|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
NEMA Feature - Speedbowl - Sun. March 28th |
|
Pos. |
# |
Driver |
Hometown |
Owner |
|
1 |
22 |
Chris Leonard |
Pelham, NH |
Dave Leonard |
|
2 |
45 |
Russ Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
Dumo's Desire
Racing |
|
3 |
44 |
Erica Santos |
Franklin, MA |
Ed Breault |
|
4 |
47 |
Randy Cabral |
Plymouth, MA |
Tim Bertrand |
|
5 |
75 |
Chris deRitis |
Philadelphia, PA |
Dan deRitis |
|
6 |
26b |
Greg Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
Greg Stoehr |
|
7 |
7ny |
Adam Cantor |
Dix Hills, NY |
Cantor Racing |
|
8 |
99 |
Jesse State |
New Hyde Park, NY |
Power Point
Race Cars |
|
9 |
28 |
Paul Luggelle |
Holbrook, MA |
Paul Luggelle |
10
DNF |
29 |
Anthony Nocella |
Woburn,
MA |
Matt Seymour |
11
DNF |
48 |
Todd
Bertrand |
Suffield, CT |
Tim Bertrand |
12
DNF |
30 |
Paul Scally |
Raynham, MA |
Paul Scally |
13
DNF |
36 |
Eric
Cabral |
Manchester, NH |
Glen Cabral |
14
DNS |
9 |
John Zych, Jr. |
Liverpool, NY |
John Zych, Sr. |
15
DNS |
00 |
Lanson
Fornoro |
Stroudsburg, PA |
Paul Luggelle |
16
DNS |
16 |
Matt O'Brien |
Wilmington, MA |
Jim O'Brien |
17
DNS |
49 |
B.J. MacDonald |
Pippersville,
PA |
B.J. MacDonald |
18
DNS |
2 |
Lee Bundy |
Kennebunkport,
ME |
Lee Bundy |
|
|
|
Leonard Grabs First NEMA Win
At The Speedbowl
By Pete Zanardi |
Waterford, CT - Chris Leonard warned the
media. “I’m not good at talking,” he explained after winning his
first-ever Northeastern Midget Association feature Sunday at
Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blast Off. It was his only
problem.
Taking off from the pole, Leonard, 19, needed only five minutes
and 40 and three quarters seconds (a Speedbowl record) to
capture the 25 lapper. Although “it seemed like an hour” to him,
Leonard didn’t face a serious challenge in putting the
family-owned No. 22 Hawk/Autocraft in victory lane.
Chasing Leonard the entire way, Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire
Racing #45) was second. Erica Santos (Breault #44), Randy Cabral
(Bertrand #47) and Chris deRitis (deRitis #75) filled out the
top five.
Leonard beat outside pole sitter Santos into the first turn but
it was Stoehr behind him coming out of two. “I could hear
Stoehr’s motor,” said Leonard, admitting he was expecting to be
passed. A serious challenge never came, Leonard actually opening
up a bigger lead in the closing laps.
The crew, led by Chris’ dad Dave, overcame two mechanical
problems on Saturday before finishing second to Stoehr in his
heat. The weekend effort comes after two difficult seasons for
the Pelham, NH-based Leonard operation.
“They were on their game,” Stoehr said of the winning team.
Realizing his car “wasn’t spot on,” Stoehr was “waiting for
something to slow the leader down” but “ran out of time.”
Pleased with the podium finish, Santos was even happier for
Leonard. “I know that first win is the best feeling in the world
and he deserves it,” she said.
While it was a first for Leonard, it was not for the 10-plus
year old car. A one-time Mike Scrivani machine, Bobby Seymour
drove it to a number of victories including four at Waterford.
 deRitis had the fastest feature lap (13.222), a
couple ticks off Leonard’s best effort (13.373)
Considering last year, both Stoehr and Santos
were happy with their finish. It was the first podium finish
since Oct. 5, 2008 for Santos
Leonard is the 43rd winner NEMA winner at
Waterford. |
 |
 |
 |
|
Lites Feature - Speedbowl - Sat. March 27th |
|
Pos. |
# |
Driver |
Hometown |
Owner |
|
1 |
29 |
Anthony Nocella |
Woburn,
MA |
Matt Seymour |
|
2 |
48 |
Todd
Bertrand |
Suffield, CT |
Tim Bertrand |
|
3 |
51 |
Russ Wood Jr.
|
Pelham,
NH |
Russ Wood |
|
4 |
36 |
Eric
Cabral |
Manchester, NH |
Glen Cabral |
|
5 |
4 |
Randy
Cabral |
Plymouth, MA |
Bobby Seymour |
|
6 |
93
|
Jake Smith
|
Stroudsburg, PA
|
Ted Smith |
|
7 |
00 |
Lanson
Fornoro |
Stroudsburg, PA |
Paul Luggelle |
| 8 |
47 |
B.J.
MacDonald |
Pippersville, PA |
Glen Cabral |
| 9 |
1 |
Bethany Viets |
Manchester, CT |
Charles Gunther |
| 10 |
52
|
Kevin Park |
Foxboro,
MA |
Kevin Park |
|
11 |
18 |
David
Moniz |
Fairhaven, MA |
David Moniz |
|
12 |
45 |
Joey
Mucciacciaro |
Wolcott,
CT |
Frank
Mucciacciaro |
13
DNF |
20
|
Andy Shlatz |
Enfield,
CT |
Andy Shlatz |
14
DNS |
28 |
Paul Luggelle |
Holbrook, MA |
Paul Luggelle |
|
|
|
Anthony Nocella Notches NEMA Lites
Opener At Waterford Speedbowl
By David Dykes |
(WATERFORD, CT.) Young Anthony Nocella picked-up right where he
left-off in 2009 at the Waterford Speedbowl, handily capturing
the 25-lap NEMA Lites “Budweiser Blastoff” feature on Saturday
evening.
A highlight of the event was the appearance of 1971 Indianapolis
500 Rookie of the Year and New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame
member Dennis Zimmerman who served as honorary starter.
It was the 5th career Lites feature victory for Nocella, who
last season scored the Speedbowl’s “Nostalgia Weekend” feature
on July 25.
A caution-free affair, pole-sitter BJ MacDonald built a
commanding early lead before fading. Todd Bertrand then took the
point, leading until the final circuit when overtaken by Nocella.
Entering the event, the winner sensed that his Matt
Seymour-owned Hawk was “the best it’s ever-been,” enabling him
to strategically plan his moves. The result was a slick last-lap
pass for the win.
“I knew the car was great after practice. All the hard work
during the off-season really put us in a position to win today,”
stated Nocella following the event. “After getting to second, I
chased Todd Bertrand for a few laps studying the way he was
handling traffic. My car was so-good that I knew that all it
would take was for him to slip just a little, and I’d get-by. He
did, and that’s when I made my move – I was able to use patience
in this race, and it paid-off. I love this place, It’s a great
midget track.”
Completing the top-5 was Russ Wood Jr., Eric Cabral, and
defending NEMA “full-midget” champion, Randy Cabral.
Earlier in the afternoon, Eric Cabral captured the qualifying
heat win.
NEMA action continues on Sunday of “Budweiser Blastoff” weekend
at the Speedbowl with a 25-lap feature for the “full midgets.”
|
|
| MORE
SHOTS FROM MARCH 27TH & 28TH |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NEMA ‘First Timers’ Love
Speedbowl |
Brockton, MA -
Thirteen drivers on the club’s all-time win list grabbed their
first Northeastern Midget Association victory at Waterford
Speedbowl. The list includes four-time champion Ben Seitz, who
won the 2004 season opener at the Bowl, and current USAC
standout Bobby Santos III whose first-ever Midget triumph came
in the 2002 Boston Louie.
A number of drivers including youngsters Chris DeRitis, the 2009
Rookie of the Year, William Wall, John Zych Jr., Chris Leonard
and Jesse State, the latter a 2010 Rookie, hope to join that
club March 27-28 when NEMA joins the lineup for the Speedbowl’s
season-opening Budweiser Blast Off.
DeRitis had two top fives
at the Speedbowl in the Power Point Racing #99 last season. He’s
moved to a Lou Cicconi entry for 2010. DeRitis had the fastest
lap (11 seconds) in last weekend’s testing at Seekonk.
“It is one of NEMA’s most visited tracks but Waterford has
provided plenty of surprises especially early in the season,”
says club president Mike Scrivani Jr. “If you catch some breaks
and get a good lead early, you can be tough to catch at a place
as quick as Waterford.”
Jim Miller, among those expected for Blast Off, scored his first
NEMA win at Waterford back in 1999. Tim Bertrand, the two-time
defending owner champ (with driver Randy Cabral) grabbed his
only driving win at The ‘Bowl in 2002. Cabral hopes to give
Bertrand his eighth Speedbowl win as an owner.
Waterford will mark the debut of Honda power in the Bertrand 47.
Cabral turned laps in the low 11 seconds at Seekonk.
Russ Stoehr, a Bowl winner last year, will be attempting to add
to the late Gene Angelillo’s Waterford legacy. Angelillo claimed
12 features at the Connecticut shoreline oval. The Seymour
operation can claim at least eight wins.
Others drivers who won their first NEMA feature at Waterford are
Rudy Boetticher Jr. (the 2000 opener), Howie Bumpus
(1988),legend King Carpenter (1960), Ted Christopher (1998), Lou
Cicconi (2007), John Dudevoir (1962), Bill Eldridge (1953), Mark
Keeler and Paul Lawless.
Waterford hosted the second race in NEMA history on May 31,
1953. Eldridge was the winner. The Speedbowl is one of three
“charter members” on the 2010 schedule joining Seekonk and
Stafford.
Eleven times in NEMA’s long history the opening day winner has
gone on to capture the championships. Cabral has done it the
last two years joining Ben Seitz who accomplished it in 2004 and
2005. Bill Eldridge (1954, 1958) and Drew Fornoro (1983, 1998)
have also done it twice. Dick Brown (1961), Armond Holley (1976)
and Joey Coy (1991) did it once.
There
have been 35 NEMA races in the past 10 seasons at Waterford and
over that span Cabral has had 18 podium finishes including eight
wins. Joe Payne has 14 top threes and Bobby Santos III eight. |
|
|
|
 |
NEMA Lites Series
“More Than Ready” for
Budweiser Blastoff At Speedbowl |
(Brockton, MA) “The
NEMA Lites Series is “more than ready” for this weekend’s opener
at the Waterford Speedbowl and we’re looking forward to a banner
2010 season.”
Those were the comments from Lites Series Race Director Steve
Grant following a successful test session for the division held
recently at the Seekonk Speedway in Massachusetts.
Entering its third-year, the Lites Series is part of the
Waterford Speedbowl’s multi-division “Budweiser Blast-Off
Weekend” set to go-green on the weekend of March 27 & 28.
They’ll run qualifying and a 25-lap feature on Saturday.
The most-recent Lites winner at the Speedbowl was Anthony
Nocella who scored last season’s “Nostalgia Weekend” 25-lap
feature on July 25.
As expected, the Seekonk pre-season “test-session” yielded
positive results.
“We held a recent test-session at Seekonk with a few of the
divisions experienced drivers and it went really-well,” states
Grant. “Even-though the track surface was “green” following the
winter months, the guys turned some very impressive lap-times.
The response to the division continues to be positive, with more
people expressing interest every day. We’re expecting a healthy
field at the Speedbowl opener, and we have every reason to
expect rising car-counts as the season progresses. People
continue to realize that this division is a “win-win” situation
for teams looking to get involved in an affordable open-wheel
division. Things are really taking-off,” he says.
With the exception of an affordable “spec” engine and a few
other differences, the Lites Series cars are identical to the
“full-midgets” of NEMA. The Helping Hands of America Foundation,
Hoosier Racing Tires, and Bobby Seymour’s Racers Depot serve as
the 2010 sponsors for the series.
With many of the Lites new driver’s recent graduates of the
“First-Turn Driving School”, and some with years of prior
experience in midgets, the class presents a well-balanced level
of competition. There were a total of 7-different feature
winners in 2009. Anthony Nocella headed-up the list with 4,
followed by Jake Stergios, PJ Stergios, and Russ Wood Jr. each
notching 2. William Wall, Anthony Marvuglio, and Paul Luggelle
also scored.
Following the season-opener, the NEMA Lites Series heads to the
high-banks of Winchester, New Hampshire’s Monadnock Speedway on
May 29. It’s all part of a busy 2010 agenda that includes
fourteen events for the division. |
|
 |
| Cantor Set For Speedbowl Opener |
Brockton, MA – Coming
off his best campaign yet, Adam Cantor begins #7ny his tenth
season with the Northeastern Midget Association
March 27-28 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blast Off.
NEMA’s 58th season opener is part of a busy Blast Off agenda
that also includes the NEMA Lites. Both NEMA and the Lites will
qualify on Saturday, the Lites running their feature on Saturday
night, NEMA on Sunday.
“For the first time I feel no pressure to do anything but go out
and have some fun,” says Cantor, a two-time winner last season
en route to a third place in the point standings. One of the
wins came at Waterford.
The Long Islander, part of NEMA since 2001, returns with the
MOPAR-powered Beast chassis that netted six podium finishes a
year ago.
“The more determined we were to have fun the better we did,” he
continues. “I believe in my heart we can win the championship.
If I didn’t believe that I wouldn’t be doing this.”
Two-time champion Randy Cabral, the Speedbowl’s all-time top
winner, heads up those expected at the opener. The list also
includes Russ Stoehr and Jim Miller, both Speedbowl winners in
the past.
Cabral and owner Tim Bertrand will be showing Honda power for
the first time, one of several changes for NEMA this season.
Chris DeRitis, the 2009 Rookie of the Year, will be making his
debut in a Lou Cicconi machine while Jesse State will begin his
rookie of the year quest in the Power Point No. 99. Also
expected at Waterford are Greg Stoehr, Erica Santos, William
Wall, John Zych Jr., Lee Bundy, Paul Scally and Chris Leonard.
“I’ve always loved racing at the Speedowl but I never thought of
it as one of my best tracks,” says Cantor. “Well, I won the last
time we were there so I’m really looking forward to going back.”
Pointing out “everybody comes to Waterford knowing they have to
be strong,” Cantor says “getting off with a good finish is
important.” |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Whip City
Standout Bethany Viets
To Make NEMA Lites Debut
At Speedbowl Opener |
(Brockton, MA) Young, but already a
winning veteran racer with impressive credentials, Bethany Viets
makes her NEMA Lites debut later this month at the Waterford
Speedbowl. Part of an on-going “Youth Movement” within the
division, she’ll be wheeling the Charles Gunther-owned Drinan
chassis entry.
The Lites are part of the Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blastoff on
March 27 & 28. The division will run qualifying and a 25-lap
feature on Saturday.
Started in 2008, the Lites Series has become a melting pot for
up & coming talent. Viets is typical of the youthful open-wheel
competitors drawn to the division with its affordable “spec”
rules, and a diverse schedule that includes an assortment of
tracks throughout New England.
“We’re looking very-forward to running the NEMA Lites Series
this year,” states East Granby, CT. resident Viets, who belying
her youthful status, has years of experience running on the dirt
of Whip City Speedway in Massachusetts. “We ran weekly at Whip
City for a number of seasons. I started driving at age-12 in the
Micro Stock class in a car owned by my older brother John,
eventually advancing to the Midgets. The Lites schedule involves
some traveling, and that’s part of the allure of the division
for us. It’s going to be great to run at some different tracks.
Our team is excited about 2010 – it’s an opportunity for new
experiences.”
A third-generation racer, Viets’ family has a long history in
the sport. Both her grandfather Mike, and father Scott are
former drivers.
Car owner Gunther of Vernon, CT. is also optimistic about the
upcoming campaign. He says enlisting the talent of the young
driver to wheel his Midget in 2006 was an easy decision. “She’s
got a tremendous degree of talent, and her record at Whip City
certainly shows that,” states Gunther, a former driver himself
with decades of experience in a myriad of divisions including
Supers, Modifieds, and of-course, Midgets. “I raced against
Bethany, and I guess I just got tired of her beating-me,” he
laughs.
Lites Series Race Director Steve Grant expects a good-showing
for the division at the Bowl’ opener. “Interest in the Lites is
ever-increasing, esp. with the younger drivers that are trying
to break-into Midget racing,” he says. “It’s an affordable
opportunity for these kids to gain experience at a variety of
tracks. There’s a lot of talent out-there, and this is the
perfect place for them to start. We’re very-pleased with the way
things are shaping-up for 2010.” |
|
 |
| NEMA, ‘Bowl Share Exciting
History |
Brockton, MA –
Two-time defending champions Tim Bertrand and Randy Cabral were
competitors before they were teammates. They shared the podium
at the 2002 Boston Louie at Waterford Speedbowl.
Bertrand, in the family car, was second and Cabral, also in a
family ride, third to Bobby Santos III in a Seymour machine. It
was the first Midget victory for Santos, now a USAC standout. It
is a part of NEMA's long history at the Speedbowl. NEMA opens
its 58th season at the three-eights oval on March 27-28.
The Speedbowl has been hosting Midgets since its opening in
1953. Johnny Thomson, considered still to be the area's premier
open cockpit racer, was the winner.
Cabral is NEMA's all-time NEMA winner at Waterford with eight,
six of them coming in Bertrand equipment. Back in '02, however,
things were different. Bertand was a winner earlier that year,
beating both Cabral and Santos. Cabral's first Waterford win
came later that season.
While the Cabral/Bertrand combo didn't win at the 'Bowl last
year, it did post the fastest feature lap, a sizzling 13.075
effort. The team will debut its new Honda power in the opener.
Adam Cantor and Russ Stoehr were Waterford winners last year.
Both are back, part of a strong field that will include a pair
of promising youngsters - 2009 Rookie of the Year Chris DeRitis
in a Lou Cicconi machine and one-time NEMA Lites standout Jesse
State who takes over the Power Point #99 car.
Since 1953, there have been 42 winners in 81 NEMA features at
Waterford. Active NEMA drivers in addition to Cabral, Russ
Stoehr and Cantor with at least one Speedbowl victory are Nokie
Fornoro, Jeff Horn, Barry Kittredge, Jim Miller and Greg Stoehr. |
|
 |
Angelillo 45 Remains
NEMA Contender |
Brockton, MA – The
beat goes on for the Dumo’s Desire/Marilyn’s Passion team. The
number 45 with Russ Stoehr aboard will be on hand when the
Northeastern Midget Association opens its 59th season March
26-27 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blastoff Weekend.
“We have decided to run because that’s what he would have
wanted,” said Laura Kibbe of her late father Gene Angelillo who
passed away March 1. “The car is ready.”
Stoehr will join a number
of drivers out to end defending champion Randy Cabral’s opening
day win streak at two. It’s three in a row for Bertrand who won
with Lou Cicconi back in ’07.’ The team will debut a Honda motor
at the opener.
Other top contenders include Greg Stoehr, Adam Cantor, who
finished strong last summer, and 2009 Rookie of the Year Chris
DeRitis, now driving for Lou Cicconi. Rookie of the Year
candidate Jesse State will be making his full Midget debut in
the Power Point car.
The NEMA Lites, beginning its third season, will also be part of
the busy weekend agenda. NEMA will qualify on Saturday and run
its feature on Sunday. The Lites will do both on Saturday.
“We are, of course, pleased that the 45 will be part of the 2010
season,” said NEMA president Mike Scrivani Jr. “There is no way
we will not miss Gene but the car being with us is great.”
This would have been Angelillo’s 30th consecutive season with
NEMA.
The 45 will continue to be maintained in Oxford, CT and the crew
– Joe Fiore, Curt Kibbe, Jackie Giannini, Kurt Kiermont, Scott
Law, Carl Kibbe, Paul Liphardt, Nick Rinaldi and Dave Shore –
remains intact.
The earliest opener in NEMA’s history, it is the fourth time in
the past six years the club has lifted the lid at Waterford.
Cabral is actually after a fourth opening day victory
which would tie him with Bill Eldridge and Dutch Schaefer. Drew
Fornoro is the leader with six. |
|
|
|
Speedbowl Looks to Its Past
for 60th Season Opener |
Waterford, CT
(February 4, 2010) – Waterford Speedbowl began operations in
1951 and quickly established itself as being a challenging
two-groove racing facility. A commitment to Modified racing and
a reputation for competitive motorsports action has endured
since. In 2010, the shoreline oval celebrates its 60th
anniversary season and will look to the past to guide it to a
sixth decade of continuous operation.
Speedbowl Management will
waste no time going ‘old school’ in honor of the milestone,
tapping its roots for the March 26th - 28th season opener.
Budweiser Blastoff weekend returns in 2010 and serves as New
England’s kickoff to racing. The event will showcase the
Speedbowl’s continued loyalty to Modifieds with the popular
Modified Racing Series co-headlining the weekend along with the
Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) and the Speedbowl’s SK
Modifieds®, the premier NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
division at the track.
The Blastoff event dates back as early as 1972 in Speedbowl
history. It became a mainstay on the schedule, opening each
season except one from 1975 until 1997 when the Modified
Nationals event debuted. The Modified Nationals, a 150-lap
extravaganza for the SK Mods, moves to close the 2010 season
along with a visit from the American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late
Model Tour.
Tradition of past Blastoff weekends featured a Modified race in
which the number of laps matched the year the event was held. In
a twist on the original concept, Blastoff weekend’s SK Modified®
race will now celebrate the Speedbowl’s number of years in
operation. For this, the Speedbowl’s 60th season, the race will
be a 60-lapper. The Modified Racing Series will compete in a
100-lap race and the NEMA Midgets go 25 laps in distance. Eleven
other divisions, led by a 50-lap Late Model race, join what is
sure to be a blockbuster weekend of racing.
The competition level is sure to be at an all-time high at
Budweiser Blastoff 2010. In eight previous Modified Racing
Series events held at the ‘Bowl, there have been eight different
winners. Since the division’s introduction in 1985, only three
competitors have repeat wins in the extra-distance SK Modified®
openers held (Ted Christopher, Dennis Gada and Eric Berndt). A
hungry and full field of open-wheel experts is expected for both
races.
For more details on the Speedbowl’s 60th anniversary 2010 season
and information on Budweiser Blastoff 2010, race fans and teams
can visit www.speedbowl.com.
|
|
|
 |
|
