Two-Car NEMA Effort for Bertrand
Brockton, MA – Two-time Northeastern Midget Association car owner champion Tim Bertrand has “taken himself out” of the race for 2011 honors. He has, however, made a deeper investment in the “let’s have some fun” fraternity.
Bertrand’s driver Randy Cabral will, however, be in the championship picture. The 2008-09 king will be making the bid in two different but familiar race cars. Cabral will drive the #47 Drinan/Esslinger 75 percent of the time including the club’s season opener, Waterford Speedowl’s Budweiser Blast off April 2-3.
The remainder of the races, notably the smaller tracks, Cabral will be in the completely refurbished, 32-year old #35 Edmonds chassis which will be Autocraft powered. Cabral’s first ever NEMA win, the 2000 Boston Louie, came in the car as did his first Speedbowl checkered. “It’s like going home for Randy,” said Bertrand.
Defending champions Russ Stoehr and the #45 Dumo’s Desire Beast/Esslinger, lead the return to the Speedbowl for the club’s 59th season opener. The team won twice at Waterford last season. The NEMA Lites will also be part of Blast Off.
Bertrand says the #35’s performance with Anthony Marvuglio aboard in last year’s Louie – leading the first 13 laps – was the impetus. “Obviously, Randy’s dad Glenn has a great love for the car but they have never had the opportunity to run it at its full potential. We decided to help toward that end and we’d also like to prove we can win with a 30-year old racer.”
“Already feeling different,” Bertrand, about to become a father (wife Cara is due in May) and with increased business responsibilities, welcomes the “lack of pressure” his decision involving the championship brings. Bertrand Motorsports, however, appears no less busy.
Younger brother Todd, a winner in the NEMA Lites, starts his tenure in the family #39, powered by Honda, at the opener. The team has also had a hand in the Drinan/Esslinger (“a replica of the #47) that Bertrand believes makes John Zych Jr. “a definite contender.”
Blast Off will also mark the debut of Jeremy Frankowski in the Cantor #7ny. He replaces Adam Cantor, now the crew chief. Others expected at Waterford are Chris Leonard and Chris deRitis, both winners there last season. deRitis will be in the Cicconi #75. Among the other contenders are veterans Greg Stoehr, Keith Botelho, Jim Miller, Lee Bundy, Paul Scally and Mike Horn.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR