NEMA Speeds Impress at The ‘Bowl
Brockton, MA — The Northeastern Midget Association loves the challenge of Waterford Speedbowl’s Wheels and Wings. NEMA’s Angelillo Memorial is part of the fourth annual edition of the barnburner event Saturday night.
The 3rd annual Angelillo Memorial, honoring long time NEMA car owners and officials Marilyn and Gene Angelillo, adds motivation. The Midgets join the ISMA Supermodifieds, the Valenti Modified Racing Series and the Speedbowl’s SK-Modifieds on a card that sells sizzling 100-mph speed.
Chris deRitis clicked off a 12.977 lap (104.030 mph) en route to victory at last year’s Wheels and Wings, a tad off the 12.947 Randy Cabral posted in capturing ’08 honors. Still the top challenge is the Russ Stoehr’s 12.875 lap accomplished in winning last summer’s Angelillo Memorial.
It’s all testimony to Stoehr’s observation that “everybody runs their best at Waterford.” According to Bobby Seymour, one of the track true maestros, “geography (length width, surface)” makes Waterford the best Midget facility in the east.
Over the last eight NEMA races at Waterford, Stoehr has four wins, including this year’s season opener, and four seconds, including last month’s Hammond Memorial.
Last year’s Angelillo win was an emotional one. Stoehr, who drives the Dumo’s Desire 45, the continuation of the Angelillo operation, wants another one. “But,” he says, “Randy and Greg (Stoehr) are certainly on their game.”
Following their one-two finish at Twin State, Cabral (Bertrand #47), who remains NEMA’s all-time Waterford winner with eight, and Greg Stoehr (Stoehr 26b) have climbed into a virtual tie for second place, well within striking distance of leader and defending champion Russ Stoehr.
Greg Stoehr and Cabral have not won at The ‘Bowl since 2008. “Time for that to change,” says fan favorite Cabral.
In addition to Russ Stoehr and deRitis, Adam Cantor, Chris Leonard and Keith Botelho have been Waterford winners over the past three seasons. Botelho’s impressive win in the Stoehr #25 in the Hammond Memorial, testifies to The ‘Bowl’s unpredictability.
“Credit my crew Carl and Curt Kibbe,” offers Botelho, pointing out the importance of pit work at Waterford. “Experience counts,” he adds.
Jeremy Frankoski (Cantor 7n), working on a string of four straight top fives and Todd Bertrand, off a strong third in the Honda Bertrand #39 at Twin City, hope to join both Stoehrs, Cabral, Botelho and Mike Horn on the 2011 win list.
NEMA NUGGESTS – Back in 1951, George Tichenor, qualifying for a Triple-A Midget event, won the pole with a 17.92 second run on Oct. 10. Art Cross won the race but Waterford’s Midget win list begins with Johnny Thomson, an ARDC winner on June 30 and again on July 14.
Billy Eldridge won the first NEMA show on May 31, 1953, the second event in club history.
With his recent success, Russ Stoehr has moved into a second place tie with Drew Fornoro in Waterford NEMA wins with six. Randy Cabral has eight. Bobby Seymour in fourth with five.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR