Hammond Memorial Next For NEMA
Brockton, MA — The busy Northeastern Midget Association with four winners in the last four races, visits Waterford Speedbowl Saturday night for the second annual Shane Hammond Memorial Race. It is part of the Speedowl’s Nostalgia Weekend
The NEMA Lites will be on the agenda as well as NEMA and the Shane Hammond Believe Foundation honors yhe young and dedicated driver it lost three years ago. The 27-lap feature coupled with the 10 lap heats equals Hammond’s number 37.
“Hopefully we found something tonight,” said Randy Cabral, after scoring his first win of the season last week at Seekonk. “You know how I feel about the Hammond race.” Cabral, NEMA’s all-time top winner (8) at Waterford, and Hammond were the closest of friends.
The winner of the Hammond Lites feature last year, the usually reserved Cabral might even be allowing himself to think about a sweep. “Winning either one will not be an easy chore,” he declares.
“Everybody seems to run their best at Waterford,” agrees current point leader Russ Stoehr. Many considering the three-eighths oval the best paved Midget track in the northeast.
Russ and Greg Stoehr and Mike Horn join Cabral on the 2011 win list. Greg Stoehr, a winner at Lee, has emerged as the major hurdle in brother Russ’ bid to defend the 2010 NEMA title. Since chasing Russ home at Thunder Road, Greg has missed the podium only once.
Last year’s Hammond Memorial victory is part of a Waterford run for Russ Stoehr that has produced nothing worse than seconds over the last seven races. That includes a win in this year’s season opener. Stoehr’s 12.875 lap in last year’s Angelillo Memorial will be a target as well Saturday night.
Still, Waterford has provided plenty of surprises and counting out Jeff Abold and Jeremy Frankoski, both coming off strong Seekonk efforts, is dangerous. Horn, Keith Botelho and John Zych Jr. are other threats. All have shown speed at the ‘Bowl in the past.
Anthony Nocella, Ryan Bigelow and Paul Luggelle already have Lites wins at the Speedbowl this year. You can throw Russ Wood Jr., rookies Seth Carlson and Brandon Igo, David Moniz, Andy Barrows, Carl Medeiros Jr. into the mix as well.
Last year, standing in Victory Lane after the Lites feature, Cabral asked the fans to yell out Shane’s name. The crowd responded.
“Everybody feels the emotion,” says Cabral.
NEMA NUGGETS – The Hammond Memorial is already on NEMA’s “special list” joining the Marvin Rifchin Trophy Race and the up-coming Boston Louie Memorial and the Angelillo Memorial. Deb Marvuglio’s work in honoring the memory of her son has been tireless…A number of car owners expected to be on Saturday night are Waterford/NEMA winners including Bobby (five) and Mike Seymour, Jeff Horn, Adam Cantor and Tim Bertrand…Bertrand’s win came on June 15, 2002 and he beat Randy Cabral with Bobby Santos III third…Cabral continues to crowd history. He has won in 12 straight seasons. Only the Dave Humphrey’s 16 tops it. With 31, Cabral now sits two shy of fifth-place Bill Eldridge on NEMA’s all-time win list…Lee USA winner Greg Stoehr is the 29th driver to reach double figures on the win list.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR