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2023 NEMA NEWS |
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Swindell to Return to NEMA for Bertrand
at
Seekonk for 2023 Boston Louie Memorial |
Hot on the heels of a Chili Bowl Nationals A main
feature event win as a co-owner, Tim Bertrand/Bertrand
Motorsports has announced that one of the most recognized
names in American motorsports, Sammy Swindell, will return
to the Northeastern Midget Association on Saturday, July
15th at Seekonk's
Boston Louie Seymour Memorial. Swindell is
a three-time World of Outlaws Champion & Five-time Chili
Bowl champion.
Seekonk Speedway has a long history of
racing in Eastern Massachusetts since it opened in 1946, but
the racing division with the most history there is Midget
racing; the class Seekonk was designed primarily to host in
its early years. In 1996, the Seymour racing family created
what has now become a staple for Midget racing not just in
the Northeast, but all across the land; named for the
family's patriarch "Boston" Louie Seymour.
Swindell,
who will pilot the Drinan/Lindblad/Esslinger powered #47
entry, will join a five car Bertrand Motorsports NEMA
operation for the race including teammates Randy Cabral,
Avery Stoehr, Todd Bertrand and special guest & 2022 USAC
Silver Crown and 500 Sprint Car champion, Kody Swanson at
Seekonk.
"I'm incredibly excited to be able to put
together another deal with Sammy for 2023,' said team owner,
Tim Bertrand. We've had a great time racing together over
the last 8 years, and he also just invited my brother, Todd,
to drive for him at the Chili Bowl, so we couldn't wait to
get him back out here again," said Bertrand.
Swindell
quickly found success in NEMA, finishing 4th in his first
outing in 2016, then backing that up with multiple top 5
finishes, leading up to his first NEMA feature victory in
October of 2019 at the LEE USA Speedway, keeping a 49 year
winning streak alive.
"The guys always do a great
job with the car when I come out. It's nice to be able to
just come in and drive something that's well prepared and
just goes. This 47 car is one of my favorite cars I've
driven for Tim, and I'm looking forward to contending for a
win at the Boston Louie," said Swindell. |
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DREW FORNORO
OCTOBER
12, 1950 – MAY 1, 2023 |
Drew W. Fornoro, 72, of Andover, NJ passed away on
Monday, May 1, 2023 at Newton Medical Center after suffering
complications from diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Drew was born on October 12, 1950 in Danbury, Conn. to
the late Nick and Elizabeth (Keiper) Fornoro. He was raised
in Connecticut and moved to New Jersey in 1962; Drew lived
in Rockaway, graduated from Morris Hills High School, and
eventually moved to Andover Township in 1982. Prior to his
retirement, he was an Ironworker with Ironworkers Local 11
in Newark, N.J. and a race car driver.
Winner of over
100 races, Drew was a 9-time champion in the Northeastern
Midget Association (NEMA) and raced 3/4 midgets, midgets and
sprint cars throughout the country. He was inducted into the
National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2017 and the New
England Auto Racers Hall of Fame in 2013. Despite his
significant accomplishments in racing, Drew's personality
was even bigger! He loved interacting with his fans after
the races, always a huge smile and kind word. He also loved
to orchestrate cookouts in the pits for all of the race
teams to enjoy. He held epic events at home during the
summer for his extended family and close friends, "Calamari
Fests", often had over 100 guests! An assistant football
coach at Pope John XXIII Regional High School under Coach
Vic Paternostro. Drew also enjoyed hunting and fishing in
New Jersey. He hunted in Texas, Colorado, Maine and Canada
and fished in Alaska, Florida, and New England. He enjoyed
playing golf; his favorite professional sports teams were
the NY Yankees, the NY Giants, and AJ Foyt Racing in the
IndyCar Series.
The beloved husband of Anne Fornoro
for nearly 50 years, Drew is also survived by his daughter,
Marie Fornoro; his grandson, Anthony Drew LaFerrara; his
brother, Nick Fornoro, Jr. and his wife, Deborah; his
sister, Cindee Bertling; his brother-in-law, Greg Klar and
his nieces and nephews, Michael (Anne), Heather, Jessica
(Billy), Nofri, Lanson, Jarett, Tara and J.J.
A
visitation will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 1 p.m. –
5 p.m. at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High Street,
Newton, NJ. A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 8,
2023 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with interment to follow
at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Green Township.
In lieu
of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Checkered
Flag Fan Club Injured Drivers Fund, P.O. Box 79, Kutztown,
PA 19530 or Father Johns Animal House, 50 Father John's
Lane, Lafayette, NJ 07848. Condolences can be offered to the
family online at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com. |
Obituary and Arrangements:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/newton-nj/drew-fornoro-11274477 |
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