“Louie” Has Become NEMA’s Headliner
The Seymour clan decided the proper way to remember the family patriarch was with a race. The Northeastern Midget Association’s 15th annual “Boston Louie Seymour Memorial” comes to Seekonk Speedway Saturday night.
You can now get away with calling the race, which honors the long-time Marlboro, MA based Hall of Fame car owner, “The Louie.” The 29-lapper (recognizing the family number) is clearly NEMA’s seasonal highlight.
Louie Seymour, a member of the National Sprint Car and the New England Auto Racers Halls of Fame, spent a couple of decades traveling around the country to USAC Sprint and Silver Crown events. He was, however, never far from the Midgets in general and NEMA in particular.
The NEMA Lites became part of “The Louie” three years ago. Indeed, the Seymour family will be seeking a second-straight sweep. Abold and Anthony Nocella are the “defenders” in their respective divisions.
Jeff Abold, in fact, is after a third straight. Randy Cabral can also become the first three-time winner. Whatever happens, chances are good it will find a place in NEMA lore. Since Russ Stoehr won the first “Louie” in Bruce Beane’s #26, the race has provided plenty of excitement.
Bobby Santos III and Cabral scored their first-ever Midget wins in the “Louie.” Cabral did it in the family car older than he was in 2000. Santos did it for the Seymours in 2002.
The one-two sweep of Louie’s sons Bobby and Mike remains the most dramatic result. Cabral’s ’08 win with a motor borrowed from the Santos gang has to rate a close second.
There have been dominating performances – Jeff Horn in ’01, Nokie Fornoro in ’06 and Ben Seitz in ’07 – and there have been classic battles. The ’04 and ’05 races, won by Ben Seitz and Joey Payne respectively, are examples of the latter.
Boston Louie Memorial Winners
1997 Russ Stoehr (Beane #26)
1998 Drew Fornoro (Angelillo #45)
1999 Bobby Seymour (Scrivani #9)
2000 Randy Cabral (Cabral #35)
2001 Jeff Horn (Shaw #1S)
2002 Bobby Santos III (Seymour #29)
2003 Joey Payne (Angelillo #45)
2004 Ben Seitz (Valeri #17)
2005 Joey Payne (Angelillo #45)
2006 Nokie Fornoro (Jarret #4)
2007 Ben Seitz (Valeri #17)
2008 Randy Cabral (Bertrand #47)
2009 Jeff Abold (Seymour #29)
2010 Jeff Abold (Seymour #4)
Boston Louie Memorial LITES Winners
2008 Shaun Gooselin (Gosselin #26)
2009 Anthony Marvuglio (Cabral #35)
2010 Anthony Nocella (Seymour #29)
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR