Carlson NEMA First Timer at Seekonk
Seekonk, MA — It was all Seth Carlson in the 25-lap Northeastern Midget Association feature at Seekonk Speedway’s Open Wheel Wednesday. Starting on the outside pole, the rookie led every lap en route to his first-ever NEMA checkered in the Gene Feigel 71.
Carlson, who spent the 2011 season with the NEMA Lites, survived four restarts in the first five laps and then had a trouble-free ride despite the final eight laps in heavy traffic. The 19-year old posted a feature-best 11.152 seconds lap.
The move of the race belonged to Adam Cantor who came from eight to third on the last restart. Two laps later he took second from Joey Payne with an inside move out of four. Cantor, however, had nothing for Carlson. “Nobody did,” he said.
Cantor claimed second only after holding off a late challenge from Greg Stoehr in what was clearly the battle of the race. Anthony Nocella grabbed fourth on lap 10 and stayed there the rest of way. Russ Stoehr moved into fifth with nine laps remaining.
Carlson, a former Whip City champion, is the sixth winner is as many NEMA features this season. “I really like Seekonk,” said Carlson, who won twice there in Lites competition last year. He “felt good” after the first practice and then dominated his heat, turning laps in the low eleven ones.
He was “tested” on the third restart when Joey Payne took the lead. Officials, however, ruled Payne had jumped the start. “He tried to get the best of me,” said Carlson who appeared to immediately back out of it. “I just kept my composure.”
Carlson got away from fellow rookie James SantaMaria on the initial restart. He got away again on the first yellow with four gone but Payne grabbed second. He bested Payne on the final restart and was gone.
The car, said Carlson, in his 14th year of racing, has been plagued by “little motor problems” all season. “We just had to work out the bugs,” he said.
NEMAs’ busy August continues with Waterford Speedbowl’s Wings and Wheels on Saturday, Aug. 11 and the return to Oswego Speedway on Aug. 25.
NEMA NUGGETS – Carlson, who was impressive in traffic, praised starter Steve Grant for “staying in control.” He said he was never close to a problem.
Carlson joins a group of Lites graduates on NEMA’s win list which includes Nocella who was very impressive in his heat.
John Zych, the point leader heading into Seekonk, was unable to make Seekonk because of business commitments.
RESULTS: 1. Seth Carlson, 2. Adam Cantor, 3. Greg Stoehr, 4. Anthony Nocella, 5. Russ Stoehr, 6. Jeff Horn, 7. Randy Cabral, 8. Todd Bertrand, 9. Paul Scally, 10. Doug Cleveland, 11. Bethany Stoehr, 12. Jim Miller, 13. James Santa Maria, 14. Anthony Marvuglio, 15. Andy Barrows, 16. Joey Payne, 17. Carl Medeiros Jr., 18. Mike Horn.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR