Seekonk’s DAV Next For NEMA
Brockton, MA – The ultimate “momentum track,” the late D. Anthony’s Venditti’s “cement palace,” Seekonk Speedway, welcomes the Northeastern Midget Association “back home” this weekend for the DAV Memorial. The “Lites” will be on hand as well as NEMA continues with its grand slam season finish.
Now the oldest New England-based sanctioning body, NEMA’s history starts at Seekonk, Fred Meeker winning the first-ever show on May 30, 1953. The 2009 Boston Louie, won by Jeff Abold, was the 75th NEMA event at the third mile.
Abold (2) and defending champion Randy Cabral (3) have won the last five shows. Abold, who has also been second twice, dominated the “Louie,” setting quick time in both time trials (10.859) and the feature (11.007) in the Seymour 29.
The point battle between Cabral’s owner Tim Bertrand and Mike Jarret is center stage. Jarret’s driver Nokie Fornoro is the all-time Seekonk NEMA winner with eight, the last back in 2006. Cabral now has six Seekonk wins including his first back in 2000.
There are not a lot of secrets left at the track that has been running Midgets since its inception back in 1946. Legend Oscar Ridlon was a disputed winner on that day and since then the win list includes some of open cockpit racing’s great names.
Among current drivers, Russ Horn and the Stoehr brothers, Russ and Greg, have multiple Seekonk wins. Cabral, Abold, Fornoro, both Stoehrs and Horn have won this year along with Adam Cantor. Positions behind Cabral, the current point leader, remain unsettled.
Jake Stergios, Anthony Nocella and Anthony “Bug’ Marvuglio have won Lites features at Seekonk this year. Russ Wood Jr. carries the momentum of a win at Twin State into the 20-lap feature.
A DAV win is one of NEMA’s most coveted trophies. “The race honors Anthony Venditti, one of the best friends Midget racing ever had,” says NEMA president Mike Scrivani Jr. “There is just so much history at Seekonk.”
How have the Midgets evolved at Seekonk? They’ve gained almost four seconds over the past 35 years.
Bob White (in the Germond 12) set fast time for a 100-lapper on Oct. 13, 1974 with a 14.220 run, just a tick quicker than the 14.261 effort by local hero John Tripp. Johnny Mann, who was fourth fastest, won the race with Rich Volger fourth. Current car owner Jimmy O’Brien had a car in that race driven by Hank Stevens.
Interestingly enough, Bobby Grim’s fast time (14.27) for a USAC race (which had NEMA’s blessing) on July 25, 1963 was almost identical. Chuck Rodee won the race that was flagged by Nokie Fornoro’s dad Nick and included legends Parnelli Jones, Roger McCluskey, Don Branson and Bob Tattersall.
NEMA NUGGETS – The DAV will be the 13th race of the year. Nokie Fornoro has won the 13th race of the season five times, tying Dave Humphrey for the lead. Russ Stoehr has done it four times…Three drivers share the fastest feature lap this year – Cabral has six, Fornoro four and Abold two.
NEMA Winners at Seekonk
No. Driver First Last
8 Nokie Fornoro 1995 2006
6 Randy Cabral 2000 2009
5 Russ Stoehr 1996 2000
3 Dick Brown 1959 1960
3 Mark Buonomo 1997 2005
3 Lou Cicconi Jr. 1996 2007
3 Jeff Horn 1992 2001
3 Johnny Mann 1972 1976
3 Ben Seitz 2005 2007
3 Greg Stoehr 1993 1994
2 Jeff Abold 2008 2009
2 Joe Csiki 1963 1965
2 Bill Eldridge 1953 1964
2 Drew Fornoro 1986 1998
2 Dave Humphrey 1965 1986
2 Joey Payne Jr. 2005 2007
2 Al Pillion 1956 1957
2 Bobby Seymour 1999 1999
2 Mike Seymour 1994 1995
2 Jerry Wall 1971 1972
One-time Seekonk winners: Keith Botelho (1998), Len Boyd (1979), Ray Burke (1956), King Carpenter (1962), Barney Davis (1957), Bob Hart (1971), Russ Klar (1967), Red Marlow (1959), Fred Meeker (1953), Tony Romit (1960), Bobby Santos III (2006), Dutch Schaefer (1965), Lee Smith (1983), Hank Williams (1960).
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR