‘Coming Home’ Ovals Next For NEMA
Brockton, MA — “Going home” is the way many Northeastern Midget Association competitors feel about Seekonk Speedway and the Waterford Speedbowl. There’s good reason.
The two historic ovals hosted the first two NEMA events on May 30 and 31 back in 1953. Since then over 160 NEMA features have been run at the two facilities.
“There are not a lot of secrets left at either place,” explains Greg Stoehr, one of five active drivers who have won at both tracks.
Only three days separate the action this time. NEMA makes traditional stops at Seekonk’s Open Wheel Wednesday on July 21 and Waterford’s Nostalgia Weekend Saturday, July 24.
The NEMA Challenge – a number of superstars doing battle in NEMA Lite cars – is also part of the Seekonk agenda.
Two-time defending champion and current point leader Randy Cabral comes to Seekonk seeking a third straight victory. Among active drivers, Cabral is the win leader at both tracks – eight at Waterford, six at Seekonk
Other championship contenders including Russ and Greg Stoehr and Adam Cantor come geared up to reign in the streaking Cabral and the Bertrand Racing team.
Jeff Horn joins Cabral, both Stoehrs and Cantor on the list of active drivers who have won at both tracks.
Called the “ultimate momentum track,” top times are in the high 10 seconds at Seekonk. Cabral, Cantor and young Jeff Abold were Seekonk winners in 2010, the latter clearly a favorite driving a car built jointly by the Abold and Seymour families.
“It seems everybody always runs their best at Waterford,” says Russ Stoehr, a winner there last year as was Cantor. “Getting to the front quickly is key.”
Jim Miller, coming off an extraordinary run at Stafford, and Barry Kittredge, who was strong at Lee earlier, both have won at Waterford.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR