By Lou Modestino
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.
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.
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.
___
The first of two open practice dates at the Thompson International Speedway is slated for Saturday, March 30th with a second scheduled for Saturday, April 6th. The practice sessions will be open to any safe race car and run from 11 am until 5 pm on both days.
In spite of Mother Nature’s desire to extend the long New England winter, track officials are working extra hard to have the speedway in race condition when the paddock area gates open 9 am. All vehicles will be inspected and then allowed onto the track for a full day of practice. The practice sessions will, as always, be conducted in a “round robin” format by division. The on-track activity will be virtually non-stop during each of the practice days.
Race teams look forward to these open practice days so that they can test their race cars prior to the Icebreaker, the most anticipated race event of the year. The Thompson Icebreaker will be run on the weekend of April 13th and 14th and will feature the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, The Granite State Pro Stocks and Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Sunoco Modifieds, LKQ/Keystone Lite Modifieds, Late Models, Xtra Mart Limited Sportsman and Monster Mini Stocks.
Other types of race cars that will be in action at Thompson during the 2013 racing season are also expected to take advantage of these pre-season practice opportunities. In previous years, NEMA Midgets, ISMA Super Modifieds, Antique Classic stock cars and others have taken full advantage of this very valuable track time.
It is generally believed that race teams that go into the Icebreaker weekend with a day or two of practice under their belts have a considerable advantage over those that did not participate. The open practice sessions provide race teams with a great opportunity to shake down their new or rebuilt race cars and help them to prepare for the Icebreaker and a full season of competition at Thompson.
The general admission grandstands will not be open for either practice day.
However, fans who are eagerly anticipating the start of the 2013 racing season can get an up close look at the class of 2013 race cars. Paddock admission, however, is limited to those who are at least 14 years of age. Anyone between the ages of 14 and 17 must have a parent or legal guardian to sign the necessary forms for paddock area admission.
When the green flag falls on the 2013 SK Light season at Stafford Motor Speedway, Palmer, MA native Todd Douillard will begin his quest to win SPAFCO Rookie of the Year honors. While Douillard will be a rookie in every sense of the word as a driver, he will have plenty of help to guide him through his rookie campaign. Douillard’s uncle, Fred Silliker, formerly owned modifieds at Riverside Park and Douillard has served as a crew member for the #16 Flamingo Motorsports NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team with Mike Stefanik and Ryan Preece as its drivers.
Thanks to his connection to Flamingo, Douillard was able to purchase a car and he will have the same crew help that Ryan Preece has for WMT events. “I think I’m more excited for the season than nervous,” said Douillard. ”
For former Late Model champion Mike Quintiliano, the 2012 season at Stafford was a successful return to full-time racing. Quintiliano last ran a full season in 2007, and he posted 1 win along with 9 top-5 and 15 top-10 finishes to finish second in the points behind Woody Pitkat. Quintiliano accomplished this with a 13-year old car, which he sold in the off-season in order to purchase a more up to date car for the 2013 season. With his new car, Quintiliano is looking to pick up where he left off last year and once again be a championship contender in 2013 at Stafford.
Stafford Motor Speedway has lined up an impressive field of current and former open wheel champions for its 3rd Annual CARQUEST Champions For Charities Event, which will take place on Friday, June 28th this season. During the coming weeks, SMS will offer a profile on each of its championship winning drivers and the charity they will be racing for and this week’s CARQUEST Champions For Charities spotlights falls on 2011 Stafford SK Modified® champion Ryan Preece, who will be racing to support the Connecticut chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “Last year we had a lot of fun raising money for Make-A-Wish
After the fan fare of the CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler settles and the winners declared, weekly Friday night racing action at Stafford Motor Speedway will power into high gear. To open the 2013 weekly racing program, Stafford Motor Speedway is looking to reward its loyal fans by giving them an opportunity to bring a friend for free. Yes you heard it right; at the General Admission Entrance, one person will be admitted free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult.
.
Waterford Speedbowl will host a pre-season open practice session this Saturday, March 30th. A large turnout of racecars is expected as teams test and tune in preparation for the 2013 season. Saturday’s practice session is presented by RH2 Way Radio Sales and Service. The Speedbowl kicks off New England’s racing season one week later with the running of Budweiser Blastoff Weekend April
5th-7th.
Racecars from all divisions participating in Budweiser Blastoff Weekend are invited to attend on Saturday including the Valenti Modified Racing Series, Northeastern Midget Association including NEMA Lites and New England Truck Series. Pit gates open at 10:00am on Saturday with rotating practice rounds beginning at 11:00am, continuing through 6:00pm. Pit area admission is $25 per person and grandstands will be closed. Pit concessions will offer breakfast sandwiches and omelets as a limited special in addition to the
regular menu on Saturday.
RH2 Way Radio Sales and Service is the official radio supplier of the Waterford Speedbowl for the 2013 racing season for all track
communications. They will be available during practice throughout the day Saturday to serve race teams’ communications needs.
Budweiser Blastoff Weekend marks the 63rd consecutive season of racing at the famed shoreline oval. The three-day blockbuster weekend of racing 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 including the NEMA Midgets, NEMA Lites, New England Truck Series and full NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
program begins with practice on Friday, April 5th. Qualifying and seven features mark Saturday, April 6th’s schedule and the popular Speedbowl Pit Party kicks off Sunday April 7th’s schedule, followed by six feature events.
The Capeway Rovers in Middleboro plan a motoX event on Sunday, March 31 weather permitting.