NEMA Lites Season Concludes on High Note with Russ Wood Sr. Taking Seekonk Checkers
Seekonk, MA — When Russ Wood Sr. pulled into victory lane following the NEMA Lites feature at Seekonk Speedway’s DAV Memorial Festival of Racing, it marked somewhat of a milestone for the class which debuted in 2008.
Wood, subbing for his son Russ Jr. (forced to opt out of the event due to a foot-injury), bested a field that included both seasoned veterans and racers still relatively-new to the rigors of competing in one of the country’s premier short track divisions.
Following an early-season “exhibition run”, the first official NEMA Lites feature was ran on June 11, 2008 at Connecticut’s Waterford Speedbowl and saw Jesse State taking the win. The starting field consisted of 13 entries. Since then, fields have grown substantially along with interest in the division amongst New England’s open-wheel contingent.
According to NEMA stalwart Bobby Seymour who was a key figure behind the creation of the class, things are on the “right-track” with the Lites.
“We’re very happy with the progress the Lites have made as a division since that initial event at Waterford back in 2008, “states Seymour. The fields have grown steadily, and there’s been a real variety in number of different winners we’ve had.”
The Lites Series cars are virtually-identical to the “full” Midgets with the main exception being that of the drive train. Powered by a “spec-type” engine with rules adopted to make things both affordable and durable, Seymour states that with proper maintenance. Lites engines can be virtually “bulletproof.”
“We have a number of seasons on the engine in our car, and it’s proven to be more than durable,” says Seymour. In getting-ready for 2011, we plan to simply do routine maintenance, no tearing-down or rebuilding. That’s part of the beauty of the class, the engines are above-all affordable, and they’re durable. The cost of campaigning one of these cars is very favorable. That’s obviously a reason behind the starting fields steadily-growing since 2008. It’s a way for people to get involved with our type of racing at a reasonable cost.”
Getting “seat time” at a variety of tracks is also a “plus” according to Seymour.
It’s a win-win situation for newcomers. We run at a variety of tracks in New England, and to any driver, “seat-time” is extremely important. It provides experience for racers that will eventually advance to the “full” Midgets, but it’s also a great alternative for cost-conscious teams that plan on staying with the division. Again, we’re very-pleased with the progress of the Lites.”
Following Wood across the line at the NEMA Lites series curtain-closer at Seekonk was Randy Cabral and Joe Krawiec.
Heat winners were Bethany Viets and Lou Cicconi Jr.
(RESULTS): 1. Russ Wood Sr., 2. Randy Cabral, 3. Joe Krawiec, 4. Lou Cicconi Jr., 5. Andy Barrows, 6. David Moniz, 7. Jim Santa Maria, 8. Lanson Fornoro, 9. Paul Bigelow, 10. Ryan Bigelow, 11. Bethany Viets, 12. Paul Luggelle, 13. Josh Parker, 14. Vince Jacobs.
Sources: Dave Dykes/NEMA Lites PR