In 2006, Dave Shore from Southbury, CT. started VMR to help keep
vintage midget racing alive. Anyone who has a caged vintage car,
and would like to run with us, please contact:
Dave Shore at 203-509-2835.
2018 VMR Dates at the VMR
website.
FULL IMPORT & DOMESTIC
REPAIRS AND SERVICE Jeff
Horn 182 Pond St. Ashland, MA
01721
508-881-4540 Hitch & Trailer Specialists
www.a-1automotiveservice.com
SALES • SERVICE PERFORMANCE and SUSPENSION UPGRADES
Specializing in
Finer Imports
AUDI • BMW • JAGUAR • MERCEDES LANDROVERS • PORSCHE • SAAB
VOLVO • VW
(508) 697-5921
1460 Pleasant St. (Route 104) Bridgewater, MA 02234 www.motorcarsint.com
SERVING ALL MAKES of MIDGET & SPRINT CAR ENGINES Jon Andruk
ja@circleperformance.com 69 LOCUST STREET, BERKLEY, MA 02779 508-580-5844
The Northeastern Midget
Association announces the release of NEMA Vintage photo's on
DVD. The presentation is from the
collection of one of the most respected journalist,
historians and statisticians in New England, Pete Zanardi.
The range of drivers, owners, tracks and race cars
depicted in the collection are the who's who in Northeastern
midget racing. The forefathers that laid the foundation for
present day racing are illustrated in color and black and
white photo's complete with captions. Bill Randall, Ray
Roberts, Ronnie Evans and Jerry Russo just to name a few
drivers from NEMA's infancy.
The early cage days
drivers are represented by Bill Roth, Lee Smith, Hank
Stevens and Len Thrall for example. And to finish out the
last couple of decades are the Fornoros, Stoehrs, Scrivanis,
Seymours and many many more. The cars are as big as
the drivers on this DVD that range from the Badgers to the
uprights, cage and cageless, even some Offy's.
The
DVD is 332 pictures strong and is a must for any early day
racing enthusiast.
The cost is $20 each with all
proceeds going directly to NEMA to help carry on the rich
traditions these early pioneers built.
Payment can be
made through PayPal
HERE to
rewindles@sbcglobal.net or by sending a check or money
order (payable to NEMA) as well as your name and address to
Bill Van Slyke, 23 Horsestable Cir., Shelton, Ct. 06484.
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.
Brockton, MA -
NEMA President, Mike Scrivani, announced today that the
Northeastern Midget Association and Hoosier Tire East have
inked an exclusive, three year deal. Under the deal, NEMA
will have exclusive rights in the Northeast to the current
plated compounds (RR 7, 7.3, RF 5, LR, 5 and LF, 4, 5) and
will be the only series in the Northeast running these
particular tires.
Hoosier will also continue to be a
major contributor to the NEMA point fund, and in addition
have offered fixed pricing for the racer over the next three
years. “NEMA has enjoyed a long history with Hoosier.
This sport is about supporting those who take care of you,
and supporting each other. We feel that we have the best
product in Hoosier and look forward to a long relationship
with them,” said NEMA President, Mike Scrivani. “We have an
exciting schedule brewing for 2015 and expect great car
counts,” said Scrivani.
As part of the arrangement,
Hoosier tire has selected long time NEMA supporter Seymour
Enterprises to be the exclusive dealer and service provider
to the Northeastern Midget Association.
-
NEMA & LITES STATISTICS UPDATED THOUGH 2017 HERE
(LEFT COLUMN)
CHECK THE MEMBERS ALERTS PAGEFOR THE LATEST HANDICAPS,
COMPETITION ADDENDA, RACE PROCEDURES, & NEMA FORMS
Keith Rocco To Make
NEMA Debut In Season Opener For Bertrand Motorsports In
Waterford
With SK Modified and Valenti Modified Racing Series events
on tap, Keith Rocco already had a busy weekend scheduled for
May 5-6 at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Now
the Wallingford driver is going to add a little more speed
to his weekend.
When Tim Bertrand from Bertrand
Motorsports goes looking for guest drivers for his
Northeastern Midget Association team, the names he finds to
put in his family’s cars usually jump off the page.
And at the Speedbow there’s no bigger name than Rocco, the
track’s all-time winningest driver.
Rocco will make
his NEMA debut driving the Bertrand Motorsports No. 47 entry
in the division’s season opening event on May 5 at the
Speedbowl.
“I’m pretty excited to do it,” Rocco said.
“It seems like everybody that drives that car has really
good finishes or wins the race. I’ve never driven the NEMA
cars, but I’ve had pretty good success in the [NEMA Lites].
We’ll see what it brings, but I think we’ll be in contention
to win.”
Said Bertrand: “I’m very excited to team up
with Keith. No one knows the Speedbowl like he does. He’s an
aggressive but smooth driver, and had a couple of impressive
outings in a Lite midget a few years back.”
The
Bertrand Motorsports No. 47 ride has won a pair of series
championships with Randy Cabral at the wheel, and has been
piloted in recent years by names like Doug Coby, Ted
Christopher, Sammy Swindell, Justin Bonsignore and Kyle
Hamilton.
The car was last driven in an event at the
Speedbowl by Christopher last August, when he drove to a
heat race victory in the track’s annual Wings & Wheels show.
“It’s pretty exciting to try to keep the momentum
rolling with what he had done in that car,” said Rocco, a
longtime friend and protege of the late Christopher.
Bertrand Shines in
NEMA Lites Opener at Thompson's ICEBREAKER
Todd Bertrand didn't let the cold temperatures slow
down his hot streak at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park's
ICEBREAKER, as he won the event for the second year in a
row. Bertrand beat back Randy Cabral and Jim Chambers in a
late race restart to take down the victory.
In the
early stages of the race, Ryan Locke jumped out into an
early lead, only to be pressured immediately by third place
starter Bertrand. The caution and then red flag would fly on
lap two, when Anthony Burr and Paul Scally made contact.
Scally was able to continue, but later spent time in the
pits for repairs. Burr was taken away by ambulance to a
nearby hospital, suffering injuries to his face, and other
injuries that left him in a lot of pain.
When the
race resumed, Bertrand marched out into the lead. Avery
Stoehr in the Scrivani 21 moved into second place, and
behind him, Danny Cugini, Randy Cabral, Jim Chambers and
Anthony Nocella in the Manafort 76 were dicing through the
field.
Cugini made a bid for second with two laps
remaining, but made contact with Stoehr, sending them both
into the turn three fence, collecting Anthony Nocella along
with them. Nocella was unable to continue.
Erasing
Bertrand's nearly four second lead, on the restart, Cabral
advanced by Chambers, and then set his sights on Bertrand.
However, Bertrand would pull away to a comfortable six
carlength lead over the final circuits enroute to his first
victory of the season and second in a row at TSMP's
ICEBREAKER.
"The car was perfect all race long. I
didn't have to change anything inside of the car. I'm happy
that I got up front - We've got a bunch of competitive cars
in this class so you've just got to get out into clean air
as much as possible and luckily we were able to have a good
starting spot and I kept my nose clean," Bertrand said in
victory lane. Despite the strong start Bertrand said he
would not run a full NEMA Lite season, instead planning to
chase a title in the NEMA Midgets.
NEMA picks its
schedule back up with the New London Waterford Speedbowl's
Opening event on May 5th.
NEMA LITES TOP-10: 1. Todd Bertrand (Danielson, CT); 2. Randy Cabral
(Kingston, MA); 3. Jim Chambers (Atkinson, NH); 4. Meg
Cugini (Marshfield, MA); 5. Avery Stoehr (Lakeville, MA); 6.
Matt Janisch (Nazareth, PA); 7. Jim Cataldo (Sterling, MA);
8. Dan Cugini (Marshfield, MA); 9. Anthony Nocella (Woburn,
MA); 10. Ryan Locke (Raymond, NH)
NEMA LITES - THOMPSON -
4/7/18
Pos.
#
Driver
Hometown
Owner
1
45
Todd Bertrand
Danielson, CT
Bertrand Motorsports
2
35
Randy Cabral
Kingston, MA
Glen Cabral
3
12
Jim Chambers
Atkinson, NH
Jim Chambers
4
41
Meg CuginI
Marshfield, MA
Glenn Cugini
5
21
Avery Stoehr
Lakeville, MA
Mike Scrivani
6
48
Matt Janisch
Nazareth, PA
Mark Janisch
7
7
Jim Cataldo
Sterling, MA
Jim Cataldo
8
51
Dan CuginI
Marshfield, MA
Dan Cugini
9
76
Anthony Nocella
Woburn, MA
Frank Manafort
10
38
Ryan Locke
Raymond, NH
Ken Locke
11
9
Ben Mikitarian
Northborough, MA
John Mikitarian
12
30
Paul Scally
Raynham,
MA
Paul Scally
13
34
Anthony Burr
New Haven, CT
Anthony Burr
14
17
Kyle Valeri
Monument Beach, MA
Peter Valeri
DNS
14
Chad Labastie
Uxbridge, MA
Chad Labastie
Racing Safety Survey
for Drivers
AC, a third party research
firm, is conducting a survey on behalf of the motorsports
community at large to identify ways to make racing safer for
drivers of all levels and at every circuit.
As a
token of our appreciation for your time, participants who
provide contact details will be entered to win a grand prize
of $500 (winner will be chosen at random.)
For those
who choose to remain anonymous, a donation will be made to a
motorsport safety charity on their behalf.
We urge
you to spend just a few minutes answering the following 12
questions as openly and completely as possible. The future
of driver safety in racing may depend on your valuable
feedback.
Todd Bertrand Prepared for
Championship Bid in 2018
By Jeff Champagne
Todd Bertrand lived 2017 to the fullest, both on and off the
track, and it was punctuated by winning the 2017 World
Series at Thompson Speedway in the fall.
"I had
finished as the runner-up in this race at least three of
four times, and even blew a motor while leading it. Now to
finally have won it, and win it for Shane, it means the
world to me," Todd stated. 2017 was an up and down NEMA
season for Todd, as he missed a handful of race in the
middle of the season, In the races he did attend, he only
finished outside the top ten once, and recorded a podium
finish earlier in the season at Wiscasset. Through all of
this, he still managed an 8th place points finish.
Todd plans to make a full-on assault in 2018 and take the
championship away from his Bertrand Motorsports teammate
Randy Cabral. "In order for us to do that, we have to have
zero D.N.F.'s, as any D.N.F. would hinder our chances of
winning the championship considerably," Todd would state. To
ensure this, the team just completed a meticulous off-season
program that included triple checking nuts and bolts,
preventative engine maintenance, and extensive cleaning. In
coordination with his commitment to NEMA in 2018, Todd has
decided to cut back in his NEMA Lite appearances, but he
expects to be a podium contender for when he does decide to
try double duty, a feat he would like to attempt at
Thompson. "Thompson Speedway is most certainly my favorite
track. No other track is that fast, or that scary, all while
being a blast."
Off the track, 2017 was a year full
of highs, as he married his now wife, Mariah, and announced
that a baby and future racer is on the way. Excited by the
news, his father Gil stated, "Todd has always liked kids,
and he's super excited to finally have one of his own, I'm
really proud of him."
Chambers Brothers Focused on
NEMA in 2018
Brothers Alan and Jim
Chambers have similar goals going into 2018: Win races and
win the championship. The first goal is certainly possible
for the two of them, but only one can win the championship,
and Jim will be putting all the chips on the table after
finishing as the runner-up in both the NEMA and NEMA Lites
championships in 2017.
Jim, the 2016 NEMA Lites
Champion, will only run part-time in the lites this year as
he prepares for the onslaught of the NEMA Championship,
attempting to become the first driver to win a championship
in both NEMA and the NEMA Lites. Expect to see Jim pull
double duty at tracks such as Star and Riverhead, where he
has taken victory multiple times. "I can't decide which was
better, winning the NEMA Lite race at Riverhead lasts year,
or the photo finish at Speedway 51, in which we also claimed
victory," Jim stated, "I just love the short tracks. Tight,
racy, quarter miles match my driving style and the car
perfectly." If Jim can perform on the speedway tracks as he
has on the short tracks, the championship isn't that far
from being his.
For Alan, 2018 brings a new chassis,
with a fresh Mopar powerplant. With said powerplant, Alan
will be one to watch as he hopes to top what he called, "My
best season yet," in 2017. The fourth-place points finish in
2017 instilled a boost of confidence which he plans to 2018,
and into victory lane. Although he has yet to earn his
maiden NEMA victory, a 2018 schedule full of tracks to his
liking could help him become a repeat visitor.
Although neither brother has a full NEMA-Lite commitment,
don't be surprised if Alan and Jim split driving duties in
the Mac's Auto World 12 throughout the year.
Jake Trainor Set To Make Bid for 2018 NEMA Lites Rookie
of the Year
By Jeff Champagne
NEMA Lite rookie Jake Trainor will
look to have another record setting season in 2018, as he sets his
sights on becoming the rookie of the year and quite possibly the
youngest winner in NEMA Lites history.
In 2017, Trainor began
his second-year racing midgets with the USAC Eastern Midget
Association in the South-eastern region of the United States,
setting a track record at Huntsville Speedway in Alabama (in a Ford
Focus powered Spike) in the process, along with rookie of the year.
In conjunction with his southern escapades, Jake made a
handful of NEMA Lite appearances, with impressive showings in each.
After finishing 13th from a 7th starting spot in the Boston Louie
Memorial race last June. In October, Jake posted his best NEMA run
to date, starting on pole in the season finale at Waterford and
finishing 4th.
His 2018 goals would not be attainable without
his supporters, and sponsors, such as Geartote, Santos Auto Body,
and Local 550 Sprinkler Fitters. Jake Trainor has proven that even
in youth, can come experience, and he hopes to enforce that with a
top ten points.
Ryan Locke to Make NEMA Lites
Championship Bid in 2018
By Jeff Champagne
Following the footsteps of his dad Jeff, this talented young
man proved that the "sophomore slump" is merely a myth.
Although he did reach the top step of the podium in 2017, as
he did in 2016, he showed his growth with a string of
consistent runs throughout the season, reaching the podium
five times throughout 2017, including two podiums each at
Wiscasset Speedway and the New-London Waterford Speedbowl.
"My favorite moment of the 2017 season would be
leading the Boston Louie Memorial. That race is so special
and has a breadth of history, it was an honor to be in the
running for the win," Locke stated.
Going into 2018,
Locke is focusing on small adjustments and getting
consistently comfortable in all situations, but he won't let
that detract from the big picture. If Ryan can run up front
weekly, fight for wins, and stay consistent, then, "The
championship will fall into place," Ryan says.
These
goals would not be attainable without his gracious sponsors,
Shawmut equipment, Chester General Store, and Locke Crane
services.
With a mind-set such as that, it is not out
of the picture to see the 15-year-old phenom make a big
statement.
2017
NEMA Lites Champion Cugini Prepared for 2018 Season
Dan Cugini's 2017 season
included a multitude of high points and low points. "Losing
our crew chief Chris at the beginning of the season was
tough for all of us," Dan remarked upon Chris's unexpected
passing.
That proved to not be a setback, as Dan was
four-for-four in podiums to start the NEMA Lites season,
with a win at Star Speedway in the second race of the year.
From that point onward, it was all uphill from there. He
went on to take second place at Wiscasset, where he won in a
thriller finish in 2015 in the NEMA division. "When you're
at Wiscasset, you're on the throttle for the majority of a
lap, and you never stop turning. That track is a continuous
corner with just enough grip to be fast, and really
'racey'."
The following race, the World Series of
Racing at Thompson Speedway, Dan's future brother-in-law,
Max Zachem, was unable to compete in the Whelen Modified
Tour event as a cause of medical reasons. In what was, "A
dream come true," Zachem selected Dan to drive the #20 MPZ
Motorsports Troyer in the event, and was having an amazing
debut run, running 7th with less than 10 laps to go before
his race ended in an untimely accident. "To be able to be a
top five contender in my first NASCAR WMT event, just shows
the dedication of the MPZ Motorsports team, and I cannot
thank them enough for this opportunity. That same day, Dan
went on to capture his first NEMA Lites Championship, a feat
that he dedicated to his late crew chief.
For 2018,
Cugini hopes to find the "hot" set-up on his new wide-body
Hawk chassis early in the season, and be competing for wins
as well in the NEMA Lites series. "I'm going to try for a
handful of modified races as well, but as long as I'm
competitive in what I'm driving, then I'm happy."
Coy
Looking Forward to Continued NEMA Lites Success in
2018
By Jeff Champagne 2017 was not only a first season, but it was a
breakout season. The third-generation driver became part of
a club shared by just one family, three-generations of
family winning in NEMA or NEMA Lites competition.
"Our season really started to come together at Speedway 51,
which happens to be my favorite track," Coy stated. His,
"shocking and unexpected win," as Coy himself stated, at
Waterford was part of an impressive season ending surge that
saw him string together five consecutive top tens'.
These finishes helped to propel him to an 8th place points
finish, and earn the 2017 NEMA Lites Rookie of the Year
award. Additionally, he learned at the NEMA banquet that he
and his team had received the "Never Say Die" associate
member award, on honor he held high within his favorite
moments of the season.
Hoping to top the already
incredible 2017, Coy plans to be a championship contender
with his Mach 1 Performance and Hall Tree Farms sponsored
Beast midget, with multiple improvements having taken place
this past off season. Fresh engine, new car, fresh paint,
and a fresh start to show the rest of the field that 2017
wasn't just a fluke, but the beginning of a consistent
contender.
3 Time Champ, Zych
Readies for 2018 Season
By Jeff Champagne
Even after missing one race, John Zych was still able to
finish 2017, fifth in the championship points standings.
Although he didn't double down as champion as he had
liked, he still reached victory lane in the "Boston Louie"
Memorial race. The annual event at Seekonk is a race that
Zych could only have dreamt of winning. Stating, "We have
been trying to win that one for a while," in his relief of
conquering the 1/3rd mile "Concrete Palace."
In
addition, he also took the victory at the ultra-fast
Wiscasset speedway, to become one of three drivers who
visited victory lane more than once in 2017.
Very few
changes have occurred this off-season within the Zych group,
as they expect to be on par with 2017 champion Randy Cabral.
His Esslinger powered Drinan is certainly worthy of getting
him to the front, even without financial backing from a
major sponsor(s).
Being that he may not make every
race, Zychs' 2018 plan consists of winning those races of
which he does attend, as that would be, "The biggest success
for out team."
Scally Prepared to Conquer
NEMA Field in 2018
By Jeff Champagne
Coming off a stellar 2017
season that saw him claim his first feature win in NEMA and
NEMA Lites, Paul Scally looks to carry his momentum into the
2018 season by winning, "As many battles as I can." With his
first two individual series wins, Paul points out that each
of those races had a further meaning. On fathers-day weekend
2017, he was able to take down the win at Star Speedway in
the NEMA division in his Esslinger powered Drinan chassis,
with his father in attendance.
Many years of trying,
had finally paid off, and he was to the jackpot once again.
A handful of weeks later, Paul struck gold in Maine at his
favorite racetrack of Wiscasset Speedway, this time with his
Ford Focus powered Drinan in the NEMA Lites division. He has
deemed Wiscasset his favorite because the owners have a deep
appreciation for the stellar events that NEMA puts on there,
along with his ability to naturally adapt to that track.
With changes happening constantly within his team, he
hopes to find his consistency and get his program, "On the
Bertrand level." Until he finds that consistency, he plans
work even harder to get there, along with help from sponsors
such as Earth Movers Corporation in Randolph, Mass., Charter
Environmental, and Circle Performance.
In addition to
his personal 2018 goals, Paul has enjoyed serving for the
NEMA in multiple roles, and plans to continue his efforts in
improving the sport of asphalt midget racing for future
members and midget enthusiasts.
At its annual awards
banquet, Northeastern Midget Association President, Tim
Bertrand, released the club's 2018 schedule to the
membership as he recapped the 2017 season. Thirteen combined
NEMA/NEMA Lite shows, and four "Lites Only" shows highlight
a season that brings NEMA back to many of its familiar,
historic "haunts."
"We plan to play off of the
success that we had in the 2017 season, as a club. We had
strong car counts in the 30-35 range every week, with a
season high of nearly 50 cars at the Boston Louie event,"
said club President, Bertrand. "I see us only continuing to
gain momentum for 2018. We've got a number of new teams
coming into the Lite series, and continue to see our car
counts improve with the NEMA division," said Bertrand.
NEMA starts its season at Thompson Speedway Motorsports
Park's annual ICEBREAKER event, with a Lites only race. The
club then moves on to its annual "Test & Tune" at the New
London Waterford Speedbowl on Sunday, April 22nd.
"Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park has enjoyed its great
partnership with with the Northeastern Midget Association.
For the past several seasons, they have provided some of the
most exciting competition at Thompson and we are delighted
to welcome them back in 2018," said Chief Operating Officer
& GM of the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Josh Vanada.
The combined group kicks off its season at the New
London Waterford Speedbowl's "Blastoff" event on May 5th,
which highlights its first of four combined events at the
Speedbowl.
"I'm really excited about 2018, and
having the NEMA cars back. They put on great shows for us in
2017, and we're looking forward to seeing more of that in
2018,"said GM of the New London Waterford Speedbowl, George
Whitney.
The Lites then move on to Star Speedway on
May 19th, with a Lites only show.
The combined group
then moves on to Wiscassett Speedway on June 2nd, starting a
busy stretch in June - the first of two shows there, and to
the famed Riverhead Raceway on June 9th. The Lites then race
at Thompson on June 13th with the NASCAR Whelen Modified
Tour.
The Butch Walsh Memorial then highlights the
schedule on June 16th at Star Speedway, and June concludes
with the Boston Louie Memorial at Seekonk Speedway's Open
Wheel Wednesday on Wednesday June 27th.
July 14th
will be the always popular Iron Mike Scrivani Memorial at
the Monadnock Speedway, and July 21st Star Speedway will
host the Marvin Rifchin Memorial.
The Lites then
travel back to the Waterford Speedbowl on July 28th for a 50
lap event celebrating the late Jim O'Brien, and NEMA goes to
Thompson on August 8th for a NEMA only event with the Whelen
Modified Tour. August 11th will be a combined show at the
New London Waterford Speedbowl for its annual Wings & Wheels
event with the ISMA Super Modifieds, and the club will
celebrate the late Gene and Marilyn Angelillo at this event.
The Lites travel back to Star Speedway on September 1st,
for a Lites Only event, and the combined group will be back
to Wiscassett Speedway for a special extra distance event on
September 8th.
The combined group then travels back
to the Waterford Speedbowl for an open wheel extravaganza
with the Modified Racing Series.
October concludes
the season for the club, with the Shane Hammond Memorial at
Thompson's World Series of Racing, and the New London
Waterford Speedbowl the following weekend for their season
ending event.
The Northeastern Midget
Association will open the season at Star Speedway on May 21.
It will be the 1018th point-paying race in the club's
63-year history.
Passing unheralded was the club's
1,000th race at Star Speedway on August 23, 2014. Randy
Cabral was the winner, besting John Zych Jr. and Seth
Carlson.
New England's oldest and most enduring
touring division, NEMA was formed in the late spring of 1953
at the Thompson clubhouse. Fred Meeker was the first NEMA
winner at Seekonk Speedway on May 30, 1953. New England Auto
Racing Hall of Famer Bill Eldridge won the next afternoon at
Waterford.
The NEMA Lites open at Thompson Speedway's
Icebreaker on April 9. There have been 106 races for a
division that started with an exhibition run at New
London-Waterford in 2008. The 100th Lites race was won by
Danny Cugini at Lee on July 17 of last year.
With two
victories last year, Randy Cabral is now tied with Nokie
Fornoro in fourth place on NEMA's all-time win list with 47.
He has 16 seasons with a least one victory tying him with
Bobby Seymour on that list. They have come consecutively,
equaling a NEMA standard set by National Midget Hall of
Famer Dave Humphrey. Most of Cabral's wins have come in Tim
Bertrand's No. 47 but it all started when an upstart Cabral
captured the 2000 Boston Louie in a family car.
Star
Speedway, with 103 races going back to 1968, is the leader
among tracks hosting NEMA events. Randy Cabral tops active
NEMA competitors with four Star wins including three of the
last four. John Zych Jr. has also won at Star.
NEMA
is clearly one of the most competitive open cockpit
divisions in the country. Over the past six years, there
have been 23 different NEMA winners and in all but one of
those seasons, at least one "first-timer" appeared. Over
that span John Zych Jr., Todd Bertrand, Avery Stoehr and
Seth Carlson have become top contenders. Danny Cugini and
Jim Chambers were first time winners in 2015. Bertrand,
Stoehr and Cugini are all products of the NEMA Lites. The
Lites have had 20-different winners in the past three
seasons, champion Anthony Payne and Megan Cugini among the
2015 first timers. Designed with competiveness in the
forefront nine years ago, the Lites are a true success
story.
Nominations are now being accepted for the
New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame. The nomination form
and procedure are available on the New England Antique
Racers' website - www.near1.org. Please disregard the posted
deadlines.
Those with NEMA connections already
enshrined are Gene Angelillo, Chuck Arnold, Burt Brooks, Ray
Brown,Joe Csiki, Bill Eldridge, Frank Ferrara, Drew Fornoro,
Dave Humphrey, Johnny Kay, Wen Kelly, Rollie Lindblad, John
McCarthy, George Monsen, Al Pillion, Billy Randall, Marvin
Rifchin, Mike Scrivani Sr., Louie Seymour, Hank Stevens, Ed
Stone and Bentley Warren.
