Cole Carter in NEMA Speedbowl Field
Brockton, MA — Cole Carter, a USAC open-cockpit mainstay and a member of one of America’s premier racing families, will be in the Northeastern Midget Association field at Waterford Speedbowl Saturday night. NEMA will be part of “Nostalgia Weekend” at the historic Speedbowl.
The son of the legendary “Pancho” Carter, Cole will be a teammate of reigning champion and current point leader Randy Cabral in Bertrand Motorsports entries. He’ll steer the #74 driven twice this season by Jeff Horn.
Carter will join a strong field led by Cabral, the all-time NEMA winner at the Speedbowl with eight including three last year for Bertrand.
Among current competitors, Horn, Nokie Fornoro (Jarret 4), Russ (Angelillo 45) and Greg Stoehr (Stoehr 96) and Jim Miller (Miller 3M) have tasted at least one Speedbowl win, Greg Stoehr doing it last year. Adam Cantor (Cantor 7ny) and Erica Santos (Breault 44) were both consistent top-five finishers at Waterford in 2008. Cantor has four straight top-fives this year.
William Wall, last year’s top rookie, and current newcomer Chris DeRitis, who had a strong effort at Seekonk, are other threats. Many NEMA drivers scored their first win at the Speedbowl.
Cole Carter’s racing genes include both grandfathers – Duane Carter and Carl Forberg – and an uncle – the late Dana Carter – as well as his dad Poncho who, in addition to many Midget and Sprint successes, had 17 Indianapolis 500 starts.
Now 26, Cole has been driving family equipment since 2000, climbing to as high as fourth in the 2005 standings. He has also driven Sprints, Silver Crown and Infiniti Pro Series cars.
NEMA/WATERFORD NOTES
The last time NEMA came to the Speedbowl – the 2008 Finale – owner Tim Bertrand claimed first (Cabral) and second (Jeremy Frankoski) as well as the checkered in the NEMA Lites (Todd Bertrand). Bertrand has eight Speedbowl wins – six by Cabral, one by Lou Cicconi Jr. and one with himself driving back in 2002. He beat Cabral.
The most successful car owner at the Speedbowl is Gene Angelillo with 10. His winning drivers include Drew Fornoro, Russ Stoehr, Joey Payne Jr. and the versatile Teddy Christopher.
Among the drivers who scored their first-ever NEMA win at the Speedbowl is current USAC hot shoe Bobby Santos. Others are Ben Seitz and Barry Kittredge.
There are 26 years between Nokie Fornoro’s first (1981) and last (2007) NEMA/Speedbowl wins.
The Speedbowl hosted the second race in NEMA history on May 31, 1953. Billy Eldridge was the winner. It started a win list that is second to none among NEMA venues.
NEMA Winners at Waterford Speedbowl
No. Driver First Last
8 Randy Cabral 2002 2008
6 Drew Fornoro 1982 1999
5 Bobby Seymour 1988 2000
4 Dick Brown 1958 1962
4 Mark Buonomo 1999 2001
4 Nokie Fornoro 1981 2007
4 Bobby Santos III 2002 2004
4 Ben Seitz 2004 2005
3 Joe Csiki 1962 1963
3 Joey Payne Jr. 2003 2006
2 Mike Favulli 1991 1992
2 Bill Randall 1959 1960
2 Russ Stoehr 1999 2000
2 Butch Walsh 1980 1981
One-time Waterford Speedbowl winners: Tim Bertrand (2002), Rudy Boetticher Jr. (2000), Len Boyd (1978), Howie Bumpus (1988), King Carpenter (1960), Ted Christopher (1998), Lou Cicconi Jr. (2007), Johnny Coy (1977), John Dudevoir (1962), Bill Eldridge (1953), Johnny Evans (1975), Armond Holley (1976), Jeff Horn (1993), Mike Keeler (2006), Barry Kittredge (2001), Paul Lawless (2001), Johnny Mann (1978), Jim Miller (1999), George Monson (1973), Peter Pernesiglio (2002), Al Pillion (1959), Dutch Schaefer (1966), Mike Seymour (1997), Lee Smith (1982), Greg Stoehr (2008), Len Thrall (1970), Bobby White (1979)
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR