Cantor, LeClerc NEMA Winners
Lee, NH – Adam Cantor was the Northeastern Midget Association’s third winner in as many starts Friday night at Lee USA Speedway. Starting eighth, Cantor took control on lap 19 and went on to a convincing 25-lap victory.
Eddie LeClerc Jr. became the NEMA Lites first two-time winner. Starting 13th, LeClerc took the lead heading for the white flag.
It was the fifth career victory for Cantor (Cantor 7ny) who passed Barry Kittredge, the only other leader, exiting lap two. Only a restart three laps later delayed his run.
Kittredge (Kittredge 8) finished second with Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire 45) , Greg Stoehr (Stoehr 26b) and Bobby Santos III, subbing for sister Erica in the Breault 44, fifth.
By the time Cantor cleared a battle for third with Jim Miller and Greg Stoehr, front row starter Kittredge and Russ Stoehr were a straightaway ahead. “ I knew once I got by Greg and I could get away,” said Cantor. “I got a look at the scoreboard and realized I still had half the race left.” He began a calculated pursuit “trying to save my tires.“
He passed Russ Stoehr out of four with 17 gone. Noticing Kittredge “appeared to be smoking” (overheating) and that he “couldn’t get the car down,” Cantor took the inside route into the lead out of two.
“They’re all special,” Cantor explained, but said “coming from eighth to win was awesome.”
Miller and Kittredge were the heat winners .
“Sweet” said LeClerc of his run from the back. He took command with a daring move around Jim Santamaria out of four.
Santamaria took the lead on lap seven from Kevin Park. He lost it on the only restart (lap 13) to Eric Cabral but got it back a lap later down the back chute.
Leclerc was inside the top six when the yellow fell.
NEMA moves to Thompson Speedway Thursday night.
RESULTS:
NEMA (25): 1. Adam Cantor, 2. Barry Kittredge, 3. Russ Stoehr, 4. Greg Stoehr, 5. Bobby Santos III, 6. Chris DeRitis, 7. Jim Miller, 8. Jeff Horn, 9. Randy Cabral, 10. Mike Ordway Jr., 11. Chris Leonard, 12. Mike Barnes, 13. Paul Scally, 14. John Zych Jr., 15. Lee Bundy, 16. Jeff Abold.
LITES (20): 1. Ed LeClerc Jr., 2. Jim Santamaria, 3. Todd Bertrand, 4. Eric Cabral, 5. Andy Barrows, 6. Russ Wood Jr., 7. Chris Haskell, 8. Paul Luggelle, 9. Dave Monz, 10. Kevin Park, 11. Lanson Fornoro, 12. Ryan Biglow, 13. Joe Chick, 14. Paul Bigelow, 15. Paul Scally, 16. Jay Diamond, 17. Anthony Nocella, 18. David Rose Jr., 19. Ric Cali.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR