Santos’ Family Prevails at NEMA’s 900th
Scarborough, ME – Following a mid-race side-by-side battle with sister Erica, Bobby Santos III moved into the lead and went on to win the 900th feature in Northeastern Midget Association history Saturday at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. Santos came from the eight starting spot.
It was the fourth win of the season for the Santos #98 team and put Bob Santos Jr. into the owners point lead by 13 points.
The Santos siblings duel followed the second restart. “It was fun racing Erica,” said Bobby. “I think my car was a little better than hers. Her car (Breault #44) got a little tight on her. I was on the outside and I finally got by her.”
Bobby had “checked out” when the final yellow set up a green-white-checkered finish. Joey Payne, who took second with seven laps left, wound up six car lengths behind at the checkered. Chris Abold (Seymour #29), Adam Cantor (Cantor 7ny) and Erica completed the top five.
Matt Bettencourt bested Anthony Mavugalo and Russ Wood Jr. in the accompanying NEMA Lites feature.
Starting in the second row, Erica had the lead three laps in. Bobby was running second when the first yellow showed and fell in behind his sister when racing resumed. He was still there when the second yellow came out.
It was a tough day for the Randy Cabral driven-Bertrand #47. Going into the day with an 87-point lead in the owner standings, the car suffered ignition problems all day. Owner Tim Bertrand finally shelved it in favor of the #31 which also had trouble in the feature.
“Honestly with what we were doing I didn’t think a lot about it being NEMA’s 900th race,” said Bobby following his 12th career win. “We were petty busy with my car and Erica’s car. Now, it’s pretty neat. Any NEMA win means a lot so this is special.”
One of the oldest Midget sanctioning bodies in the country, NEMA began at Seekonk Speedway on May 30, 1953. Fred Meeker was the winner.
“I think it’s pretty exciting,” countered Bob who received a plaque commemorating the event. “I think it’s pretty big and speaks to NEMA’s position.”
It was the 13th feature of the season for NEMA which will be part of Twin State Speedway’s “Open Wheel Sunday” this weekend. The Lites are headed for the Claremont, NH third-mile as well.
Notes: “Everybody enjoyed the side-by-side battle between Erica and Bobby, everybody but me,” deadpanned Bob Jr. who works on both cars…the car Cabral, who continues to lead in driver points, drove in the feature is the one Ryan Newman was to drive at the rained out show at Lee USA a week earlier.
RESULTS: 1. Bobby Santos III, 2. Joey Payne Jr., 3. Chris Abold, 4. Adam Cantor, 5. Erica Santos, 6. Jeremy Frankoski, 7. Greg Stoehr, 8. Aaron Wall, 9. Nokie Fornoro, 10. Barry Kittredge, 11. Doug Cleveland, 12. Howie Bumpus, 13. John Zych Jr., 14. Abby Martino, 15. Matt O’Brien, 16. Lee Bundy, 17. Jeff Horn, 18. William Wall, 19. Paul Luggelle, 20. Brian Cleveland, 21. Randy Cabral, 22. Shawn Torrey, 23. Mike Keeler, 24. Paul Scally.
NEMA LITES: 1.Matt Bettencourt, 2. Anthony Marvuglo, 3. Russ Wood Jr., 4. Jake Stergois, 5. Jesse State, 6. Shawn Torrey, 7. Stephanie Doty, 8. Kevin Park, 9. Paul Luggelle, 10. Mike Ordway Jr., 11. Nick Chick, 12. P.J. Stergois.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR