1940s (1946-1950)
What has become one of the nation’s most recognized short-tracks was a vision of Anthony Venditti, and that vision quickly became a reality when the first gates opened in May of 1946. World War II was in the rear-view mirror, the economy was turning around and D. Anthony was ready to showcase his dream, taking the family Seekonk Poultry Farm land and designing the asphalt oval track.
Seekonk Speedway was planned, engineered and promoted by D. Anthony. The first race took place on Memorial Day, a Thursday in late May. The track was originally built as a quarter-mile oval, with seven-foot banking in the corners and 60-foot wide turns. There might not have been a ton of grandstands, but it quickly grew into something fans from across New England would come to love. More than 12,000 people were on the property on opening day. The original design of the track was built for Open Wheel Midgets, and in the first race, it was Oscar Ridlon rolling his midget around into Victory Lane.
Along with Anthony, his wife, Irene Venditti, was one of the pioneers of Seekonk Speedway. It was with her help that her husband was able to create the track that has become a fan and family favorite for many. Anthony was the youngest promoter in all of the country in the debut year, and had a family that was behind him from day one. He would pass in the early 1990s, while Irene would operate the facility until her passing years later. Now, the track is still family operated, with Francis Venditti and grandson David Alburn running the operations.
It wasn’t long before the “Fastest Track in the East” became the “Action Track of the East” -- a name that still stands today. The first year of competition lasted through mid-October, with names like Joe Sostilio, Bill Randall and Bob Blair winning. However, it was Eddie Casterline who dominated the opening year, winning what is believed to be a third of the races (10) in year one. The track didn’t record an official champion, but it was clear Casterline was the top contender.
The second year was marked by the loss of three competitive racers, including Casterline, who lost his life just one day after a crash at the age of 32. Casterline won the New England Midget Championship in 1946, and was one of the earliest speed demons in track history. Victories in year two were spread across multiple drivers, including names like Chet Gibbons, Sostilio, Frank Simonetti and Lloyd Christopher.
It was in 1948 that the first Stock Racing was introduced at Seekonk Speedway, with the Bombers, Jalopies, and the Cut Downs, that quickly became an instant success. That first racing club was named “Interstate Racing Association”. The fans hung on to the edge of their seat enjoying this new sport.
It was 1949 when the first cement walls went up and the banking was extended. A drivers strike started that year, and racing didn’t begin until June, when Bill Randall opened the season in Victory Lane. There might not have been as many races in ’48, but by ’49, a full year of racing took place, with names like Nick Fornoro, Ralph “Hop” Harrington and Dave Humphrey victorious for the majority of the season. By then, a Stock division that had been introduced to competition, but the Midgets were still supreme. Seekonk was built especially for that machine. Harrington seemed to be the dominant car heading for the start of a new decade and Humphrey wasn’t going to be far behind.
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