Westport man to be enshrined into Seekonk Speedway Wall of Fame, New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame

Seekonk Speedway announced this past week that Rick Martin of Westport, MA will be enshrined as part of the 2024 Wall of Fame class.

With 50 years of competition, Rick has been to Victory Lane over 110 times at Seekonk Speedway, along with 7 championships as a driver, with one more as a car owner.

Over the time of his career, Rick has been one of the most exciting competitors to compete. From the first time he raced in 1975, his fan base started to grow. Today, they continue to be among the most loyal at the speedway.

His first win came on May 12, 1979 in the Late Model division, his first of two on the season. From there, he moved into the Pro Stocks in 1980, picking up his first win in ‘82, on the final night of points competition.

While the winning continued through the decade, it wasn’t until 1991 that he picked up his first championship, driving for Ray Manfredo and Dan Sweeney. He picked up his second Pro Stock title in 1996, and followed that up in ‘98 and ‘99, driving for Gil Lopes.

In 2000, he competed against his own car, and watched Fred Astle Jr. pick up the championship over himself.

Over the next several years, Rick would travel the Northeast, competing with the now defunct North East Pro Stock Association and then with the Pro All Stars Series, winning at tracks like White Mountain Motorsports Park and Riverside Speedway in Groveton, New Hampshire. Whenever his schedule allowed, he would return to his home track and put on a show for the fans.

Later in the decade, he returned to weekly competition, coming back in the Sport Trucks, and returning to his winning ways. In 2010, he picked up the Truck title, his first of three titles, including back to back in 2022 and 2023.

In August of 2021, Rick picked up his 100th career win at Seekonk, in a tight battle, edging out Tom Scully Jr. Since then, he has added another dozen wins at Seekonk.

The 2024 season will also see Rick honored as a member of the N.E.A.R. Hall of Fame, closing out a spectacular half a century of competition.

Seekonk Speedway will induct Martin into the Wall of Fame on Saturday, September 21, prior to NASCAR Saturday racing at 5:15 p.m. For tickets, fans are encouraged to visit SeekonkSpeedway.com.