Throughout the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Advance Auto Parts is spotlighting a series of Home Track Heroes from NASCAR-sanctioned short tracks around the country. Each Home Track Hero, nominated by his or her peers as a result of contributions made to the race track, will have his or her name appear on the C-Post of Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Team Penske Ford Mustang in a Cup Series Playoff race. Len Ellis, the race director and director of youth racing at Seekonk Speeday, is the Home Track Hero whose name will appear on Blaney’s car during the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Len Ellis has been associated with Seekonk Speedway for more than 50 years.
He started winning races at the Massachusetts track in the 1970s and has been a major part of the venue’s community since. Now the race director for Seekonk’s NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series divisions and the Seekonk Youth Racing Bandoleros, Ellis himself is a two-time champion in the track’s Pro Stock division.
After his driving career ended, Ellis became a winning car owner. He also began assisting local youth through his son Tommy. That’s the Tommy Ellis who helped Joey Logano win the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series championship as his car chief.
Len Ellis returned to the track in 2015 as an official. He once again gravitated toward helping youth, this time teaching kids ages 8-16 the ropes of racing, assisting as they learn the track, the cars and the race craft required to succeed. Also included in Ellis’ teachings are sportsmanship and how to be a positive member of the community.
Several youth racers from Seekonk have progressed from the track’s divisions to NASCAR’s national and regional touring series. Which means the impact Ellis has on the future of NASCAR and its stars is immeasurable.
Ellis continues to be one of the most genuine people in the pit area. He’s always looking for ways to help the competitors and see the track thrive. He’s often found attending driver fundraisers in the offseason, assisting with setup advice on cars and chatting with everyone at the track before and after races. He enjoys all aspects of short-track racing Seekonk has to offer.
A Wall of Fame Member, Len Ellis is Seekonk Speedway’s Home Track Hero. From driver to official, to mentor, to friend, Ellis is a true Seekonk Speedway community hreo, and the track would not be where it is today without him.