NEMA - NorthEastern Midget Association

SAT., SEPT. 10th
15th Annual

NEMA Midgets race sponsored by:

www.motorcarsint.com

NEMA LITES race sponsored by:

http://tiredoctorllc.com

Boston Louie NEMA Top Three - L to R:
Greg Stoehr #26b, 3rd; Winner Jeff Abold #4;
& Randy Cabral #47, 2nd.








			*Photos by* *Norm Marx*

NEMA Feature - Seekonk - 9-10-11

Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner

1 4 Jeff Abold Baldwinsville, NY Bobby Seymour

2 47 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Tim Bertrand

3 26b Greg Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Greg Stoehr

4 99 Anthony Nocella Woburn, MA Susan Santa Maria

5 8 Barry Kittredge Marlboro, MA Barry Kittredge

6 49 B.J. MacDonald Dublin, PA B.J. MacDonald

7 25 Keith Botelho Attleboro, MA Russ Stoehr

8 A1 Jeff Horn Ashland, MA Jeff Horn

9 75 Chris deRitis Philadelphia, PA Dan deRitis

10 7ny Jeremy Frankoski Huntersville, NC Cantor Racing

11 93x Mike Horn Ashland, MA Jeff Horn

12 87 Doug Cleveland Sudbury, MA Doug Cleveland

13 39 Todd Bertrand Suffield, CT Bertrand
Motorsports

14 30 Paul Scally Raynham, MA Paul Scally

15 16 Matt O'Brien Wilmington, MA Jim O'Brien & Sons Engineering

16 2 Lee Bundy Kennebunkport, ME Lee Bundy

17
DNF 45 Russ Stoehr Lakeville, MA Dumo's Desire Racing

18
DNS 22 Chris Leonard Pelham, NH Dave Leonard

Hard Charger Award - Greg Stoeher #26b

Hard Luck Award - Chris Leonard

Fast Time Award - Jeff Abold

Third Straight “Louie” For Abold

Seekonk, MA – Jeff Abold ran the streak to three straight Boston Louie Memorial victories Saturday night at Seekonk Speedway. Grabbing the lead on lap 19, the 22-year old scored a convincing win in the 15th edition of the Northeastern Midget Association headliner.

Only a caution with three laps left interrupted Abold’s run in the Seymour #4. “An unbelievable night for me and for the Seymour family,” said Abold who also claimed honors with a 11:317 in time trials.

The race honors Louie Seymour, the Seymour family patriarch.

Randy Cabral (Bertrand 47) and Greg Stoehr (Stoehr 260), the latter starting 14th, made late charges to fill out the podium. Anthony Nocella (Nocella 99), the only other leader, was fourth and Barry Kittredge (Kittredge 8) fifth.

“I got myself a little nervous at the start when I lost a few spots at the beginning,” said Abold. “Then I started to pick my way through. I tried to say patient, methodical.”

Abold’s best feature lap – a 11.269 – was faster than his qualifying time. “I could see cars coming back to me. I was getting better and better as the race went on. At the halfway point I was fourth or fifth and I knew I had a good shot at it.”

He was fourth when, on lap 14, Russ Stoehr, who had charged from eighth to second, went out with a broken panhard bar. Three laps later he moved under B.J. MacDonald in turn two and quickly closed on Nocella.

“Anthony was getting tighter and tighter,” Abold continued. “He was slowing down through the corners. I was able to get underneath him. I made most of my passes off two and that’s where I finished off that one.”

While he didn’t welcome the yellow, he was confident. “I knew what I had under me at that point,” said Abold who opened up a comfortable edge.

Cabral, who took third just ahead of the caution, and Greg Stoehr, made strong runs over the final three laps. Stoehr nipped Nocella, who took the immediate lead from B.J. MacDonald at the start, by a few feet.

Russ Stoehr’s early exit was a key. “I saw him make a pass for the lead,” said Abold. “I didn’t want to see that because I think he would have been gone and that would have been a challenge. I think it would have been a pretty good battle at the end.”

Russ Stoehr and Nocella were the heat winners.

Cabral will take the point lead into the NEMA’s next race Saturday night, Sept. 24, at Waterford Speedbowl.

Time trials: 1.Jeff Abold, 11:317; 2. Jeremy Frankoski 11.378;
3. Randy Cabral 11.383; 4. Keith Botelho, 11.421;
5. Russ Stoehr 11.450; 6. Chris deRitis 11.498; 7. Mike Horn 11.512;
8. B.J. MacDonald 11.530; 9. Todd Bertrand 11.546;
10. Greg Stoehr 11.546; 11. Chris Leonard 11.717;
12. Anthony Nocella 11824; 13. Paul Scally 11.896;
14. Barry Kittredge 11.914; 15. Jeff Horn 11.971;
16. Lee Bundy 11.988; 17. Matt O’Brien 12.202;
18. Doug Cleveland 12.261.

Sticking to the Plan

Seekonk, MA – “Sticking to the plan” paid dividends Saturday night for the Seymour clan. They, along with driver Jeff Abold, wound up in victory lane at the family-sponsored Boston Louie Memorial at Seekonk Speedway.

Winning the Northeastern Midget Association headliner for the third straight time was the end of an unusual ordeal for car owner Bobby Seymour.
The Seymour-family sponsored Louie was the one race the busy Abold would drive for Seymour this season. That was the plan.

When rain washed out the “Louie” on Aug. 27, it created a conflict for Abold. He had a Supermodified commitment at the Star Classic. “That’s how you do it, you go with the race that’s scheduled, not with the rain out,” Seymour told his young driver.

With the Oswego Classic next on his agenda, Abold “kept calling back,” Seymour continues. “He wanted to know ‘who are you going to put in the car?’”

Seymour called Lou Cicconi. Seymour learned Lou has a back problem. He’s beside himself. He’ll get back to Bobby. Then Joey Payne Jr. calls. You bet he’ll drive the car that has won the last two Louies.

It’s now Wednesday, three days before the race. “Hold on,” Bobby tells Payne. “Let me call Jeff one more time.” He learns that Abold was in a crash at Oswego and hears “we can’t have the car ready for Star.”

So now, Seymour has Liquid Lou Cicconi, Joey Payne Jr. and Jeff Abold on the line. “What do I do?” he asked himself. The answer: he called Cicconi and Payne and told them “we’re going with the plan.”

You got to love it when a plan comes together.

Boston Louie LITES Winner David Moniz #18
with Miss Ellie Seymour

NEMA LITES Feature - Seekonk - 9-10-11

Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner

1 18 David Moniz Fairhaven, MA David Moniz

2 71 Seth Carlson Brimfield, MA Gene Feigel

3 29 Anthony Nocella Woburn, MA Matt Seymour

4 99 Jim Santa Maria Burlington, CT Susan Santa Maria

5 50 Carl Medeiros, Jr. Westport, MA Carl Medeiros

6 48 Brandon Igo Wilbraham, MA David Igo

7 26b Bethany Stoehr Bridgewater, MA MCI Racing/
Greg Stoehr

8 44 Jesse State New Hyde Park, NY Christian Briggs

9 9 Ian Cumens Lydell, PA Bobby Seymour

10 31 Paul Bigelow Berlin, CT Randy Bigelow

11 46 Kenny Johnson Bethany, CT Jeff Johnson

12 28 Paul Luggelle Holbrook, MA Paul Luggelle

13 81 Andy Barrows New Ipswich, NH Andy Barrows

14 47 Lanson Fornoro Stroudsburg, PA Julia Parker

15
DNF 4 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Paul Scally

16
DNF 7x Jack McKeon Kensington, CT Jack McKeon

17
DNF 93 Jake Smith Stroudsburg, PA Ted Smith

18
DNF 52 Kevin Park Foxboro, MA Kevin Park

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

20
DNF 21 Anthony Marvuglio E. Bridgewater, MA Jennifer Scrivani

Hard Charger Award - Seth Carlson #71

Hard Luck Award - Kevin Park #52

Sportsmanship Award - Christian Briggs
(Gave ride in the #44 to Jesse State)

---

“Louie” Has Become NEMA’s Headliner

The Seymour clan decided the proper way to remember the family patriarch was with a race. The Northeastern Midget Association’s 15th annual “Boston Louie Seymour Memorial” comes to Seekonk Speedway Saturday night.

You can now get away with calling the race, which honors the long-time Marlboro, MA based Hall of Fame car owner, “The Louie.” The 29-lapper (recognizing the family number) is clearly NEMA’s seasonal highlight.

Louie Seymour, a member of the National Sprint Car and the New England Auto Racers Halls of Fame, spent a couple of decades traveling around the country to USAC Sprint and Silver Crown events. He was, however, never far from the Midgets in general and NEMA in particular.

Nicknamed “the man who traveled a million miles”, the trans- continental journeys of Louie a.k.a. “Boston’’ Louie found him in victory lanes throughout the country. Always a fierce competitor, Louie may have been most admired for his unwavering commitment to his family, friends, and fellow competitors. Today his family continues his tradition as goodwill ambassadors to midget racing.

This year, all sponsorship monies collected will be awarded equally to participants to ensure that all share these funds.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a lap, heat or feature can do so by sending a check to:
Lois Seymour, 496 Boston Post Road West, Marlboro, MA 01752.
Feature Sponsor - $ 290 Heat Sponsor - $ 150 Lap Sponsor - $ 29

The NEMA Lites became part of “The Louie” three years ago. Indeed, the Seymour family will be seeking a second-straight sweep. Abold and Anthony Nocella are the “defenders” in their respective divisions.

Jeff Abold, in fact, is after a third straight. Randy Cabral can also become the first three-time winner. Whatever happens, chances are good it will find a place in NEMA lore. Since Russ Stoehr won the first “Louie” in Bruce Beane’s #26, the race has provided plenty of excitement.

Bobby Santos III and Cabral scored their first-ever Midget wins in the “Louie.” Cabral did it in the family car older than he was in 2000. Santos did it for the Seymours in 2002.

The one-two sweep of Louie’s sons Bobby and Mike remains the most dramatic result. Cabral’s ’08 win with a motor borrowed from the Santos gang has to rate a close second.

There have been dominating performances – Jeff Horn in ’01, Nokie Fornoro in ’06 and Ben Seitz in ’07 – and there have been classic battles. The ’04 and ’05 races, won by Ben Seitz and Joey Payne respectively, are examples of the latter.

Boston Louie Memorial Winners
1997 Russ Stoehr (Beane #26)
1998 Drew Fornoro (Angelillo #45)
1999 Bobby Seymour (Scrivani #9)
2000 Randy Cabral (Cabral #35)
2001 Jeff Horn (Shaw #1S)
2002 Bobby Santos III (Seymour #29)
2003 Joey Payne (Angelillo #45)
2004 Ben Seitz (Valeri #17)
2005 Joey Payne (Angelillo #45)
2006 Nokie Fornoro (Jarret #4)
2007 Ben Seitz (Valeri #17)
2008 Randy Cabral (Bertrand #47)
2009 Jeff Abold (Seymour #29)
2010 Jeff Abold (Seymour #4)

Boston Louie Memorial LITES Winners
2008 Shaun Gooselin (Gosselin #26)
2009 Anthony Marvuglio (Cabral #35)
2010 Anthony Nocella (Seymour #29)

New Race Format for 2011 Boston Louie

All cars will time in the 5pm final practice, in three groups, based upon practice speeds.

Their best time will be their qualifying speed.

The fastest 6 cars will be locked into the "Hoosier Draw" - they automatically qualify for the feature and into the "Draw" cars. Cars timing 7th on back will have a chance to enter the Hoosier Draw by finishing 1st , 2nd or 3rd in one of the 3 heat races. Heat race starting position will be determined by inverting qualifying times. (Fast time will be last in the first heat, second fast, last in the 2nd heat and so on. Again, the first 3 in each heat will join the draw for feature starting positions. Heat race transfers will draw for positions in front of the top 6 timed cars.

The Hoosier Draw:

$600 HOOSIER BUCKS will be split between the top 6 fastest cars.

The Hoosier Draw will be comprised of the top three from each heat race PLUS any "locked in" cars that do NOT qualify in the top 3 via their heat race.

For example, if 3 "locked in" cars qualify via their heat race, and 3 do not - a total of 12 cars will be eligible for the Hoosier Draw.

The top 6 "locked in" cars will draw for the final 6 starting spots in the Hoosier Draw, and the remaining 6 will draw for the first 6 starting spots, and so on.

All positions after the Hoosier Draw cars for the feature will be determined by TIME TRIAL time, versus heat finishing position, as to help eliminate sand bagging.

Heat winners will be paid cash prizes.

NEMA Points Tight
Heading into “Louie”

Brockton, MA – Randy Cabral, working on a streak of four straight podium finishes, has climbed to within 22 points of leader Russ Stoehr as the Northeastern Midget Association heads into the prestigious Boston Louie Seymour Memorial at Seekonk Speedway Saturday, September 10 for a 6:00 PM show.

Honoring the famed Massachusetts car owner, The 29-lap “Louie” has become NEMA’s premier race. The Seymour continues to operate with the number 29.

Greg Stoehr, Russ’ younger brother, sits third in points, 31 off the lead. Consistent throughout the season, Greg Stoehr and Cabral have each sat on the podium six times. Cabral has won twice including Seekonk’s Open Wheel Wednesday. Greg Stoehr has one win.

Russ Stoehr, who won the first-ever “Louie” back in 1997, hopes to shake off some bad luck of late including a broken throttle spring at the Angelillo Memorial. The defending champion, Russ Stoehr, like Cabral, is no stranger to the rigors dealing with the pursuit of a championship. They have eight between them.

Chris Abold, the only driver to win back-to-back “Louies,” will be out to make it three straight in the Seymour #29. Second at Seekonk earlier this summer, the Abold-Seymour combination has had incredible success at Seekonk over the past four seasons.

Anthony Nocella hopes to give the Seymour family a second straight “Louie” sweep in the accompanying 29-lap Lites feature. Nocella and Cabral will both be doing double duty.

Angelillo Memorial winner (and Cabral teammate) Todd Bertrand became one of a handful of rookies to capture a NEMA feature, the first since Jeremy Frankoski did it in 2007. Now the 20-year old Bertrand hopes to become the first-ever NEMA rookie to win two straight in the family’s Honda-powered #39.

Mike Horn and Keith Botelho, last year’s Seekonk DAV winner, are also seeking a second 2011 win. Veterans Jeff Horn (2001 Louie winner) and Jim Miller along with Frankoski and a constantly improving Paul Scally, off a strong run at Waterford, are others worthy of watching.

Should Cabral become the first three-time “Louie” winner, he will also move into a fifth place tie (with Bill Eldridge) on NEMA’s all-time win list.

Adding to Nocella’s favorite status in the Lites race are two Seekonk wins this summer. Still, picking a Lites winner is hardly easy in the most competitive campaign yet for the four year old division. Rookie Seth Carlson, Russ Wood Jr., Ryan Bigelow, Andy Barrows, Mike Luggelle have all been winners.

The same three drivers – Randy Cabral, Greg Stoehr and Todd Bertrand – made up the podium for the last two races. That hasn’t happened since 2003 when Cabral, Drew Fornoro and Adam Cantor did it at Thompson and Star.
Todd and Tim Bertrand are now on the list of siblings who have NEMA wins joining Drew and Nokie Fornoro, Bobby and Mike Seymour, Russ and Greg Stoehr, Bob and Lou Cicconi, Erica and Bobby Santos III and Joey and Johnny Coy Jr.
So far Gaerte, Mazda, Honda and Esslinger motors have made it to victory lane.
With six so far, NEMA is one away from the 2009 and 2010 winners totals.