“The Louie” – NEMA’s Pinnacle
It’s officially the Boston Louie Seymour Memorial Classic but “The Louie” will do. It is testimony to the status it has in midget racing in general and in the Northeastern Midget Association in particular.
Honoring the memory of one of New England’s legendary car owners, Seekonk Speedway hosts the 12th annual edition of the classic on Saturday night.
There are extra incentives, but inclusion on the “The Louie” win list is the main objective. Conceived and nurtured by the Seymour family – notably Louie’s widow “Miss” Ellie and sons Mike and Bobby – it is a top event. The “man who towed a million miles,” Louie Seymour competed with success on the USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown circuits for many years.
No track has a longer NEMA history than Seekonk, which hosted both the club’s first race back in 1953, and the first “Louie” in 1997. The NEMA Lites will be on the schedule as well.
“Everyone wants The Louie,” says Greg Stoher, who carries the momentum of a Waterford Speedbowl victory last Saturday into the race.
Joey Payne Jr. hopes to become the first three-time winner. Randy Cabral, Jeff Horn, Bobby Santos III and Nokie Fornoro aim to join Payne in the two win bracket. An expected strong field will be looking to join a list that also includes Russ Stoehr, Drew Fornoro, Bobby Seymour and Ben Seitz.
“The prestige,” says Payne, “stems from Boston Louie’s position in our sport and the family’s continued efforts. They are very nice people and it is very special to stand in Victory Lane with them.” Payne will be after a third “Louie” for owner Gene Angelillo.
Fornoro puts his ’06 “Louie” triumph among the greatest of his 200 career wins. “It’s the biggest race of the year for us,” he says.” There’s so much history surrounding it, so many memories of Boston Louie, so many feelings. And you know what? It’s held on a race track I absolutely love.” Fornoro, who drives the Jarret #4, is the all-time NEMA leader with eight Seekonk wins
“It is definitely our biggest race,” agrees point leader Randy Cabral, “but it’s more than that. I feel it is one of the most prestigious races in New England. Everybody is there. People who don’t even run our kind of cars know about the Boston Louie.” Cabral hopes to give the Bertrand team its first “Louie.”
Cabral’s 2000 win in his dad’s car, may be the biggest upset in ‘Louie’ history. He lost what appeared to be a second victory on a DQ in ’03. “I know what it’s like to have two wins,” he laughs. “I just didn’t get to keep it very long.” He’s been after one that he “can keep” even since.
The “Louie” has developed its own history. The ’02 “Louie” was considered a “break through event” for the then 16-year old Bobby Santos III. Now in the family #98, he won in a Seymour car. Santos, who has gone on to win in USAC Midgets and Sprint Cars, makes a second “Louie” his immediate priority.
The most emotional win has to be Bobby Seymour in 1999 with brother Mike right behind him. Based on Chris Abold’s Seekonk victory a few weeks back, the family has to be optimistic about a third visit to Victory Lane.
Jeremy Frankoski, now Cabral’s teammate in the Bertrand stable, Erica Santos, William Wall, Mike Keeler and Adam Cantor are among the potential first-time Louie winners.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR