NEMA Lites, Medeiros A Perfect Combination
Brockton, MA – Northeastern Midget Association Lites Division driver Carl Medeiros Jr. believes that the elusive first win is very close. “It is very important,” says Medeiros, “not only for me but for the whole team.”
A “stand alone” show at Star Speedway, Saturday night, June 2, is next for the Lites. Medeiros, completing his sophomore year at Diman Regional High in Fall River, MA drives a Focus-powered Stealth owned by his dad.
Medeiros, who turns 16 on July 24, comes to Star off an impressive showing at NEMA’s Diamond Anniversary event at Waterford Speedbowl. After overcoming almost a half-lap deficit, he tangled with the leader and spun in the closing laps. Recovering to finish sixth, he was the only Lites car in the 13-second range.
While he is sure he could handle a “full” midget, he understands the financial burden of such an endeavor. The Lites and the Medeiros team are a perfect fit.
“We ran out of motor in the first race of the season and I ran out of patience in the second race,” explains Medeiros, in his second full season in a division suddenly catching national attention. “I should have waited a little bit. I was hungry to get that win.”
He had over a 100 wins and four championships driving go-karts (starting at age 9), including back-to-back Northeast Pavement Series titles. After attending Bobby Seymour’s driving school, he made five starts in 2010. He gained “great potential” status with a second at Waterford’s Angelillo race.
Medeiros did nothing to damage that status in 2011. He had 10 top fives including a third and two seconds, the latter at Waterford and Twin State. “We had a good year,” he says. “We were very consistent. But maybe we gave a potential win or two away.”
The Lites Division, now five years old, has a perfect representative in Medeiros. Earning respect, he believes, is a vital ingredient in becoming a race driver. The fact that veteran drivers he “totally respects” like defending NEMA champ Randy Cabral and Joey Payne occasionally compete in Lites features, actually strengthens the division. “We are totally content right now,” Medeiros says. “We are learning something every time out.”
The goal of the Lites was to provide a route for youngsters into midgets. Joey Mucciacciaro, third at Waterford, Kenny Johnson, Dylan Duhaine and Avery Stoehr, all in the same age bracket, are testimony to its success.
Star should prove to be a great equalizer. NEMA’s last visit to Star was 2007 meaning few of the present Lites competitors have raced there. Still, the New Hampshire oval has hosted well over 100 NEMA events meaning it is not exactly a secret. The Seymour team (Ian Cumens, Anthony Nocella) and the Stoehr team (cousins Avery and Bethany) go to Star with plenty of info.
Other contenders include Scott and Ryan Bigelow, Waterford winner Brandon Igo and James Santa Maria.
Sources: NEMA PR