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"TIRES DESIGNED FOR CHAMPIONS"
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NEMA ANNUAL MEETING
RESULTS REPORT &
HANDICAPPING ADDENDUM HERE
with new 2012 handicapping
procedures
and rule changes from the 12-11-11 meeting. |
NEMA &
LITES 2012 SCHEDULE PDF HERE
(Revised on 1/16 - 10/6-7
Waterford added) |
February 10th & 11th, 2012
Royal Plaza Hotel - Route 20
Marlboro, MA - Exit 24b off
I-495
PRE-REGISTER
for FREE ADMISSION
AT
www.theracersexpo.com |
Stability,
Cost Savings & Growth
In Store for NEMA in
2012 |
Brockton, MA
- With the election of a new board &
various executive positions, the underlying
themes coming out of NEMA’s 2012 rules meeting
and elections held in December at Thompson
Speedway’s clubhouse were about stability, cost
savings & growth.
NEMA’s executive board
will once again be headed up by President, Mike
Scrivani. Scrivani will be supported by Tim
Bertrand as Vice President, Russ Stoehr as 2nd
Vice President – to focus on the NEMA Lite
series, newly elected Paul Scally as Treasurer,
and Linda Cleveland, who continues as Secretary.
Doug Cleveland and Shawn Torrey were re-elected
as board members, along with a new contingent
including Adam Cantor, Barry Kitteredge, Bob
Seymour and Joe Santa Maria.
“Coming off
of one of the most competitive seasons ever, we
looked – both as a club and as a Board, to
achieve stability, cost savings and focus on
growth for 2012,” stated Vice President, Tim
Bertrand. “We chose to freeze some of our
current technical rules for a period of at least
two years and adopted some new rules, such as a
new handicapping system to encourage car count.
Our old system discouraged members who were only
able to make it once in a while, and the new
system encourages anyone with a midget to come
run with us. We hope to even attract some talent
from the Midwest to our races,” said Bertrand.
Growth was also a big topic amongst the
members. The club has put together an aggressive
program around PR, Marketing and attracting new
talent to the club. Big changes will also be
announced soon regarding NEMA’s race day
operations team & procedures.
NEMA is
extremely excited about re-kindling
relationships with tracks such as Star Speedway
and Oswego on the 2012 schedule, and continued
support from long time relationships with
Waterford, Seekonk, Stafford, Thompson, and Lee
USA Speedway. More information on the full
schedule will be announced soon.
More
information will be forthcoming regarding NEMA’s
2012 initiatives, as well as additional driver &
personnel announcements over the coming weeks.
Keep your eyes peeled on www.nemaracing.com for
details. |
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| Former NEMA
Champion Joey Payne Returns to NEMA Full Time in 2012 |
Northeast Midget Association action has been as hot in
the off season, as it was on the track in 2011. Last
week, 2003 NEMA champion and long-time open wheel
standout Joey Payne announced that he will be returning
full time to the circuit in 2012 aboard the Ed Breault
owned #44.
“I had a decent year in 2011,” stated
Payne. “We raced Oswego full time, finishing 6th in
points with one win. We also had some bad luck, after
falling out of the $10,000 to win Mr. Supermodified race
with a flat while leading with 20 laps to go. The
Classic was another let down, running 2nd for 100 laps
and losing the rear end. Ed Breault asked me to drive
the last three races of the year, and we didn’t have
good luck either, but we had a blast,” said Payne.
With plans to run full time schedules with NEMA, at
Oswego (Muldoon Racing) and quarter midgets with his son
Anthony at Wall Stadium, Payne will certainly have his
hands full this season. His goals are also very clear,
“I’d like to win some races at Oswego, and make it back
to victory lane with NEMA,” said Payne.
Citing
his father as his biggest inspiration in racing & his
family for their support, Payne also heads up a long
list of NEMA competitors that credit their families with
their success & passion for the sport.
As for
the familiar, blue Breault #44, the car will carry its
flagship Crown Collision banner, in addition to Seymour
Enterprises, No Regrets Ink and Bell Helmets. Ed & Lou
Breault will continue to take care of the car during the
week, in addition to assistance from Mike Scrivani, Dave
Shore & Jason Parsons.
Payne, with the addition
of Adam Cantor, recent champions Randy Cabral & Russ
Stoehr, and 2nd year standouts Todd Bertrand & Anthony
Nocella will undoubtedly produce excitement for the fans
in 2012. |
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Driver’s Seat Marks the Spot
for
Cantor in 2012 |
After taking the 2011
season to “learn & reflect,” 2012 will mark Adam
Cantor’s return to the driver’s seat as a championship
contender in Northeast Midget Association competition.
“I can’t wait for the green flag to drop at
Waterford’s opener in late March,” states Cantor. “I’m
really looking forward to running against the likes of
Randy Cabral, Russ & Greg Stoehr and Joey Payne all
season long.”
Cantor calls the 2011 season “the
most difficult of his life,” having been the first time
in 22 years not behind the wheel of a racecar. As much
as it was difficult, Cantor also learned a great deal as
well as he spent much of his time “watching the races
unfold, learning each driver’s tendencies, strategy, and
taking the time to understand chassis set up at a much
deeper level.”
Cantor Racing returns with its
long time sponsor of ten years, IGA Reichert Group. “It
has been a pleasure to have been able to work with
Charlie Reichert and his family. I consider us truly
blessed to have been able to have their support and
friendship,” says Cantor.
A family operation at
its core, Cantor credits his parents, Allan Cantor (team
owner) & Kim (team manager) and Joe Demonte (head
mechanic) for much of his career success. “They have
never questioned any of the decisions I have made and
have supported every single decision I have made whether
they liked it or not,” states Cantor.
Cantor
also credits long time mentors, including karting legend
Charlie Cressi, for his success.
Highlighting
Monadnock & Twin State as his favorite tracks, he has
nothing against any of the tracks on NEMA’s schedule in
2012. “Once you dislike a track, you are better off
staying home,” says Cantor.
Cantor and NEMA kick
their season off at Waterford Speedbowl on March 31st.
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| 2/5/11 "Coffee Cup"
Action |
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| NEMA to Support
Providence Indoor Races - Off the Track & On |
Providence, RI: On March 10
& 11, 2012, the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, RI,
will host the annual Coffee Cup Indoor Auto Racing
featuring the small but powerful Three-Quarter Midgets
(TQs). And when guests enter the facility to enjoy the
annual event they will get an up-close view of a
“sister” racer, a full-scale Midget, courtesy of the
Northeastern Midget Association.
The racecar
owned by Ed Breault that will be campaigned by Joey
Payne, Jr. of Fairlawn, NJ, on the Northeastern Midget
Association during the 2012 season will be in the
entrance of the Dunkin’ Donuts Center allowing fans to
get a good look at a very similar car that will be in
competition during the two-day event.
“We are
happy to be here in support of the Coffee Cup,” said
NEMA President Mike Scrivani. “This is an excellent way
to introduce fans to a race car that they may not be all
that familiar. It is also a great way for us as a racing
organization to say thank you to everyone at Dunkin’
Donuts, the Dunkin Donuts Center, and event organizers,
Area Auto Racing News, for providing both competitors
and fans with an incredible racing event.”
The
event will also feature the Champ Karts.
The
Northeastern Midget Association will run a special
promotion to support their involvement with the indoor
racing spectacular.
Indoor racing provides an
intense experience for both fans and competitors.
Top-ranked drivers from around the northeast from a
variety of different racing backgrounds gather together
for the bragging rights of winning indoors. In
Providence, the track size is roughly 1/10th mile. In
the tight quarters, speeds reach in excess of 70 miles
per hour; providing plenty of thrills. The racing
surface is coated with cola syrup to enhance the grip on
the track, helping to ensure a fast and furious race to
the checkers. Two- and sometimes three-wide racing leads
to some pretty spectacular spills
.
During any
normal indoor event, the likes of Ted Christopher and
Mike Stefanik from the Tour Modified ranks, dirt
trackers like Billy Pauch Sr., Stuart Friesen and Mike
Dicely are joined by Supermodified aces like Mike
Lichty, characters like Timex Morgan and a host of
weekly racing series competitors to comprise one of the
most diverse and entertaining rosters found in racing.
The Northeastern Midget Association will be well
represented on the track as well. Payne, the 2003 NEMA
champion, is among the drivers considered favorites
during the indoor circuit. Payne is a six-time winner
indoors.
Payne will be joined at the Coffee Cup
presented by Dunkin’ Donuts by NEMA regulars including
up-and-comer Todd Bertrand of Suffield, CT and B.J.
MacDonald of Pipersville, PA. A part time competitor
with NEMA, Lou Cicconi, Jr. of Lester, PA, is also a
favorite. He currently has seven (7) indoor victories.
Multi-time and reigning NEMA champion Randy Cabral
of Plymouth, MA, has competed indoors over the last
couple of years. The talented driver is still searching
for a ride in Providence.
In the support
division, the Champ Karts will feature a group of third
generation drivers as the children of brothers Russ &
Greg Stoehr-Avery, Bethany, and Kathryn are scheduled to
compete. Russ Stoehr is a multi-time NEMA champion. He
and his brother Greg finished second and third
respectively in the point standings in 2011.
Tickets for the Coffee Cup presented by Dunkin’ Donuts
are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Tickets range in
price from $25-$45. The Dunkin’ Donuts Center is located
at One LaSalle Square in Providence, RI 02903.
Previous TQ winners of the indoor event at the Dunkin’
Donuts Center include Mike Iles, Ted Christopher (’09 &
’11), Mike Lichty, and Mike Stefanik. In the Champ Karts
Chris Daley is a two-time winner. Also scoring victories
have been Justin Bonsignore, Ryan Kendall, and Brian
Shields.
On February 10 & 11 many of the same
competitors will compete in the Len Sammons Motorsports
Production’s Gambler’s Classic in Atlantic City. The
Three-Quarter Midgets will be joined by the 600 Micros,
Slingshots and Champ Karts.
He may not be racing
but NEMA’s own Keith Botelho summed it up nicely for
those who cannot compete in Providence.
“I'll be
racing,” said Botelho, “racing down I-95 on my way to
watch the races.”
Botelho is a regular competitor
with NEMA; finishing fourth in the final point standings
in 2011. |
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Saturday,
November 19
White's of Westport
Westport, MA |
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2011 NEMA Midgets Owner and Driver Champions
Bertrand Motorsports and Randy Cabral |
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The Jim O’Brien
Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to
family and racing was presented by the O'Brien family to
Glen Cabral |
| Hardware Harvest at NEMA
Banquet |
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Full 2011 NEMA
Banquet Photo Page HERE |
Westport, MA – “I can’t
wait to come back next year,” champion Randy Cabral told
the 200-plus at the Northeastern Midget Association
Awards banquet Saturday night at White of Westport. It
was the third championship in four years for Cabral and
owner Tim Bertrand.
The NEMA Lites, led by
“champions” Gene Feigel and Seth Carlson, shared in the
traditional harvest of hardware
Cabral, who
dedicated the season to the late car owner Jim O’Brien
and super fan Jim Parsons, carried off the biggest
trophy as the top 15 owners and drivers in each division
were recognized.
Traditional trophies went to
Greg Stoehr (the coveted Johnny Thomson Memorial), Greg
and Kathryn Stoehr (Mechanic of the Year), Glen Cabral
(Wen Kelley Memorial), Lee Bundy (Ray Roberts Memorial)
Todd Bertrand and Seth Carlson (NEMA and Lites Ed
Clotheir Rookies of the Year), Mike Horn and James Santa
Maria (NEMA and Lites Joe Csiki Memorial Most Improved
Drivers), Russ Stoehr (Evans/Thrall Top Owner/Driver)
and Anthony Nocella and Bethany Stoehr (the NEMA and
Lites Pat Thibodeau Youth, Determination and Talent
Award winners).
Sons Matt, Dennis and Chris
introduced the Jim O’Brien Memorial Award for
outstanding contributions to family and racing and
presented it to Glen Cabral. On the tenth anniversary of
his passing, Brian Caruso was memorialized with a hard
charger award that went to Bethany Stoehr. Tara Stoehr
accepted the Angelillo Memorial, honoring the “woman
behind the man.”
Keith Botelho (NEMA) and
Christian Briggs (Lites) won the Shane Hammond
Sportsmanship Awards.
Dave Leonard (Ralph Miller
Memorial Award for Outstanding and Continuing
Perseverance), John Zych Jr. (Associate Member Never Say
Die Award) and Randy Bigelow (Hard Luck Award) were
recognized.
Lifetime Memberships went to Doug
Cleveland and Pete Zanardi.
Driver Ben Seitz and
owner Peter Valeri, the dominant team between 2004 and
2007, were inducted into the Dick Gallagher Hall of
Fame.
First time NEMA feature winners Mike Horn,
Todd Bertrand, Anthony Nocela were recognized as were
first-time Lites winners Seth Carlson, Randy Bigelow,
Andy Barrows, Ian Cumens, D.J. Moniz. The Scally #30
(NEMA) and the Mederios #50 were the Wild Child Designs
best appearing cars. Ted Smith, Cantor Racing of Long
Island and Pennsylvania’s BJ MacDonald shared the Long
Haul award.
Collecting perfect attendance Awards
trophies were the Dumo’s Desire #45, the Bertrand
Motorsports #47, the Russ Stoehr #25, The Cantor Racing
#7ny, the Scally Racing #30, Lee Bundy’s #2 along with
Gene Feigel #71, Paul Luggelle’s #28 and the Bobby
Seymour/Andy Barrows #81, the latter three Lites
entries.
The Mazda Motorsports Top Gun Pit Crew
Awards went to #45 Dumo’s Desire (April), #13 Randy
Bigelow (May), #28 Paul Luggelle (June), #93X Mike Horn
(July), #39 Bertrand Motorsports (August),
#9
Seymour Racing (September) and #71 Gene Feigel (October)
NEMA – Top 15
Owners: 1. #47 Tim
Bertrand, 2. #45 Dumo’ Desire,
3. #7ny Allan Cantor,
4. #25 Russ Stoehr, 5. #26b Greg Stoehr,
6. #30 Paul
Scally, 7. #93X Mike Horn, 8. #2 Lee Bundy,
9. #29
Jeff Abold, 10. #9 John Zyck, 11. #22 Dave Leonard,
12. #39 Tim Bertrand, #13. #49 BJ MacDonald, 14. #44 Ed
Breault,
15. #3m Jim Miller.
Drivers: 1. Randy Cabral,
2. Russ Stoehr, 3. Greg Stoehr,
4. Keith Botelho, 5.
Jeff Abold, 6. Paul Scally, 7. Mike Horn,
8. Jeremy
Frankoski, 9. Lee Bundy, 10. Todd Bertrand,
11.
Chris Leonard, 12. John Zych, 13. BJ MacDonald,
14.
Anthony Nocella, 15. Doug Cleveland.
NEMA LITES – Top 15
Owners: 1. #71 Gene Feigel,
2. #81 Bob Seymour,
3. #29 Matt Seymour, 4. #50 Carl
Mederios, 5. #28 Paul Luggelle,
6. #26b Greg Stoehr,
7. #13 Randy Bigelow, 8. #99 Susan Santa Maria, 9. #48
David Igo, 10. #9 Bob Seymour, 11. #18. DJ Moniz,
12. #4 Paul Scally, 13. #21 Jennifer Scrivani,
14.
#44 Christian Briggs, 15. #3 Randy Bigelow.
Drivers: 1. Seth Carlson,
2. Andy Barrows, 3. Anthony Nocella,
4. Carl
Mederios Jr., 5. Paul Luggelle, 6. Ryan Bigelow,
7.
Bethany Stoehr, 8. Brandon Igo, 9. Anthony Marvuglio,
10. James Santa Maria, 11. DJ Moniz, 12. Randy
Cabral,
13. Christian Briggs, 14. Paul Bigelow, 15.
Lanson Fornoro.
Full 2011 NEMA
Banquet Photo Page HERE |
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The Northeastern Midget
Association’s 59th season is complete. It was a very
competitive campaign – eight winners including three
first-timers and championship battles that went
right to the final checkered. In the final
reckoning, Randy Cabral and owner Tim Bertrand won
the championships despite a five-win season by Russ
Stoehr and the Dumo’s Desire team. Only 25 points
separated them.
The traditional plethora of
hardware will be distributed at the Awards Banquet
Saturday, Nov. 19 at White’s of Westport in
Westport, MA.
Cabral, who was on the podium
in nine of 13 races this summer, claims a crash in
the 2010 Boston Louie had a lot to do with the 2011
crown. “I crashed out of that 2010 championship,”
says Cabral, calling “impatience” the culprit in a
last place finish. “It definitely had an impact on
my driving this year.”
The Bertrand team won
at the World Series but Stoehr’s third was more than
enough to claim the 2010 title. This summer, Stoehr
won at the season-ending World Series with Cabral
clinching with a second in a classic duel.
If
impatience was the culprit last year, a broken
panhard bar is the nominee this year. That’s what
led to Stoehr’s 17th at the Boston Louie. The race
before, it was a broken throttle spring. The leader
going into the Louie, Stoehr actually left in third
place behind Cabral, who finished second and brother
Greg.
Through the “Louie” Greg Stoehr had
seven top threes in 10 races including a win at Lee
in the 26b. He crashed the car at Waterford on Sept.
24. He did get a ride in Jim Miller’s 3m in the
final two races and wound up third in driver
standings, 93 points behind the leader. Miller’s
helping others is legendary.
 In
addition to the Cabral and the Stoehr brothers, Jeff
Abold, Keith Botelho, Mike Horn, Todd Bertrand and
Anthony Nocella were winners, the latter three first
timers. All of the first-timers had Cabral, who had
six seconds overall, on their bumper.
“I’ve
never been up on the wheel for so many laps for so
long. There was not a second to relax,” Cabral says
of the battle with teammate Bertrand, younger
brother to car owner Tim, at Waterford.
Cabral also reports that his dad Glen scolded him
for not helping Todd enough. “We were too concerned
about ourselves,” he explains, pledging to correct
the situation in 2012.
All
three first timers had historical tinges. Horn
(Thompson) put himself and dad Jeff on the
father/son win list, joining the Coys (Johnny Sr.
along with Johnny Jr. and Joey), the Evans’ (John
and Ronnie), the Harts (Bob and Rick) and the Manns
(Johnny and Billy).
Bertrand (Waterford)
along with Tim join Bob and Lou Cicconi, Joey and
Johnny Jr. Coy, Drew and Nokie Fornoro and Bobby and
Mike Seymour on the brothers win list.
Bertrand and Nocella (Seekonk) become the first NEMA
Lites products to win in the full Midgets.
Russ
Stoehr moved past Nokie Fornoro into third place on
the all-time win list. He now has 48. Champion Randy
Cabral’s two wins brings him to 31, two behind fifth
place Billy Eldridge.
It was the 12th
straight year Cabral has won, a statistic second
only to Dave Humphrey’s 16.
Greg Stoehr’s
win at Lee gives him 10 on the all-time list,
putting him in a tie for 27th.
Thunder Road
marked only the third time Russ and Greg Stoehr have
finished one-two. They did it at Thompson back in
1993 and at Waterford in 2010.
Paul
Scally’s dedication to NEMA is astonishing. Despite
some mechanical woes and that horrific crash at
Thunder Road, Scally made every race. The three
title contenders also started every feature.
Historian
Nick Teto discovered 2011 was the ninth time a
driver won both the opener and the closer. Bill
Eldridge did it in 1954, Dick Brown in 1961, Johnny
Mann in 1972, Armond Holley in 1976 and again in
1977, Dave Humphrey in 1985, Ben Seitz in 2005, Joey
Payne Jr. in 2006 and Russ Stoehr in 2011.
Teto also discovered the podium (Randy Cabral, Greg
Stoehr, Todd Bertrand) was the same for the Twin
State and Waterford results. That hadn’t happened in
back-to-back events since 2003 when Drew Fornoro,
Adam Cantor and Randy Cabral did it at Thompson and
Star.
Jeff
Abold became the first to win three straight Boston
Louie races, riding a Seymour Enterprises wave that
reached nine wins at Seekonk since 2008 when Nocella
won the DAV.
Russ
Stoehr’s two wins at Waterford brings his total
there to seven, five of them coming since he
returned to action with the Dumo’s Desire team three
years ago. Before that, he had won only twice at the
‘Bowl. |
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Consistency Keys Cabral’s NEMA Crown |
Randy Cabral, the
Northeastern Midget Association driving champion for the
third time in four years, vividly recalls a dinner
conversation with his dad Glen. Like his dad, he wanted
to drive Midgets and hoped to become “somebody’s that’s
noticed.”
The weekend after clinching the title
with a second at Thompson’s World Series, Cabral at Lee
Speedway’s Octoberfest. “Everybody was talking about the
NEMA champ being there,” Cabral says. “It was kind of
nice.”
Cabral and car owner Tim Bertrand,
together since 2006, will be the guests of honor at
NEMA’s annual Awards Banquet Saturday, Nov. 19 at Whites
of Westport in Westport, MA.
It is, Cabral
continues, “a privilege to be the champion because so
many drivers have fought so many times and missed out by
just a little. To have one championship is amazing.
Never did I consider three.”
Point chasing and
defending championships are, however, not something
Cabral or Bertrand enjoy. “Tim says ‘looking at points
can lead to bad things,’” Cabral declares. “This season
we didn’t pay attention to points, not even after we
took the lead. This year was more about having fun.”
Nothing was more fun than the last race – he was
second to Russ Stoehr in a classic performance for both.
It pleased Cabral to no end. “I went to Thompson
extremely excited,” he explains. “I wanted no one to
fall out of the race. I wanted this to come down to a
great race for the fans.”
He takes pride in how
close he and Stoehr ran, both aware of what the
slightest bump could do. “I did have the most to lose,”
adds. Cabral and Bertrand wound up with a 25-point edge
on Stoehr and Dumo’s Desire racing, the latter five time
winners.
The sixth second of the campaign (he won
twice), the World Series capped an amazing season that
didn’t start that well. “We had small issues because of
a new motor. We had some handling problems. As usual,
Tim figured it out and we got going pretty good.”
Stoehr won the first three races – Waterford,
Thunder Road and Stafford. Cabral, 11th at the latter
when a sparkplug wire fell off, recalls thinking “Ok, we
know who’s going to win the championship.” He and
Bertrand agreed to “let’s just go racing.”
They
were second to Jeff Abold at the Boston Louie, the
turning point of the season. While Cabral had a “perfect
car,” Stoehr had a horrible finish. Cabral and Bertrand
took over the point leads.
Victory wise, it was
the worst season since 2006 for Cabral/Bertrand. It
terms of consistency, nine podiums in 13 starts, 2011
was astonishing. More often than not, his seconds were
sensational, chasing Mike Horn home at Thompson and
teammate Todd Bertrand at Waterford examples. More often
than not, his seconds were sensational, chasing Mike
Horn home at Thompson and teammate Todd Bertrand at
Waterford examples.
Over the last eight races, he
was on the podium seven times.
“We really had
good set ups wherever we go and we made adjustments once
we got there,” explains Cabral. He also believes “I
drove better this year once the car got to handling. I
was communicating better.”
He is noticed.
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Bertrand’s NEMA Success
Based on Communication |
Brockton, MA -
Communication and history, claims car owner Tim
Bertrand, makes championships. Bertrand and driver Randy
Cabral are the Northeastern Midget Association champions
for the third time in the past four years.
With
two this season, the combination has won 24 features
since coming together in 2006. The Dumo’s Desire team,
with drivers Joey Payne and Russ Stoehr, is next with
14.
“People think it is equipment,” says
Bertrand, a former driver. “It isn’t.” It is, he insists
“welding” the knowledge of setting up the car with
Cabral’s wants as a driver. “We are always trying to
make the car go faster,” says Bertrand. “We think about
set up all the time. Not a week goes by that we don’t
talk five times about the car.”
Pointing out the
#47 is already apart, Bertrand adds it goes on in winter
as well as summer. Boldly, Bertrand suggests the
communication ranks with the best in NEMA’s long
history.
“You know when I know I have a good
idea?” he asks rhetorically. “I will go to Randy or to
(Randy’s dad) Glen with an idea and they will say ‘you
know, I was thinking the same thing.’” That, he says,
goes on a lot at the track.
“We go into every
race without expectations and with a sense of
nervousness,” Bertrand continues. “I believe it’s true
for all competitors regardless of the sport. Without
that sense of nervousness, you don’t have your edge.”
The team’s at-track history of heroics is becoming
legendary.
Bertrand swears he predicted it all
the first time Cabral drove his car in a Thursday
practice session at Waterford Speedbowl in 2005.
Bertrand, who had stopped driving the year before, was
having a tough season. Mark Buonomo and Ted Christopher
had both crashed the car. It was after the Christopher
crash that Cabral, who was driving for his father,
approached Bertrand.
“I didn’t think he was
serious at first,” Bertrand remembers. “Still, it kind
of stuck in my mind and finally I called him.” They met
and after laps in the 12.9 seconds range, Bertrand told
Randy and his mother Marie “if we make this deal, we’re
going to win a lot of races.”
Cabral actually
crashed (after breaking a Heim joint) in his first ride
for Cabral – the 2005 DAV. What impressed Bertrand,
however, was seeing the whole Cabral family in tears.
After consultation with his family, Bertrand decided to
move forward.
“We found a 1999 Drinan chassis in
a barn out in the Midwest and made a commitment,”
Bertrand says. He recalls Glen Cabral actually being a
little apprehensive about the Drinan. Arguably the first
successive winged Drinan, it remains the top car in the
Bertrand stable.
“The shocks came with the car in
2005,” Bertrand points out. “We just replaced the rear
this year. And we haven’t crashed the car a lot.” Glen
Cabral, one of NEMA’s dedicated low buckers for years,
is a factor as well. “Glen,” Bertrand claims, “doesn’t
like to spend a dime on anything.”
In terms of
winning, 2011 was equal to 2006. Consistency wise – nine
podiums, including six seconds, in 13 starts – it was
sensational. Bertrand points to, in fact takes pride in,
NEMA’s drive for equity. There were eight different
winners – three first timers.
The decision to run
the Esslinger “spec engine” was a factor as well.
There’s less power, but you get 30 to 40 races out of
engine and then it’s 30% less to refresh. “Considering
those stats, I’ll take nine podiums happily,” says
Bertrand.
Brother Todd was one of the
first-timers, winning at Waterford in the family car
with Cabral second. Bertrand’s only win came at the
‘Bowl as well. |
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Russ Stoehr #45 vs Randy Cabral #47 |
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Race Winner Russ
Stoehr #45 |
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Dumo's Desire Racing
#45 |
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2011 Owner Champion -
Tim Bertrand
2011
Driver Champion - Randy Cabral |
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Russ Stoehr & Randy Cabral
Score at Thompson WS |
Thompson, CT – Russ Stoehr won the battle and
Randy Cabral claimed the war in a classic Northeastern
Midget Association race Sunday, oCTOBER 16 at Thompson Speedway’s
World Series. Taking the lead on a lap-19 restart,
Stoehr went on to capture the 25-lapper. A second was
more than enough to give Cabral and car-owner Tim
Bertrand their third Driver and Owner Championships in the last four
years.
It was the fifth win of the season for
Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire 45) who got exactly what he needed
when the race was stopped for the second time. Lining up
outside Cabral, the pace setter since lap two, Stoehr
grabbed the lead heading into one. Over the next five
laps, interrupted by a third caution, it was an epic
tussle, Stoehr on the outside and Cabral down low.
Mike Horn (Horn 93X) watched it all from third spot
while Ben Seitz (Cantor 7ny) held off Jeff Abold (Abold
29) for fourth. Jeff Horn (Horn A1), Ted Christopher
(deRitis 75), B.J. MacDonald (MacDonald 49), Joey Payne
(Breault 44) and Erica Santos (Santos 98s) completed the
top 10.
Stoehr was second, several car lengths
behind, when the second yellow showed. “Toward the
middle of the race I thought I’d save the tires if
something presented itself later,” said Stoehr. “[The
restart] was the opportunity I was waiting for. I
thought we’d be better at the end and we were.”
“Without the caution, it was [Randy’s] race,” added
Stoehr, a winner at Thompson for the first time since
2002.
Trouble “taking off,” was definitely a
Cabral problem. “On one restart I tried to jump and he
actually out-jumped me,” Cabral said.
Still, on
either side of a single file restart on lap 20, it was
classic stuff. Cabral’s consistency made inside
challenges heading into one and three. “I had him once
or twice but when I got by him I couldn’t make it
stick,” offered Cabral, second for the sixth time this
season. “Every time I caught him [Russ] was pinching me
just enough. He knew exactly what to do.”
The car
spent in “putting on a show,” Cabral said he was
“thinking about the big picture” over the final two
laps.
Cabral had the fastest feature lap (18.076)
and it came early. Stoehr’s fastest lap – 18.163 – came
late. Coming from sixth, Cabral passed Horn for the lead
on lap two. On the first restart (following a red flag),
Stoehr jumped from fourth to second but Cabral, handling
traffic with ease, again opened up a sizable lead.
In the end, the race came to Stoehr.
Christopher, subbing for an ill Chris deRitis, came from
the rear as did Payne, involved in the first crash.
Cabral’s
18.076 lap converts to 129.453 miles per hour.
”We’ve
got all winter to think about it,” is the way Stoehr,
the 2010 champion, explained winning the last race of
the season. He said, “all-in-all, the Dumo’s Desire team
had a “pretty successful” season. “I told my team to
hold its head high. We have a lot to proud of.”
The
runner-up spot closed out a great second half for the
Bertrand team. Cabral claiming “the first half of the
year I was terrible.” Three wins and six seconds is a
great season.
The
NEMA powers that be rounded up 24 cars for the World
Series including the Santos 98s that Erica Santos drove
to a 10th spot. The top 12 cars completed all 25 lap
with the next two only a lap down.
|
|
NEMA Midgets Feature -
Thompson
- 10/16 |
|
Pos. |
# |
Driver |
Hometown |
Owner |
|
1 |
45 |
Russ Stoehr |
Lakeville, MA |
Dumo's Desire
Racing |
|
2 |
47 |
Randy Cabral |
Plymouth, MA |
Tim Bertrand |
|
3 |
93x |
Mike Horn |
Ashland, MA |
Jeff Horn |
|
4 |
7ny |
Ben Seitz |
Bourne, MA |
Cantor Racing |
|
5 |
29 |
Jeff Abold |
Baldwinsville,
NY |
Jeff Abold |
|
6 |
A1 |
Jeff Horn |
Ashland, MA |
Jeff Horn |
|
7 |
75 |
Ted Christopher |
Plainville, CT |
Dan
deRitis |
|
8 |
49 |
B.J. MacDonald |
Dublin, PA |
B.J. MacDonald |
|
9 |
44 |
Joey Payne |
Fairlawn, NJ |
Ed Breault |
|
10 |
98s |
Erica Santos |
Franklin , MA |
Robert Santos Jr. |
|
11 |
25 |
Keith Botelho |
Attleboro, MA |
Russ Stoehr |
|
12 |
77 |
Shawn Torrey |
Marshield, MA |
Mike Luggelle |
|
13 |
2 |
Lee Bundy |
Kennebunkport,
ME |
Lee Bundy |
|
14 |
28 |
Paul Luggelle |
Holbrook, MA |
Paul Luggelle |
15
DNF |
3m |
Greg Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
Jim Miller |
16
DNF |
30 |
Paul Scally |
Raynham, MA |
Paul Scally |
17
DNF |
39 |
Todd
Bertrand |
Suffield, CT |
Bertrand
Motorsports |
18
DNF |
28b |
Derek Pernesiglio |
Charlotte, NC |
Paul Luggelle |
19
DNF |
48 |
Brandon Igo |
Wilbraham, MA |
David Igo |
20
DNF |
26b |
Bethany Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr |
21
DNF |
9 |
John Zych, Jr. |
Liverpool, NY |
John Zych, Sr. |
22
DNF |
99 |
Anthony Marvuglio |
E. Bridgewater,MA |
Tammy Bourbeau |
23
DNF |
88 |
Lanson
Fornoro |
Stroudsburg, PA |
Andy Anderson |
24
DNF |
87 |
Doug Cleveland |
Sudbury, MA |
Doug Cleveland |
|
Heat
1 -
9-45-3m-75-98s-29-25-77-28b-26b-39-87 dnf |
Heat 2 -
93x-7NY-47-44-99-A1-49-30-88-2-48-28 dnf
-21 dns |
|
|
|
NEMA’s Season Ends
at World
Series |
Brockton, MA – Per usual, the Northeastern
Midget Association point battle goes to the final race,
Thompson’s World Series. Thompson, the fastest venue on
the NEMA docket, has been the ultimate test for the
midgets for decades.
Thompson has been hosting
Midgets since 1940. NEMA has been a mainstay since 1960.
Randy Cabral takes a 26 point bulge on Greg
Stoehr into the 25 lap feature. Russ Stoehr sits 37 back
in third place. With eight different winners, the most
competitive NEMA campaign in several years comes to an
end at Thompson.
Mike Horn (Horn 93x) will be
looking to repeat his July 7 victory. Horn and Cabral,
Thompson’s all-time NEMA winner with nine, staged an
epic battle. Cabral and the Bertrand team will be
looking for a second straight and fifth overall World
Series win.
The Stoehr brothers are familiar with
the Thompson asphalt as well. Russ (Dumo’s Desire), who
clinched the title at last year’s World Series, has
three Thompson wins. Greg, who’ll most likely be driving
Jim Miller’s 3m, has one.
“Thompson Midget
winners is one of most impressive lists in all of
racing,” says NEMA President Mike Scrivani Jr. “All the
greats are there.” Scrivani has tasted victory at
Thompson with several drivers including Dave Humphrey,
Nokie Fornoro and Gene Bergin.
With lap times
often in the high seventeen/low eighteens, experience is
a powerful weapon at Thompson. In addition to Cabral and
the Stoehr boys, Keith Botelho (Stoehr 25), Chris
deRitis
(deRitis 75), Jeff Horn (Horn A1), Ben Seitz
(Cantor 7ny),
BJ MacDonald (MacDonald 49) and Joey
Payne (Breault 44) are all Thompson tested.
Other contenders are John Zych (Zych 9), Barry Kittredge
(Kittredge 8), Chris Leonard (Leonard 22) and Todd
Bertrand (Bertrand 39).
Thompson Speedway NEMA Winners
No. of Wins - Driver - First -
Last
9 - Randy Cabral - 2001 - 2008
6 -
Johnny Mann - 1972 - 1978
5 - Drew Fornoro - 1985 -
2003
5 - Nokie Fornoro - 1982 - 2009
4 - Johnny
Coy Sr. - 1969 - 1981
4 - Armond Holley - 1976 -
1977
3 - Bob Cicconi - 1978 - 1987
3 - Ben Seitz
- 2005 - 2007
3 - Russ Stoehr - 1994 - 2002
2 -
Mark Buonomo - 2001 - 2004
2 - Dave Humphrey - 1970
-1971
2 - Russ Klar - 1969 - 1972
2 - Hank
Rogers - 1980 - 1980
2 - Bobby White - 1979 - 1979
One-time Thompson winners: Gene Bergin (1969),
Lennie Boyd (1979), Kyle Carpenter (2002), Joey Coy
(1992), Johnny Coy Jr. (1981), Ryan Dolan (2002), Leigh
Earnshaw (1979), Ronnie Evans (1970), Mike Favulli
(1989), George Ferguson Jr. (1978), Walt Gale (1968),
Mike Horn (2011),George Monsen (1978), Joey Payne Jr.
(2000), Bobby Santos III (2003), Dutch Schaefer (1960),
Greg Stoehr (1993), Butch Walsh (1986), Hank Williams
(1960). |
|
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|
October 7, 8, & 9 |
 |
Nocella & Cumens NEMA
First Time Winners at DAV |
Seekonk, MA – Anthony
Nocella captured his first Northeastern Midget
Association feature Sunday, winning the 25-lap feature
at Seekonk Speedway’s D.Anthony Venditti Memorial. It
was a dominating performance for Nocella and the Seymour
#4.
Nocella, the all-time winner in the NEMA
Lites, started ninth. He took the lead from John Zych
(Zych #9) on lap 13 and then beat back a lap 19 restart
challenge from Randy Cabral. It was all according to
plan.
“We wanted to be leading around the halfway
point,” said Nocella. “I kinda wanted to save something.
I wanted to have enough tire to hold somebody off if
there was a late caution. That’s how it happened.”
Cabral (Bertrand #47) was a straightaway (2.363
seconds) behind in second. Keith Botelho (Stoehr #25),
Greg Stoehr (Miller #3m) and Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire
#45) filled out the top five.
Nocella, who passed
Cabral for third on lap 10, had a wide lead when the
only caution fell. “I knew Randy wasn’t going to give
up,” he said. “Randy was going to drive it in hard on
the outside and try to hold me down.”
“His tires
looked like they belonged on a four wheeler,” said
Cabral who had taken second from Zych two laps before.
“It was the only way I was going to get him.” Cabral,
however, did not get the bite he needed and Nocella “got
away.”
Nocella, who drove the Santa Maria #99
most of the year, passed the test. “You want to run it
in as hard as he did,” he said, “but you know you can’t
do that. You try to run it in a little easy because you
don’t want to slide into him and you want to get it
turned so you can get on the gas in the straightaway.”
Point leader Cabral, who widened his lead on Greg
Stoehr to 26, did challenge for a lap before “saying to
myself, ‘OK, time to fall into second.’”
Botelho,
Greg Stoehr and Russ Stoehr rallied in the closing laps.
Greg Stoehr, who crashed his #26b two weeks ago at
Waterford, was in the Jim Miller #3m. Russ Stoehr came
from 12th in an almost rebuilt car after a host of
problems on Saturday.
Paul Scally led the first
lap before giving way to Zych on lap two.
“It was
definitely a fast car,” understated Nocella. “Everybody
else did well in it and I wanted to win for them too.”
Bobby Santos III, Mark Buonomo, Jeff Abold and Lou
Cicconi have scored Seekonk wins in the car over the
past 10 years.
“This is the same car Santos drove
here 10 years ago,” said owner Bobby Seymour, pointing
out “it’s all about handling” at Seekonk. “Every time we
come to this track we put the exact same set up on it. I
don’t think the front axle had been changed in 10 years.
We’re never really any quicker but we’re always right
there.” Nocella’s 11.371 was the fastest lap
It
was another Seymour family Seekonk sweep, Ian Cumens
winning Saturday’s LITES feature in the Seymour #9
Hawk/Focus.
Seth Carlson chased Cumens home in
the final LITES event of the year. Andy Barrows, Brandon
Igo and Anthony Marvuglio completed the top five.
The NEMA Midgets complete their season this weekend
at Thompson Speedway’s World Series. |
 |
 |
|
|
|
-
|
NEMA Midgets Feature -
Seekonk DAV - 10/9 |
|
Pos. |
# |
Driver |
Hometown |
Owner |
|
1 |
4 |
Anthony
Nocella |
Woburn, MA |
Bobby Seymour |
|
2 |
47 |
Randy Cabral |
Plymouth, MA |
Tim Bertrand |
|
3 |
25 |
Keith Botelho |
Attleboro, MA |
Russ Stoehr |
|
4 |
3m |
Greg Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
Jim Miller |
|
5 |
45 |
Russ Stoehr |
Lakeville, MA |
Dumo's Desire
Racing |
|
6 |
75 |
Lou Cicconi |
Philadelphia, PA
|
Dan
deRitis |
|
7 |
9 |
John Zych, Jr. |
Liverpool, NY |
John Zych, Sr. |
|
8 |
8 |
Barry Kittredge |
Marlboro, MA |
Barry Kittredge |
|
9 |
A1 |
Jeff Horn |
Ashland, MA |
Jeff Horn |
|
10 |
49 |
B.J. MacDonald |
Dublin, PA |
B.J. MacDonald |
|
11 |
13 |
Ryan Bigelow |
E. Hampton, CT |
Randy Bigelow |
|
12 |
22 |
Chris Leonard |
Pelham, NH |
Dave Leonard |
|
13 |
99 |
Anthony Marvuglio |
E. Bridgewater, MA |
Tammy
Bourbeau |
|
14 |
39 |
Todd
Bertrand |
Suffield, CT |
Bertrand
Motorsports |
|
15 |
93x |
Mike Horn |
Ashland, MA |
Jeff Horn |
16
DNF |
7ny |
Ben Seitz |
Pocasset, MA |
Cantor Racing |
17
DNF |
30 |
Paul Scally |
Raynham, MA |
Paul Scally |
18
DNF |
87 |
Doug Cleveland |
Sudbury, MA |
Doug Cleveland |
19
DNF |
44 |
Joey Payne |
Fairlawn, NJ |
Ed Breault |
20
DNS |
2 |
Lee Bundy |
Kennebunkport,
ME |
Lee Bundy |
21
DNS |
77 |
Paul Luggelle |
Holbrook, MA |
Mike Luggelle |
|
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|
SATURDAY HEATS - SEEKONK DAV - 10/8 |
LITES Heat #1 - 4-71-81-18-26b-28-99-93dnf
LITES Heat #2 - 9-48-21-50-47-52-7-44-46dns
|
|
|
NEMA MIDGETS Heat #1 -
22-7-99-47-49-8-A1-13-39-2
NEMA MIDGETS Heat #2 -
4-30-9-45-25-3m-75-87-93x-44 |
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NEMA LITES Feature - Seekonk DAV - 10/8 |
|
Pos. |
# |
Driver |
Hometown |
Owner |
|
1 |
9 |
Ian Cumens |
Lydell, PA |
Bobby Seymour |
|
2 |
71 |
Seth Carlson |
Brimfield, MA |
Gene Feigel |
|
3 |
81 |
Andy Barrows |
New Ipswich, NH |
Andy Barrows |
|
4 |
48 |
Brandon Igo |
Wilbraham, MA |
David Igo |
|
5 |
21 |
Anthony Marvuglio |
E. Bridgewater, MA |
Jennifer Scrivani |
|
6 |
26b |
Bethany Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr |
|
7 |
4 |
Joey Mucciacciaro |
Wolcott, CT |
Paul Scally |
|
8 |
18 |
David
Moniz |
Fairhaven, MA |
David Moniz |
|
9 |
99 |
James Santa Maria |
Burlington, CT |
Susan Santa Maria |
|
10 |
47 |
Lanson
Fornoro |
Stroudsburg, PA |
Julia Parker |
|
11 |
93 |
Jake Smith |
Stroudsburg, PA |
Ted Smith |
|
12 |
46 |
Kenny
Johnson |
Bethany, CT |
Jeff Johnson |
|
13 |
52 |
Kevin Park |
Foxboro, MA |
Kevin Park |
| 14 |
7 |
Dana Shaw |
- |
Dana Shaw |
15
DNF |
50 |
Carl Medeiros, Jr. |
Westport, MA |
Carl Medeiros |
16
DNF |
28 |
Paul Luggelle |
Holbrook, MA |
Paul Luggelle |
17
DNF |
44 |
Christian
Briggs |
Mattapoisett,
MA |
Christian Briggs |
|
|
|
NEMA Points Battle
To
Seekonk’s DAV |
Brockton, MA – A scant 11 points separate the
top three drivers as the Northeastern Midget Association
makes its annual visit to Seekonk Speedway’s D. Anthony
Venditti Memorial this weekend. The DAV is among the
sweetest of plums for NEMA competitors.
Randy
Cabral, with a win and a second earlier this year at
“the cement palace,” leads Greg Stoehr by just eight
points and defending champion Russ Stoehr by 11. Russ
Stoehr is coming off a victory at Waterford two weeks
back.
Traditional foes Bertrand Racing and the
Dumo’s Desire team, separated by 11 points, are once
again battling for the owners’ crown.
The NEMA
Lites are on the DAV agenda as well. Seekonk has become
home base for the increasing popular division. NEMA will
qualify on Saturday for Sunday’s feature. All the Lites
action will be on Saturday.
The consistency of
Cabral’s Bertrand team and Greg Stoehr’s #26b operation
has been noteworthy, each with seven podium finishes
this year. Both hope to rebound from subpar efforts at
Waterford. Russ Stoehr reversed a trend of bad luck with
his Waterford win, a broken throttle spring and a
suspension part among the maladies that plagued the
Dumo’s Desire team.
All seven 2011 winners –
Jeff Abold, Todd Bertrand, Keith Botelho, Mike Horn in
addition to Cabral and the Stoehr brothers – are
expected. It is, in fact, difficult to look past Abold
and the Seymour family, so impressive winning a
third-straight “Louie” last month at Seekonk.
Still, it’s difficult to find a Midget competitor
without hard-earned knowledge of Seekonk, part of the
NEMA family since 1953. Laps in the low and middle 11
seconds bracket (100 mph plus) are standard. There is no
relaxing at the ‘Konk.’
Anthony Nocella, another
Seymour driver who was fourth at “The Louie,” is another
contender on a list that includes veteran Joey Payne
Jr., now driving the Breault #44, Jeremy Frankoski,
ageless Jeff Horn, Chris Leonard, Barry Kittredge, Matt
O’Brien, B.J. MacDonald, Chris deRitis, John Zych and
Paul Scally.
The busy Nocella, based on past
efforts, probably rates the favorite in the Lites race
as well. The Lites, however, have had eight different
winners this season – Ryan and Paul Bigelow, Russ Wood
Jr., Paul Luggelle, Seth Carlson, Andy Barrows and David
Moniz joining Nocella. Among those looking to join the
list – Carl Medeiros, Randy Cabral, Bethany Stoehr and
Lanson Fornoro. |
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Photos by Mark McKeon THANKS! |
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NEMA LITES Feature - Seekonk - 10-2-11 |
|
Pos. |
# |
Driver |
Hometown |
Owner |
|
1 |
71 |
Seth Carlson |
Brimfield, MA |
Gene Feigel |
|
2 |
26b |
Bethany Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr |
|
3 |
13 |
Ryan Bigelow |
E. Hampton, CT |
Randy Bigelow |
|
4 |
50 |
Carl Medeiros, Jr. |
Westport, MA |
Carl Medeiros |
|
5 |
51 |
Russ Wood
Jr. |
Pelham, NH |
Russ
Wood Jr. |
|
6 |
29 |
Anthony
Nocella |
Woburn, MA |
Matt Seymour |
|
7 |
18 |
David
Moniz |
Fairhaven, MA |
David Moniz |
|
8 |
48 |
Brandon Igo |
Wilbraham, MA |
David Igo |
|
9 |
81 |
Andy Barrows |
New Ipswich, NH |
Andy Barrows |
|
10 |
28 |
Paul Luggelle |
Holbrook, MA |
Paul Luggelle |
|
11 |
47 |
Lanson
Fornoro |
Stroudsburg, PA |
Julia Parker |
12
DNF |
44 |
Christian
Briggs |
Mattapoisett,
MA |
Christian Briggs |
13
DNF |
9 |
Ian Cumens |
Lydell, PA |
Bobby Seymour |
14
DNF |
21 |
Anthony Marvuglio |
E. Bridgewater, MA |
Jennifer Scrivani |
15
DNF |
93 |
Jake Smith |
Stroudsburg, PA |
Ted Smith |
16
DNS |
52 |
Kevin Park |
Foxboro, MA |
Kevin Park |
|
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"Night of the NEMAs"
Saturday,
September 24th
NEMA Midgets &
NEMA LITES |
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Chris deRitis - Russ Stoehr - Lou Cicconi |
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| Heats> |
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| Feature> |
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Photos by
John Dadalt |
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Photos by Steve Kennedy THANKS! |
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NEMA Feature -
Waterford - 9-24-11 |
|
Pos. |
# |
Driver |
Hometown |
Owner |
|
1 |
45 |
Russ Stoehr |
Lakeville, MA |
Dumo's Desire
Racing |
|
2 |
75 |
Chris deRitis
|
Philadelphia, PA
|
Dan
deRitis |
|
3 |
4 |
Lou Cicconi |
Philadelphia, PA
|
Bobby Seymour |
|
4 |
29 |
Jeff Abold |
Baldwinsville,
NY |
Jeff Abold |
|
5 |
7ny |
Ben Seitz |
Pocasset, MA |
Cantor Racing |
|
6 |
25 |
Greg Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
Russ Stoehr |
|
7 |
39 |
Todd
Bertrand |
Suffield, CT |
Bertrand
Motorsports |
|
8 |
47 |
Randy Cabral |
Plymouth, MA |
Tim Bertrand |
|
9 |
87 |
Doug Cleveland |
Sudbury, MA |
Doug Cleveland |
|
10 |
44 |
Joey Payne |
Fairlawn, NJ |
Ed Breault |
|
11 |
9 |
John Zych, Jr. |
Liverpool, NY |
John Zych, Sr. |
|
12 |
30 |
Paul Scally |
Raynham, MA |
Paul Scally |
13
DNF |
13 |
Ryan Bigelow |
E. Hampton, CT |
Randy Bigelow |
14
DNF |
99 |
Jim Santa
Maria |
Burlington, CT |
Susan Santa Maria |
15
DNS |
26b |
Greg Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
Greg Stoehr |
|
HEAT 1
-
75 - 4 - 47 - 87 - 7ny - 39 - 13 - 0 dnf |
|
HEAT 1
-
45 - 30 - 29 - 44 - 99 - 26b dnf - 25 (Lanson
Fornoro) dnf |
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| Heats> |
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| Feature> |
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Photos by
John Dadalt |
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NEMA LITES Feature - Waterford - 9-24-11 |
|
Pos. |
# |
Driver |
Hometown |
Owner |
|
1 |
29 |
Anthony
Nocella |
Woburn, MA |
Matt Seymour |
|
2 |
50 |
Carl Medeiros, Jr. |
Westport, MA |
Carl Medeiros |
|
3 |
26b |
Bethany Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr |
|
4 |
4 |
Joey Mucciacciaro |
Wolcott, CT |
Paul Scally |
|
5 |
48 |
Brandon Igo |
Wilbraham, MA |
David Igo |
|
6 |
9 |
Ian Cumens |
Lydell, PA |
Bobby Seymour |
|
7 |
81 |
Andy Barrows |
New Ipswich, NH |
Andy Barrows |
|
8 |
46 |
Kenny
Johnson |
Bethany, CT |
Jeff Johnson |
|
9 |
28 |
Paul Luggelle |
Holbrook, MA |
Paul Luggelle |
|
10 |
71 |
Seth Carlson |
Brimfield, MA |
Gene Feigel |
|
11 |
21 |
Anthony Marvuglio |
E. Bridgewater, MA |
Jennifer Scrivani |
|
12 |
44 |
Christian
Briggs |
Mattapoisett,
MA |
Christian Briggs |
13
DNF |
99 |
Howie Bumpus |
Lakeville, MA |
Susan Santa Maria |
14
DNS |
7x |
Jack
McKeon |
Kensington, CT |
Jack
McKeon |
15
DNS |
39 |
Rich Tufano |
- |
- |
|
HEAT 1
-
44 - 46 - 28 - 29 - 9 - 81 dns |
|
HEAT 2
-
48 - 21 - 50 - 26b - 71 - 7x dnf - 4 dns - 39
dns |
|
Russ Stoehr Returns To
Victory Lane
In Speedbowl NEMA Action,
Nocella
Records LITES Win |
(Waterford, CT) Russ Stoehr won
Saturday evening’s 25-lap Northeastern Midget
Association feature at the Waterford Speedbowl. It was
the 4th feature victory of the season for the 6-time
NEMA champion.
Commanding the outside lane,
Stoehr passed pole-sitter Doug Cleveland and
second-place Chris DeRitis in dramatic fashion to take
the lead on the second-lap. The yellow flew only
2-circuits later when former champion Joey Pane wheeling
the Ed Breault-owned #44 recently vacated by Erica
Santos abruptly drove into the infield coming to a halt.
Moving into second on the restart, point leader
Randy Cabral appeared to mount a serious challenge to
Stoehr by lap-6 but suddenly slowed, his car momentarily
loosing power.
Rounding-out the top-3 at halfway
was Stoehr, DeRitis, and “Liquid Lou” Cicconi (making
his first NEMA start of the year).
In the closing
circuits, DeRitis seemed to be reeling-in the leader,
but it was not to be as Stoehr prevailed by two
car-lengths at the finish. Cicconi maintained the
third-spot. Completing the top-5 were Jeff Abold and Ben
Seitz. Point-leader Cabral rallied to an 8th-place
finish.
“My guys told me that DeRitis was
really-good on the bottom. Getting into the lead early
and staying low was key to winning tonight,” said Stoehr
in victory lane. “As-usual the crew gave me a great car.
This win is dedicated to Nancy Gainnini who is presently
seriously ill. Nancy is the wife of our longtime
crewmember and close friend Jackie who is one of the
people that makes all of this possible for the team.”
Runner-up DiRitis who pressured the winner for a
period in the closing circuits admitted to “using-up his
tires.” We might have had something for Russ in the end,
but he was really, really-fast. It took its toll on my
tires trying to reel-him-in. I just used the fronts-up
during the last laps.”
Third-pace Cicconi was
also quick to praise the efforts of his crew, and did-so
in his typically-understated style. Stated the popular
veteran racer; “This is the first-time I’ve raced with
NEMA since last-year, and I had a great car. It drove
just like a Cadillac. The crew did a super job.”
Winning qualifying heats were DeRitis and Russ
Stoehr.
In NEMA Lites action, it was Anthony
Nocella notching his 4th feature of the season in
convincing fashion. Otherwise a quick and trouble-free
event, it was marred by a red-flag period on lap-15 when
the top-5 cars of Christian Briggs and Kenney Johnson
tangled in spectacular fashion, the Briggs machine
landing on its side. He was uninjured.
Completing the top-5 was Carl Medeiros Jr., Bethany
Stoehr, Joe Mucciacciaro, and Brandon Igo.
Briggs
& Igo were the Lites heat winners.
NEMA next
sees action at Seekonk Speedway’s DAV Memorial Festival
of Racing on the weekend of October 8-9. |
|
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| NEMA RETURNS TO
SPEEDBOWL |
Brockton, MA – The
Northeastern Midget Association takes a red hot point
battle to Waterford Speedbowl Saturday night, Sept. 24.
The twenty-five lap features for NEMA and the NEMA Lites
are additions to the NEMA schedule.
Randy Cabral,
who assumed the lead at Seekonk Speedway two weeks ago,
sits atop the point parade with the Stoehr brothers –
Greg and Russ – bunched up in second and third behind
him.
Part of NEMA since the club’s inception in
1953, Waterford remains one of the northeast’s premier
Midget venues. Lap times in the very low 13s are
commonplace.
All seven 2011 winners – Jeff Abold,
Todd Bertrand, Keith Botelho and Mike Horn in addition
to Cabral and the Stoehr boys – are expected to be in
the NEMA field. Boston Louie winner Abold, with two
top-fives at Waterford this year, will be aiming at two
straight triumphs
Russ Stoehr, Botelho and rookie
Bertrand have wins this season at the Speedbowl.
Angelillo Memorial winner Bertrand joins a long list of
NEMA competitors who scored their first checkered on the
three-eighths oval.
Driving the family car,
Bertrand needed only five minutes 46 seconds to cover
the 25 laps (averaging 97.330 mph) in the Angelillo
Memorial . Cabral, Greg Stoehr, Scally and Abold waged a
sizzling war behind him, testimony to NEMA’s prowess at
the Bowl.
Other contenders include Anthony
Nocella, Jeremy Frankoski, Paul Scally, fourth at the
Angelillo Memorial, B.J. MacDonald, Chris deRitis, Chris
Leonard and Barry Kittredge. deRitis, Leonard and
Kittredge have won at Waterford in the past.
Since 2009, Russ Stoehr has eight first or seconds at
“The Bowl.” Crowd favorite Cabral, the all-time NEMA
winner at Waterford with eight, is determined to “get
back to victory lane” for the first time since 2008. He
has two seconds and a third at Waterford this season.
It will be Waterford’s fifth Lites event of 2011,
Nocella, Ryan Bigelow, Paul Luggelle and Andy Barrows
all prevailing. Hoping to join the list are Seth
Carlson, Russ Wood Jr., Paul Bigelow and David Moniz,
all winners this season. Other contenders are Carl
Medeiros Jr., Jim Santa Maria, Anthony Marvuglio and
Cabral.
Todd
Bertrand became the first rookie to win a NEMA feature
since Jeremy Frankoski did it in 2007 (#99 -Beech Ridge
- 7/29/07). With three races
left, he can become the first Rookie with multiple wins
in a very long time.
Russ
Stoehr is the current leader in top five finishes with
eight. Randy Cabral has five straight top five finishes
coming into Waterford.
Starting
with Bill Eldridge (May 31, 1953) and ending with
Bertrand, there have been 46 winners in 85 NEMA events
at Waterford Speedbowl. The track’s Midget connection
goes back to 1951, its first year, when Johnny Thomson
won two ARDC shows and Art Cross prevailed in a Triple A
100 lapper. George Tichenor set fast time for the latter
with a 17.920 run, meaning in sixty years, the Midgets
have gotten five seconds faster at the Bowl. |
|
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| TRANSPONDERS |
All teams are required
to have their own transponders. NEMA will be placing a
order with AMB by Wednesday the 23rd in order to insure
receipt by the first race at Waterford. Through NEMA the
pricing will be less than if purchased directly from
AMB. Contact Mike Scrivani If you need to obtain a
transponder.
RADIOS
NEMA
is upgrading the officials' radios so that they will
communicate on both the UHF and VHF bands.
If your
team is purchasing a radio for the driver, consider the
RACEceiver brand. Inexpensive, small, and with clear
reception, the RACEceiver is the system that NEMA will
be standardizing on in the future. |
|
|
Fast Track
MEDICAL RESPONSE
SYSTEMS, LLC
www.fasttrackmrs.com |
|
Hello NEMA Members,
If you are having issues
with your 2011 renewal of your band, you can contact us at (860)
818-1957 or at sales@fasttrackmrs.com
|
$10.00
Reimbursement on Renewal |
NEMA Drivers - The Shane Hammond Believe Foundation will
reimburse you for $10.00 of your Fast Track 2011 band
renewal fee.
See Deb trackside or email
shanebelieve@comcast.net. |
|
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| |
ATTENTION NEMA & NEMA LITE COMPETITORS:
The Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) will
chronicle the happenings of the 2010 season with the
traditional annual yearbook. Statistics will be compiled
and memorable moments will be relived in its pages.
Several weeks back, an email questionnaire was sent to
all NEMA and NEMA Lite competitors. Unfortunately, the
response has been lackluster.
The NEMA yearbook
serves as a valuable and informative souvenir for both
our casual and dedicated fans. The cooperation of all
NEMA and NEMA Lite competitors is paramount to making
this annual tradition a success.
If you have not
already done so, please download the forms from the link
below, complete and return it via email at
racinpr@aol.com or via mail at Dale Wobrink, PO Box 362,
Groton, CT 06340. Thanks |
Team Questionaire.PDF
Superlatives.PDF
.
Extended
Deadline for Yearbook Ads - April 21st
Yearbook Ad Form PDF |
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PREVIOUS STORIES on the
NEWS PAGE HERE |
|
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|
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|
safetysolutions.com
|
At the Seekonk "Open
Wheel Wednesday" NEMA event, Deb Mavuglio of the
Shane Hammond Believe Foundation
and Paul Boeske from Safety Solutions
presented Nokie Fornoro with a composite Hybrid Pro Head and
Neck Restraint as the top finishing driver without one
|
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Celebration of Life Service for
Shane's Anniversary on
Sunday, April 5th |
|
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Thank you for your love & support through this difficult year
Deb & Family & The Shane Hammond Believe Foundation |
|
|
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Previous Stories on
the News Pages HERE
|
|
2011 YEARBOOK
- $ 3.00 - 2 for $5.00 |
Hats in Several
Styles & Colors |
Shirts in Several
Designs & Colors |
NEMA Merchandise
Cyndy Scrivani
508-584-7748
cyndyann10361@yahoo.com
|
|
|
|
nmarx-dtp@comcast.net |
|
|
NEMA TRACK
HISTORIES
with 2010 updates
PDF HERE
NEMA STATS
with 2010 updates
PDF HERE
.
The 2011
2nd Annual
Shane Hammond
Memorial
Race Page
Open Wheel Wednesday
July
28th, 2010
Seekonk Speedway
SHOWDOWN
EVENT PAGE
.
.
2011
NEMA Yearbook
$ 3.00
2 for $5
Cyndy Scrivani
508-584-7748
cyndyann10361
@yahoo.com
NEW!
T-SHIRTS
INFO HERE
 NEMA T Shirts, Hats, &
Sweat Shirts
Cyndy Scrivani
508-584-7748
cyndyann10361
@yahoo.com
2011
10 - Boston Louie
9 - Angelillo
8 -
Twin State
7 - Shane
Mem'l
6 - Seekonk OWW
5 -
Lee USA
4 - Thompson
3 - Stafford XT
2 - Thunder Road
1 - Speedbowl
2011 Lites
13 -
Seekonk FF
12 - Boston Louie
11 -
Lee USA
10 -
Twin State
9 -
Seekonk FF
8 - Shane
Mem'l
7 -
Seekonk FF
6 -
Lee USA
5 - Speedbowl
4 - Thunder Road
3 -
Seekonk FF
2 - Speedbowl
1 - Speedbowl
2010
13 -
World Series
12 - Seekonk DAV
11 - Angelillo
10 - Boston Louie
9 - Speedbowl
8 - Monadnock
7 - Seekonk OWW
6 - Shane
Mem'l
5 - Stafford XT
4 - Thompson
3 -
Lee USA
2 -
Twin State
X - Monadnock
1 - Speedbowl
2010 Lites
13 -
Seekonk DAV
12 - Seekonk
11
- Angelillo
10 - Boston Louie
9 -
Seekonk
8 -
Monadnock
7 - Shane
Mem'l
6 -
Lee USA
5 -
Seekonk
4 -
Twin State
3 -
Seekonk
2 - Monadnock
1 -
Speedbowl
2009
14 - World Series
13 -
Seekonk DAV
12 -
Twin State
11 - Lee USA
10 - Marilyn's Passion
9 -
Twin State
8 - Wings & Wheels
7 -
Boston Louie
6 -
Monadnock
5 -
Speedbowl
4 -
Seekonk
3 -
Stafford
2 -
Lee USA
1 -
Monadnock
2009 Lites
13 - Oktoberfest
12 -
Seekonk DAV
11 -
Twin State
10 -
Lee USA
9 - Marilyn's Passion
8 -
Twin State
7 - Boston Louie
6 -
Monadnock
5 -
Speedbowl
4 -
Seekonk
3 -
Lee USA
2 -
Lee USA
1 -
Seekonk
2008
18
- Twin State
17 - Thompson
16 -
Seekonk
15 -
Waterford
14 -
Beech Ridge
13 -
Monadnock
12 -
Waterford
11
- Boston Louie
10 -
Waterford
9 -
Monadnock
8 - Seekonk
7 - Stafford
6 - Thompson
5 - Lee USA
4 - Monadnock
3 -
Waterford
2 - Waterford
1 - Thompson
2007
15 -
Thompson
14 -
Seekonk
13 -
Waterford
12 -
Seekonk
11 -
All-Star
10 -
Monadnock
9 - Seekonk
8 -
Boston
Louie
7 -
Waterford
6 -
Beech
5 -
Stafford
4 -
Thompson
3
- Waterford
x -
Monadnock
2 -
All-Star
1
- Waterford
Race Results
and Photos
from
2002,
2003
2004, 2005
& 2006
HERE
The NEMA Tracks
Waterford
Thompson
Star
First Time Wins
Stories on
NEMA RACERS
from
MAGAZINE
HERE
2003
Issue of
Trackside:
NEMA
Evolution
Full Story
July 2002
Issue of
Trackside:
Boston Louie
Special for
Barry
Kittredge
Full Story
May 2002
Issue of
Trackside:
NEMA History:
Celebrating its 50th birthday, the Northeastern
Midget Association
has never been healthier.
Full Story
|
