Cabral Adds Stafford to Win List
Stafford Springs, CT – Using lapped cars to take the lead, Randy Cabral won the 30-lap segment of CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday at Stafford Speedway.
After eight laps of a classic battle, Cabral (Bertrand 47) passed Jim Miller (Miller 3m), the only other leader, and in turn two on lap 26. He found all the room he needed on the bottom when Miller, who had thwarted several Cabral challenges, ran into traffic.
It was the first-ever Stafford win for Cabral, a runner-up in the two previous visits. It was his third win of the season, the second in a row.
Cole Carter (Bertrand 39) nipped Chris DeRitis (DeRitis 75) to claim third. Erica Santos (Breault 44) was fifth.
“I was actually sitting in second place rooting for him,” said Cabral of Miller. In a car that “was maybe better than perfect on the bottom” Cabral was inside Miller often but could not make any of the attempts “stick.”
“They were racing,” Miller said of the lapped cars he approached heading into one. Trapped behind them, Cabral slipped by.
“I probably could have done it without the lapped cars,” Cabral told the media. Miller was doubtful, pointing out he “always had enough” to beat back every pass. “Randy did what he had to do,” Miller added.
Coming from eighth, Cabral, now tied for sixth with Johnny Mann on NEMA’s all-win list with 29, made almost identical passes in turn three to claim third (from DeRitis on lap 10) and second (from Greg Stoehr on lap 15).
Miller, who battled Stoehr briefly in the beginning, had a half straightaway edge when Cabral moved into second.
Seekonk Speedway’s Open Wheel Wednesday July 21 is next for NEMA.
NEMA NUGGETS
Cabral, who kissed the group in victory lane, was racing with a barrel valve borrowed from the Angelillo crew.
It was his second straight hard-fought victory following the battle with Russ Stoehr at Thompson. He downplayed tying Mann on the all-time win list, claiming “I am not yet a Johnny Mann.”
Heat winner Cole Carter posted his second straight third in the Bertrand #39. He had “a lot of fun” on a facility “I’ve always heard so much about.”
Cabral’s 17.842 was the fastest feature lap.
RESULTS: 1. Randy Cabral, 2. Jim Miller, 3. Cole Carter, 4. Chris DeRitis, 5. Erica Santos, 6. Russ Stoehr, 7. Jeff Abold, 8. Jeff Horn, 9. Michael Barnes, 10. John Zych Jr., 11. Mike Roselli, 12. Lee Bundy, 13. Greg Stoehr, 14. Adam Cantor, 15. Paul Scally, 16. Jeff Horn.
NEMA Feature – Stafford – Tues. July 6th
Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner
1 47 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Tim Bertrand
2 3m Jim Miller Weymouth, MA Jim Miller
3 39 Cole Carter Indianapolis, IN Tim Bertrand
4 75 Chris deRitis Philadelphia, PA Dan deRitis
5 44 Erica Santos Franklin, MA Ed Breault
6 45 Russ Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Gene Angelillo
7 29 Jeff Abold Pennellville, NY Bobby Seymour
8 A1 Jeff Horn Ashland, MA Jeff Horn
9 85 Michael Barnes Mexico, NY Michael Barnes
10 9 John Zych, Jr. Liverpool, NY John Zych, Sr.
11 98 Mike Roselli, Jr. Brodheadsville, PA Mike Roselli, Sr.
12 2 Lee Bundy Kennebunkport, ME Lee Bundy
13 DNF 26b Greg Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Greg Stoehr
14 DNF 7ny Adam Cantor Dix Hills, NY Cantor Racing
15 DNF 30 Paul Scally Raynham, MA Paul Scally
16 DNF 93x Mike Horn Ashland, MA Mike Horn