Rain Key in Fornoro’s Win at Stafford

By admin July 8, 2009 NEMA, Stafford

Stafford Springs, CT – Nokie Fornoro might well have been whistling “Pennies From Heaven” Tuesday night. Taking advantage of a rain delay to fix an ailing racecar, Fornoro went on to win the Northeastern Midget Association 30-lap feature at Stafford Motor Speedway’s Carquest Extreme Tuesday.

Fornoro (Jarret #4) passed Adam Cantor (Cantor #7ny), the only other leader, on lap 17 and went to his first win of the season. Point leader and defending champion Randy Cabal (Bertrand #47) was second, .23 second behind in the caution-free race. Fornoro dedicated the win to the late Marvin Rifchin.

Greg Stoehr (Stoehr #26b) and Jeff Horn (Bertrand #74) completed the top five. NEMA needed just under 9:06 to complete the 15 miles, Fornoro averaging 98.906 mph.

The Jarret crew needed the rain delay to repair a broken rear in the first heat. “Without the rain, I wouldn’t be standing here,” Fornoro, told the media.

It was the third career Stafford win for Fornoro who took advantage of a lapped car to take the lead. He had “dogged” Cantor from the beginning, the latter coming from fourth to pass Paul Scally for the lead in turn three. Fornoro was second a turn latter.

Heading into turn one on lap 17, Cantor encountered a lapped car. He went high and Fornoro went low. Fornoro then took advantage of a Cantor-Cabral battle to open up a wide advantage.

“The lapped car was definitely a factor,” said Fornoro, pointing out he “dogged” Cantor until “traffic changed the way Adam was entering and exiting the turns.”

Cabral battled Greg Stoehr for several laps before assuming third. He soon chased down the leaders and took second in turn four on lap 22.

“I figured Randy was coming,” said Fornoro, who turned lap 17 in 17.625 sec., the fastest lap of the race. “But with five to go I was getting a little slide. I didn’t hear anything behind so I backed off a tiny bit to save the right rear.

Cabral, who was after a third straight win, had the second-fastest lap, a 17.650 on lap 23.

NEMA’s midweek agenda continues Wednesday (July 15) at Seekonk Speedway.

  • Fornoro had high praise for the efforts of Mike Jarret, Mike Scrivani Jr. and Shawn Torrey in repairing the Jarret 4. “There was only one stud holding the torque tube to the rear end after the heat,” he said. “They had the car all apart. They worked their tails off.”
  • Horn, who just passed his 64th birthday, gave the new Bertrand #74 a great ride.
  • After the Breault #44 developed problems in the heat, Erica Santos jumped into the family #98s for the feature. Stafford SK-Modified regular Woody Pitkat was more than capable driving the 98s in the first heat.
  • “I guess getting beat by Nokie Fornoro is not that bad,” said Cabral who has developed a definite following across New England.

NEMA Results
30 Lap Feature – Stafford – Tues. July 7th
Pos.     # Driver   Hometown Owner

  1. 4-Nokie Fornoro, Stroudsburg, PA  Mike Jarret
  2. 47-Randy Cabral,  Plymouth, MA  Tim Bertrand
  3. 7ny-Adam Cantor,  Dix Hills, NY  Cantor Racing
  4. 26b-Greg Stoehr, Bridgewater, MA Greg Stoehr
  5. 74-Jeff Horn, Ashland, MA  Tim Bertrand
  6. 45- Russ Stoehr, Bridgewater, MA  Gene Angelillo
  7. 85-Michael Barnes, Mexico, NY  Michael Barnes
  8. 30- Paul Scally, Raynham, MA  Paul Scally
  9. 22- Chris Leonard, Pelham, NH  Dave Leonard
  10. 98s-Erica Santos, Franklin, MA  Bobby Santos II
  11. 99-Chris DeRitis, Philadelphia, PA  Power Point Race Cars
  12. 21-Abby Martino, Norfolk, MA  Joan Martino
  13. 55s-Andy Shlatz, Enfield, CT  Mike Luggelle
  14. 2- Lee Bundy, Kennebunkport, ME  Lee Bundy
  15. 28-Paul Luggelle, Holbrook, MA  Paul Luggelle
  16. 98- Mike Roselli, Jr., Brodheadsville, PA  Mike Roselli, Sr. DNF
  17. 44-Erica Santos, Franklin, MA  Ed Breault DNS
  18. 63- Mike Keeler-Danbury, CT  TSR Motorsports Inc. DNS