NEMA, ‘Bowl Share Exciting History
Brockton, MA – Two-time defending champions Tim Bertrand and Randy Cabral were competitors before they were teammates. They shared the podium at the 2002 Boston Louie at Waterford Speedbowl.
Bertrand, in the family car, was second and Cabral, also in a family ride, third to Bobby Santos III in a Seymour machine. It was the first Midget victory for Santos, now a USAC standout. It is a part of NEMA’s long history at the Speedbowl. NEMA opens its 58th season at the three-eights oval on March 27-28.
The Speedbowl has been hosting Midgets since its opening in 1953. Johnny Thomson, considered still to be the area’s premier open cockpit racer, was the winner.
Cabral is NEMA’s all-time NEMA winner at Waterford with eight, six of them coming in Bertrand equipment. Back in ’02, however, things were different. Bertand was a winner earlier that year, beating both Cabral and Santos. Cabral’s first Waterford win came later that season.
While the Cabral/Bertrand combo didn’t win at the ‘Bowl last year, it did post the fastest feature lap, a sizzling 13.075 effort. The team will debut its new Honda power in the opener.
Adam Cantor and Russ Stoehr were Waterford winners last year. Both are back, part of a strong field that will include a pair of promising youngsters – 2009 Rookie of the Year Chris DeRitis in a Lou Cicconi machine and one-time NEMA Lites standout Jesse State who takes over the Power Point #99 car.
Since 1953, there have been 42 winners in 81 NEMA features at Waterford. Active NEMA drivers in addition to Cabral, Russ Stoehr and Cantor with at least one Speedbowl victory are Nokie Fornoro, Jeff Horn, Barry Kittredge, Jim Miller and Greg Stoehr.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR