SEEKONK, MA – Seekonk Speedway track officials have released this statement, in regards to the remainder of their race tracks 2020 stock car racing season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
An Open Letter to our Fans and Race Teams….
2020 is not exactly how we envisioned our 75th season going. Not even close.
The ownership of Seekonk Speedway would like to thank each Fan, Driver, Team and Sponsor for their unwavering support during their difficult and challenging time we are navigating through. It was because of that support and dedication that we exhausted every avenue to get a season approved and get our teams racing on the track.
The management at Seekonk Speedway has been working behind the scenes with several different Boards and Departments at the State level. These Departments have been forthright and timely in getting us information and decisions. The decisions have not been what we had hoped for. This has forced us to make another decision we do not want to make and that is to suspend the rest of our Saturday schedule for 2020 season including all Thrill Shows. We wanted to get this out there to our teams so those who wanted to race could make other arrangements at tracks operating in different states. Fast Friday races will continue on August 28th..
Massachusetts Governor Bakers press conference on Tuesday, August 18, was the final nail in hopes of getting fans in the 2020 season at the Speedway when he stated that Gillette Stadium would not be having fans till “later in the Fall”.
This has been an extensive process from day one. Seekonk Speedway provided a six-step COVID reopening plan to the state that was approved pending further guidance. Many discussions with the state had us hopeful that since we were an outside venue that could socially distance a crowd we would be given the green light to do it for our weekly events.
Ultimately we learned that we would be classified with professional sports and other large venues in the state with regards to spectator attendance.
We have heard from thousands of our fans and understand their frustration with some of the apparent inconsistencies in what businesses are allowed to open and who isn’t and under what capacity. We feel your frustration & feel we are not in the correct category. However, our discussions have not resulted in a change. The Speedway is currently allowed to operate with out fans under other guidelines.
The State is operating with the Public safety in mind and the Speedway respects their decision and will abide by all guidelines set forth by the State as someones health will always be more important than entertainment. As much as we want to open the gates to our fans even at a reduced capacity, protecting our fans and teams for the future is more important.
If COVID numbers dramatically improve the Speedway looks forward to working with the State and Town of Seekonk for a safe reopening and welcoming fans back to the race track.
Seekonk Speedway would like to thank State Reps Steven Howitt and Jim Hawkins as well as Senator Feeney for lobbying on our behalf.
We have already started to work on moving ALL of our big events we had scheduled for 2020 to the 2021 season. We look forward to seeing our Friday and Saturday Night Divisions, Open Wheel Wednesday with the Tri Track Series, ISMA Super Modifieds, NEMA for the Boston Louie, The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and everything else that was on the schedule to celebrate the 75th season at Seekonk Speedway. We wish all our teams safe travels if they decide to race at a track in a neighboring state for the remainder of the season and we look forward to seeing everyone in a new and exciting 2021.
We hope that everyone stays safe and healthy and please stay tuned too our social media channels and website for updates as we lock in these events for 2021. Seekonk Speedway will be back bigger and better than ever!
Sincerely,
The Ownership and Management of Seekonk Speedway
Seekonk Speedway Release
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For more information on Seekonk Speedway visit seekonkspeedway.com.
