Much NEMA History Written At Stafford
It’s always a safe bet to assume some history will be made when the Midgets come to Stafford Motor Speedway. The Northeastern Midget Association visits the challenging half mile Tuesday night, part of Carquest ‘Xtreme Tuesday. NEMA shares the menu with the International Supermodified Association and the Pro Four Modifieds.
“It is a premier facility to showcase the midgets,” declares veteran Jeff Horn, one of four active drivers who have tasted a Stafford victory. The Santos family has held sway recently; Bobby III winning twice in 2006 while Erica became NEMA’s first female winner a year ago.
Nokie Fornoro won way back in 1981, the last NEMA visit until the club returned in 2004 when he won again. All four return with full intentions of victory. “It’s a racy place,” continues Horn. “There is great visibility, wide corners and two full groves plus a little more if you want to use it.”
Three-time winner Randy Cabral brings the NEMA point lead to Stafford. Joey Payne Jr., who has had three runner up finishes and an epic crash there, veteran Greg Stoehr, steady Adam Cantor, and ’07 Rookie of the Year Jeremy Frankoski are other contenders.
Bobby Santos III won in both a Silver Crown and an un-winged Midget on the same night in ’06. He won earlier that year in a NEMA Midget. Santos, who has also been successful in Modifieds and Supermodifieds, believes he has “an advantage” at Stafford.
“The trick with these cars is to get your tires on the apron,” Santos says of Stafford. “That makes it turn.” While Santos likes Stafford’s “bigness,” it’s the “uniqueness” that excites him. “When you are comfortable at a place and you have a good car you feel like nobody can beat you,” he says. He’s had that feeling at Stafford before.
Fornoro, who agrees the inside (“on the flat”) is the quick way around, says Stafford is “one of the toughest places we run. He will arrive full of questions. Back in 1981, driving the Scrivani #22, he picked the brains of Modified aces Bugs Stevens, Leo Cleary and Richie Evans and then went on to win. It was his first time on the track.
He talked to Ted Christopher when NEMA returned 23 years later and then drove the Don Berrio #2 to victory. That was a classic battle that also involved Christopher. “I’ll talk to Teddy again,” Nokie says. “I ask a lot of questions.”
STAFFORD/NEMA NOTES – Stafford is a NEMA “charter member,” hosting the club for the first time on Sept. 13, 1953. John Deleo was the winner
Jerry Wall’s 1971 win in the “Yellow jacket” comes to mind when Stafford’s NEMA history is discussed along with Johnny Coy Sr. passing modified star Geoff Bodine on the last lap in 1978
Dave Humphrey is the all-time NEMA winner at Stafford with six. Lou Fray has five.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR