TC Can Make History At Marilyn’s Passion
Brockton, MA — A victory at the Northeastern Midget Association’s Marilyn’s Passion race Saturday night, Sept.5, will would put Teddy Christopher in unique company. The event memorializes long-time NEMA car owner and official Marilyn Angelillo.
The defending national NASCAR “Tour” champ, Christopher will take a break from the Modifieds to drive the Bertrand 74 in the $11,000-plus race.
The car was driven previously this year to top five finishes by Jeff Horn and Cole Carter, the latter finishing second at the Boston Louie.
The versatile Christopher, who actually opened the ’09 season with TQ wins at Atlantic City and Providence, RI is not a stranger to the NEMA’s Victory Lane. Driving a Marilyn Angelillo-owned car he won at Waterford Speedbowl on May 24, 1998. He battled Bobby and Mike Seymour over the final laps.
Among drivers best known for their “stock car” success, Gene Bergin is the NEMA win leader with two. Bergin won in a Scrivani car at Thompson in 1969 and on the dirt at Lakeville Speedway in 1973 driving the Leahy 18.
Christopher’s hard-charging style, in fact, reminds many of Bergin. NEMA President Mike Scrivani Jr. vividly recalls Bergin’s run from the back to victory at Thompson. Again like Christopher, Bergin drove a number of different style cars with success.
Bergin also notched a pair of seconds in NEMA action. Christopher was third in his first-ever NEMA race at Hudson for Angelillo in 1990. He has driven for Bertrand before.
With a few exceptions, NEMA has not been kind to outsiders. Geoff Bodine and Bugs Stevens recorded second place finishes at Stafford and Thompson respectively. Reggie Ruggiero fans remember his strong run at Riverside Park.
The late Hank Stevens was a Modified legend for many years but was a Midget regular when he won for Jimmy O’Brien at Antigonish in Canada in 1970.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR