final circuits after passing Tim Bolger for the lead. Congrats to Karlin on returning to prime form behind the wheel of a car that he knew could get the job done. And, congrats to Tim Bolger on another strong run. I know Tim wants to grab the checkered flag, but his consistency and effort to prepare the car will get him there before long.

A wild 25-lap Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars feature went down to the final few inches before a winner was decided. Derek Gluchacki, who has one DNF and one missed week, still was in the championship fight coming into the night, but he had to come from the back of the field. Josh Parsons, who entered tire with Jake Matheson for the points lead, started up towards the front. It’s funny how their paths crossed. Coming off turn four to the checkered, Gluchacki worked the outside of Parsons and they literally came across the line a mere two inches apart. It was Parsons, though, who was celebrating when it was all over. It was his first career win on the track, but he does have one other victory on a night where he finished second and the winner didn’t pass technical inspection. Much like the Bandolero Outlaws, the Legends title fight is going to be separated by just a few points going to the stretch run.

In the Pure Stocks, Mike Henriques found his way back to the front. For much of the year, the veteran struggled to find the speed he needed behind the wheel of his No. 03 Pure Stock. But, Friday night, he wasn’t going to be denied. He raced in second behind Rookie of the Year contender Ava Chouinard early, but when Chouinard spun from the lead, Henriques took over and never was challenged again.

Next Friday night, we will celebrate another night of racing as the season winds down. Don’t miss it!

WITH KYLE SOUZA

WITH KYLE SOUZA