NEMA - Northeastern Midget Association

NEMA PAGE
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NEMA Legends
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NEMA Fan Central

CHECK THE MEMBERS ALERTS PAGE FOR THE LATEST HANDICAPS, COMPETITION ADDENDA,
RACE PROCEDURES, NEMA FORMS,
NEMA HISTORY & NEMA STATS.
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2024 NEMA Membership Form ALL NEMA FORMS
NEMA RULEBOOK
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2024 SCHEDULES
NEMA MIDGETS NEMA LITES

Race 14 - Lee USA Oktoberfest - 10-5-24

Race 13 - Monadnock - 9-21-24

Race 12 - Star Hall of Fame Classic - 9-14-24

Race 11 - Wiscasset Speedway - 9-1-24

LITES Race 10 - NL-W Speedbowl - 8-17-24

Race 9 - Monadnock - Iron Mike - 7-20-24

Race 8 - Seekonk - Boston Louie - 7-13-24

LITES Race 7 - Seekonk - OWW - 6-27-24

LITES Race 6 - Hudson - O'Brien - 6-16-24

LITES Race 5 - Star Speedway - 6-15-24

LITES Race 4 - Wiscasset Speedway - 6-1-24

Race 3 - NL-W Speedbowl - SHANE - 5-25-24

LITES Race 2 - Monadnock - 5-4-24

Race 1 - Claremont MP - 4-27-24

2023 NEMA Banquet - 3-23-24

LITES Race 12 - Thompson SMP - 10-8-23

Race 11 - Lee USA Oktoberfest - 9-30-23

Race 10 - Star Classic - 9-16-23

Race 9 - Wiscasset Speedway - 9-3-23

Race 8 - Monadnock - Iron Mike - 8-26-23

Race 7 - NLWS - Angelillo - 8-19-23

Race 6 - Seekonk - Boston Louie - 7-15-23

LITES Race 5 - Seekonk - OWW - 6-28-23

LITES Race 4 - Hudson - O'Brien - 6-18-23

Race 3 - NL-W Speedbowl - SHANE - 6-10-23

LITES Race 2 - Lee USA - 5-27-23

LITES Race 1 - Monadnock - 5-6-23

2022 NEMA Banquet - 3-25-23

PREVIOUS RACE RESULTS - ALL YEARS

seymourperformanceproducts.com

NEMA Announces
Contingency Awards
Presented by
Seymour Performance Products

The Northeastern Midget Association has announced that Seymour Performance Products (SPP ) will be presenting contingency awards from some of the most prominent names in the industry on a race by race basis to NEMA competitors. The NEMA LITES kick off their season at the Thompson Motorsports Park ICEBREAKER on April 11, and the combined group kicks off the season at LEE USA Speedway on May 15th.

"We really wanted to determine a way to give back more to the NEMA community," said SPP owner, Bobby Seymour. "We partnered with some of the best names in the motorsports industry to provide generous contingency awards to our NEMA Midgets and NEMA LITES teams on a weekly basis. This should drive excitement for our competitors and also brand loyalty to our sponsors," he said.

"The entire club thanks Bobby, Matt and the SPP team, as well as all of the contingency sponsors, for this great initiative," said club President, Tim Bertrand. "We are excited to increase engagement with the brands who have been so loyal to motorsports, and also give back to our competitors," he said.

The following partners will be
providing cash and product
to NEMA competitors:

nerfinc.com

mpdracing.com

"The Friends of Mike Rivard"

NEMA LITES/NEMA Midgets heat races will be sponsored by Sunoco Racing Fuels.

Each NEMA Midgets and NEMA LITES heat winner will receive 5 gals of Sunoco Racing Fuel.

Industry Sponsors who will be
supplying Gift Certificates:

bellracing.com

diversifiedracing.com

simpsonraceproducts.com

wintersperformance.com

ipcindy.com

fkrodends.com

proshocks.com

vahlco.com

advancedracingsuspensions.com

The contingency awards
will be as follows:

NEMA LITES Feature Winner will receive a $50 gift certificate from one of the participating sponsors, of their choice.

2nd and 9th place finishers will receive a $50 gift certificate from one of the participating sponsors, of their choice.

The 3rd and 7th place in Lites will each be awarded $50 cash from "The Friends of Mike Rivard"

The NEMA LITES Hard Charger will receive a $25 gift certificate and $25 cash from MPD Racing.

The new "Future Stars" will be determined before the start of the season. These participants will compete at each event for an additional $50 cash award from Seymour Performance.

NEMA Midgets Feature Winner will receive a $50 gift certificate from one of the participating sponsors, of their choice.

2nd and 9th place finishers will receive a $50 gift certificate from one of the participating sponsors, of their choice.

The NEMA Midgets Hard Charger will receive a $50 gift certificate from Valco Wheels.

At each event SPP, will have a
representative distribute cash
and gift certificates. Certificates
will be redeemable at Seymour
Performance Products.

FULL IMPORT & DOMESTIC
REPAIRS AND SERVICE
Jeff Horn
182 Pond St.
Ashland, MA 01721
508-881-4540
Hitch & Trailer Specialists
www.a-1automotiveservice.com

SALES • SERVICE
PERFORMANCE and SUSPENSION UPGRADES

Specializing in Finer Imports
AUDI • BMW • JAGUAR • MERCEDES
LANDROVERS • PORSCHE • SAAB
VOLVO • VW

(508) 697-5921
1460 Pleasant St. (Route 104)
Bridgewater, MA 02234
www.motorcarsint.com

SERVING ALL MAKES of MIDGET
& SPRINT CAR ENGINES
Jon Andruk
ja@circleperformance.com
69 LOCUST STREET,
BERKLEY, MA 02779
508-580-5844

174 CID Ford Head Gaerte - $16,500
INFO SHEET PDF

hoosiertire.com

www.rwjm.com

Gene Angelillo Memorial Page

hoosiertire.com

NEMA and Hoosier Tire
Ink Exclusive Deal

Brockton, MA - NEMA announced that the Northeastern Midget Association and Hoosier Tire East have inked an exclusive, three year deal. Under the deal, NEMA will have exclusive rights in the Northeast to the current plated compounds (RR 7, 7.3, RF 5, LR, 5 and LF, 4, 5) and will be the only series in the Northeast running these particular tires.

Hoosier will also continue to be a major contributor to the NEMA point fund, and in addition have offered fixed pricing for the racer over the next three years.

“NEMA has enjoyed a long history with Hoosier. This sport is about supporting those who take care of you, and supporting each other. We feel that we have the best product in Hoosier and look forward to a long relationship with them,” said NEMA President, Mike Scrivani.

As part of the arrangement, Hoosier tire has selected long time NEMA supporter Seymour Enterprises to be the exclusive dealer and service provider to the Northeastern Midget Association.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1st, 2025

White's of Westport - 66 State Road, Westport, MA

Full 2024 Banquet Page with details on ticket orders,
banner sponsorship, raffle items, and purchase of awards
if not attending HERE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19th - 2:00 PM

www.speedbowlct.com

NLWS SATURDAY 10/19 SCHEDULE PDF

Gene and Marilyn Angelillo were, for decades, the backbone of NEMA. Starting in 1983 Gene amassed 107 wins and 14 owner's championships. He also was president of the club for several years with Marilyn serving as secretary. The majority of his success came with Drew Fornoro, with Joey Payne, Jr. and Russ Stoehr also winning championships for him. Racing royalty drove Gene's cars, including the late Ted Christopher, who won for him at Waterford, Jimmy Broderick, a Waterford champion, and Joe Gosek, a Classic winner at Oswego.

They were a perfect partnership in NEMA and in life. If Gene was the stern dad of NEMA, Marilyn was the den mother, looking out for everyone, and every now and then keeping Gene in line (not an easy task)!

Gene's legacy transcends more than NEMA. Along with way he picked up an ARDC championship, and his #45 Dumo's Desire midget raced everywhere from Florida to Arizona. Gene had the means to field almost any type of race car, even on a national level, but his heart was forever with NEMA and the midgets.

While their accomplishments in NEMA are well noted, their devotion to family was paramount in their lives. If anyone could mellow Gene, it was his grandkids. Marilyn and Gene absolutely adored daughter Laura, and grandkids Tiana, Cami, and Brooke. Marilyn left us in 2007, Gene in 2010. Laura kept the team going for one more year, winning a last championship for Gene and Marilyn with Russ Stoehr.

ANGELLILO MEMORIAL PAGE HERE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13th, 2024

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www.thompsonspeedway.com

World Series PR Recap: The NEMA Lites returned to Sunoco World Series weekend for their annual 25-lap main event under the command of Brayden Egan and Dylan Coutu at the head of the pack.

As if shot from a cannon, championship hopeful Kyle Valeiri jumped from the latter half of the top ten to first on lap one and quickly put distance between himself, Coutu and point leader Randy Cabral in the opening laps.

Kyle Valeiri took down the dominant Sunoco World Series win over Randy Cabral and Joey Bailey in the green to checkered 25-lap sprint.





		*Photos by John DaDalt*

NEMA LITES - THOMPSON - 10/13/24

Pos.	#	Driver	Hometown	Owner
1	17	Kyle Valeri	Monument Beach, MA	Peter Valeri
2	47	Randy Cabral	Kingston, MA	*Randy Cabral*
3	2	*Joey Bailey*	*Monroe, NJ*	Nick Poe
4	53	Dylan Coutu	Griswold, CT	*Ron Coutu*
5	28	*Mike Pernesiglio*	*Ronkonkoma, NY*	*Pete Penesiglio Sr.*
6	59	Brayden Egan	Ashford, CT	*Eric Egan*
7	94	Tiana Kibbe	Macungle, PA	*Curt Kibbe*
8	35	Jacob Perry	- - - - -	*Glen* Cabral
9	44	*Trent Goodrow*	*Carver, MA*	*William Keller*
10	21	Ava Lombardo	New Hartford, CT	Jason Lombardo
11	88	Tyson Adamik	Salem, CT	Tom Adamik
12	8	Ethan Dion	Oakdale, CT	*Stephen, Dion*
13	26	Jack Dumas	Brockton, MA	Randy Cabral
14	30	Paul Scally	Raynham, MA	Paul Scally
Heats - Due to the weather & a schedule adjustment, no heats were run.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5th, 2024

www.leespeedway.com

KYLE VALERI #17, 3rd; WINNER PJ STERGIOS #88;
and RANDY CABRAL #47, 2nd.




		*Photos by* *John DaDalt*
*Heat 1 >>*

*Heat 2 >>*

NEMA LITES - LEE USA - 10/5/24

Pos.	#	Driver	Hometown	Owner
1	88j	*PJ Stergios*	*Nottingham, NH*	Matt Seymour
2	47	Randy Cabral	Kingston, MA	*Randy Cabral*
3	17	Kyle Valeri	Monument Beach, MA	Peter Valeri
4	2	*Joey Bailey*	*Monroe, NJ*	Nick Poe
5	88	Tyson Adamik	Salem, CT	Tom Adamik
6	53	Dylan Coutu	Griswold, CT	*Ron Coutu*
7	30	Paul Scally	Raynham, MA	Paul Scally
8	59	Brayden Egan	Ashford, CT	*Eric Egan*
9	16	Ryan Locke	Raymond, NH	*Dennis O/Brien*
10	44	*Trent Goodrow*	*Carver, MA*	*William Keller*
11	94	Tiana Kibbe	Macungle, PA	*Curt Kibbe*
12	28	*Mike Pernesiglio*	*Ronkonkoma, NY*	*Pete Penesiglio Sr.*
13	61	*Dennis O/Brien*	Deerfield, NH	*Dennis O/Brien*
14	8	Ethan Dion	Oakdale, CT	*Stephen, Dion*
15	35	Jack Dumas	Brockton, MA	*Glen* Cabral
16	7	Kevin Iannarelli	Shirely, MA	*Jim Cataldo*
Heat 1 - 16, 17, 2, 30, 8, 35, 94, 61
*Heat 2 - 88j, 88, 59, 53, 47, 28, 44, 7*

Winner RANDY CABRAL #74




	*Photos by* *John DaDalt*
*Heat 1 >>*

		*Heat 2 >>*

*NEMA MIDGETS - LEE USA - 10/5/24*
Pos.	#	Driver	Hometown	Owner
1	74	Randy Cabral	Kingston, MA	Bertrand Motorsports
2	39	*Avery Stoehr*	*Assonet, MA*	Bertrand Motorsports
3	30	Paul Scally	Raynham, MA	Paul Scally
4	49	*Dylan Rock*	*Enfield, NH*	Dan Rock
5	A1	Derek Robbie	Bellingham, MA	Mike Horn
6	16	Matt O'Brien	Wilmington, MA	Matt O'Brien
7	93	Mike Horn	Ashland, MA	Mike Horn
8	87	*Doug Cleveland*	*Sudbury, MA*	Doug Cleveland
9	94	*Richie Coy*	*Haskell, NY*	Dave Shore
10	77	Jack Dumas	Brockton, MA	Mike Luggelle
Heat 1 - 30, 39, 87, A1, 94
*Heat 2 - 49, 74, 16, 93, 77*

Cabral & Stergios Take the Checkered
Flags at Lee USA’s Oktoberfest

The NEMA Midgets and NEMA LITES traveled to the Lee USA Speedway for the first and final time this season for their Russ Conway's Oktoberfest while NEMA honored Marvin Rifchin, who was a great supporter of midget racing as the proprietor of M&H tires.

Two drivers that have some of the most laps driven in NEMA, Doug Cleveland in his #87 alongside Matt O'Brien in the Jim O'Brien and Son's Engineering #16 led the NEMA Midgets field to the green flag. Cleveland and O'Brien raced side by side going into turn one, but coming out of turn two, Cleveland was able to hold onto the race lead. While coming out of turn four, Cleveland led the field followed by O'Brien, and Derek Robbie in the #A1.

Going into turn three on lap 2, O'Brien looked to the outside of Cleveland, but Cleveland was able to get a run going out of turn four to hold onto the lead. While at the same time, Mike Horn in the #93, was able to make the pass for third over teammate, Robbie.

On the following lap, as the leaders raced nose to tail through turns one and two, Cleveland entered into turn three on the high groove which allowed for O'Brien to take the low line and drive up alongside the inside of Cleveland coming out of turn four. The two raced side by side going into turn one, but going into turn two, O'Brien took over the race lead. While going down the backstretch, Horn drove up alongside the inside of Cleveland to take over second. Then, going into turn three, Avery Stoehr in the Bertrand Motorsports #39, took the high groove on the outside of Cleveland to take over third. While coming out of turn four, Randy Cabral in the Bertrand Motorsports #74, was able to take over fourth over Cleveland.

With six laps complete, O'Brien continued to show the way around followed by Horn, Stoehr, and Cabral, while a battle for fifth occurred between Robbie, Cleveland, and The Dangerous One, Paul Scally in the #30. On lap 9, Scally was able to get a run going on the outside of Cleveland coming out of turn four to take over the fifth going into turn one.

At the halfway point in the NEMA Midgets feature, O'Brien continued to lead over Horn, as Horn worked to close the two car length gap between the two followed by Stoehr in third.

On lap 17, as the leaders started to encounter lapped traffic, O'Brien created additional distance between him and Horn while Stoehr closed within a car length of Horn.

Two laps later, as the leaders cleared the lapped cars, Horn was able to close in on O'Brien and was now within striking distance for the race lead.

On lap 20, while going into turn one, Horn looked to the inside of O'Brien, but O'Brien was able to hold Horn off and maintain the race lead. But Horn remained on the back bumper of O'Brien.

While on lap 22, going into turn three, Horn once again looked to the inside of O'Brien but O'Brien was able to continue his drive on the outside groove and hold onto the lead once again.

As the leaders came to the white flag, Horn now drove to the outside of O'Brien going down the front stretch and looked to take the inside groove from O'Brien but O'Brien was able to continue his drive along the outside of Horn. While going into turn four, unfortunately, the leaders made contact and a caution flag was waved on the track. O'Brien and Horn were able to rejoin the tail of the field.

As the drivers realigned in a double file restart, Stoehr alongside Cabral led the field back to the green flag. Stoehr and Cabral raced side by side going into turn one, but Cabral was able to work the high groove to take over the race lead going down the backstretch.

As the field came to the checkered flag, Cabral took the win followed by Stoehr and Scally to round out the podium.

In a victory lane interview, Cabral commented on his win, "I didn't deserve this win, this was Matt O'Brien's win, he was trying hard. This really wasn't my race to win, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I saved some for the end but thought I ran out of a chance with that at lap 20. It is awesome to win this race in honor of Marvin. I won the first Marvin Rifchin race in 2006. Marvin was the guy that helped out the little guys."

To round out the top 5 were strong finishes by Randy Cabral #74, Avery Stoehr #39, Paul Scally #30, Dylan Rock #49, and Derek Robbie #A1

As the season comes to a close with only one race remaining for the NEMA Midgets, Cabral's win tightens the points lead currently held by Stoehr. As Stoehr leads the current driver championship points battle by 30 points going into the final race of the season at the New London Waterford Speedbowl on October 19th. While a battle for third shapes up between Paul Scally and Matt O'Brien. Who will walk away as the 2024 NEMA Champion? Will it be Avery Stoehr who is looking to go for three in a row? Or will be the 2021 NEMA Champion, Randy Cabral?

A few races later, the NEMA LITES took the track as Ethan Dion in the #8 alongside Tyson Adamik in the #88 led the field to the green flag. Dion led the field into turn one followed by PJ Stergios in the Matt Seymour Racing #88J and Adamik. Coming to the second lap, Stergios took the outside groove to drive up alongside the outside of Dion going down the front stretch where the two raced side by side going into turn one. But going down the backstretch, Stergios took over the race lead and started to pull away and create a four car length gap between him and Dion followed by Adamik. As a battle for fourth occurred between Randy Cabral in the #47 and Dylan Coutu in REDline Motorsports #53.

On the second lap, as Stergios continued to extend his lead, Cabral threaded his way through the field and took the low line going into turn one to take over the second position over Adamik, while following the same line as Cabral, Kyle Valeri in the Valeri Motorsports #17, worked his way into fourth over Coutu.

Going down the backstretch on lap 6, Valeri was able to drive up alongside Adamik to take over third.

By lap 11, Stergios held a one second lead over Cabral, Valeri, and Adamik. While a close battle for fifth occurred between Coutu and Joey Bailey in #2.

On lap 15, Stergios began to encounter lapped traffic, this allowed for Cabral to close the gap between them.

As the laps began to tick down, Stergios held almost a two second lead over Cabral and Valeri. While Adamik, Coutu, and Bailey raced nose to tail in a battle for fourth.

As the checkered flag waved for Stergios, Cabral, and Valeri to round out the podium. While Bailey was able to edge out Adamik and Coutu for fourth.

In a victory lane interview, PJ Stergios commented on his win, "We had some luck on our side tonight, we had a fast racecar. I have to thank the whole team, there are a lot of people that make this happen. When you have this fast of a racecar, it makes it a lot easier. We have been working on this car all year and have been trying things we have never tried before and it showed tonight."

The LITES top 10 saw strong finishes by PJ Stergios #88J, Randy Cabral #47, Kyle Valeri #17, Joey Bailey #2, Tyson Adamik #88, Dylan Coutu #53, Paul Scally #30, Brayden Egan #59, Ryan Locke #16, and Trent Goodrow #44.

A tight championship points battle forms between Randy Cabral and Kyle Valeri, as Cabral leads the current points standings by 22 points followed by Joey Bailey currently in third. With two races remaining in the NEMA LITES season, you will not want to miss out on the action packed weekends of racing. The NEMA LITES will take the track on Sunday at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park for the 59th Annual Sunoco World Series. We hope to see you there!

Young Pro-4 Ace & Veteran
Midget Owner Join Forces

Jack Dumas has always wanted the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of a full-size, mighty, midget. Even though he's been pounding the pavement in the Pro-4's since 2021, he is no stranger to the midgets and to the Northeastern Midget Association. Jack is the grandson of Hall of Fame flagman Maury Dumas, who graced the NEMA flag stand sporadically from 1957 until 1993. Jack's Uncle, Steve Dumas, also flagged for the club throughout the 1990's. His father, John Dumas is also a veteran racer and mechanic. So, when Mike Luggelle agreed to dust off his Gaerte-powered Beast and give Jack the chance to chauffeur it with the big cars this season, Jack could not be more grateful.

Jack started at a young age in the quarter midgets. Now at 19 years old, he has already earned 5 wins in the Pro-4 modifieds, winning once each year and twice last year, plus a victory at the lightning-fast Thompson Motorsports Park this season driving the family-owned No. 4xl. Pulling double duty with both cars this season, he is quickly adjusting to the midget. After just three outings, he's already cracked the top ten.

"Racing a winged, lighter, and narrower car with more power than I've ever driven before seemed like a fun challenge - and it has been so far!"

In the Pro-4, Jack started gaining momentum at the end of last season and hopes he can gain that back to close out the rest of this year after having carb issues to start the season. In the midget, his goal is smart and simple - just keep improving and hopefully get both the car and the driver up to speed with the rest of the division.

Long-time car owner Mike Luggelle, and his famed 77 machine, is a welcome sight back with the club this year. Mike campaigned full time on the NEMA circuit as an owner and driver for over 20 years and has only been competing part time as a car owner since 2010. Prior to this season, Mike's last outing was at Wiscasset Speedway in 2019 with driver Eddie LeClerc.

Look for Jack, his dad John Dumas, and Mike Luggelle this Labor Day weekend when the NEMA Midgets and the LITES invade the Wiscasset Speedway for the Butch Walsh Memorial on Sunday, September 1st. Pit gates open at 9 am with racing starting at 2 PM.

CHUCK
WELLING

June 6, 1960
July 29, 2024

Longtime NEMA driver and car owner
Chuck Welling #69 has passed away.

Chuck D. Welling of Wrentham, MA passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on July 29, 2024.

Chuck was born in Jackson, Michigan on June 6. Chuck grew up in Michigan and graduated from H.H. Dow High School in Midland, Michigan. Chuck went on to graduate from Ohio Diesel Tech and attended classes at University of Michigan. He moved to Massachusetts in the 1980’s. Chuck married the love of his life, Ro, in 2004. The two have enjoyed over 38 years of love and adventure.

Aside from working as a Tig Welder for the United States Government, Chuck was a man of many trades. He was a race car driver with Northeastern Midget Association and a Licensed Auctioneer. He received his Auctioneer degree in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Chuck loved riding his motorcycles, going to yard sales and flea markets with Ro, building things and racing with NEMA. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family and lots of friends. Chuck was always there to help anyone in need, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Chuck is survived by his loving wife Ro Welling; daughter Nicole Torrisi and her husband Mark; his two grandchildren Abigail and Fionn McKenna; his parents Paul and Cly-t (Patton) Welling of Michigan. He is also survived by many friends that were family to Chuck.

Chuck was predeceased by his sister, Jane Wolf-Welling.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 9:45AM - 11:45AM at R.J. Ross Funeral Home, 135 South Street Wrentham, MA. A collation in Chuck’s memory will follow. www.rjrossfuneralhomeinc.com/obituaries

In lieu of flowers donations in Chuck’s name may be made to The Haymakers for Hope at haymakersforhope.org/donations/new and Hope Hospice Health Care at www.hopehealthco.org/ways-to-give/donatenow/donate-to-hopehealth-hospice-palliative-care/.
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2024 NEMA Membership Form

The Big Cars of the Northeastern Midget Association present the

$2500 Cash Prize for Top New Owner

Chuck supported NEMA for over two decades, earning victories as car owner and reviving midget racing in the northeast as President. His spirit, ingenuity, and passion live on in NEMA as we are proud to present this award in his honor. To qualify for this special award, new owners must meet all of the following criteria:

Be a full NEMA registered car owner for the 2024 season.

Be a new owner who has never raced with a registered full NEMA midget in the past, OR a veteran NEMA owner who has not competed with a full NEMA midget in the last 10 years.

Compete in at least 75% of the full NEMA division feature races.

Earn the most points in the full NEMA championship point standings among other qualifying new owners.

Qualified new owners will be at the discretion of the
contest board prior to the start of the 2024 race season.

Sponsored by

Vivo Arch — Bringing Design to Life

Dylan and Dan Rock's podium finish at the '23 Iron Mike Memorial race
(John DaDalt Photo)

Rock Racing Finds Success with
Investment in NEMA’s Big Cars

Two years ago, Dan Rock and his son, Dylan, were at a crossroads. They were only a few parts away from completing their collection to build their new NEMA LITES midget when they shifted gears for an even bigger adventure - the mighty midgets of NEMA's big car division.

Dylan Rock began his racing career like many young aspiring racecar drivers, by running go karts and mini-sprints in the hills of New Hampshire with his Dad. The father-son team earned success and turned heads at both levels, opening the door for Dylan to chauffeur a modified with VMRS, a series founded by Dylan's grandfather, Jack Bateman. It wasn't long before the then-16-year-old found victory lane at Claremont Motorsports Park in 2016. Their success continued for the next few years, highlighted by a podium finish in the 2019 MRS point standings. That same year Dylan was named Most Improved Driver. After a couple more seasons with MRS, the wear and tear and intense work regimen associated with racing an open wheeled modified was proving to be too much for this father/son crew, who pride themselves in doing all their own work, and most importantly, doing it together. They struggled with the manpower and the economics of modified racing. This drove them to make a change.

Since the early days of swinging dirt with the Mini sprints up at Bear Ridge Speedway, the Rock racing team has had respect and a curiosity for the pavement series of the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA), which is comprised of two divisions - the LITES and the original, full midgets, a.k.a. big cars. As spectators, they have always appreciated the speed, the clean racing, the comradery amongst the club members, and the history associated with the club that has been pounding the pavement of New England short tracks for over 70 years. So that winter, they began their transition with their eye on the seemingly more affordable division of NEMA, the Ford Focus powered NEMA LITES.

Dan, an automotive technician and Dylan, a journeyman electrician, were under the impression that to compete with NEMA's full midget division, you had to have super deep pockets. They acquired a Hawk chassis, a front axle, rear end, tail tank and even a focus motor plate as they began building their new LITES midget. While scouring the midget classifieds, they could not help noticing the trend of used Esslinger and Gaerte midget motors for sale online for surprisingly little investment, often less than $10K. After doing the math and much contemplation, they realize that competing with NEMA's full series was not out of reach as they originally thought. A complete used Esslinger motor package, including the rebuild, would run them less than $20K. This was obviously more money than the new Focus motor for the Lite, but they also weighed the cost of tires, fuel, travel, and the wear and tear of running a 15-16 race schedule with the LITES, compared to the 8-9 races with the big car series. They realized that the big picture cost was a difference of "hundreds" of dollars, not "thousands", contrary to popular perception. With that newfound knowledge, they sold off their Ford Focus parts and acquired an Esslinger motor, freshened it up, and focused on competing with the big car division of NEMA for 2022.

They spent their debut season learning the ropes, adjusting to a new driving style, and absorbing as much knowledge and advice as possible from the car and from fellow competitors one race at a time. By the end of the season, they had racked up enough good finishes to earn a top 10 in the NEMA Championship point standings. Dylan's steady driving and progression earned him the prestigious NEMA Rookie of the Year award. According to the driver, Dylan was not surprised by the learning curve, but was taken back by the sheer fun and thrill of finessing the wheel of a 375 HP, 1000-pound, lightning fast, open wheel race car.

"I couldn't believe how deep I could drive the midget into the turn and then just blast down the straight...and because of the size difference, there just seems to be much more racetrack with the midget than the modified!"

The following winter they swapped their Hawk chassis with a Beast to transport their Esslinger powerplant. They immediately found success kicking off the 2023 season with a podium finish at NEMA's big Midget opener, which was the Shane Hammond Memorial at Waterford Speedbowl. They would go on to earn two more, in addition to multiple top-five finishes. They even closed out the season with a second place at Lee USA's Oktoberfest. These strong runs earned them a very respectful 3rd and 4th place in the NEMA Owner and Driver Championships point standings in only their sophomore year. It's safe to say Dan Rock has no regrets with their switch from LITES to Full NEMA. Dan was quoted as saying:

"The LITES are a great division, but ultimately, we wanted to run a full midget. It just made more sense for us coming from the mods and for Dylan's development as a driver.... I just really want other racers to know how doable it is."

Dan and Dylan Rock admit to feeling right at home with NEMA. They can't help but thank all the folks who have helped them get this journey started, including Tim Bertrand, Mike Horn, Seymour Performance, and Circle Performance - just to name a few - but most of all they can't wait to hit the track next spring!

Photo by John DaDalt

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