Part 2: ”For Sale” – “A Message” – ”Passion”
You’ve heard the ole cliché, “behind every good man, there’s a great women”. Similarly, “behind every good Auto Racing club, there’s a great group of women.” As the Northeastern Midget Assoc. enters it’s 61st year, it does so on the shoulders of a number of dedicated hard working women. In 1953, NEMA’s inaugural year, women had no shot of even getting into the pits; nowadays, they’re calling the shots.
I recently had the opportunity to sit down for a candid conversation with a number of NEMA’s dedicated females whose duties range from officials to sales person to one who loves to drive very fast.
Cyndy finally said yes to the question, “you want to go to the races”? The question came from NEMA president Mike Scrivani back in 2008. Shortly after, the two were wed and Cyndy became part of a family with a long racing history. But, Cyndy Scrivani confesses that initially she really had no interest in racing, but that was then. Today, she is now fully entrenched in the club and her duties as merchandise salesperson, responsible for the purchasing and marketing of hundreds of caps, tees, decals, key chains, etc. Ever since 2010, the job has put this “blond with the never ending smile” one-on-one with the fans as the merchandise trailer is parked directly in the speedway’s paddock area so she can easily wheel and deal with the fans. Her duties prior to NEMA sales, “provided all with plentiful food and drink”, a task she still performs at the close of each race weekend. Over in the RV park, where the campfire is as tall as the stories being told, there is Cyndy, still providing that food and drink for all that attend. Similarly, at the annual NEMA picnic, Cyndy plays a major roll in the organization and set up of tents, serving tables, grills, coolers, menu,…..and when the evening closes down in the very early hours, there she is helping with the clean up. And even though she loves to escape occasionally to the Rhode Island beaches, the family atmosphere keeps her tied to NEMA. So in 2011, to show their appreciation for her dedication, the club presented Cyndy with the Marilyn Angelillo award; a very deserving honor.
Continue reading ‘The Women of NEMA’