Stoehr-NEMA Story Adds New Dimension
Brockton, MA — For some four decades, the Northeastern Midget Association’s Stoehr family has competed on the father-son and brother-verses-brother level. It will expand in 2012 to first-cousin-verses first-cousin.
Expect to see plenty of Stoehr folks when NEMA opens its 60th season March 31-April 1 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blast Off. “That’s what we do, we drive race cars,” understates Russ, who returns in the Dumo’s Desire #45. Brother Greg is back as well in the 26b, a new Stealth chassis powered by the familiar Mazda.
On the first cousin level, Russ’ son Avery, who turns 16 in June, moves up from an impressive go kart record to join Greg’s daughter Bethany in NEMA Lites action. The rapidly growing Lites division begins its fifth season at the Blast Off.
Avery, a WKA champion at Route 106 Racepark in Pembroke, NH, will drive the car Keith Botelho drove (and won with) in NEMA competition the past two seasons. Carl Kibbe remains the crew chief for the now Focus-powered Stealth chassis.
The Stoehr racing genealogy begins with Bill who crewed for, among others, the legendary Bill Schindler. Russ and Greg’s dad Paul, a NEMA Hall of Famer, drove for many years. Russ and Greg have 58 victories between them, Russ sitting third on the all-time win list with 48 including four a year ago. Greg also won last year.
The fourth generation has great promise. Bethany, who also has a strong go kart background, ended the 2011 Lites season with five straight top sevens including a second and a third. “Bethany had a tough start but finished up very competitive,” says proud Uncle Russ. She figures, in fact, to be a strong factor in a division NEMA expects to average 20-plus cars a meet this summer. Look for Bethany’s sister Kathryn to make some races as well.
While “bringing along the next generation” is a top priority this year, the third generation is not finished. Greg, in the championship picture until a devastating crash at Waterford last year, returns “determined” to run well.
Car owner Laura Kibbe’s commitment to another season of continuing the tradition set in motion by her dad Gene Angelillo no doubt affects Russ. “Last year we came up a little short but had a great season,” says Russ, who wound up second in points to champion Randy Cabral. “It would be nice to win another championship but it is more important that we continue to run competitively.”
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR