(Press release from the Monaco Modified Tri-Track Series)
When the Tri Track Open Modified Series returns to the track for race three of the season next Wednesday, June 30 at Seekonk Speedway, multiple returning drivers will look to knock-off polished series regulars. All competitors will be chasing a special $10,000 check in the 16th annual Open Wheel Wednesday at the Massachusetts third-mile in what has become one of the most anticipated races in Tri Track history.
Teams will return to Seekonk for the first time since 2019, with COVID-19 cancelling all 2020 Modified events that were scheduled at the Action Track of the East.
Leading the list of drivers returning to TrI Track for a shot at capturing the big check is six-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Doug Coby, who is coming off a strong few weeks of competition. Coby won the inaugural Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) event at Stafford Motor Speedway on June 12, then announced a few days later that he would be making his Camping World Truck Series debut in September with GMS Racing. Coby finished a strong stint by winning the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Riverhead Raceway on June 20.
The Milford, Connecticut, native will drive his No. 10 Doug Coby Racing entry looking to become the only driver to win Open Wheel Wednesday four times. Right now, Coby and Matt Hirschman — a five-time Tri Track champion expected to be a favorite next week — are the only drivers to have more than one win in the special event, with three each.
Coby will be joined by NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece, who will look to hold the checkered flag at Seekonk’s tricky oval for the first time. Preece competed with Tri Track in the season opener at Monadnock Speedway, finishing ninth — but that wasn’t up to his winning standards. Since then, Preece has top-five finishes in the Stafford Motor Speedway Open Modified 80 and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour action at Oswego Speedway. Preece will drive the Call Before You Dig No. 6 in competition against the top talent in Modified racing.
Another driver returning to Tri Track for his first Tour-Type competition of the year is rising star Blake Barney. Focusing his efforts on some weekly track racing this season, Barney, who won his two weekly events at Wall Stadium last year, will drive the famed No. 14, owned by his family, that is historic in Modified racing. Barney has limited laps at Seekonk, but is looking forward to getting back to the toughest competition out there in hopes of carrying the big check at the end of the 100-lap feature.
Barney has also been running events at Evergreen Speedway and Mahoning Valley Speedway this season, finishing second to Hirschman twice at Evergreen.
“Seekonk is like a bigger Mahoning Valley Speedway, I’ve run there three times and I’m excited to go back there,” Barney said. “Whenever I go to a Tri Track show, my biggest goal is just to make the race itself in general and then go from there. I’m confident that we will make the race. That’s the coolest part for me about running Tri Track — my grandfather and my dad have been around racing forever, and they tell me all the time about having to simply just qualify into races years ago because of the car count and competition. It’s competitive. There are no slouches out there for the feature. It’s the best of the best.”
Additional invaders include former Seekonk Speedway Pro Stock champion Angelo Belsito, driving for Kevin Harvie, Seekonk Pro Stock regular Colbey Fournier and former Seekonk Sport Truck champion Rob Murphy.
The list of invaders will have a tough task at hand — going up against 2021 winners Sam Rameau and Jon McKennedy, points leader Ron Silk, five-time champion Hirschman, Justin Bonsignore, Ronnie Williams, Anthony Nocella, Les Hinckley and many more.
General admission tickets for adults are $30 per person, with children 6-12-years-old set at $10. Any kids five and under are free. Front gates open at 4 p.m., just in time for fans to catch the practice session for the Tri Track Open Modified Series. Racing begins at 6:30 p.m. with heat races and feature action will follow. Seekonk Speedway is back at full capacity and fans will flock to Massachusetts for this special event.
For more information on the Tri Track Open Modified Series, visit TriTrackModifieds.com and follow the series on social media. For more information on Seekonk Speedway, visit SeekonkSpeedway.com and follow the track on social media.
“Oh my god, mid week races the death knell you say for tour mod races. Someone get on the horn to Tri Track stat and tell them to cancel the race in 13 days. The good ship TTOMS may be heading for an iceberg.”
OMG, the entry list keeps building. How is that possible especially on a Wednesday night?
Pay the money and they will come! This is going to be a great race.
If Jon McKennedy is in His new LFR car #79 , That would be my pick for the WIN….. This is a MUST SEE EVENT!!!!! This will be packed all the way around the track… I am happy for Seekonk. They suffered the MOST last year….. I hope they hit a HOME RUN and make Buckets of CASH, They deserve it….!!!!
It was a magical period for Coby and the 2 team in 2016 going on to what would be his third NWMT championship in a row. He won the Open Wheeled Wednesday in 2016 under the TriTrack banner and came in third after winning the pole in the NWMT race that year. The other two Open Wheeled Wednesday wins being 2011 and 2013.
Little surprised he’s making this race in his own car but if he in fact has found something on the shorter tracks what better race and winning purse to take advantage of it. And he does have his mojo in high gear after all.
Hmmm, who’s going to win……that’s a tough one. Yes sir the 79 is a great car but Silks 16 pretty spritely at times as well. Yes sir re Bobby a lot of star power you betcha.. Just hope it’s not a spec in the car that wins.
The good thing about racing on Wednesday night is that it doesn’t interfere with most weekly race tracks. Drivers can race the Tri Track race without interference of their regular Friday or Saturday schedule.
The bad thing is having to work the following day. For me, Seekonk is about an hour and half trip, which makes a Wednesday night race a no go. I hope everyone who does attend has a good night and see’s some great racing, all mask free. Gotta pick either Williams or Pitkat to win.
Best thing for me is seekonk is in my backyard. Planning on being there early. This will be my first live race back since pre Covid. Can’t wait.
We are supposed to have a lot of hot humid weather here in the south east starting Monday. I’m praying to the rain gods to hold off on Wednesday. fingers crossed.
Bobf, I’m helping you with the rain gods. Not exactly in my back yard, but it’s the closest track to me. Went to the Boston Louie and it felt like the first time in forever since I’d been there! One of the only tracks around here that you’re in the top row when you walk in and you can sit along the back straight.
Some of the best viewing is High up on Backstretch , you are looking down on the track , the Start – Finish line is across from you.. Anthony Vandetti liked the view also. You also get the Ocean Breeze in the Summer up high and it feels great.. When it is a HOT one…. Check it out you won’t be disappointed …Seekonk can hold 20,000 people maxed out..
Going to be headed there and arrive early so we can dodge the Providence traffic. Grab a brew, burger and fries, relax a bit then watch some real good racing.
Car count and competition should be strong, place should be packed and the extended forecast looks good at this point.
Let’s just hope for none of those icebergs you spoke of, right Doug? 😀
Really nice to hear from guys that have had that “concrete palace” experience!
What I like about that place is the police drain that lot quickly. And, really, not a bad seat in the house IMO.
Crap purse at Thompson you say, whoa! And that at one time was hailed as a giant leap after the draconian cut that was planned that never happened thankfully. We fans are a fickle bunch are we not?
Here’s something to ponder. I don’t know how long the $10,000 winners share has been in affect but I know Coby won $10,000 for his win in Darlings car in the 2013 Open Wheeled Wednesday. Talk of inflation is all the rage now. For the purse to have the same purchasing power as it did in 2013 the amount would have to be more like $11216. Unfortunately no COLA adjustment is planned for racing purses. Nonetheless that 10 grand is still an eye popper you betcha.