Historic Milestone For NEMA-‘Bowl Marriage
Waterford, CT — The Northeastern Midget Association is about to celebrate a unique milestone. Sunday’s appearance at the Town Fair Tire Finale (a 25 lapper) will be NEMA’s 75th event at Waterford Speedbowl.
“It has always been one of my favorite places,” offers Nokie Fornoro whose four Speedbowl wins stretch over 26years (1981-2007). Earlier this year Fornoro won a 25 lapper in a sensational six minutes, eight seconds. “Length, width, surface,” he says, makes the three-eights Speedbowl “an amazing Midget track.”
The Speedbowl’s NEMA connection goes back to May 31, 1953 when Bill Eldridge triumphed in the second race in the club’s history. Midgets now tour the Speedowl in the high 12 seconds bracket, hitting speeds in excess of 107 mph.
NEMA brings another sizzling point battle to the Finale. Ben Seitz, seeking a record fourth straight driving championship, leads Joey Payne Jr. by 30 points. Both are multi winners at the Speedbowl, Seitz owning four and Payne three including last year’s Finale.
The midgets, one of 13 divisions at the Finale, will qualify on Saturday and then join the Speedbowl’s SK-Modifieds, Late Models, Mini Stocks and Sportsman on Sunday’s schedule.
Seitz, a one-time Legends champion at the ‘Bowl, and Payne share Fornoro’s love for the Speedbowl. “I just love the place,” says Payne. “It’s a pedal-to-the-metal place; a classic momentum track
with plenty of room.”
Lou Cicconni Jr. and Randy Cabral have also won this season, Cabral joining a group of six with four career Speedbowl wins. In addition to Fornoro and Seitz, the club includes Bobby Santos III, Mark Buonomo and the retired Bobby Seymour. Drew Fornoro, Nokie’s bother and also retired, is the leader with six Speedbowl
checkereds.
The absolute Speedbowl win leader is owner Gene Angelillo who has won 11 times with four different drivers – Drew Fornoro (6), Payne (3), Russ Stoehr and Ted Christopher – over 25 years plus. “There are no secrets left at the Speedbowl,” says Angelillo. “You have to go there prepared to run hard. Everybody, it seems, runs their best at the Speedbowl. It is a great place for Midgets.”
There have been 40 different NEMA winners at the Speedbowl including current competitors Barry Kittredge, Pete Pernesiglio and Mike Keeler. The list also includes legends like Dutch Schaefer, Bill
Randall, Joe Csiki, Johnny Coy and King Carpenter.
In addition to NEMA and the regular Speedbowl divisions, the Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Race Trucks and Allison Legacy Cars are on the Finale agenda.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/Waterford Speedbowl PR
FRIDAY to SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 21 to 23
Highly Tentative Schedule of Events
FRIDAY 9/21
12:00 N Pit ticket window and pit gate open.
GRANDSTAND CLOSED.
NO NEMA PRACTICE ALLOWED
SATURDAY 9/22
7:00 AM Pit gate opens
9:00 AM Rotating practice sessions begin for all divisions.
11:00 AM Grandstand opens
11:30 AM Practice sessions end
11:40 AM Mandatory drivers meeting
11:55 AM Parade of Aid & National Anthem
12:00 Noon NEMA heats (10 laps)
12:40 PM S-K Modified heats (10 laps)
1:00 PM Late Model heats (10 laps)
1:20 PM Sportsman heats (10 laps)
1:40 PM Mini Stock heats (10 laps)
2:00 PM Legend heats (10 laps)
2:20 PM Allison Legacy heats (8 laps)
2:40 PM All-Star Race Truck heats (10 laps)
3:00 PM Pro Four heats (10 laps)
3:30 PM Legend feature (25 laps)
4:00 PM Allison Legacy feature (25 laps)
4:30 PM All-Star Race Truck feature (25 laps)
5:00 PM Pro Four feature (25 laps)
5:30 PM Geico Super-X Car feature (20 laps)
6:00 PM X-Car feature (20 laps)
6:30 PM X-Modified feature (20 laps)
7:00 PM Geico Women on Wheels features (4 & 8 cylinders) (15 laps)
SUNDAY 9/23
8:00 AM Pit gates open.
8:15 AM Begin staging for Pit Party.
10:00 AM Grandstand opens.
10:30 AM Pit Party presented by Arbitell Convenience Store
12:00 N Pit Party ends.
12:30 PM Mandatory Drivers Meeting
12:55 PM Parade of Aid & National Anthem
1:00 PM NEMA feature (25 laps)
1:30 PM Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model feature (100 laps)
2:30 PM Sportsman feature (50 laps)
3:15 PM S-K Modified feature (100 laps)
4:15 PM Norwich “Bulletin” Mini Stock feature (50 laps)
This schedule is EXTREMELY tentative and is subject to change with or without notice. The number of qualifying events depends on the number of cars signed into the pit area.
TWO-DAY ADMISSION PRICES
Grandstands: $35.00 Adult, $5.00 Youth (ages 6-14), kids 5 and under: free.
Pit/paddock: $40.00 with NASCAR/INEX/NEMA/All-Star Race Truck/Pro4 Modified/Allison Legacy license
$8.00 surcharge without license for 16 and older. No surcharge for 15 and under.
**3-day passes available Friday, add $15 to applicable two-day price
Positive ID required!
Sources: NEMARacing.com