NEMA - Northeastern Midget Association

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Making Ready For
NEMA’s “Louie”

Brockton, MA – If absence makes the heart grow fonder, expect a banner field for the 16th running of the Northeastern Midget Association’s Boston Louie Memorial Sunday, June 2 at Seekonk Speedway.

A victim of weather last year, “the Louie,” which includes 29 lap features for both NEMA and the NEMA Lites, is part of an “open wheel” extravaganza that includes a 75-lap SK-Modified feature along with appearances by the Pro Four Modifieds and the New England Mini Stock Tour.

Doug Coby, who’ll drive the Bertrand #39 in the NEMA event, and Keith Rocco, slated to steer the Manafort 76 in the Lites race, will be doing double duty. Both have SKs rides as well.

Honoring one of New England’s racing Legends, car owner “Boston Louie” Seymour, “the Louie” has become the biggest plum on the NEMA schedule. Another legend, Bentley Warren, is grand marshal.

The route to Seekonk’s victory lane is hardly a secret for NEMA competitors, two-time defending champion Randy Cabral coming into the race with seven ‘Konk’ checkereds including two Louies. Cabral, whose win list started with the 2000 Louie, has brought the Bertrand #47 home second in the last two.

Lou Cicconi, who’ll be in the Cantor 7ny , has four Seekonk wins while the Stoehr brothers Russ (Dumo’s Desire 45)and Greg (Stoehr 26b ) have eight between them, one of Russ’ five the 1997 Louie. Joey Payne, back in the Breault 44, is also a two-time Louie winner.

Young Ian Cumens (Seymour 29) will be in charge of the Seymour family fortunes. The Seymours have won the last three Louie races with Jeff Abold. Cumens has won in a Lites car at Seekonk.

Seth Carlson’s 11.152 posted NEMA’s fastest Seekonk lap last year en route to a victory. Expectations are it will take at least that to prevail at the Louie. Carlson (Feigel 71), Waterford winner Todd Bertrand (Bertrand 39), Anthony Marvuglio (Bourbeau 38), Bethany Stoehr (Stoehr 5b), Jim Miller (Miller 3m), James Santa Maria (Santa Maria 99) and John Zych Jr. (Zych 9) are all contenders.

There is, however, plenty of historical precedent for a surprise – Cabral’s 2000 win in a family car older than he was is a classic example.

A bumper crop of Lites is expected with Anthony Nocella, who owns 5 Seekonk wins, a possibility in the Seymour car. A pair of determined youngsters – Carl Medeiros Jr. and Dylan Duhaime – are on a contender list that also includes Ryan Bigelow, Jake Stergios and James Santa Maria, the latter three all seeking a return to Seekonk’s Victory Lane.

BOSTON MARATHON TRIBUTE OPENS
THE BOSTON LOUIE MEMORIAL CLASSIC
at SEEKONK SPEEDWAY

SEEKONK, MA- A tribute to the Boston Marathon with a special opening ceremony at the Boston Louie Memorial Classic will begin this exiting auto racing program on Sunday June 2nd at Massachusetts’s only race track, Seekonk Speedway at 4pm.

Race promoter Gary Sagar of Kraze Korlacki Speed Equipment, Inc. has invited Dick & Rick Hoyt of Team Hoyt, www.teamhoyt.com and will be joined by members of their Boston Marathon Race Team and others who will circle the 1/3 mile oval carrying American Flags during the playing of our National Anthem.

We will also be joined by the Seekonk Fire Department and the Seekonk Police Department Honor Guard with Seekonk Fire and Police Chaplin John Amaral.

Donations to the One Fund-Boston, www.onefundboston.org will be accepted and forwarded with an additional donation from the race promoter.

MODS, MIDGETS, & MINSTOCKS AT
THE BOSTON LOUIE MEMORIAL CLASSIC

SEEKONK, MA. - Kraze Korlacki Speed Equipment, Inc announces an exciting race event on Sunday, June 2, 2013, at the historic “Cement Palace” Seekonk Speedway. Mods, Midgets, & Ministocks take the Green Flag as part of THE BOSTON LOUIE MEMORIAL CLASSIC in honor of this local racing great. “My dad would be honored by the cars & stars assembled to race in this prestigious event” said Boston Louie’s son Bobby from his race shop in Marlboro, MA.

The Northeast Midget Association will be well represented by the NEMA regulars and NEMA Lites competing for 29 Laps each; this is the biggest NEMA event of the season honoring “Boston” Louie Seymour. Open Wheel racing legend Bentley Warren will serve as Grand Marshall.

Joining NEMA is a 25 Lap Race by the Pro4 Modifieds of New England and the ever growing Texas Roadhouse Northeast Mini Stock Tour will campaign for 50 Laps.

Last but certainly not least is a 75 Lap SK & SK Light Type Modified Race where the winner will take home a $5,000 pay day. SK Type Mods have not raced at the Cement Palace since 1983 when Ed St. Angelo was Track Champion. Ed will join us, dropping the Green Flag in celebration of this 30 year anniversary.

Expected competitors include the 2012 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion Doug Coby, the 2012 Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour Champion & 2012 Seekonk Speedway Open Wheel Wednesday Race Winner Matt Hirschman, 2012 Stafford Track Champion Ted Christopher, 2012 Thompson Track Champion Ryan Preece & 2012 Waterford Track Champion Tyler Chadwick, to name a few.

Rules and additional information will be available after April 1, 2013.

Please visit www.krazespeedequipment.com or www.BostonLouieSeymour.com for the latest information.

Popular Matt Buckler
To Call Seekonk
Special Event In June

Seekonk, MA. -- Long-time Connecticut race announcer and well-known sportswriter, Matt Buckler Jr., has been added to the broadcast team at next month’s special open-wheel event at Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, MA.

The Four-in-one program, on Sunday afternoon, June 2, will feature a special race for SK type modifieds, NEMA Midgets, Northeast Mini Stock Tour and the Pro-4 Modifieds. Buckler will join track announcer Kevin Boucher for the special modified race.

Race producer Gary Sagar wanted Buckler to be a part of the first ever event at Seekonk from the get go. “Matt works with the SK-type modifieds at Waterford, Stafford, and Thompson and has the most knowledge of their drivers and cars. His uncanny wit and professional demeanor made him the ideal choice.”

Buckler visited Seekonk for the first time recently. “I was impressed with the facility. It’s an easy commute from Connecticut. I am excited to be part of this special race event.”

The midget portion of the race card will feature the annual “Boston Louie Memorial Classic” in honor of the late ‘Boston’ Louie Seymour, a local icon who fielded winning race cars throughout the country.

For additional information contact Gary Sagar at Kraze Korlacki’s Speed Equipment www.krazespeedequipment.com
(800)-252-6830.

Mass Cruisers at Patriot Place
Thursday
May 16th

The Mass Cruisers Auto Club, Bass Pro Shops and Patriot Place want you to once again enjoy a evening of cruising nostalgia and fun!
NEMA Midgets will be there promoting The Boston Louie
at Seekonk Speedway on 6/2

The cruise, which drew 2,600 show cars and 7,000 spectators on August 23, 2012, will run from 4:30 till 8:00 pm.

Convenient free shuttle service between Bass Pro Shops and the South and North Marketplace is provided for your dining, shopping and entertainment convenience. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes from 4:00pm to 8:30pm with pickup locations at Bass Pro Shops, the South Marketplace at Christmas Tree Shops and the North Marketplace outside of Davio’s.

Adjacent to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA, Patriot Place features more than 1.3 million square feet of shopping, dining, & entertainment.

NEMA VIP Fan Initiative

Facebook VIP Fan of the Race. Two weeks before an event, we will pick one fan from our Facebook fan page, or Facebook open group to be our guest at the races. NEMA will supply them with a pit pass, give them a VIP tour of the pits, allow them to work with a few teams during the day as a special crew member, as well as participate in other activities during the race day

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

2012 YEARBOOK - $ 3.00

NEMA Merchandise:
Cyndy Scrivani
508-584-7748
cyndyann10361@yahoo.com

NEMA T Shirts, Hats, &
Sweat Shirts

NEMA LITES T-Shirts are available for purchase. The LITES shirts are available in 3 colors - white, gray and royal blue. They come with either the NEMA LITES logo only on the front or with 2 logos - NEMA LITES on the front and regular NEMA logo on the back. The white shirts are $10. The gray or blue are $12. The new LITES t-shirts can be at The Race Depot/ Seymour Enterprises in Marlboro Mass or are available from Cyndy Scrivani.

Mass Cruisers at Patriot Place
Thursday
Sept. 6th, 2012

The Mass Cruisers Auto Club, Bass Pro Shops and Patriot Place want you to once again enjoy a evening of cruising nostalgia and fun!







		Photos by Norm Marx

2011
2010
2009
2008
2007

2006
2005
2004
2003
2002

2011 2010 2009

The 2011

2nd Annual
Shane Hammond
Memorial
Race Page

Open Wheel Wednesday
July 28th, 2010
Seekonk Speedway
SHOWDOWN
EVENT PAGE

NEMA Open
FB Group

NEMA
Fan Page

safetysolutions.com

NEMA Discount Available HERE

"Tires Designed for Champions"
hoosiertire.com

Brockton, MA - 508-580-5844
Supplier of Mazda Midget engines &
Independently Making Brand X Better

Info Here
DRINAN SCORES 100TH WIN WITH DRI-BAR

Racers' Online Store
theracedepot.com

Charlton, MA
actrailers.com

East Enterprises
Brownsburg, IN
beastcars.com

S. El Monte, CA
esslingeracing.com

Rochester, IN
gaerteengines.com

1800runsnew.com

115-schrader_front-(final).jpg (6131 bytes)

Visit the
Coastal 181.com
Bookstore HERE

RI's most respected name in Collision Repairs
crowncollision.com

RacingAgainstCancer.com

www.rwjm.com

NEMA/Red Roof Inn
Discount Program
for Racing,
Business, and
Personal Lodging
NEMA Code &
Reservation
Site Here

NEMA Open
FB Group

NEMA
Fan Page

RESULTS & PHOTOS

.

2011
13 - Thompson WS
12 - Seekonk DAV
11 - Speedbowl
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
16 - Seekonk DAV
15 - Seekonk/ISMA
14 - Speedbowl
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

Race Results & Photos
from 2002 to 2008
HERE

NEMA Open
FB Group

NEMA
Fan Page

NEMA LITES EVENT at STAR SPEEDWAY
Route 27 - Epping, NH

SATURDAY, MAY 18th

NEMA LITES - STAR - 5/18/13

Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner

1 50 Carl Medeiros, Jr. Westport, MA Carl Medeiros

2 11 PJ Stergois Candia, NH Bill Stergios

3 81 Andy Barrows New Ipswitch, NH Dustin Anderson

4 35 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Glen Cabral

5 9 Ian Cumens Lydell, PA Bobby Seymour

6 27 Kevin Hutchens * E. Waterboro, ME Dan Hutchens

7 51 Danny Cugini Marshfield, MA D. Cugini

8 45 Brandon Igo Wilbraham, MA David Igo

9 44 Christian Briggs Mattapoisett, MA Christian Briggs

10 7 Dana Shaw Danielson, CT Gregory Olson

11 25 Richie Morocco * Plainville, MA Richard Morocco

12 52 Kevin Park Foxboro, MA Kevin Park

13 2k Kelly Ferrell * Chaplin, CT John Ferrel

14 4 Jamie Falconi * Southborough, MA Paul Scally

15 18 DJ Moniz Fairhaven, MA David Moniz

16 41 Megan Cugini * Marshfield, MA D. Cugini

17 94 Logan Rayvals Brockville, ONT Craig Rayvals

18
DNS 15a Avery Stoehr Lakeville, MA MCI Racing/
Russ Stoehr

19
DQ 13 Ryan Bigelow E. Hampton, CT Randy Bigelow

* Rookie

Photo by Hayes


Jamie Falconi Prepared for NEMA Lite Debut at Star
Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com -EPPING, NH - Jamie Falconi of Southborough, MA will make his Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) Lite debut Saturday night at Star Speedway. Falconi is a member of a well-known racing family that dates back to the 1940s. His grandfather John Falconi Sr. was a New England Auto Racing hall of fame car owner and promoter at Brookline, Thompson, West Peabody and Westboro. His father Rick fielded cars for the likes of Fred Borden, Joe Cast and Reino Tulonen to many wins and track championships at Brookline and Westboro. Jamie grew up around racing at Westboro Speedway, where his father worked as a handicapper, Uncle Jim worked as a flagman, Uncle John drove and his Uncle Pete was the announcer. FULL STORY AT YANKEERACER.COM HERE


Medeiros Leads NEMA Lites to Star Saturday Night
Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com -EPPING, NH — Fresh off a runner-up finish at Waterford last month, Carl Medeiros, Jr. carries momentum into Saturday night’s NEMA Lites feature at Star Speedway. “Yeah, the guys have been talking about this since Waterford,” said Medeiros. “Waterford isn’t our strongest track, considering I have the most laps there other than Seekonk, we really should be in good shape going into Star. We have our “3 in-a-row” set up in the car and that’s what was in it at Waterford.” FULL STORY AT YANKEERACER.COM HERE

The Women of NEMA
By Bill Van Slyke

Part 2: ”For Sale” - “A Message” - ”Passion”
.
You’ve heard the ole cliché, “behind every good man, there’s a great women”. Similarly, “behind every good Auto Racing club, there’s a great group of women.” As the Northeastern Midget Assoc. enters it’s 61st year, it does so on the shoulders of a number of dedicated hard working women. In 1953, NEMA’s inaugural year, women had no shot of even getting into the pits; nowadays, they’re calling the shots.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down for a candid conversation with a number of NEMA’s dedicated females whose duties range from officials to sales person to one who loves to drive very fast.

Cyndy finally said yes to the question, “you want to go to the races”? The question came from NEMA president Mike Scrivani back in 2008. Shortly after, the two were wed and Cyndy became part of a family with a long racing history. But, Cyndy Scrivani confesses that initially she really had no interest in racing, but that was then. Today, she is now fully entrenched in the club and her duties as merchandise salesperson, responsible for the purchasing and marketing of hundreds of caps, tees, decals, key chains, etc. Ever since 2010, the job has put this “blond with the never ending smile” one-on-one with the fans as the merchandise trailer is parked directly in the speedway’s paddock area so she can easily wheel and deal with the fans. Her duties prior to NEMA sales, “provided all with plentiful food and drink”, a task she still performs at the close of each race weekend. Over in the RV park, where the campfire is as tall as the stories being told, there is Cyndy, still providing that food and drink for all that attend. Similarly, at the annual NEMA picnic, Cyndy plays a major roll in the organization and set up of tents, serving tables, grills, coolers, menu,…..and when the evening closes down in the very early hours, there she is helping with the clean up. And even though she loves to escape occasionally to the Rhode Island beaches, the family atmosphere keeps her tied to NEMA. So in 2011, to show their appreciation for her dedication, the club presented Cyndy with the Marilyn Angelillo award; a very deserving honor.

“I climbed up in the trailer and sat down. A message came, a clear message. I knew what it was and who it came from. So I got up, walked out of that trailer and went to work”. To stand back at any NEMA event and watch Tara Stoehr perform her work is amazing. She’ll start the evening at the Stoehr family hauler where daughters Bethany and Kathryn work side by side with mom in preparation of the two racers for Bethany and husband Greg. Then it’s off to the drivers meeting where, as the only female Chaplain in the Racing for Jesus Ministries, she’ll lead the group in prayer asking for safety for all in attendance and to remember a friend who may be down on his luck. Tara’s racing life began in 1982, dating then go-cart racer turned stock car driver Greg, at Seekonk. She boasts that she has only missed one of Greg’s races in all these years and is very proud of him as a driver and family man. “Greg has impeccable patients when teaching the girls about racing”. When asked of any interests outside of racing, Tara explains of her family’s love for outdoor activities such as hiking and the beach. Tara’s response when asked about her best moment in racing, “there’s a few, she says, like the time at Volusia County Speedway in Florida. Greg wins the feature in a old jalopy after an other car owner says he can’t believe we drove all that way to drive such a sub-par racer. As I proudly walked to victory lane, and without saying a word, I made sure I made eye contact with that car owner.“ Another moment came when Bethany set fast time at Waterford in her ex-Mike Jarret midget; but the most memorable is when NEMA honored her with the “Woman Behind the Man” award in 2011. Truly, Tara is a hard worker as she continues to carry along that “message”

She posts on face book, “My dad sold my NEMA Lite car, so I’m free to drive your Lite, modified, super modified, SK, or late model.“ That’s how Bethany Stoehr defines her “Passion” for racing, by wanting to drive anything. It all began in 2001 when dad Greg found the perfect go cart in a strange place, a flea market. That cart solidified the forth generation of Stoehr’s to participate in auto racing starting with great grandfather Bill, than grandfather Paul and father Greg. While driving that cart, Bethany, along with sister Kathryn, would crew Greg’s midget at NEMA events. They didn’t just help the crew, they WERE the crew, performing it all; tires, fuel, gears, shocks, driving the push quad and learning all that dad had to teach. And when they were big enough to see over the steering wheel, they steered the car to the pits after a race. When asked what draws her interest in NEMA, this eighteen year old is quick to explain, “the great people and my friends” which she truly misses in the off season. And Bethany’s off seasons are usually empty, but she fills her time as a convenient store clerk and singing with her sister….”singing is fun, but I’m not very good at it”. And that’s fine with us, as long a she sticks with what she is good at, following that “Passion“.

We would be remiss without mentioning two NEMA angels that have left us, Miss “Ellie” Seymour and Marilyn Angelillo. Without ever having the opportunity to meet these ladies, one only has to inquire to any veteran NEMA member of the work and contributions to NEMA they made, and the stories will be free flowing and plentiful. From secretary to announcer to hauler driver the longevity, love and support they gave to this racing club is unmatched. So, with the memories of the past fresh in our minds, the Northeastern Midget Association looks ahead to a strong future with help and support from “The Women of NEMA”.

The Women of NEMA
By Bill Van Slyke

Part 1: ”The Traveler” - “Busy Bee” - “Shane” - “SOX Fan“
.
You’ve heard the ole cliché, “behind every good man, there’s a great women”. Similarly, “behind every good Auto Racing club, there’s a great group of women.” As the Northeastern Midget Assoc. enters it’s 61st year, it does so on the shoulders of a number of dedicated hard working women. In 1953, NEMA’s inaugural year, women had no shot of even getting into the pits; nowadays, they’re calling the shots.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down for a candid conversation with a number of NEMA’s dedicated females whose duties range from officials to sales person to one who loves to drive very fast.

Lu Jarret has been associated with NEMA since 2005 when husband Mike invested some sponsor money into NEMA, and eventually fielded a midget racer for Nokie Forono. Not one to just sit and spectate, Lu jumped in selling merchandise , running the 50/50, doing the line-up, whatever needed attention. The Jarret’s tenure as car owners lasted a number of years until the lure of the sea took them away to their beach house, and a new RV took them everywhere else. In the wake of their life with NEMA are fond memories such as a special night at the 2007 awards banquet as Lu was the recipient of the Marilyn Angelillo Woman-Behind-the-Man award presented by Gene Angelillo himself; this was Lu’s self proclaimed “best moment in racing”. At your next chance meeting with Lu…ask her of her latest travels; the stories will be endless.

“I’d have my toes in the sand and a drink in my hand”, is how Linda Cleveland describes her weekends if it weren’t for her scoring and secretarial duties for NEMA. To catch up with this “busy-bee” at the track you’ll be at the scoring table one minute, the press box the next, then off to the RV to construct the night’s line-ups. Linda’s racing timeline started in 1975 at Westboro Speedway where she was a late model fan and witnessed her first midget race, then onto 1993 when her NEMA scoring duties commenced , then her marriage to veteran NEMA driver Doug Cleveland in 1994 and the throng of Cleveland’s that came along with him. (namely brothers-in-law Brian drives a midget, and Steve, a push truck operator). But this busy lifestyle with the racing club suites her just fine as the camaraderie among teams and closeness among families are attributes much to her liking. Linda can recall numerous pleasurable moments on that timeline but none measure up to the night she was honored with the “Woman behind Man” award a handful of years back, one moment in time she will always cherish.

“Giving back, I need to give back”, are the words from the founder of the Shane Hammond Foundation, ( shanehammondfoundation.org ),
Deb Marvuglio, mother of the late driver. Deb formed the foundation in 2009 to meet the objective of supplying state of the art safety equipment to racers that would otherwise go without. This tireless ambassador of driver safety is a lifelong racer as her father raced in the 60’s and 70’s. Deb finds pleasure with the friends and family environment of NEMA as shown by her duties with the club, which include race day scoring, organizing the seat chart for the year ending awards banquet as well as procuring the DJ for that evenings entertainment . One NEMA memory she’ll always cherish will be Shane’s memorial race in 2012 when Deb’s other son, Anthony “Bug” Marvuglio, an up-coming wheelman himself, captured the checkers to endless cheers and endless tears as it was a very emotional win. According to Deb, “If I were to choose another interest aside from racing it would be devoting myself to charity work”. It would seem NEMA wants her to stay right where she is.

“My entire life; I was born into it”, is Jenifer Scrivani’s response to the question, “how long you been in racing”? The daughter of NEMA president Mike, and granddaughter of “Iron” Mike, this girl went from the crib directly to the garage. “The only job they let me do was wipe down the car”. “But, as I got older, I’d clean the garage and run to get parts”. When I was 13, Jeff Gordon drove our car and Dad knew he was going to make it big…the “I told you so’s”, are still being heard. Today, this energetic SOX fan can be seen going about her duties as the weekly NEMA VIP tour guide, insuring the lucky fan receives all the perks that goes along with winning the fun contest. Even after all these years, her racing passion grows as she loves the family orientated climate and witnessing the kids moving up through the ranks. Even though “Jen” is a lover of music festivals and camping, the sights and sounds of summer racing lures her back to her roots. Her dedication to the club was well recognized in 2012 as she received the Angelillo Memorial Award for Outstanding Performance. “Iron Mike” would be proud.

Dewey Cali
Has passed away at the age of 88.

- Dewey served as the chief mechanic on the Stropoli #66
that Johnny Mann drove to the NEMA Championship in 1972.
- Dewey was the owner of the 1974 NEMA Champion car
again with Johnny Mass as the driver.

One Night…for a Rising Star

“Excitement, purely excited about Todd running with the top guys, this is his shot.” Gill Bertrand spoke those words recently at a benefit dinner when asked what it meant to him to have son Todd race in the “Night Before The 500” at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indiana in May. “I just know he can do it”, Gill added.

The dinner, designed to help defer the cost of entering this major USAC midget race, was attended by a large throng of Bertrand Motorsports family and friends dining on American and Italian fair while purchasing chances on over 50 raffle and door prizes. Todd himself took over the MC duties by taking the stage and thanking all in attendance for their help and support.

The team has had this race on the 2013 calendar since last year when then driver, Cole Carter, was crashed on the first lap. For this year’s IRP event, the Bertrand’s built a new chassis and will enter the event with high expectations for the their young 22 year old driver and a crew comprised of brothers Tim and Patrick among others.

Todd summed up his feelings this way, “I’ve seen Bobby Santos take his talents from NEMA all the way to USAC, I know I can do the same thing, this will make me a better driver.”

The evening concluded with endless well-wishes of success for the Bertrand team and suggestions of repeating this event next year, where everyone can once again celebrate….“One Night…for a Rising Star.”

SUN. APRIL 7TH - WATERFORD

NEMA Midgets Top Three - L to R: Randy Cabral #47, 3rd;
Winner Todd Bertrand #39; & Anthony Marvuglio #38, 2nd.




	*John DaDalt*





		Photos by Norm Marx
*Track Scenes >*

Todd Bertrand NEMA Blastoff Winner

Waterford, CT - Taking advantage of the caution he was “hoping for,” Todd Bertrand captured the 25-lap Northeastern Midget feature Sunday at Waterford Speedbowl’s Blast Off Weekend. Bertrand described the run to his third career NEMA win, all of them at Waterford, as “methodical.”

Bertrand (Bertrand 39) was in complete control after beating Anthony Marvuglio (Bourbeau 38)) into turn one on a lap 15 restart. Marvuglio held on for second followed by Randy Cabral (Bertrand 47), Seth Carlson (Feigel 71) and Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire 45) as NEMA opened its 61st season.

Following three side-by-side laps with fellow front-row starter Carlson, Marvuglio took command. The patient Bertrand, second by lap five, was catching the leader. “I wanted a restart,” explained Bertrand. “I didn’t want to wear out my tires. I knew my tires were going to be cooler than his.”

Looking at the scoreboard, Bertrand noticed teammate Cabral would line up behind him. “I knew if I didn’t go, Randy would,” he said. Bertrand grabbed the lead with no trouble while Cabral, who started eighth, battled Marvuglio for several laps before settling into third. It was, said Marvuglio “fun racing.”

Stoehr, who suffered extensive damage in his heat on Saturday, passed Modified star Doug Coby, in the third Bertrand Racing entry, for fifth shortly after the restart. In the tightest competition of the event, Stoehr, Coby and seventh-place Bethany Stoehr (Stoehr 5b) were all within a half-second of each other.

Bertrand’s Honda-powered Drinan was 2.4 seconds in front at the checkered. Anthony Marvuglio's #38 owned the fastest feature lap (13.019). That, however, paled compared to a 12.619 (106.982) posted in winning his heat on Saturday. Cabral had a 12.776 in winning his heat.

In practice on March 30, Bertrand turned a 12.8 but soon realized last weekend “it wasn’t going to be fast enough.” After Russ Stoehr turned a 12.664 and Cabral and John Zych were in the 12.7s, “I didn’t stop working on the car all day. It turned out well.”

While NEMA is now idle until the Boston Louie at Seekonk on June 2, Bertrand is preparing for the USAC “Night Before The 500” race at Indianapolis Raceway Park on May 25.

Tim Bertrand said he spent 26 hours in two days earlier in the week getting the car Doug Coby drove ready. The car lost a motor in practice on March 30. Bertrand gave much credit to Mike and Bobby Seymour for preparing and installing the new Autocraft engine. Expect Coby to be in the car again this summer.
Lou Ciccone drove Adam Cantor’s 7ny, the first of several guest drivers.
According to Bertrand, NEMA hasn’t gone this fast at Waterford since 2008 when Randy Cabral was turning 12.6 laps...”At Waterford, the colder the track, the faster we go,” said Randy Cabral. “When it’s cold there is tons of grip. We will not be this fast in July and August.”
The fastest lap in Sunday’s 25-lap feature at Waterford Speedbowl’s belonged to Anthony Marvuglio, at 13.019. Bertrand’s 12.619 en route to victory in his heat on Saturday is now seen as the NEMA standard at the Speedbowl. “Last year we were all struggling to get in the 12.9s here,” said Bertrand who came to Blast Off feeling confident after 12.8s in the practice session on March 30.
The newfound speed was the hot topic right from the start after Russ Stoehr’s 12.664 lap in practice. “You’ve got to concentrate,” said Stoehr. “There is not a lot of room for error at those speeds.”A broken panhard bar was the culprit in Stoehr’s heat crash on Saturday.
It was the maiden run for Bertrand’s Honda-powered Drinan which, incidentally, is “totally different” from teammate Randy Cabral’s Eslinger/Honda.
The question ‘who will be in the Bertrand 74 and Cantor 7ny?’ adds some excitement to the 2013 NEMA season. Doug Coby, who drove the 74 to sixth on Sunday, will definitely drive it again. Lou Cicconi is a likely a returnee in either car. Modified standouts Ryan Preece and Keith Rocco are other probabilities.
“I remember hanging around with Greg and Tara Stoehr before they were married,” said Keith Botelho. “Now I am racing against their daughter Bethany.” Botelho was filling in for Joey Payne Jr. in the Ed Breault #44. “My heart still goes thump, thump, thump when I put the helmet on,” said Botelho who started racing stock cars in 1985. It was either 1988 or ’89 he took his first Midget ride with Pete Pernesiglio.
Payne, who missed Blast Off because of a family commitment, will have a new car at NEMA’s next race, the June 2 Boston Louie at Seekonk.
Louisville’s Russ Smith and Michigan’s Nik Stauskas, opponents in the NCAA basketball championship game, were classmates of Todd Bertrand at South Kent School. “They were both in my English class,” said Bertrand, a soccer player at South Kent.
The “t” on Jim Miller’s second car (driven by Lee Bundy) is for Miller’s son Trevor who will soon be listed as the owner.

NEMA MIDGETS - WATERFORD - 4/7/13

Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner

1 39 Todd Bertrand Suffield, CT Bertrand Motorsports

2 38 Anthony Marvuglio E. Bridgewater, MA Tammy Bourbeau

3 47 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Tim Bertrand

4 71 Seth Carlson Brimfield, CT Gene Feigel

5 45 Russ Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Dumo's Desire Racing

6 74 Doug Coby Milford, CT Bertrand Motorsports

7 5b Bethany Stoehr Bridgewater, MA MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr

8 29 Ian Cumens Lydell, PA Bobby Seymour

9 3m Jim Miller Weymouth, MA Jim Miller

10 30 Paul Scally Raynham, MA Paul Scally

11 80 Peter Pernisiglio Lake Grove, NY Peter Pernisiglio Sr.

12
DNF 99 Jim Santa Maria Burlington, CT Susan Santa Maria

13
DNF 7ny Lou Cicconi Aston, PA Allan Cantor

14
DNF 15a Avery Stoehr Lakeville, MA MCI Racing/
Russ Stoehr

15
DNF 44 Keith Botelho Attleboro, MA Ed Breault

16
DNS 9 John Zych Jr. Mendon, MA John Zych Sr.

17
DNS 3t Lee Bundy Kennebunkport, ME Lee Bundy

SAT. APRIL 6TH - WATERFORD

LITES Top Three - L to R: Carl Medeiros Jr. #50, 3rd;
Winner Keith Rocco #76; & Randy Cabral #35, 2nd.
LATE REPORT: Rocco #76 DQ'd for tech issues.










*Photos by Norm Marx*

Waterford Lites Win For Cabral

Waterford – Randy Cabral is the point leader for the Northeastern Midget Association’s Lites Division. This year, for the first time, there will be a champion.

Cabral, driving the family’s #35, got the win in Saturday night’s 25-lap Lites feature at Waterford Speedbowl’s Blastoff Weekend. The win fell to Cabral when Keith Rocco, in the Manafort 76, was disqualified for being underweight.

Cabral , who emphatically declares “I am not a contender for the Lites crown,” won a heat as well en route to his second Waterford career Lites win. Carl Mederios Jr., Jake Stergios, Brandon Igo and Christian Briggs completed the top five.

Rocco, who came from deep in the field, erased a wide Cabral lead and took the lead through turns one and two with two laps left. He also had the fastest lap (a 13.834)

The second leader, Cabral took the lead from pole sitter Ryan Bigelow with 11 laps remaining. He built up a sizable lead but then couldn’t hold off Rocco. Mederios, who can be considered a championship contender, finished very strong.

One caution marred the run, Dan Cugini hit the front stretch wall. Although he left the track in the ambulance, he did not leave the facility.

NEMA LITES - WATERFORD - 4/6/13

Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner

1 35 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Glen Cabral

2 50 Carl Medeiros, Jr. Westport, MA Carl Medeiros

3 11 Jake Stergois Candia, NH Bill Stergios

4 45 Brandon Igo Wilbraham, MA David Igo

5 44 Christian Briggs Mattapoisett, MA Christian Briggs

6 15a Avery Stoehr Lakeville, MA MCI Racing/
Russ Stoehr

7 7 Dana Shaw Danielson, CT Gregory Olson

8 18 DJ Moniz Fairhaven, MA David Moniz

9 13 Ryan Bigelow E. Hampton, CT Randy Bigelow

10 31 Paul Bigelow Kensington, CT Randy Bigelow

11 94 Logan Rayvals Brockville, ONT Craig Rayvals

12 41 Joe Cugini Marshfield, MA D. Cugini

13 2k Kelly Ferrell Chaplin, CT John Ferrel

14
DNF 81 Andy Barrows New Ipswitch, NH Dustin Anderson

15
DNF 51 Danny Cugini Marshfield, MA D. Cugini

16
DNS 52 Kevin Park Foxboro, MA Kevin Park

17
DQ 76 Keith Rocco Wallingford, CT Frank Manafort

Speedbowl Ready for Blastoff!
Large turnout for open practice this past Saturday

Track Press Release - Waterford, CT (April 1, 2013) – A large contingent of racecars and on-lookers turned out this past Saturday at Waterford Speedbowl. Over 125 racecars representing many divisions jammed the pit area to test and tune for the 2013 race season. The Speedbowl opens the New England racing season this coming weekend with Budweiser Blastoff, the track’s 63rd season opener.

The largest turnout on Saturday was made by the Valenti Modified Racing Series. The popular open-wheel series will begin its 10th anniversary season at the Speedbowl as part of Budweiser Blastoff Weekend. Approximately 25 teams attended the practice day to put down laps on the shoreline oval. Series officials anticipate well over 30 teams for Budweiser Blastoff. Race teams from the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) and NEMA Lites, plus the New England Truck Series joined several Speedbowl racers in attendance Saturday.

Budweiser Blastoff Weekend takes over the Speedbowl April 5th - 7th. The weekend is highlighted by a 100-lap feature for the Valenti Modified Racing Series and a special 63-lap race for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds®. Thirteen divisions in total will each be after the first checkered flags of 2013.

The weekend begins when pit gates open at 10:00am on Friday, April 5th for a full day of practice. The Valenti Modified Racing Series will have a special 1 hour open practice from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Hauler drop off is permitted Friday. Grandstands will be closed.

Pit gates open at 7:30am Saturday, April 6th with grandstands opening at 11:30am. Qualifying is set to begin at approximately 3:00pm with the first of seven features on the day scheduled for 5:00pm Saturday. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modifieds plus NEMA Lites, Legend Cars, New England Truck Series, Super X-Cars, X-Cars and Bandoleros will all race features on Saturday.

Sunday April 7th’s event schedule gets started with the popular Speedbowl Pit Party beginning at 9:30am. Fans will be able to see the cars and meet the stars up close on the track before racing begins shortly after noon. Six feature events including the Valenti Modified Racing Series 100, NEMA Midgets and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series 63-lap SK Modified® feature highlight Sunday’s action. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model, Street Stock and Mini Stock features all hit the track on Sunday as well.

Advance ticket sales and a detailed event schedule for Budweiser Blastoff Weekend are available online at Speedbowl.com. Questions may be directed to info@speedbowl.com or contacting the track office at 860.442.1585.

The Northeastern Midget Association opens its 61st season at this weekend’s Blast Off at Waterford Speedbowl. NEMA and the NEMA Lites are both on the two-day show. The Lites feature will be on Saturday night and the full midgets on Sunday. Both will qualify on Saturday.

The Midget win list at Waterford starts with Johnny Thomson, still regarded as New England’s premier open-cockpit driver. Thomson, a Lowell, MA product, won a fog- shortened 15-lapper in June of 1951 and a month later captured a 35-lapper. Late that year before Art Cross, another Midget legend, won an AAA-sanctioned 100 lapper George Tichenor grabbed the pole with a 17.920 run. Anthony Marvuglio had last year’s fastest feature lap time (12.910). Carl Medeiros’ 13.871 was the Lites best.

Since 1999, the Waterford Speedbowl has hosted the NEMA season-opener nine times. On four occasions there was a first-time winner including last year when John Zych Jr. prevailed. Others to do it were Rudy Boetticher (2000), Ben Seitz (2004) and Chris Leonard (2010).

NEMA’s win list includes fathers and sons and brothers but there has yet to be a father-daughter combination. Russ Stoehr’s daughter Bethany, very impressive at Waterford last summer, is a prime candidate to end that draught. She could also start a niece-uncle list with Russ Stoehr. Erica Santos, part of the only sister-brother combo with Bobby III, remains NEMA’s only female winner, doing it at Stafford in 2007.

The list of modified drivers who have tried on a NEMA Midget is reasonably lengthy but the list of winners is short. It includes Ted Christopher, who prevailed at Waterford in 1998 and the late Gene Bergin. One of Bergin’s two wins came at Thompson. Each was driving for an established car owner (TC for Gene Angelillo, Bergin for Mike Scrivani, Sr.) and each was very familiar with the track. Multi-time Waterford champion Keith Rocco, a Lites winner last summer, had the same advantages. Doug Coby, who will drive for Tim Bertrand this weekend, has those things going for him as well.

Betrand Racing comes with three cars, each with a different power plant. Defending champion Randy Cabral has an Esslinger, Todd Bertrand a Honda and Coby an Autocraft. Counting Coby’s five Modified checkereds, the team has 16 Waterford wins, eight for Cabral, two for Todd and one for owner, and former driver, Tim. Four different motors wound up in Waterford’s Victory Lane last year – Esslinger (2), Gaerte, Honda and Mazda.

The first appearance of Lites came at Waterford’s 2008 opener with an exhibition run. The first “official” race was June 11 of that year, Jesse State beating brothers Jake and P.J Stergios and Anthony Marvuglio.

NEMA Kicks Off Season
at Bowl’s Blastoff

Brockton, MA – Coming off one of the most competitive seasons in its 60-year history, the Northeastern Midget Association opens its 2013 campaign April 6-7 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blastoff Weekend. Both NEMA and the NEMA Lites are part of the busy agenda.

Defending champion Randy Cabral (Bertrand #47), one of 11 winners a year ago, heads up the entry list. John Zych Jr. (Zych #9), Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire #45), Jim Miller (Miller #3m), Todd Bertrand (Bertrand #39), Seth Carlson (Feigel #71) and Anthony Marvuglio (Bourbeau #38), all 2012 winners as well, will also be back.

The 25-lap feature, slated for Sunday, kicks of a 15-race NEMA schedule. The Lites, scheduled to go 25 laps on Saturday night, will race 17 times this summer. Both divisions will qualify on Saturday.

Zych, the defending Blastoff champ, Bertrand, Marvuglio and Russ Stoehr were all winners at Waterford last year. Stoehr’s win earned him a tie with Cabral atop Waterford’s all-time NEMA win list, each with eight.

Openers at Waterford, however, tend to produce first-ever winners and there’s evidence that might continue as well. Youngsters Bethany Stoehr and Ian Cumens are first time candidates, Stoehr driving the same family-owned Beast she turned a 12.986 lap with last season. Cumens, the 2012 Hoosier Tires Lites champ, will be driving for the Seymour operation. Paul Scally (Scally 30), Lee Bundy (Miller #2), now part of the Jim Miller team, and James Santa Maria (Santa Maria #99) are other first-time possibilities.

Defending National NASCAR Modified champion Doug Coby, no stranger to the “Bowl, will be in a third Bertrand car. Coby was impressive in last year’s finale at Lee USA before being collected in a crash.

Blast Off marks the start of the sixth season for the Lites, a division that ran for the first time at the Speedbowl in 2008. Avery Stoehr, a two-time winner in 2012 including once at Waterford, and Dylan Duhaime, who wound up second in the Hoosier Challenge points, head up the Lites class. Cabral also expects to run a full Lites campaign in the family car. Other Lites contenders are Logan Rayvals, Brandon Martinez, David Moriz, Brandon Igo and Carl Medeiros Jr.

NEMA and the Lites will visit 10 tracks in 2013. The club returns to Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY (first time since 1971), Monadnock Speedway and Riverside Speedway in Groveton, NH. It will also visit Seekonk (including the Boston Louie on June 2), Star, Stafford, Lee USA, Oswego and Thompson Speedways.

NEMA Lites Kick Off
Sixth Season at ‘Bowl

Brockton, MA – The Northeastern Midget Association’s Lites Division begins its sixth season at Waterford Speedbowl’s Blast Off Weekend April 6-7. The Lites, a blend of returnees and newcomers, are part of a busy two-day agenda that also includes the regular NEMA cars.

The Lites’ feature will run on Saturday night while the “full-midgets” feature is on Sunday. Both groups qualify on Saturday for their respective 25-lap features.

Andy Barrows, Ryan Bigelow, Randy Cabral, Brandon Igo, Keith Rocco and Avery Stoehr will all be looking to repeat previous Lites victories at Waterford. Carl Medeiros Jr., Dylan Duhaime, Danny Cugini, Jake Smith, Logan Rayvals, Dana Shaw, David Moniz, R.J. Tufano, Christian Briggs, Kenny Johnson and Bigelow’s brothers Paul and Scott return to Lites action as well.

Medeiros (13.871) and Tufano (13.893) had the fastest Lites feature laps last summer at Waterford. Ryan Bigelow is the defending Blast Off champion. Modified star Rocco and Stoehr also turned in impressive winning rides a year ago.

Cabral, NEMA’s driving champion four of the last five years, expects to continue driving the family car in Lites action. Ian Cumens, the Hoosier Tires Lites Challenge champ a year ago, will also make some Lites starts around a full-time NEMA effort with the Seymour team.

Returning to Lites action are Jake Stergios, a big winner back in 2009-10, and Kelly Ferrell, a one-time Whip City standout. Heading up the “rookie” list is Richie Morrocco who’ll be in the car driven by Brandon Martinez a year ago.

Designed to provide an economical avenue into Midget racing, the Lites have grown impressively over the past six years. The 2013 roster is expected to reach the 30s.

Blast Off ignites an 18-race agenda at nine tracks that will include the half-mile Stafford and Airborne Speedways. The division performed impressively last year in their “big track” debut at Oswego.

Formed as a “feeder division” for the full midgets, it is perhaps more now but it is still serving its original purpose. Cumens and Bethany Stoehr join a number of Lites graduates who have moved up to the full midgets including Todd Bertrand, Anthony Marvuglio, Seth Carlson, Anthony Nocella and Jim Santa Maria.

Doug Colby & Randy Cabral

Coby Among NEMA Threats at ‘Bowl

aBrockton, MA – Pointing out “It is good to challenge myself with something different,” National NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Doug Coby will get back in a Midget at this weekend’s Blast Off at Waterford Speedbowl.

The Northeastern Midget Association and the NEMA Lites are both part of busy two-day agenda. The 25-lap Lites feature is scheduled for Saturday night while the full midgets are on the Sunday agenda. Both will qualify on Saturday.

Coby will be in a “custom” chassis designed by Danny Drinan and Tim Bertrand. “The car has been re-done from head to foot, a very nice piece,” reports Bertrand.

The car did experience motor problem in last Saturday’s practice and will have a new Autocraft engine this weekend.

A Modified Tour winner last year at Waterford, it will be the second Midget ride for Coby, who also has four Waterford SK triumphs. Driving for Bertrand, he was second in his heat in the 2012 finale at Lee before falling victim to a crash in the feature.

Prior to Lee, Coby tested at the Speedbowl. “We were pretty quick,” Coby says. “Tim was very happy and we talked about getting together for the 2013 opener right then.” A Midget, he says “is the type of car you can really get after with the throttle. Midgets are a lot more precise in terms of where you can put the car.”

Modified fans will have a horse in the Lites race as well. Multi-time Waterford champ Keith Rocco will be driving the Frank Manafort-owned car that he was very impressive in at the Speedbowl last summer.

Saturday practice did produce optimistic results for Coby’s teammates defending champion Randy Cabral and Todd Bertrand.

Cabral and veteran Russ Stoehr, each with eight career Waterford victories, lead NEMA back to the ‘Bowl. John Zych Jr. will be looking for a second straight Blast Off win. Veterans Jim Miller, Joey Payne and Greg Stoehr have all have won at Waterford. Based on a run last season, Bethany Stoehr is another prime candidate. Other contenders are Seth Carlson, James Santa Maria, Anthony Marvuglio, Paul Scally and rookie of the year candidate Ian Cumens.

Avery Stoehr and Brandon Igo, both Waterford winners in ’12, top the Lites entries. The Bigelow Brothers (Ryan, Paul and Scott), Kelly Farrell, Carl Medeiros Jr., Dan Cugini, Logan Rayvals and “double duty” Randy Cabral are also contenders.

WATERFORD SPEEDBOWL PRACTICE

From the NEMA Facebook Group Page

Ellie Seymour

Elena A. (Birri) Seymour, 84, of Marlborough,
died Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Brigham
and Women's Hospital in Boston after an illness.

Ellie Seymour, matriarch of one of the country’s premier racing families, passed away Saturday at age 84. The widow of the legendary “Boston Louie” Seymour, “Miss Ellie” had an immeasurable influence on three generations of the Marlboro, MA based family.

Married to Louie for 44 years, she leaves behind five children – sons Michael and Bobby and daughters, Marylou Todd, Lois Seymour and Celeste Mikitarian – and eight grandchildren.

“She was always giving,” said Bobby. “It was always about us.”

Northeastern Midget Association President Mike Scrivani Jr. argues it went much further. “She had such an infectious smile,” says Scrivani, a long-time Seymour associate. “You could not help returning that smile. Miss Ellie made you feel good.

“She added a dignity to where ever she was,” Scrivani continues. “She just brought so much with her.”

Whether it was “driving the rig” or staying home and “taking care of business,” Ellie Seymour played a vital role in the accomplishments that put her husband in both the National Sprint Car and New England Antique Racers Halls of Fame. The Seymours were successful in USAC Sprint and Silver Crown cars thought out the country. Mike and Bobby were midget standouts in family equipment, notably with the Northeastern Midget Association.

She was, Bobby recalls “a true quarter midget mom” when her family raced at the Marlboro Airport. “She did pretty much everything,” says Bobby, “whatever was needed from flag person to announcer.” And when travel became part of the operation, she was there as well back in the days when “travelling through the night was standard procedure.”

Sometimes “Miss Ellie” was there when the Seymour cars were racing throughout the Midwest, sometimes as far away as California. “Other times she was home taking care of business,” Bobby continues. “We were in the fuel oil business and that’s where we made our living.”

The Seymour family now operates Seymour Enterprises Performance Products. It was not unusual to see “Miss Ellie” showing up to “do what had to be done.”

“She will be missed,” understates Bobby. That’s true both in Marlboro, MA and in many places where folks will now treasure her memory.

Calling hours will be from 2-to-8 PM on Tuesday at the John Rowe Funeral Home, 57 Main Street in Marlboro. The funeral will be 10 AM on Wednesday at St. Bernadette’s Church 266 Main St., Northborough, MA.

Briggs Speeds to Recovery
in Time for Waterford’s Blastoff

Brockton, MA - When Christian Briggs was 9 years old, he and his (late) father, Charlie, drove down to the Coca Cola 600 together. It was one of “the best memories” with his father. Upon returning to the car, to start the fourteen hour ride home, however, Briggs did not feel well. Something was not right. He was “ill” for the entire ride home.

Soon after, Briggs went back to school. His grades fell off. He couldn’t hit a baseball anymore. Something was wrong, and both he & his family knew it… That summer he admitted to Childrens Hospital and was diagnosed with two aracnoid cysts on his brain and spinal chord. While waiting for surgery he had a stroke and seizure and was rushed into the operating room. The surgery was successful and the cysts were removed. He could not drive anything for a year and made a full recovery. His only limitation was no football... ever. So he chose racing, and that’s where it began.

Fast-forward 20 years to the NEMA banquet. While celebrating a great season, Briggs was once again not feeling like “himself”, he blacked out and hit his head. This along with a crash at Beech Ridge, Briggs swears “may have saved his life”. The crash at Beech Ridge triggered what was about to happen. His helmet had bent the seat 2 inches. He was “out of it” on the way home but thought he was concussed and would be fine. The night of the banquet, upon being rushed to the Hospital, he had a catscan and the ER doctors found a massive cyst where the old ones were. His worst fear had come true.

After some difficult weeks, Briggs went back to work and planned to “get through this” and get back to normal. After going to Brigham and Womens he found out I needed surgery again. “Everyone around me was so scared so I faked it and focused on the race team,” said Briggs. “All negative energy I had went to the car. My crew and family was worried about me, I told them worry about being at Waterford for the Blastoff. After a long talk with my Nuero Surgeon he said if we operated I would be ready to race in five weeks,” said Briggs. Waterford was five weeks away.

The surgery was a great success. “The difference now is the support I received not only from my family and crew, but my newly acquired fans from the NEMA tour. I am good to go. No worries,” he says.

Without racing, Briggs speaks of a life that would be “incomplete.” He started racing at Sugar Hill Speedway with his Dad at 12 years old. He moved on to kart nationals and at 17 he was in a 350 super modified at Star speedway. After a year in the Super, he and his family decided that Late Models were the way to go and they sold the car and got a famous frame from Wayne Helliwell. “I was not able to run the car very much because my Dad got sick. He had Cancer and fought for a few years. During those years he got George Rego to drive the car while I set it up and learned all I could from George. I did not know it at the time but my Dad was training me to be a Team Owner,” says Briggs.

After his Dad passed away he moved and stopped racing all together. At the time, he had a newly clipped Late Model and new crate engine sitting in the garage. It just sat there. He never went in the garage or to a race track. Racing was something he shared with his Dad.

One day, however, good friends of the Family Ricky and Robbie Gifford approached Briggs, and said that Ricky's son Chris was ready to move up to late models. “We made a tire deal and the ride was his. They only got this ride because my Dad was their hockey coach and they were determined to get me to the track. I always ran the #18. After six years - and as just a team owner I decided to race again. It was time,” Briggs says.

Soon after, Briggs started to build a Limited Sportsman for Thompson. “I went to the racers expo to buy a suit, that is where I met Bobby Seymour. He asked me what I was racing, and why I wanted such a fancy suit. I told him and he said come see me at my shop. When I got there to get my suit we got to talking and I told him my story, he then showed me the NEMA Lite cars,” said Briggs. Enter the next Chapter of Briggs’ racing career.

“I sold my Late model team and the Limited and bought a Lite Car out of Long Island. The number would be 44, the year my Dad was born. The rest is history.”

Since returning to the wheel, Briggs’ Mother has stepped into the place of his Dad and has been a major support system for the team. “She makes sure I have the best safety equipment possible…Also tires and fuel when I can't make it happen. She has been great and I love her very much,” he says. Briggs also credits his girlfriend, Melissa, with his valiant return to the race track in 2013, and for the support she has showed him.

Briggs says 2013 will be a big year for his team, now called Charles Thomas Motorsports – after his Dad. Briggs plans a full NEMA schedule with the exception of Friday nights, when he works at his major sponsor – the Gateway Tavern. “They have made countless sacrifices and donations that allow me to race. I could not do this without them,” he says. Briggs also counts Canton Power & Electric, Facchetti & Facchetti, TMF Logistics, Labonte Insurance, Northgate Advisors and Duck Inn Pub as banner sponsors of his.

One thing there is no doubt about. Christian Briggs is ready for 2013, and when the pit gates open at Waterford Speedbowl this year, my bet is that he’ll be one of the first in line.

10 Winners Back in NEMA Fold;
Cabral, Russ Stoehr Head List

Brockton, MA – The Northeastern Midget Association had 11 different winners in 2012, making it one of the most competitive campaigns in club history. Expect to see 10 of them back as NEMA begins its 61st season April 6-7 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blast Off.

Defending champion Randy Cabral moved into the top-five on NEMA’s all-time win list a year ago. Cabral, the only multiple winner last year, returns with car owner Tim Bertrand. He and Russ Stoehr, a six-time champion who sits third on the all-time list, head up the list of returnees. Stoehr is back in the Dumo’s Desire car.

The returning winners include Greg Stoehr, Jim Miller, Todd Bertrand, Anthony Marvuglio, Seth Carlson, Anthony Nocella and John Zych Jr. Adam Cantor will not drive but will return as part of the Cantor No. 33 crew.

Although he insists “I don’t see myself in that category,” Cabral, who has won four of the last five driving titles, loves being in the company of Drew and Fornoro and Dave Humphrey, “guys who did a lot of winning without power steering and with a lot more cars on the track.”

Cabral crashed at the USAC show at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway. While the Bertrand team did “amaze” the USAC folks by repairing the car, the damage was bad enough to demand “bringing it back down to the frame,” according to Tim Bertrand.

Title defenses are not to be discussed. “We never go into the year thinking about points,” Bertrand insists. We only focus on the points if and when we are "in it" and typically that comes with about 3 races to go. Otherwise, we're going to try and have some fun.”

“It is business as usual,” says Dumo’s Desire team crew chief Joe Fiori, about to start his 18th season with what is the continuation of late Gene Angelillo operation. Part of a crash in last year’s final event, the Beast Chassis is “ready to go,” says Fiori who actually joined the Angelillo team in 1991 after ending a long stint with the URC Sprint Cars. It will be the fourth season owner Laura Kibbe will continue her father’s passion. Stoehr has won at least once in each of the three previous seasons.

Only Drew Fornoro and Dave Humphrey have more NEMA wins than Stoehr. The Angelillo/Dumo’s Desire team is NEMA’s all-time most successful team.

Miller, Greg Stoehr, Zych
Set For NEMA Opener

Brockton, MA – A midget win at Oswego Speedway can inspire a competitor. It is among the division’s ultimate tests.

“No doubt about it, but I can’t complain about the entire season, says 57-year old Jim Miller, one of 10 2012 winners returning to Northeastern Midget Association action in 2013. NEMA begins its 61st season April 6-7 at Waterford Speedowl’s Blastoff Weekend.

Defending champion Randy Cabral (Bertrand) and Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire), who sit third and fifth on NEMA all-time win list, lead the list of returnees. In addition to Miller, the list also includes Greg Stoehr,
Todd Bertrand, Anthony Marvuglio, Seth Carlson, Anthony Nocella and John Zych Jr. Adam Cantor will not drive but will return as part of the Cantor No. 33 crew.

Miller, part of NEMA since the 1989s, dominated at Oswego and finished second in the finale at Lee. With Shawn Torrey turning the wrenches, Miller and Lee Bundy will be teammates in 2013 with Shawn Torrey the crew chief. Pointing out he “doesn’t feel like 57,” Miller, who “wants to have some fun,” has no plans for retirement.

Greg Stoehr isn’t talking retirement either. He plans on a full season in the #26b but can’t guarantee it because “the emphasis,” will be on daughter Bethany. “Maintaining two cars can be expensive so it he comes down to me or her needing something, Bethany will get it,” he says.

NEMA’s win list includes brothers, a brother and sister and some father-and-sons. The addition of a father-daughter combo could be another milestone in the Stoehr family’s storied career.

Zych, last year’s Blastoff winner, was actually the point leader in early going last year. Then weather and rescheduling problems caught up with the then Louisville, KY-based Hershey Company executive. Still, six top fours in nine starts in the Esslinger/Drinan #9 is amble evidence they’re solidly in the contender category. A move back to the northeast means that John will be
entered in all the NEMA races of 2013.

Ryan Preece, Bobby Santos III and Lou Cicconi Jr. will all be in the Cantor #33 Reider this year. “All have given me dates that can run the car,” says Cantor. “It’s likely others will drive it as well.” Adam’s dad Allen will be the “running the show.”

Cantor 2012 win at Lee came a couple days before the passing of his stepfather Joe DeMonte. It was a key factor in Cantor, part of NEMA since 2001, getting out of the cockpit. “There is no other race I could win that would mean as much as that one did,” he says.

As promised, the Betrand team expects to have a third car ready for NASCAR national Modified champion Doug Coby to drive at Blast Off. Coby was a crash victim in last year’s fnale at Lee.

NEMA Veteran Scally Readies
for 2013 Waterford Blastoff

Brockton, MA - One of NEMA’s long time mainstays, Paul Scally, has spent the winter preparing for the 2013 season. A mix of mechanical improvements and concentrated efforts around the “finer details” made up Scally’s busy off- season.

An open wheel competitor since the early 1990’s, Scally made his mark running early on with the Granite State Mini Sprint club, and later came to NEMA. Like many NEMA teams, Scally’s is no different in that most of his racing career has been spent with family, mainly his father. “Me and my dad have been racing together since 1990. We have had some success, and a lot of fun. My Dad and I have different skill sets mechanically,” states Scally. “What I lack he excels at and vice versa. So it makes working on the car very practical. I could not even maintain a car with out him.”

Scally has also had new additions to the crew over the past few years, one of the most important being his girlfriend, Rachel LeClerc. “Rachel is like a breath of fresh air for us. She is from a racing family and doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty,” said Scally. “For example, she doesn’t let the car go on the race track without checking the wheels to ensure they are tight.” A mistake far too many NEMA teams know, from experience, can be very costly and dangerous.

Scally also counts two key sponsors as part of his success and effort to attend every NEMA show. “Charter Environmental has been a 4 year sponsor, the owner Bob Delhome is a huge NEMA fan. He went through the driving school 2 years ago and has been hooked ever since,” said Scally. “Security and Alarm technologies has been on for 3 years, Brian and his son Riley love going to the shows. I couldn’t do it without these guys.”

When asked about 2013 – Scally focused on one word “reliability.” “We consistently start every race, but mechanical failures don't allows us to have a consistent finish. We feel if we finished consistently we could improve our overall series performance. To go out and win some races would be the ultimate goal,” said Scally. An improved braking system is one thing the team invested in, during the winter months.

Citing Seekonk, Waterford and Star as his favorite tracks, “Usually the smaller, tighter tracks is where the 30 car is most competitive,” said Scally. “We’ve got some new tracks on the schedule as well - Mike has worked really hard and has got NEMA into new places and that's exciting."

When asked when he misses most during the off-season, he misses “the people.” “I really miss the people. In the off-season racing takes a different tone, and after a while you just start to miss your friends. Some times we take the off-season too serious, and its just time to have fun with good people,” he said. I’m sure most would agree…

NEMA kicks off its busy season in just four weeks at Waterford Speedbowl’s 2013 Blast Off.

SAT., MARCH 9TH
F1 Boston in Braintree, MA

FULL PHOTO SET at The Racer's Expo site HERE

Bethany Stoehr

Ian Cumens

Bethany Stoehr, Ian Cumens
Definite NEMA 2013 Threats

Brockton, MA – Over the past 10 seasons the Northeastern Midget Association has had at least one first-time winner.

Youngsters Bethany Stoehr, who won’t be 19 until Nov. 2, and Ian Cumens, who’ll turn 21 on July 20, are prime candidates to keep that streak alive. Both are part of established NEMA teams, Cumens with the Seymour folks while Bethany is the daughter of veteran campaigner Greg Stoehr.

NEMA opens its 61st season April 6-7 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Blastoff Weekend.

According to her dad, Bethany “proved she’s a racer,” at Waterford Speedbowl last summer, winning her heat (beat Uncle Russ) and turning a sizzling 12.986 lap in a Beast chassis that was purchased from Mike Jarret. She’ll be in the same car this summer, now painted blue and carrying the number 5b.

Bethany has made 26 Lites starts over the past two seasons, posting four seconds in 2012. A fifth at Waterford was the best of seven full-midget results. Cousin Avery, a two-time winner a year ago, will spend another season with the Lites where, Uncle Greg insists, “he will be a force to be reckoned with.”

”She goes as fast as the car will let her,” Greg continues, making it clear Bethany is top priority this year.” He plans to make as many shows as possible but points out “maintaining two cars can be expensive. If it comes down to a part, she’ll get it.”

The Hoosier Tire Lites Challenge Champion, Cumens will be a steady competitor in one of two Seymour maintained cars – a VW/Hawk and a Beast/Mopar. “He has paid his dues; he has been to just about every track we run at,” said owner Bobby Seymour. “He is a definite threat to win in 2013.”

Cumens finished third in his full-Midget debut last year at Lee. A Lites winner at Seekonk in 2012, Cumens had a win, three seconds and four thirds in the Lites a year ago.

Four of NEMA’s 11 winners in 2012 – Anthony Marvuglio, Todd Bertrand, Anthony Nocella and Seth Carlson – are “graduates” of the Lites program.

Anthony Nocella, a Seymour mainstay for the past three years, will make four or five starts for Seymour around a modified commitment.

Carlson/Feigel Eying
2013 NEMA Crowns

Brockton, MA – Car owner Gene Feigel is not shy. He and his driver Seth Carlson see themselves as contenders for the 2013 Northeastern Midget Association championships.

The team found another Drinan chassis to replace the one that was destroyed at Beech Ridge. It was also the one he drove to victory at Seekonk Speedway’s Open Wheel Wednesday. Carlson, who will not be 21until October, was one of 11 NEMA winners last year.

While veterans like Randy Cabral, Russ and Greg Stoehr, Adam Cantor and Jim Miller did checker, youth was served as well. Ten of last year’s 11 winners will be back including youngsters Anthony Marvuglio, Todd Bertrand and Anthony Nocella.

NEMA begins its 61st season April 6-7 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Blast Off.

It will be the fourth season for Feigel and Carlson- two at Whip City and one with the NEMA Lites. “No question the kid is very good,” says Feigel. “It is a matter of putting him in a car that’s good enough.”

“I think we proved we can run with the leaders,” offers Carlson who was leading the race when an axel broke at “The Ridge.” At that point, he adds, “we had made major gains in overcoming early season motor problems.”

Anthony Marvuglio was the other first-time winner in 2012. “Winning makes you see why we do it,” says Marvuglio back in the Chris Derosier/Tammy Barbeau car on a “race-to-race deal.” Victory, he adds, “gets the monkey off your back. You go out knowing we are competitive, knowing you are fast enough to win. That means less stress on the driver and the team. It becomes more fun and that’s what we want.”

Todd Bertrand and Anthony Nocella will be looking to extend yearly win streaks to three. Nocella’s effort will be restricted by a full-time Modified commitment. Bertrand, however, comes back full-time in a new race car.

“Todd is switching to a new lighter chassis this year, a mid rail design,” reports brother and car owner Tim Bertrand. “His car was historically 125-150lbs over the minimum weight. We are looking forward to seeing what he can do in the new car.”

Can Todd expect help from teammate Cabral? “Todd has a Drinan but it is different and our driving styles are very different,” says Cabral. “I’m hesitant to give a lot of advice for fear of sending him down the river.”

Zych, last year’s Blast Off winner, was actually the point leader in early going last year. Then weather and rescheduling problems caught up with the Louisville, KY-based Hershey Company executive. Still, six top fours in nine starts in the Esslinger/Drinan #9 is ample evidence they’re solidly in the contender category.

SPEEDWEEKS at NEW SYMRNA

USAC MIDGETS on Feb. 17th & 18th

Sunday - Feb. 17
Bobby Santos III - #17 - wins 1st heat - 10th in feature
Cole Carter - #5 - 9th in the feature
Randy Cabral - #47 - crash in practice - 13th in the feature
(See Photo of the Day #736 at Coastal181.com)

Monday - Feb 18
Bobby Santos III - wins 2nd heat - wins the feature
Cole Carter - 10th in the feature
Randy Cabral - 13th in the feature

John Dadalt Photos

Where the Race is Really Won!

By Bill Van Slyke

When the checkered flag falls on a Northeastern Midget Association race, the average race fan packs up and heads home to reflect on the night’s action. The NEMA race team packs up, heads to their “home-away-from-home and gets to work. The preparation for the next race starts immediately, It starts in the “race shop.”

Recently, I grabbed the opportunity to visit the race shops of four very successful NEMA teams. The four teams have a combined total of over three dozen NEMA championships.

The Dumo’s Desire #45 operation is located in Oxford, CT. The late Gene Angelillo, a 14-time owner champion, built the facility in 1988 and made sure he had plenty of room. The shop is not only big enough (2,700 square foot) to house two race cars but also the 30-foot camper/hauler. It also boasts a full machine shop in the back and upstairs storage which held a classic Badger midget racer for years. In the main shop area you’ll find the usual tools and equipment: an engine hoist, work benches, tool boxes and assorted parts hanging on the walls. Three decades of awards, trophies, plaques and pictures hang on all walls. My tour guide, long time Angelillo family friend Joe Fiore, can recall every detail of all memorabilia. Joe points out no less than twelve race cars have passed through the shop over the years, even dirt sprinters. It is truly impressive.

My next Connecticut stop was at the modest shop of Bertrand Motorsports in Suffield, CT. It is literally a 26-year old, two-bay garage attached to the family house. Tim Bertrand has been the owner champion four of the past five seasons. This shop is small at 900 sq. ft. but every inch is used wisely. Three midget chassis sit in different stages of completion. On this day, space heaters kept the place warm while Tim’s brother Todd, a driver, worked on sheet metal templates. Along one wall is a work bench with a lathe and a tire rack hangs in the back with an engine hoist in the corner. Father Gil has a story for each of the body panels that hang from the wall. Along with the panels are awards from past racing successes. Amazingly, this small shop has housed 10 quarter midgets and micro sprints as well as 8 full-size midgets.

It’s off to the Bay State and the shops of Bobby Seymour Enterprises in Marlboro. The busiest shop on the tour, this facility not only houses four full-midgets (plus one bare frame that was once driven by Jeff Gordon), but also a machine shop, welding shop, engine shop and enough parts inventory to supply the entire club. According to veteran Bobby Seymour, the place’s history goes back some 60 years starting with his legendary father Boston Louie Seymour. The Seymour family, including Bobby and Mike, has written a ton of NEMA history. On this particular day, Mike is working on a customer’s engine while Bobby’s son Matt was installing gauges in a racer. Cleanliness and organization is everywhere as two large roller tool boxes sit in the back, bins of nuts and bolts sit to one side with a milling machine and engine hoist on the other. Bobby estimates around 60 racecars have called his place home.

If Seymour’s shop is the busiest, the most unique shop is the Stoehr family facility at the Motor Car International facility in Bridgewater MA. The Stoehr family has been racing for four generations, the latter two still active – brothers Russ, a six-time champion, and Greg and their children, Avery and Bethany respectively. Russ met me at the door, took me in the back where I saw no racecars. “Where are the cars?” I asked. He pointed straight up, literally to the rafters. Seeking no elevator or ram, I ask “How do the cars get up there?” He taps the back of a vintage fork lift as we walk by. After “taking the stairs” we enter the elevated race shop. Space (approximately 2,000 square feet) is tight. A frame sits on a jig, part of a collection that includes a vintage chassis, Avery Stoehr’s Lite car, Greg’s #26 and the newest addition to the fleet, Bethany’s Beast chassis that sits front and center after receiving some graphics to accent new paint. Standing upright, leaning against the wall is Avery’s top secret future ride. The family uses the “high rise”space during the off season. During racing season, the cars stay in the trailer and are brought into the dealership bays only when repair is needed. The shop is loaded with trophies.

So, when you see a NEMA race team pull out of the pits after a race you know their night has just begun as the preparation for the next week’s race will start soon at the race shop, where the race is really won.

NEMA Sets 2013 Schedule

Brockton, MA – Established haunts make up the 2013 Northeastern Midget Association schedule including a return to Monandock Speedway after a two-year absence. As NEMA President Mike Scrivani puts the finishing touches on the final schedule, there are 15 races currently on the NEMA agenda while the NEMA Lites will make 17 stops in what will be the club’s 61st consecutive season, making it New England’s oldest sanctioning body.

Randy Cabral and owner Tim Bertrand will begin defense of their NEMA championships and the Lites will begin their sixth season at Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blast Off on April 6-7.

Monadnock returns to the schedule hosting both NEMA and the Lites for the Iron Mike Scrivani Race on June 22. The club will honor the 30th anniversary of the passing of the legendary car owner on the speedy high banked quarter mile.

The full midgets and the Lites will share the billing eight times including Stafford Motor Speedway Carquest Super Saturday on June 29. It will be the Lites first time on the historic half mile. Both divisions will return to New York State’s Oswego Speedway as well on Sept.14

Two special events – the Marvin Rifchin Trophy Race at Star Speedway on June 8 and the Shane Hammond Memorial at Waterford on July 27 will also include the Lites. Lee USA Speedway hosts both on July 12.

NEMA will also return to Seekonk’s Open Wheel Wednesday (July 17) and Waterford’s Wings & Wheels (August 10), two traditional stops.

The season ends in traditional style – Waterford’s Finale, Lee’s Oktoberfest and Thompson’s World Series, the Lites part of the first two.

“We’ve run hundreds of races on these tracks,” said NEMA Scrivani. “That coupled with a field of good drivers and great equipment is a recipe for a great season. Last year saw some terrific speeds. We’ll be quicker this year.”

PRINTABLE PDF OF SCHEDULES HERE

2013 NEMA Midgets Schedule

April 6-7 - Waterford Speedbowl - CT (Budweiser Blastoff Weekend)
June 2 - Seekonk Speedway - MA (Boston Louie Memorial Classic)
June 8 - Star Speedway - NH (Marvin Rifchin Trophy Race)
June 22 - Monadnock Speedway - NH (Iron Mike Scrivani Memorial)
June 29 - Stafford Motor Speedway - CT (10th Annual Carquest Super Saturday)
July 12 - Lee USA Speedway - NH
July 17 - Seekonk Speedway - MA (Open Wheel Wednesday)
July 27 - Waterford Speedbowl - CT (Shane Hammond Memorial)
August 3 - Airborne Speedway - NY
August 10 - Waterford Speedbowl - CT (Wings and Wheels/Angelillo Memorial)
August 17 - Riverside Speedway - NH
Sept. 14 - Oswego Speedway - NY (Fall Championship Weekend)
Oct. 5-6 - Waterford Speedbowl - CT (The Finale)
Oct. 12-13 - Lee USA Speedway - NH (Oktoberfest)
Oct. 19-20 - Thompson Speedway - CT (The World Series of Speedway Racing)

Schedules Are Subject to Change

2013 NEMA LITES Schedule

April 6 - Waterford Speedbowl - CT (Budweiser Blastoff Weekend)
May 11 - Star Speedway - NH
May 31 - Lee USA Speedway - NH
June 2 - Seekonk Speedway - MA (Boston Louie Memorial Classic)
June 8 - Star Speedway - NH (Marvin Rifchin Trophy Race)
June 22 - Monadnock Speedway - NH (Iron Mike Scrivani Memorial)
June 29 - Stafford Motor Speedway - CT (10th Annual Carquest Super Saturday)
July 12 - Lee USA Speedway - NH
July 27 - Waterford Speedbowl - CT (Shane Hammond Memorial)
August 3 - Airborne Speedway - NY
Aug. 9 - Lee USA Speedway - NH (Ollie Silva Memorial ISMA Summer Classic)
August 17 - Riverside Speedway - NH
Aug. 24 - Star Speedway - NH
Sept. 7 - Star Speedway - NH (ISMA Star Classic)
Sept. 14 - Oswego Speedbowl - NY (Fall Championship Weekend)
Oct. 5 - Waterford Speedbowl - CT (The Finale)
Oct. 12-13 - Lee USA Speedway - NH (Oktoberfest)

Schedules Are Subject to Change

NEMA STATS - with 2012 updates
by Pete Zanardi - PDF HERE
.
NEMA TRACK HISTORIES with 2012 updates
by Pete Zanardi - PDF HERE

'Open-Wheel FALL FINALS' Bolsters Oswego's Fall Championship

OSWEGO, NY (January 23, 2013) – Oswego Speedway announced Wednesday the addition of the ‘Open-Wheel FALL FINALS’ to the already highly anticipated Fall Championship Weekend set for Saturday, September 14.

The FINALS will bring the NEMA Midgets, NEMA Lites, and ATQMRA TQ Midgets together with Oswego’s Novelis Supermodifieds and Pathfinder Bank SBS Series, as they will be competing in extra distance events during the final round of their ‘Road to the Championship.’

All five divisions will compete during one night of open-wheel festivities for the same great price announced with the initial Speedway schedule, just $20 with kids 16 & under FREE.

“After last season’s Fall Championship, it was clear that Oswego’s fan base is hungry for more racing after Classic Weekend,” said Oswego Speedway co-owner, John Torrese. “In taking notice of this we felt the time was right to turn the weekend into a celebration of our fans, racers, and open-wheel racing as a whole. We know times are tight, so we appreciate and thank everyone who makes it out to the Speedway every single weekend, or only once a year. We invite all of you out for the ‘Open-Wheel FALL FINALS’ to watch five incredible open-wheel divisions in one night, for only $20! Let’s show everyone that paved, short-track, open-wheel racing is alive and well and right in our backyard.”

NEMA made their long awaited return to Oswego Speedway in August of 2012 with Jim Miller taking the win in a green to checkered finish over a quality field of winged-Midget racers. Miller held off multi-time NEMA Midget champion Russ Stoehr and Oswego Supermodified pilot Jeff Abold for his first win since 2001.

The NEMA speedsters are certainly a sight to be seen on the fast 5/8 mile Oswego pavement, with several racers running in the low 17-second range and a few even breaking the 16-second barrier at over 130mph.

Joining the NEMA Midgets for the FINALS will be the NEMA Lites division, which made their first trip to Oswego last August with Ian Cummens making his way to victory lane. Cummens out-muscled Paul Bigelow and Avery Stoehr in a hotly contested battle, as he drove the Seymour Enterprises machine to the win.

Coming in along with NEMA’s premier divisions to make up the full FINALS agenda will be the ATQMRA TQ Midgets. The three-quarter size racecars pack a full-size punch; featuring wheel to wheel action on Oswego’s smaller inside oval.

New Jersey Supermodified ace Joey Payne, who ran to third in the final Novelis Supermodified standings at Oswego in 2012, swept the TQ Midget events at Oswego last season including a triumphant win in the Bud Light TQ Midget Classic during Budweiser International Classic Weekend.

All three of these open-wheel divisions will join Oswego’s regular cast of gladiators as a part of the ‘Open-Wheel FALL FINALS,’ that at night’s end will declare track champions in both the Novelis Supermodified and Pathfinder Bank SBS divisions.

Oswego Speedway has not declared a track champion after Budweiser International Classic Weekend since 2005. However, after bringing back Fall Championship Weekend as a non-point event in 2012, track officials deemed the time to be right to add another ‘Road to the Championship’ event after Classic due to the events subsequent success one year ago.

The time table for Fall Championship Weekend featuring the ‘Open-Wheel FALL FINALS’ is tentatively set-up as follows. Pit parking will begin at 10am on Saturday, September 14 with hot laps beginning at noon. The day’s first green flag will fly at 3pm. A rain date of Sunday, September 15 is also set.

Oswego Speedway racing takes place most Saturday nights throughout the summer from May through September. To purchase season tickets for the 2013 racing season call the Speedway box office.

For more information visit online at www.oswegospeedway.com, LIKE on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OswegoSpeedway, or FOLLOW on Twitter @OswegoSpeedway.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31st
Dunkin' Donuts Center
TQs and Champ Karts














*Photos by Norm Marx*

Jim Miller Milestones in 2012

Brockton, MA - When Jim Miller won at Oswego Speedway this summer, he not only joined a list of Northeastern Midget Association competitors to win in three different decades, he ended one of the longest waits between victories in club history.

Prior to Oswego, Miller’s previous victory came at Oxford Plains Speedway on Aug. 18, 2001 – six days short of 11 years. The longest time between victories belongs to Greg Stoehr – 13 years (1994-2007) although in all fairness Stoehr spent much of those years voluntarily inactive. Keith Botelho waited a dozen years between a 1998 win at Seekonk and a checkered at Seekonk in 2010. Infrequent NEMA competitor Lou Ciccioni Jr. also waited 11 years between wins at Flemington in 1996 and at Waterford in 2007.

Over sixty years, NEMA has operated in seven decades. Russ Stoehr is by himself in the “four-decade” category.

Despite those long waits, Cicconi and Greg Stoehr join Miller in the “three decade club.” Howie Bumpus, Joey and Johnny Coy, Bill Eldridge, Ronnie Evans, Drew and Nokie Fornoro, Jeff Horn, Dave Humphrey, Bobby Seymour, Lee Smith and Len Thrall are other three decade winners.

Another Achievement for Cabral

Brockton, MA - When Randy Cabral won at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway this summer, he became the 21st Northeastern Midget Association driver to post victories at at-least eight different speedways.

Considering schedules are much slimmer than they were 25 years ago, it is a laudable achievement for the five-time champion whose 35 career wins have come at Lee, Monadnock, Seekonk, Star, Twin State Thompson and Waterford in addition to “The Ridge.”

Russ Stoehr is the leader among active drivers with wins at 14 tracks – Beech Ridge, Flemington, Fonda, Hudson, Lee, Monadnock, Oswego, Oxford, Seekonk, Stafford, Star, Thompson, Thunder Road and Waterford. Stoehr is tied for fourth on the all-time list with Nokie Fornoro.

The top-three in the “tracks won at” category are Dave Humphrey (20), Drew Fornoro (19) and Billy Eldridge (16). After Stoehr and Fornoro, comes Joe Csiki (12). Johnny and Joey Coy join Johnny Mann in the 10 bracket while Bobby and Mike Seymour, Dick Brown and Len Thrall have won at nine tracks.

Joining Cabral with eight are current competitors Jeff Horn, Joey Payne Jr. and Bobby Santos III along with Al Pillion, Lee Smith, Jerry Wall and Bobby White.

NEMA Part of Boch Toys for Tots
Drive on Friday, December 14th

NORWOOD, MA - The Northeastern Midget Association is a proud participant in the Boch Toyota of Norwood, MA 2012 Toys for Tots Drive.

Boch Toyota, located at 277 Boston-Providence Turnpike, will host the event on Friday, Dec. 14 starting at 5 AM and continuing throughout the day.

NEMA cars and drivers will be part of the festivities from 6 AM to 10 AM as will radio station WWAF which will broadcast from the dealership during that time slot.

“We are very excited to be part of the Boch Toyota Toy Drive,” said NEMA president Mike Scrivani Jr. “We ask that all NEMA fans come out and donate to this great cause.”

Boch Toyota is minutes from where the legendary Norwood Arena stood, a tough quarter mile that hosted a lot of New England racing. Between 1953 and 1969, Norwood Arena presented over 25 NEMA events.

Chuck Arnold, Bert Brooks, Joe Csiki, Al Pillion, Johnny Kay and Bill Randall, all members of the New England Auto Racer’s Hall of Fame, were NEMA winners at Norwood Arena.

Norwood Memory: Ray Burke won at Norwood Arena back in 1959 in a
Scrivani #21. That’s a very young present NEMA president Mike Scrivani Jr.
in the arms of Blackie LaMacchia just over the tail. (Balser Photo)

The Shane Hammond #37 will be on display at Boch Toyota on Friday the 14th.

2012 NEMA BANQUET
Saturday, November 17th
White's of Westport
Westport, MA
FULL BANQUET AWARDS PICTURE PAGE HERE

2012 NEMA Midgets Owner and Driver Champions -
Bertrand Motorsports and Randy Cabral

Randy Cabral & Ian Cumens

The Jim O’Brien Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to family
and racing was presented by the O'Brien family to Doug Cleveland

Prizes Aplenty at NEMA Banquet

Westport, MA – Drivers Randy Cabral and Ian Cumens and owners Tim Bertrand and Bobby Seymour carried off the biggest trophies Saturday night at the Northeastern Midget Association’s Awards Banquet at White’s of Westport. It ended NEMA’s 60th season.

Cabral and Bertrand celebrated their second straight and fourth championship in five seasons. The Bertrand #47 was the only multiple winner in a campaign that saw 11 drivers capture checkered flags.

Cumens, who often traveled seven hours from his Pennsylvania home, and Seymour captured the NEMA Lites Hoosier Tire Challenge title. It was a six-race series that included the Oswego Speedway race that Cumens won in the Seymour #9

“I’m looking forward to racing with you next year,” Bertrand told the gathering, a perfect ending to the awards-filled program. In addition to honoring the top 15 owners and drivers in each division, there were a host of award presentations, many honoring key figures in NEMA’s history.

Joe Fiore, a long-time member of the Dumo’s Desire crew, won the coveted Johnny Thomson Memorial Award.

Avery Stoehr (Lites) and Seth Carlson (NEMA) were the Ed Clotheir Rookies of the Year; Mike Horn (NEMA) and Jeff Johnson (Lites) the Mechanics of the Year and Jack Smith (Lites), Bethany Stoehr (Lites) and John Zych Jr. the Joe Csiki Most Improved Drivers.

The Pat Thibodeau Youth and Determination winners were James Santa Maria (NEMA) and Dylan Duhaime (Lites). Brandon Martinez and Dylan Duhaime were recognized with Up and Coming Awards. The Hard Luck hardware went to Lites competitor Andy Barrows.

Official Bob Blanchette (Wen Kelley Memorial), ageless Jeff Horn (Ralph Miller Memorial Award for Outstanding and Continuing Perseverance), Christian Briggs (Ray Roberts Memorial) and Jim Miller (Evans/Thrall top Owner/Driver) captured NEMA traditional awards.

The three-car deep Bigelow family took away the Associate Member Never Say Die Award. The Marilyn and Gene Angelillo Memorial Award for Outstanding Performance went to Jennifer Scrivani. Doug Cleveland won the Jim O’Brien Outstanding Contribution to Family and Racing Award and Dan Cugini (Lites) and Anthony Mavuglio (NEMA) were the Shane Hammond Sportsmanship Award recipients.

The Ken Schrader Racing-sponsored Hard Charger prize went to four-time Lites winner Carl Medeiros Jr.

Recognized for perfect attendance were the Bob Seymour # 9, the Stoehr # 26b, the Stoehr #15a, the Cabral #35, the Medeiros #50 and the Cugini #51 Lites cars and the Dumo’s Desire #45, Bertrand #47, Miller #3m, Scally #30 and Santa Maria #99 NEMA cars.

Also recognized were push truck operators Pete Pernesiglio, Glen Cabral, Steve Cleveland, Kurt Kiermont, Dave Shore, Chuck Hill and Jackie Giannini.

FULL BANQUET AWARDS PICTURE PAGE HERE

FINAL POINTS

NEMA MIDGETS
Owners: 1. Tim Bertrand #47, 2. Dumo’s Desire #45, 3. Jim Miller #3m,
4. Jeff Horn #93x, 5. Greg Stoehr #26b, 6. Paul Scally #30, 7. John Zych Sr. #9, 8. Tammy Bourbeau #38, 9. Susan Santa Maria #99, 10. Ed Breault #44,
11. Bertrand Motorsports #39, 12. Lee Bundy #2, 13. Gene Feigel #71,
14. Bobby Seymour #4, 15. Jeff Horn #A1.

Drivers: 1. Randy Cabral, 2. Russ Stoehr, 3. Jim Miller, 4. Greg Stoehr,
5. Mike Horn, 6. Todd Bertrand, 7. Paul Scally, 8. John Zych,,
9. Anthony Marvuglio, 10. James Santa Maria, 11. Seth Carlson, 12. Jeff Horn, 13. Lee Bundy, 14. Anthony Nocella, 15. Adam Cantor.

HOOSIER TIRE LITES CHALLENGE
Owners: 1. Bob Seymour #9, 2. MC Racing #15a, 3. Shawn Duhaime #57,
4. MCI Racing #26b, 5. Glen Cabral #35, 6. Donald Cugini #51,
7. Carl Medeiros #50, 8. Christian Briggs #44, 9. Dave Igo #45,
10. Paul Scally #4, 11. Randy Bigelow #33, 12. Jeff Johnson #46;
13. Ted Smith #93, 14. Michael Chambers #11w, 15. Lou Martinez #12.

Drivers: 1. Ian Cumens, 2. Avery Stoehr, 3. Dylan Duhaime, 4. Bethany Stoehr, 5. Randy Cabral, 6. Carl Medeiros Jr., 7. Danny Cugini, 8. Christian Briggs,
9. Logan Rayvals, 10. Ryan Bigelow, 11. Kenney Johnson, 12. Brandon Igo,
13. R.J. Tufano, 14. Jake Smith, 15. Brandon Martinez.

Coby, Rocco Probable
2013 NEMA Competitors

Doug Coby, the National NASCAR Whelen Modified champion, and Tim Bertrand are talking about doing a handful of Northeastern Midget Association races for next year, including the opener. Coby spelled Todd Bertrand in the #39 at Lee’s Ocktoberfest, finishing second in a heat before being involved in a first-lap feature crash. “I am looking forward to it,” said Bertrand. “Doug was incredibly impressive in the car for his first ever run, and just an absolute pleasure to work with as a driver.”

There are some other possible topics for conversation at the NEMA Banquet Saturday night (Nov. 17) at White’s of Westport in Westport, MA.

Long-time Midget competitor Bobby Seymour delights in the probability of Keith Rocco and Coby running with NEMA next season. Rocco made four Lites starts, winning one at Waterford in a Manafort car. Returning to Waterford, he had a win taken from him but returned to run at Lee. “I want NEMA to be good and having these guys run with us is good for the club, for the fans, for the promoter,” says Seymour who insists a number of drivers in other divisions continue to seek NEMA rides.

More testimony to the equity in NEMA: There were three first time winners for the past two years, Seth Carlson, Anthony Marvuglio and John Zych Jr. doing it this season. Mike Horn, Todd Bertrand and Anthony Nocella, first timers in 2011, scored their second career wins in 2012.

Russ Stoehr on passing Nokie Fornoro on NEMA’s all-time win list: “It’s unfair to list Nokie’s accomplishments only by what he’s done in this club. It’s only a small part of what he’s done in Midget racing around the country. Look at the numbers he’s put up (100-plus wins). It’s just amazing.” The car Nokie drove to his last win will be the regular ride in 2013 for Russ’ niece and Greg’s daughter Bethany Stoehr. Stoehr’s win at Waterford made it 19 straight seasons the Dumo’s Desire #45 has visited victory lane.

The 2012 championships were the fourth in five years for Bertrand and Randy Cabral. “The first championship is always the best because you’ve never sure you’re ever going to get one,” says Cabral, who also puts special value on the 2011 crown “because it went right down to the wire.” Winning in NEMA’s 60th season does, however, reduce some of the sting he remembers finishing second, driving for his dad, in NEMA’s 50th campaign. “I would have loved to win that one,” he says.

Cabral admits he is motivated by goals. He can set his sights on Dave Humphrey’s 36 NEMA wins with a car numbered 47. Cabral currently has 28. Actually seven different drivers have won in a #47 – Jeff Horn (16), Lou Fray (7), Al Pillion (2), Tim Bertrand (1) and George Tilton (1) joining Humphrey and Cabral. There are just four car owners: John McCarthy (47), Bertrand (29), Bay Hayes (14) and Tilton (1). Lou Cicconi won three times in a Bertrand 47b.

Zych, Cabral insists, deserves special mention. After four straight top fives including a win in the opener at Waterford, the Louisville, KY-based Customer Sales Executive (for the Hershey Corporation) ran into a series of postponement/business commitment problems. “Without them, he could have well been the champion,” says Cabral. Zych wound up with six top fives in nine starts. He is also the first driver with a name starting with ”Z” to win a NEMA list. The only letters not represented: I, Q, U, X.

Successful Season For NEMA Lites

Brockton, MA - Ten winners in 14 events made 2012 the most competitive season yet for the five-year-old Northeastern Midget Association’s Lites Division.

A pair of 16-year olds, Carl Medeiros Jr. and Avery Stoehr, with four and two respectively, were the only double winners. Medeiros set a new standard with three straight victories including two in one day at Lee USA Speedway on June 13. His fourth win came at Beech Ridge in September.

Third-generation driver Stoehr (following grandfather Paul and father Russ) won at Waterford Speedbowl and at Lee USA’s Ocktoberfest.

Other winners were Ryan Bigelow, Brandon Igo, Randy Cabral, Ian Cumens, Modified standout Keith Rocco, Alan Chambers, Dylan Duhaime and Danny Cugini. There were few runaways as NEMA officials continued to keep the division competitive.

“The season was as successful as you’re going to get,” says Bobby Seymour, the division’s top nursemaid. “We had lots of different drivers, lots of different cars and motors. We had young guys and old guys winning.”

Cumens, Stoehr and Bigelow are all scheduled to move up to the full midgets in 2013. Cumens, in his second Lites campaign, had a win at Oswego and four seconds among eight top five finishes driving for Seymour. He was third at Lee USA’s Speedway’s Ocktoberfest in Seymour’s full midget. Bigelow’s Waterford triumph was his third career Lites win.

While she didn’t checker, Bethany Stoehr, Greg’s daughter, turned more than a few heads with 10 top-fives, including four seconds in the family No. 26b. Bethany did double duty much of the campaign, making six NEMA starts including a fourth at Waterford in the former Jarret No. 4 once driven by Nokie Fornoro.

Bethany turned a sizzling 12.986 lap capturing a heat in the No. 4 at Waterford. Now in the Stoehr stable, it will be Bethany’s regular ride in 2013.

“The goal is to bring talent to NEMA,” continues Seymour. “The stronger NEMA is, the stronger the Lites are going to be. People come to the Lites wanting to go further. NEMA is something to look forward to.”

The Lites are a little less than a second off the full midgets. At Waterford in August, for instance, Todd Bertrand (13.014) had the fastest feature lap for the full midgets while Cumens’ 13.936 was best in the Lites event. Eight tenths separated Greg Stoehr and Cugini at Beech Ridge.

Lites graduates Seth Carlson, Anthony Marvuglio, Todd Bertrand and Anthony Nocella were NEMA winners in 2012. Nocella is the division’s all-time winner with 11. There have been 30 winners in the 66 Lites features since 2008.

Why Randy Cabral competes in NEMA’s Lites Division:

1. “I enjoy racing with those guys. Hopefully I can show them they will be able to move and race with us [in the full Midgets]. That’s what the division should be doing. ”

2. “I want to help the younger kids. The Lites cars drive differently than a full midget. Driving in that division helps me talk to the kids, helps me answer questions.”

3. “I am not content with running just the NEMA schedule. Running the Lites car is not that expensive for us.”

4. “My father (Glen) really wanted somebody to drive for him. Everybody he had driving crashed and he couldn’t find people to work on the car. At the end of last season he said he was going to park the car. I stopped driving for Paul Scally and went to my father.”

Cabral has three career Lites win including one last summer at Star.

HORN ATTACK - by Lew Boyd

A Coastal 181 "Tearoff" HERE

NEMA Championship Duo
Started With A Crash

Brockton, MA - One of the most successful teams in Northeastern Midget Association history started with a crash. Randy Cabral has won four of the last five Northeastern Midget Association driving championships including the last two in a row. All of them have been in Tim Bertrand-owned Midgets.
“Tim was having trouble with guys in his car,” begins Cabral. “I said to Tim ‘I’d love to drive for you guys’ and he kind of laughed at me and walked away. He came back later and asked ‘are you serious? I thought you were joking’ and I said ‘yes and no.’”

Bertrand had good reason to wonder. Cabral had just won in a Seymour car at Waterford. The second generation driver was an established competitor finishing second twice and third in points driving his father Glen’s No. 35. Key among the wins was the 2000 Boston Louie.

After testing at Waterford, Cabral “promised Tim “I won’t crash the car” which he promptly did at Seekonk. “I about destroyed his race car – flipped it three times,” Cabral continues.

With four wins in 2012, Cabral moved into fifth on NEMA’s all-time win list, his 35 triumphs (28 with Bertrand) behind Drew Fornoro (85), Dave Humphrey (73), Russ Stoehr (49) and Nokie Fornoro (45). It was the 13th straight season he has won at least one race, a stat surpassed only by Humphrey.

He proudly recognizes the wins because they reflect commitment, “mine and my family’s” to the sport. Bertrand, he says, “puts great equipment under me, gives me what I need. He thinks about the car all the time.”

And to think, the first time Cabral, then 19, drove a race car, he wanted to quit. “I absolutely did not want to do it anymore,” says Cabral who was driving for Chuck Welling. “Chuck made a deal with me,” Cabral goes on. “He said, ‘look I spent money for you to do this. I owe you three races and you owe me three races and let’s get that out of the way first.”

Cabral, who remains indebted to Welling, finally reached a goal that started 10 years earlier. “All I ever wanted to do was drive a Midget,” he says. “When I first saw one at Star Speedway, I said ‘these cars are awesome and I want to drive one. They are small, they are fast and my dad drives one.”

Truth is, Cabral has done things backwards. In contrast to most drivers, he “had to go backwards” to drive other types of race cars.

The fourth NEMA championship is part of “the most fun I’ve had in racing.” In addition to Midgets (he made every NEMA Lites show in the family #35), the Plymouth, MA teacher drove Pro Fours and Legends Cars, actually won in a dirt Midget and gave Sprint Cars a shot. He went to USAC’s Night Before the 500 Midget show with the Bertrand operation. The Pure Stock his students have been working on over the past two years made its debut at Seekonk.

“Back to Basics” Key for NEMA Champions

Brockton, MA – Sometimes a look backwards can result in a move forward. Bertrand Racing and driver Randy Cabral, the 2012 Northeastern Midget Association champions, is a case in point. It was the second straight and fourth championship in five years for the duo.

It was after a fifth at Oswego Speedway in late August – the end of what owner Tim Bertrand calls a string of “mediocre races” – that the team “decided to get back to basics.” According to Bertrand “we put four non adjustable, economy shocks on the car and went back to our setups from 2008. We committed to figuring out how to make them work again and stick with our old program.”

Finishing with back-to-back wins (Thompson’s World Series and Lee USA’s Ocktoberfest), Cabral had three wins, two seconds and a third over the final six events. He won the championship going away, capping off a 12-year NEMA stint that has produced 35 victories, 28 of them with Bertrand.

Starting with his own win, Bertrand Racing now has 35 wins (since 2001). Brother Todd contributed two, including one this year. The other four belong to Lou Cicconi, with three and Mark Buonomo with one.

Cabral had four checkereds in 2012, the only multiple winner in a season that saw 11 different drivers visit Victory Lane before Cabral became the first “two timer” at Beech Ridge in September.

The championship, Cabral insists, “is a credit to the crew. They give me the car that I need. The championship is more theirs than mine. I didn’t do anything spectacular. I just drove. They made it easy for me.” His dad Glen is a major part of that.

The first win came five races into the season at Star, two races after a crash at Stafford. “Glen did a masterful job putting the car back together,” claims Bertrand but right after Stafford “we really got off our program.”

Cabral insists “having fun” is a factor. “At the end of the day,” he says, “we better have a smile on our face. If we don’t, we go back the next day and analyze why.” Still, commitment, communication and simple hard work are the real ingredients.

“I would not call myself an easy person to drive for,” says Bertrand, “and I wouldn't say that Randy is an easy driver to please. That is what makes us so good together. I'm not happy when the car isn't great and neither is he.”

“Randy can be the fastest car out there and come and tell me the car is "junk," Bertrand continues. “What he really means is that the car might be fast on the stop watch, but it won't last 25 laps. I think some guys just don't get that.”

The World Series is a perfect example. The car was terrible in Saturday’s qualifying. “I was so mad that we made some bad decisions that day, I picked up and left the race track immediately after the heat,” Bertrand explains. “Later that night, after I calmed down. Randy, Glen and I talked on the phone and we made some really critical decisions.”

Coming from 14th, Cabral all but clinched the championship with his 10th career Thompson win, turning in the fastest lap (18.113) as well.

And Lee provided still another example of “the connection” between Cabral, Bertrand and the car. “Before Lee,” Bertrand offers, “I told Randy I had a bad feeling about the drive line in the car because we got a bad push start at Thompson. We won the heat race (at Lee), and the drive line failed when we crossed the start finish line.”

Working with Todd enhanced Bertrand’s enjoyment, as well. “I started going down to the shop in Connecticut with my daughter to work on his car with him and the results were awesome – four top-fives including a victory at Waterford,” said Bertrand.

Cabral, Bertrand Rule NEMA - Again

Brockton, MA – Finishing up the season with three wins and a seconf, Randy Cabral and owner Tim Bertrand captured the 2012 Northeastern Midget Association championships going away. Cabral/Bertrand, with four, was the only multiple winner in a campaign, NEMA’s 60th, that saw 11 different winners visit victory lane.

There were 10 different winners before Cabral became the first “two-timer” at Maine’s Beech Ridge Speedway on Sept. 16. From that point, Cabral drove the Bertrand #47 to a second at Waterford Speedbowl’s Finale and then to victories at Thompson Speedway’s World Series and Lee USA Speedway’s Ocktoberfest.

It was the second straight championships and the fourth in five seasons for Cabral and Bertrand who finished 166 points in front of Russ Stoehr and the Dumo’s Desire #45, the latter in the runner-up spot for the second straight season.

Veteran Jim Miller, a winner at Oswego, rode a runner-up finish at Ocktoberfest to finish third, the top owner-driver. It was one of the most popular wins of the season.

John Zych Jr. (Waterford), Greg Stoehr (Waterford), Mike Horn (Stafford) and Adam Cantor (Lee) were winners before Cabral won his first of the season at Star Speedway on July 21. Rookie Seth Carlson (Seekonk), Anthony Marvuglio (Waterford), Jim Miller (Oswego) and Todd Bertrand (Waterford) were winners before Cabral finally ended the streak.

Russ Stoehr was winner number 11 at Waterford before Cabral doubled out. Stoehr finished with 12 top fives including seconds at Oswego and Thompson. Getting caught up in an early crash at Ocktoberfest was a factor in the Cabral/Bertrand final bulge.

“I was absolutely amazed that we were able to win four races,” said Bertrand. “There was a point where I would have been satisfied if we won just one. I think the club has really figured out an extremely well balanced rules package. At every race, the top 10 cars are within two-to-three tenths of each other.

“Even at the big tracks,” Bertrand continued, “the team who figures out the setup best usually wins.” He pointed to Glen Cabral’s efforts in rebuilding the car after Stafford but said a decision to go back to 2008 set ups over the final six races was, in the final reckoning, the difference. “We never stop thinking about the car,” Bertrand added.

“This championship is a credit to the crew” insists Cabral, who was out of the top 10 only once, that an eleventh after a crash at Stafford. “I didn’t do anything spectacular. I just drove the car. The crew made it very easy for me.” Since coming together seven years ago, Cabral has won 28 times in Bertrand equipment.

Zych gets special mention from Cabral, pointing out weather and business commitments shortened his season to nine starts. He was in the top five six
times.

Rookies Jim Santa Maria and Seth Carlson were 10th and 11th in the final driver rundown.

2012 NEMA MIDGETS POINTS HERE

SAT./SUN. OCTOBER 20/21

Cabral, Cugini, Stoehr
Win At Ocktoberfest

Lee, NH – With the championship, the second straight and the fourth in five years, all but clinched, car owner Tim Bertrand informed driver Randy Cabral, “you know, all you have to do is start.”

“Did you hire me to win championships or win races?” asked Cabral who then went out and did both, dominating a reduced field in the 25-lap Northeastern Midget Association feature Sunday at Lee USA Speedway’s Ocktoberfest. It was Cabral’s fourth win of the season.

A first lap crash, which ended with Mike Horn violently sliding into the first turn, devastated the field and put Cabral in the second row of the 10-car feature that actually ran a couple hours later after the crash. NEMA and track officials agreed to push the feature deeper into the program in hopes some cars could be repaired.

“I guess the crash made my job easier,” overstated Cabral after becoming NEMA’s first back-to-back winner in 22 races.

Cabral took the lead almost immediately from Jim Miller (Miller 3m), the latter finishing second almost three seconds behind. Ian Cumens (Seymour 4) was third, besting John Zych Jr (Zych 9) in a race-long battle. Paul Scally (Scally 30) was fifth.

Heading into turn one of the initial start, Horn, who suffered a broken collarbone, went over the wheel of Zych, turned sideways in mid air, came down on the right side of car and slid into the wall. Jeff Horn’s A1 and Russ Stoehr’s 45 were eliminated in the resulting carnage.

The casualty list got longer when, following hot laps preceding the restart, NASCAR Whelen Modified Champion Doug Coby, making his Midget debut in the Bertrand 39, pitted. Shortly after the start, Bethany Stoehr (Stoehr 5) stalled in turn four. Both crews had worked to correct damage suffered in the crash.

The Stoehr family didn’t leave empty handed. Avery (Stoehr 15a) came from the sixth starting spot to win Sunday’s 20-lap NEMA Lites feature. It was the second win of the year for Russ’ son who finished ahead of Jim Chambers, Ian Cumens, Bethany Stoehr and Dylan Duhaime.

Danny Cugini won Saturday night’s Lites feature. Cugini, who had the fastest lap (14.298) bested Bethany Stoehr by less than a second in the caution-filled feature. Nocella, Keith Rocco and Chambers completed the top five.

While Coby’s weekend was shortened, he turned a 13.416 lap en route to a second behind teammate Cabral in Saturday heat action.
Cabral’s 13.390 best feature lap was bested only by Greg Stoehr’s 13.255 effort on Saturday..
With an 11th and a sixth Cabral reached a goal of making every NEMA and NEMA Lites feature this season, an amazing “double.”.
Saturday marked the fourth time Bethany Stoehr finished second in a Lites race this season. She finished up with nine top five efforts.

SUNDAY 10/21 LEE USA SPEEDWAY RESULTS








*Photos by Norm Marx*

NEMA MIDGETS - LEE - 10/21/12

Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner

1 47 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Tim Bertrand

2 3m Jim Miller Weymouth, MA Jim Miller

3 4 Ian Cumens Lydell, PA Bobby Seymour

4 9 John Zych Jr. Louisville, KY John Zych Sr.

5 30 Paul Scally Raynham, MA Paul Scally

6 99 Jim Santa Maria Burlington, CT Susan Santa Maria

7 22 Chris Leonard Pelham, NH Dave Leonard

8 2 Lee Bundy Kennebunkport, ME Lee Bundy

9 16 Matt O'Brien Wilmington, MA Jim O'Brien & Sons Engineering

10
DNF 5 Bethany Stoehr Bridgewater, MA MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr

11
DNF 39b Doug Coby Milford, CT Bertrand Motorsports

12
DNF A1 Jeff Horn Ashland, MA Jeff Horn

13
DNF 93x Mike Horn Ashland, MA Jeff Horn

14
DNF 45 Russ Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Dumo's Desire Racing

15
DNS 26b Greg Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Greg Stoehr

HEAT 1: 47 - 39b - 30 - A1 - 3m - 16 - 26b(DNF) - 99(DNF)

HEAT 2: 9 - 45 - 93 - 4 - 2 - 57 - 5 - 22(DNS)










*Photos by Norm Marx*

NEMA LITES - LEE - 10/21/12

Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner

1 15a Avery Stoehr Lakeville, MA MCI Racing/
Russ Stoehr

2 11 Jim Chambers Atkinson, NH Michael Chambers

3 9 Ian Cumens Lydell, PA Bobby Seymour

4 26b Bethany Stoehr Bridgewater, MA MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr

5 57 Dylan Duhaime Loudon, NH Shawn Duhaime

6 35 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Glen Cabral

7 18 David Moniz Fairhaven, MA David Moniz

8 44 Christian Briggs Mattapoisett, MA Christian Briggs

9 81 Andy Barrows New Ipswitch, NH Dustin Anderson

10 99 Kenney Johnson Bethany, CT Jeff Johnson

11 51 Danny Cugini Marshfield, MA D. Cugini

12 12 Brandon Martinez North Kingston, RI Lou Martinez

13
DNF 57w Jake Stergois Candia, NH Bill Stergios

14
DNF 76 Keith Rocco Wallingford, CT Frank Manafort

15
DNF 50 Carl Medeiros, Jr. Westport, MA Carl Medeiros

16
DNF 7 Dana Shaw Danielson, CT Gregory Olson

17
DNF 4 Logan Rayvals Brockville, ONT Paul Scally

18
DNF 33b Scott Bigelow E. Hampton, CT Randy Bigelow

19
DNS 93 Jake Smith Stroudsburg, PA Ted Smith

HEAT 1: 50 - 76 - 4 - 18 - 81 - 57 - 7 - 93(DNS)

HEAT 2: 44 - 26b - 11 - 15a - 57 - 9 - 51 - 12 - 35 - 33 - 99

SATURDAY 10/20 LEE USA SPEEDWAY RESULTS
(From Rainout in August)





*Photos by Rich Hayes*

NEMA LITES - LEE - 10/20/12

Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner

1 51 Danny Cugini Marshfield, MA D. Cugini

2 26b Bethany Stoehr Bridgewater, MA MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr

3 9 Ian Cumens Lydell, PA Bobby Seymour

4 76 Keith Rocco Wallingford, CT Frank Manafort

5 11 Jim Chambers Atkinson, NH Michael Chambers

6 15a Avery Stoehr Lakeville, MA MCI Racing/
Russ Stoehr

7 4 Logan Rayvals Brockville, ONT Paul Scally

8 81 Andy Barrows New Ipswitch, NH Dustin Anderson

9 12 Brandon Martinez North Kingston, RI Lou Martinez

10 7 Dana Shaw Danielson, CT Gregory Olson

11 35 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Glen Cabral

12 44 Christian Briggs Mattapoisett, MA Christian Briggs

13 33b Scott Bigelow E. Hampton, CT Randy Bigelow

14 18 David Moniz Fairhaven, MA David Moniz

15 50 Carl Medeiros, Jr. Westport, MA Carl Medeiros

16
DNF 57 Dylan Duhaime Loudon, NH Shawn Duhaime

17
DNS 99 Kenney Johnson Bethany, CT Jeff Johnson

Coby Makes Midget Debut at Ocktoberfest

Brockton, MA – 2012 NASCAR Whelen Modified champion Doug Coby will make his debut in a Midget this weekend at Lee USA Speedway’s Ocktoberfest. Coby will be in the #39B Bertrand car in the 25-lap Northeastern Midget Association feature on Sunday.

Coby, a five time 2012 winner, who clinched the NASCAR crown Sunday at Thompson, joins Randy Cabral, who brings an almost insurmountable 88-point lead over Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire 45) into the weekend, in the Bertrand stable.

NEMA has a big presence at Ocktoberfest. A 25-lap Lites feature (a make up for an Aug. 10 rainout) is on the Saturday schedule. The Lites and the full Midgets both run Sunday.

“Doug and I have been friends for almost 30 years,” said Tim Bertrand, “and we’ve talked about this for the past four or five years. With Todd having a commitment at the Linda's Microsprint Nationals in Pennsylvania, the opportunity presented itself. We're just looking to have some fun, and if he likes it, get him in the car a few times next year as well.”

Over the years Tim Bertrand has provided cars for a number of “guest drivers” including Ryan Newman, Cole Carter, Ryan Preece, Mike Stefanik and Ted Christopher.

“I’ve been asking Tim 'when do I get the opportunity to drive one of your cars?' for a while,” said Coby. Although it will be his first Midget ride and his limited experience at Lee, Coby is “looking forward to trying something new.”

Mike Ordway Jr. piloted the car Coby will drive (an Autocraft powered Bertrand/Drinan chassis) to a 4th place finish in its maiden voyage at Beech Ridge Speedway in September.

Cabral is NEMA’s only multiple winner this year in a season that had produced 10 winners, insists the points situation will not be a factor. “When you start changing your approach is when you start getting in trouble,” said Cabral, a winner at Lee back in 2009.

Coming off his third win of the season at Thompson’s World Series, Cabral will drive in both Lites races as well.

Adam Cantor, who has won two of the last three NEMA Lee visits including 25-lapper in July, and Carl Medeiros Jr., who pulled off a double on that date, are high on the favorite lists as well.

In addition to Cantor, John Zych Jr., Greg and Russ Stoehr, Mike Horn, Seth Carlson, Anthony Marvuglio, Jim Miller and Anthony Nocella will be looking to join Cabral on the multiple winner list. Ageless Jeff Horn and Joy Payne, both winners at Lee in the past, are on the contender list as is Bethany Stoehr who steps back in the for Jarret (now part of the Stoehr operation) No 4. Bethany had the fastest times two weeks ago at Waterford.

Medeiros is the only multiple winner in the Lites. Ryan Bigelow, Brandon Igo, Avery Stoehr, Ian Cumens, Alan Chambers and Dylan Duhaime will be looking to join the list. It will be the last opportunity for Danny Cugini, Ken Johnson, Bethany Stoehr and R.J.Tufano, all with seconds this year, to collect a checkered.

(Dick Berggren Photo)

Photo of the Day at Coastal 181

Top Three NEMA Midgets at Thompson World Series: L to R:
Jeff Horn #A1, 3rd; Winner Randy Cabral #47; & Russ Stoehr #45, 2nd.






*Photos by John Dadalt*

Cabral World Series Winner

Thompson, CT – Randy Cabral got away on a restart with six laps left and went on to capture the Northeastern Midget Association 25-lap feature Sunday at Thompson Speedway’s World Series. It was the third win of the campaign for the Cabral/Bertrand #47 team which takes a commanding 88 point lead into this weekend’s season finale at Lee USA Speedway’s Ocktoberfest.

The fourth and last caution put an end to a classic Cabral/Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire 45) duel that highlighted the middle of the race. Stoehr held on for second with Jeff Horn (Horn A1) claiming a hard-earned third. Mike Horn (Horn 93x) emerged from a battle with Jim Miller (Miller 3m) to claim forth.

It was the tenth career Thompson NEMA victory for Cabral.

Using the bottom, Cabral, coming from the 14th s starting spot, took the lead on the first restart from pole sitter Anthony Marvuglio with 12 laps gone. Two laps later yellow showed again and Stoehr, coming from 12th, went around both Miller and Marvuglio to take second on the ensuing restart. By the next lap, Cabral and Stoehr were side by side.

Stoehr did get the jump on the third restart. “I was settled in for second,” said Cabral. “The 45 takes off so fast on restarts. I was lucky I guess.”

“The car was pushing off the pedal on the last restart,” said Stoehr, pointing out “I didn’t want to run into him so I had to let him go.” Cabral did open up a five-car gap quickly and went on to win by eight tenths of a second despite Stoehr turning an 18.234 on lap 23.

Cabral said he used the same line employed by close friend Dave Richardi en route to winning the Pro 4 feature on Saturday night over the final circuits. His fastest lap (18.113), however, came on the fourth circuit, part of a rush to the front. He passed Jeff Horn for third on lap three. After a three lap side-by-side battle with Miller he claimed second on lap 10. The second fastest lap of the race, an 18.170, belonged to Miller and it came during the battle with Cabral.

When the first caution showed, Cabral was seven car lengths behind Marvuglio.

Battling a tight car, Jeff Horn turned in a heroic effort running through the leaders throughout. He made a bid for second before finishing a second behind Stoehr in third.

NEMA MIDGETS -THOMPSON - 10/14/12

Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner

1 47 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Tim Bertrand

2 45 Russ Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Dumo's Desire Racing

3 A1 Jeff Horn Ashland, MA Jeff Horn

4 93x Mike Horn Ashland, MA Jeff Horn

5 3m Jim Miller Weymouth, MA Jim Miller

6 26b Greg Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Greg Stoehr

7 9 John Zych Jr. Louisville, KY John Zych Sr.

8 2 Lee Bundy Kennebunkport, ME Lee Bundy

9 26bx Bethany Stoehr Bridgewater, MA MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr

10 81 Andy Barrows New Ipswitch, NH Dustin Anderson

11
DNF 78 Brian Cleveland Billerica, MA Linda Cleveland

12
DNF 7ny Bobby Santos Franklin, MA Allan Cantor

13
DNF 4x Keith Botelho No. Attleboro, MA MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr

14
DNF 99 Jim Santa Maria Burlington, CT Susan Santa Maria

15
DNF 38 Anthony Marvuglio E. Bridgewater, MA Tammy Bourbeau

16
DNF 50 Derek Pernisiglio Charlotte, NC Peter Pernisiglio Sr.

17
DNF 39b Todd Bertrand Suffield, CT Bertrand Motorsports

18
DNF 4 Anthony Nocella Woburn, MA Bobby Seymour

19
DNF 33 Phl DiMario Glen Cove, NY Allan Cantor

20
DNF 44 Joey Payne Fairlawn, NJ Ed Breault

21
DNF 30 Paul Scally Raynham, MA Paul Scally

HEAT 1: 7ny-99-4-3m-2-4x-26b-76-78-81-26bx(dnf)-47b(dns)

HEAT 2: 44-38-A1-45-93x-9-47-33-50-12-30(dnf)

*Heat #1*

*Heat #2*

*Photos by John Dadalt*

Russ Stoehr Eyes Two Straight
At Thompson World Series

Brockton, MA – The Northeastern Midget Association has now run 20 straight races without a back-to-back winner. Russ Stoehr, who checkered at Waterford Speedbowl’s Finale last Sunday, aims to end that this weekend when NEMA makes its annual visit to Thompson Speedway’s World Series. Qualifying is part of the Saturday agenda while the 30-lap feature is tabbed for Sunday.

NEMA comes to the World Series with 11 winners in 12 races, making the 2012 campaign one of the most competitive in the club’s 60-year history. There has not been a back-to-back winner since Russ Stoehr won the first three races of 2011.

Point leader Randy Cabral, working on a streak of six straight top-fives, leads NEMA into Thompson. The only two-time winner this season, he is NEMA’s all-time winner at Thompson.

The Stoehr threat will be three deep. In addition to Russ (Dumo’s Desire 45) and Greg (Stoehr 26b) Keith Botelho will be driving the #4 the Stoehr family recently purchased from Mike and Lu Jarret. All three are familiar with Thompson’s demands. “Passing cars at 125 plus miles per hour, you’ve got your hands full,” says Russ, last year’s World Series winner.

It is speed at Thompson. Cabral, en route to a second last year, turned a 18.076 lap which converts to 129.453 mph. Stoehr’s best lap (18.163) was only a tick off.

Greg sees it as a “mental wrestling match from mid straightaway into the turns,” pointing out to be successful “you have to pretty much keep your foot in it deep into the corner.”

Botelho, who has been successful in the past in Stoehr equipment, will be steering the car Nokie Fornoro drove to victory in the 2010 World Series – the last win in the legendary driver’s career.

The return of the Jarret car enhances what has been an extraordinary year competition wise. “There is good equipment everywhere and passing cars is not that easy anymore,” explains Cabral who had a couple of seconds last year at Thompson.

Veteran Jim Miller (first at Oswego and third behind Mike Horn at Stafford) has been impressive on the “big tracks” this summer and earns contender status at Thompson. Horn, a Thomson winner last year, runs a setup very similar to that of Bertrand Racing teammates Cabral and Todd Bertrand.

In addition to the Stoehrs, Cabral, Horn and Miller, 2012 winners include Bertrand, John Zych Jr., Adam Cantor, Anthony Marvuglio, rookie Seth Carlson and Anthony Nocella.

Counting out Joey Payne and Jeff Horn, both Thompson winners in the past, would be a ----serious mistake as well.

Derek Pernesiglio Files Entry
For Thompson World Series
NASCAR on SPEED Reporter to Drive Family Ride

By Chris Reed - Charlotte, NC - Thompson International Speedway has always held a special place in Derek Pernesiglio’s heart. He started attending races there as a little boy, he pit reported his very first NASACR race there and served as a track announcer ultimately springborading him to a motorsports television career. When the NASCAR on SPEED reporter isn’t traveling around the country talking about racecars, he’s driving them. In two week’s Pernesiglio will climb back behind the wheel of a winged NEMA Midget for this years Northeastern Midget Association portion of the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing at the Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Connecticut.

Pernesiglio will drive for legendary NEMA car owner, and father “Mazda” Pete Pernesiglio. It will be the first time he’s driven a family owned ride in twelve years.

“I drove Paul Lugelle’s Lite car in last years World Series and the thrill of running Thompson rushed right back in again. said Pernesiglio. This year we’re coming back with a full-up midget and I’m excited about getting to drive.” The Sunoco World Series falls on October, 12th, 13th and 14th. but in the months preceding, Pernesiglio has been sticking to his open-wheel roots racing in the Mini Outlaw Series close to his Charlotte, North Carolina home. “The Mini Outlaws are fun, said Pernesiglio. “They have a hundred horsepower and weigh about three hundred and fifty pounds. They’re light, snappy little cars like a midget and we race on dirt. I really feel racing on dirt lately will help me on pavement.”

For the event Pernesiglio will carry sponsorship from No Regrets Tattooing and “TV” Tim Productions. “I can’t thank Dave Shore and “TV” Tim Deroin enough, said the excited pit reporter. Dave has always been great to my family and helped Dad before. Tim Deroin is the director of our NASCAR K&N Pro Series races on SPEED and he’s also raced Modifieds at Riverside Park and part time on the Tour back in the day, he’s a racer so he get’s it.”

When asked about his performance in the event, the pit reporter/part-time driver sounded confident. “The big difference this year is that I’ve been racing weekly,” said Pernesiglio. “Last year I hopped in the car cold, I hadn’t driven a midget in ten years...this year I feel better prepared.”

Known as the “Indianapolis of the East” the Sunoco World Series falls on October 12th, 13th and 14th and has been the grand fall finale of racing events in the Northeast hosting sixteen divisions of racing from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and International Supermodified Association to the NEMA Midgets, Pro 4 Modifieds and stock cars. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series races can be seen every Thursday at 3pm Eastern standard time, 12pm noon Pacific on SPEED Channel.

Cabral NEMA’s Thompson Maestro

Brockton, MA – The Northeastern Midget Association has long considered Thompson Speedway the ultimate “separate the men from the boys” facility. While any Thompson checkered is a treasure, the World Series is definitely the biggest plum.

Three-time champion and current point leader Randy Cabral looms as the man to beat when NEMA makes its annual appearance at the Thompson World Series Oct. 12-13-14. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday Oct. 13 with the 25-lap feature part of the busy Sunday, Oct. 14 agenda.

Nine victories, including four World Series triumphs, make Cabral the all-time Thompson maestro. He left no doubt about his mastery of the five-eighths oval last fall with a blistering 18.076 lap (129.453 mph) en route to a championship-clinching second place behind Russ Stoehr. It was Stoehr’s fourth career Thompson win.

Another Cabral (Bertrand Motorsports #47) – Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire 45) battle is a definite possibility. Both teams are old hands at Thompson, Dumo’s Desire (formally Team Angelillo) owning over a dozen victories. Stoehr’s fastest lap – 18.163 – was only a tick off Cabral’s last year.

Thompson’s long Midget history, however, is filled with surprises. Considering 2012 has been one of the most competitive seasons in NEMA’s 60-year history (ten winners in the first 11 races), it is safe to consider the possibility of another surprise.

Cabral’s teammate Todd Bertrand (Bertrand 99), John Zych Jr. (Zych 9), Mike Horn (Horn 93x), Eric Cantor (Cantor 33), Jim Miller (Miller 3m), Greg Stoehr (Stoehr 26b), Anthony Marvuglio (Boubeau 38), rookie Seth Carlson (Feigel 71) and Anthony Nocella (Seymour 9) will all come to Thompson with a 2012 win. Horn and Greg have won in the past at Thompson.

Ageless Jeff Horn (Horn A1) and Joey Payne (Breault 44) are other contenders. Paul Scally (Scally 30), Lee Bundy (Bundy 2), Brian and Doug Cleveland, the family 78 and 87 cars, Jim SantaMaria (SantaMaria 99) and Matt O’Brien (O’Brien 16) are other hopefuls.

NEMA and Thompson have a relationship that goes back to 1960, the legendary Dutch Schaefer the winner. Since then, Thompson has helped write a ton of NEMA history and a credible part of that is World Series related.

Greg Stoehr, driving for John Zahar, passed brother Russ in the closing laps to win in 1994. In 2001, Joey Payne, who like Greg Stoehr started last, passed the same Russ Stoehr on the final lap en route to the checkered. The latter was Gene Angelillo’s 100th NEMA win. A Nokie Fornoro romp in 2010 proved to be the last Midget ride for one of the sport’s greatest competitors.

Stoehrs Purchase Jarret #4

Brockton, MA – The Stoehr family has purchased the Gaerte Ford-powered No. 4X Midget from Mike and Lu Jarret.

“Keith Botelho will drive the car at Thompson’s World Series this weekend and after it will be Bethany’s ride starting with Octoberfest at Lee,” said Greg Stoehr. “It is her ride for next year.”

Greg’s daughter, Bethany was very impressive in the car at Waterford Speedbowl’s Finale. Her 12.986 lap en route to a heat victory on Saturday was the fastest of the weekend. She wound up fifth in the feature.

Carl Kibbe, who has maintained Avery Stoehr’s NEMA Lites car this season, will be the crew chief. Avery, Russ Stoehr’s son, has a win this season.

With Nokie Fornoro driving, the Jarret 4 was one of NEMA’s most impressive cars for several seasons.

Randy Cabral - Russ Stoehr - John Zych Jr.





*Photos by John Dadalt*

Russ Stoehr Joins NEMA Win List

Waterford, CT – Coming from the eighth starting spot, Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire 45) had the lead seven laps in and went on to win the 25-lap Northeastern Midget Association feature Sunday at Waterford Speedbowl’s Weekend Finale. It was the first win of the season for Stoehr who became the 11th winner in 12 NEMA races this season.

Only a mid-race caution interrupted Stoehr’s run, the resulting restart providing an opportunity for point leader Randy Cabral (Bertrand 47) who finished a half second behind in second. It was Cabral’s fourth second place finish this year at Waterford.

John Zych (Zych 9) got by three cars in the final two laps to claim third. Mike Horn (Horn 93x) and Bethany Stoehr (Jarret 4x) were fourth and fifth.

Stoehr passed his niece Bethany coming out of turn two on lap five to take second. A lap later he moved past pole sitter James Santa Maria (Santa Maria 99), the only other leader, at the end of the backstretch.

His 49th NEMA career win ended a season of frustration for Stoehr and the Dumo’s Desire team. “We’ve struggled,” he said. “We’ve been a little bit off.” He added “paying attention to the program”
+was the key Sunday.

“I wanted to pass Horn and Zych (the sixth and seventh starters) early and we did that,” said Stoehr who is now tied with Cabral on NEMA’s all time Speedbowl win list, each with eight. He was clearly in command when rocks on the front chute, thrown up by a car heading into the infield, brought out the yellow.

On the restart, Horn followed Stoehr past SantaMaria into second while Cabral, who started 12th, moved from sixth to third down the backstretch. With eight laps left, Cabral took second from Horn out of four and the chase was on.

“Looking at my [blistered] right rear and looking at his I couldn’t have passed Russ with 100 more laps,” Cabral said in victory lane. He did, however, make every effort, “moving the car around looking to make it faster.” That, he suggested, amounted to “driver error.”

Still, Cabral, who had the fastest lap (his 13.014 slightly better than Stoehr’s 13.016) takes a 78-point bulge on Stoehr into this weekend’s World Series at Thompson.

NEMA MIDGETS - WATERFORD - 10/7/12

Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner

1 45 Russ Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Dumo's Desire Racing

2 47 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Tim Bertrand

3 9 John Zych Jr. Louisville, KY John Zych Sr.

4 93x Mike Horn Ashland, MA Jeff Horn

5 4x Bethany Stoehr Bridgewater, MA MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr

6 26b Greg Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Greg Stoehr

7 33 Adam Cantor Glen Cove, NY Allan Cantor

8 39b Todd Bertrand Suffield, CT Bertrand Motorsports

9 4 Anthony Nocella Woburn, MA Bobby Seymour

10 3m Jim Miller Weymouth, MA Jim Miller

11 99 Jim Santa Maria Burlington, CT Susan Santa Maria

12 2 Lee Bundy Kennebunkport, ME Lee Bundy

13 7ny Phil Dimario Glen Cove, NY Allan Cantor

14 30 Paul Scally Raynham, MA Paul Scally

15 50 Pete Pernesiglio Jr. Lake Grove, NY Pete Pernesiglio Sr.

16 78 Brian Cleveland Billerica, MA Linda Cleveland

17 38 Anthony Marvuglio E. Bridgewater, MA Tammy Bourbeau

18
DNF 71 Seth Carlson Brimfield, CT Gene Feigel

19
DNF 44 Joey Payne Fairlawn, NJ Ed Breault

Dylan Duhaime



		*Photos by John Dadalt*

Duhaime Gets First At Speedbowl

Waterford, CT – Dylan Duhaime wound up the Northeastern Midget Association Lites winner Saturday night at Waterford Speedbowl’s Finale when Keith Rocco, who was first under the checkered, was disqualified for excessive wing angle. It was the first-ever Midget win for Duhaime who gave up the lead following a restart with four laps remaining.

“It’s not the way I would have preferred,” said Duhaime, 14, “but I’m still pumped up with my first victory.” He came from the fifth starting spot. Rocco (Manafort 76) was looking for a second-straight Speedbowl Lites victory.

Avery Stoehr (Stoehr 15b) wound up second followed by Christian Briggs (Briggs 44), Ian Cumens (Seymour 9) and Bethany Stoehr (Stoehr 26). It was a long run for Cumens who came from the back after being involved in a first-lap mishap.

Duhaime took the lead on lap 15, going around Ryan Bigelow (Bigelow 13), the only other leader, heading into turn three. Duhaime put an end to a side-by-side battle with pole sitter Bigelow by “going into the turn full throttle” while Bigelow “had to slow for the turn.”

Rocco, who started 11th, was on the end of a six-way nose-to-tail battle by lap 11. Finding all the room he needed on the outside, he was sitting second, some seven lengths behind, when the yellow flew because of a stalled car on the grass in the front chute. It set up a single-file restart.

After beating back a first-turn inside bid by Avery Stoehr, Rocco needed one more lap to take the lead only to have Duhaime execute an impressive cross-over move that “completely surprised” Rocco. It fell short, however, and Rocco went on to take the checkered by just under a half second.

“I love the top,” said Rocco, who had the fastest lap (13.799). “I told them to keep the fifth and sixth lanes open for me.”
Duhaime had the only other sub 14 seconds lap, a 13.903.
There was plenty of mutual respect, Duhaime proclaiming his admiration (“I want to run like he does”) for Rocco while Rocco had high praise for both Duhaime and Avery Stoehr.
Kenney Johnson and Avery Stoehr were the heat winners.
The fastest lap of the day was a 12.986 by Bethany Stoehr en route to a heat win in the Mike Jarret #4x qualifying for today’s 25-lap NEMA feature. She beat her uncle Russ in the #45 by 1.2 seconds. Bethany will be in the car for Sunday’s 25-lap NEMA feature.

NEMA LITES - WATERFORD - 10/6/12

Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner

1 57 Dylan Duhaime Loudon, NH Shawn Duhaime

2 15a Avery Stoehr Lakeville, MA MCI Racing/
Russ Stoehr

3 44 Christian Briggs Mattapoisett, MA Christian Briggs

4 9 Ian Cumens Lydell, PA Bobby Seymour

5 26b Bethany Stoehr Bridgewater, MA MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr

6 46 Kenney Johnson Bethany, CT Jeff Johnson

7 51 Danny Cugini Marshfield, MA D. Cugini

8 12 Brandon Martinez North Kingston, RI Lou Martinez

9 50 Carl Medeiros, Jr. Westport, MA Carl Medeiros

10 93 Jake Smith Stroudsburg, PA Ted Smith

11 31 Paul Bigelow Berlin, CT Randy Bigelow

12 4 Logan Rayvals Brockville, ONT Paul Scally

13 45 Brandon Igo Wilbraham, MA David Igo

14 7 Dana Shaw Danielson, CT Gregory Olson

15 11b Eric Leduc Agawam, MA Tom Leduc

16 33b Scott Bigelow E. Hampton, CT Randy Bigelow

17 13 Ryan Bigelow E. Hampton, CT Randy Bigelow

18 18 David Moniz Fairhaven, MA David Moniz

19 39 R. J. Tufano West Haven, CT R. J. Tufano

20 81 Andy Barrows New Ipswitch, NH Dustin Anderson

21
DQ 76 Keith Rocco Wallingford, CT Frank Manafort

Waterford’s Finale Next For NEMA

Brockton, MA – Picking the Northeastern Midget Association winners at this weekend ‘s Fall Finale at Waterford Speebowl’s is a foolhardy task. Both NEMA and the NEMA Lites will be making their fifth visit of the year to the Connecticut shoreline three-eighths mile.

Four drivers will be looking for a second 2012 Waterford win in Sunday’s 25-lap NEMA feature. The same is true of the 25-lap Lites feature, the latter on the busy Saturday night schedule. Both divisions will qualify on Saturday.

John Zych Jr., Greg Stoehr, Anthony Marvuglio and Todd Bertrand have scored at Waterford in NEMA competition this season. Ryan Bigelow, Brandon Igo, Avery Stoehr and stock car ace Keith Rocco have been Lites winners.

The one safe bet – NEMA will be quick. Stoehr, en route to a win last May, posted a season-best 12.937 seconds lap. In all four visits, the fast lap has never reached 13.1 meaning the full midgets are hitting seeds in excess of 105 mph on what many consider the best paved midget track in the northeast.

NEMA, enjoying one of the most competitive seasons in its history (10 winners in 11 starts) takes the show to one of the most competitive venues

Randy Cabral, heading toward a second straight and fourth overall championship for himself and owner Tim Bertrand, and Ian Cumens, the driver of the Seymour Lites car, comes to the Finale with tons of motivation as well. Both have finished second in three of the four Speedbowl races this year.

Although Cabral reigns as Waterford’s top NEMA winner with eight, there have been 14 NEMA visits since his last ‘Bowl checkered, the 2008 Finale. The Plymouth, MA school teacher has had six seconds and two thirds in that run in which Russ Stoehr won five times.

Cumens, a winner this summer at Oswego, was second to Rocco last month but did own the quickest lap, a 13.936. Three-time winner Carl Medeiros Jr., whose 13.871 is the fastest Lites feature time of the season, and R.J. Tufano, who chased Avery Stoehr, have also had near misses at Waterford this season.

In addition to Zych, Greg Stoehr, Marvuglio and Bertrand, Mike Horn, Adam Cantor, Jim Miller, rookie Seth Carlson and Anthony Nocella have won in 2012. Cantor and Miller have won at Waterford in the past. The ‘Bowl’s win list also includes likely Finale starters Jeff Horn, Joey Payne, Pete Pernesiglio and Barry Kittredge. Nocella has won three times in Lites competition.

“Double Duty” Cabral and Alan Chambers have also won Lites features this season. Other contenders include Bethany Stoehr, Danny Cugini, Brandon Martinez, Kenny Johnson, Christian Briggs and Logan Rayvals.

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