NEMA Celebrates a Great ’07 Season
Club President Mike Scrivani and Master of Ceremonies Peter Falconi covered past, present and future. The usual assortment of hardware, including trophies for the top-15 owners and drivers, was presented.
The festivities ended on a positive note, Scrivani pointing out “a couple years ago we had to struggle to get races. Right now, the promoters are calling us. That’s how good we are.”
Scrivani called ’07 “a hell of a year,” pointing to eight different winners, a strong rookie class and a point battle that went right to the checker. Seitz (who won a fourth straight driver’s championship) and Valeri bested the Joey Payne Jr./Gene Angelillo team.
While complimenting each other, both Valeri and Seitz praised their crew including crew chief Dickie Bean and sponsor Cape Cod Aggregates. It was the third crown in four years for Valeri.
The top two complimented each other. Seitz called the Angelillo team “the toughest I’ve ever competed against” while Valeri praised the team’s performance in the face of the adversity it faced, notably the passing of Angelillo’s wife Marilyn, a long-time NEMA stalwart.
Angelillo along with his daughter and son-in-law Laura and Curt Kibbe were part of the presentation of the Marilyn Angelillo Woman-Behind-The-Man Award that went to Lu Jerret, wife of club sponsor and car owner Mike Jarret. Ed and Rachael Breault are the originators of the award.
The coveted Johnny Thomson Award, selected by an independent committee, went to Seekonk Speedway’s Irene Venditti, the announcement receiving a standing ovation. Venditti, a long-time friend of NEMA who later received a lifetime membership as well, remembered Thomson as “a dear person and a beautiful racer.”
The equally prestigious Wen Kelley Memorial Award went to Scrivani.
Jeremy Frankoski, a feature winner who wound up sixth in the driver standings, was Rookie of the Year. Mechanic of the Year honors went to Lou Breault, who wrenched the Erica Santos’ driven #44 to fifth in the owner ranks.
Others getting special recognition were Greg Stoehr (Evans/Thrall Top Owner/Driver), B.J. MacDonald and Robert Kuiken (Never Say Die Award) and Shawn Torrey (Ray Roberts Award). Stoehr finished fifth in both the driver and owner listings.
Eleven owners were recognized for “perfect attendance” – Peter Valeri, Gene Angelillo, Tim Bertrand, Mike Jarret, Ed Breault, Power Point Racing, Mike and Paul Luggelle, Glen Cabral, Paul Scally and Shawn Torrey.
Also recognized were sponsors Mike Jarret (Helping Hands of America) and Stu Murray (Wirtgen
NEMA NOTES – “She was a racer, she will always been a racer,” Angelillo said of Marilyn. He pledged that he along with Laura and Curt Kibbe will continue on in her name. The team won its 111th NEMA feature last year…Irene Venditti was the second woman (joining Marilyn Angelillo) and the second promoter (joining Oxford Plains) to win the Thompson Award, part of the NEMA festivities since 1961. Bill Estabrook Sr. and Jr., Bruce Beane and Sam Weisberg make up the committee…Randy Cabral, third in driver points, had words of praise for the NEMA officials, pointing out “We can’t run without them.” He said he run with several clubs but none is more fun that NEMA.
OWNER POINTS
1. #17 Pete Valeri, 1710; 2. #45 Gene Angelillo, 1670; 3. #47 Tim Bertrand, 1529; 4. #4 Mike Jarret,1415; 5. #44 Ed Breault, 1389; 6. #26b Greg Stoehr, 1296; 7. #99 Power Point Racing, 1282; 8. 7NY Adam Cantor Racing, 1274; 9. #29 Bobby Seymour, 1214; 10. #80 Pete Pernesiglio, 1009; 11. #47b Tim Bertrand, 972; 12. #35 Glen Cabral, 939; 13. #77 Mile Luggelle, 918; 14. #30 Paul Scally, 858; 15. #33 Shawn Torrey, 839.
DRIVER POINTS
1. Ben Seitz, 1710; 2. Joey Payne Jr., 1670; 3. Randy Cabral, 1529; 4. Erica Santos, 1389; 5. Greg Stoehr, 1389; 6. Jeremy Frankoski, 1282; 7. Adam Cantor, 1274; 8. Nokie Fornoro, 1235; 9. Shane Hammond, 1199; 10. Lou Cicconi Jr., 1044; 11. Cory Cleary, 873; 12. Paul Scally, 858; 13. Chris Leonard, 837; 14. John Zych Jr., 837; 15. Shawn Torrey, 805.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/Waterford Speedbowl PR