Monadnock NEMA Honors To Santos
Winchester, NH — Coming from the ninth starting spot, Bobby Santos III grabbed the lead with two laps remaining and captured the 25-lap Northeastern Midget Association feature Saturday night at Monadnock Speedway. It was the third win of the season for Santos who was making his first-ever start on the quarter mile.
Santos, in the family #98, “took the line away” from Nokie Fornoro (Jarret #4) in one and two. It capped an amazing run to the front over the final eight laps. It was his 11th career NEMA win.
The turning point came on lap 17 when Greg Stoehr (Stoehr #26b), running fifth, and Lee Bundy (Cabral #35) got together. Point leader Randy Cabral (Bertrand #47), running sixth, suffered a broken heim joint and was eliminated. Stoehr was penalized at the conclusion of the event.
Fornoro, who had led since lap two, resumed command with Joey Payne Jr. (Angelillo #45) and Adam Cantor (Cantor Racing 7ny) in pursuit. With four laps left Santos got Cantor and quickly closed on the top two. He moved past Payne in one and two with four remaining.
“It was an exciting night,” understated Santos who “thanked” Fornoro for lessons involving the tricky Monadnock.
“I didn’t need that last caution,” offered Fornoro, claiming “the motor got a little slow on us” in the closing laps.
Payne, who started eighth, grabbed second on the last lap. Cantor and Stoehr followed Fornoro.
Fornoro was leading when the red showed for rain three laps in. He charged back into the lead on the restart but couldn’t shake Cantor. Payne, Santos, Cabral and Stoehr, running behind the leaders, were all in traffic when the final caution showed.
Erica Santos (Breault #44) was sixth while Mike Keeler, in his first ride in the Seaman #63, claimed seventh. William Wall (Wall #5), Jeff Horn (Horn A1) and Aaron Wall (Power Point #99) completed the top 10.
It was the first time this season Cabral has finished out of the top two. Despite the 17th place finish, he retains “a comfortable yet impacted” lead over Payne in the driver standings. Bob Santos Jr. did, however, make a sizable gain on Bertrand in the owner standings.
Santos’ joins his late grandfather Bob on the Monadnock win list. “The Frito Bandito” captured five modified shows there back in 1973.
Points will be a concern when NEMA heads to Waterford Speedbowl Saturday night for Nostalgia Weekend. Cabral will be after a fourth straight Speedbowl victory.
RESULTS: 1. Bobby Santos III, 2. Joey Payne Jr., 3. Nonie Fornoro, 4. Adam Cantor, 5. Greg Stoehr, 6. Erica Santos, 7. Mike Keeler, 8. William Wall, 9. Jeff Horn, 10. Aaron Wall, 11. Doug Cleveland, 12. John Zych Jr., 13. Barry Kittredge, 14. Matt O’Brien, 15. Abby Martino, 16. Lee Bundy, 17. Randy Cabral, 18. Andy Shlatz, 19. Paul Luggelle, 20. Jeremy Frankoski, 21. Chris Leonard.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR