Angelillo Memorial Next For NEMA
Brockton, MA — The Northeastern Midget Association returns to Waterford Speedbowl Saturday night for the Angelillo Memorial still looking for its first two-time winner. The NEMA Lites are on the agenda as the club honors the memory of Marilyn and Gene Angelillo.
Only two points separate defending champ and current leader Randy Cabral and Russ Stoehr in the championship battle. They are one-two in career NEMA Waterford wins, Stoehr’s seventh Speedbowl checkered coming in last year’s Angelillo event.
It is a points race for the Lites as well, three-time winner Carl Mederios Jr. the current leader. The first race in Lites history was run at the Speedbowl in 2009.
It will be NEMA’s fourth visit to the ‘Bowl this season, John Zych Jr, Greg Stoehr and Anthony Marvuglio the previous winners. Marvuglio’s 12.937 back in the May is the fastest feature lap but NEMA powers are convinced it can be lowered.
Jim Miller is riding high after a dominating victory at Oswego Speedway last week. Backing that with a second career win at the Speedbowl would be a career highlight for the veteran owner/driver. In addition to Zych, Greg Stoehr and Marvuglio, Miller joins Mike Horn, Adam Cantor, Cabral and rookie Seth Carlson on the 2012 win list. All hope to become the season’s first two-time winner. Paul Scally, Jeff Horn, Todd Bertrand and James Santa Maria are among those hoping to deny them.
Despite eight career wins, Waterford’s Victory Lane has been off limits for Cabral for several races, a run the popular three-time champion desperately wants to end. Bringing the former Angelillo crew to victory lane for the second time in three years would delight six-time champ Stoehr.
Ian Cumens, also a winner at Oswego, aims to join Ryan Bigelow, Brandon Igo and Avery Stoehr as 2012 NEMA Lite winners. Stoehr, 16, claimed the Hammond Memorial a few weeks back with a last lap pass. He was third at Oswego behind Cumens and Paul Bigelow.
Medeiros and RJ Tufano return believing the ‘Bowl may owe them something. They posted the fastest laps in the previous two Waterford races only to fall victim to dame fortune.
Cabral will be looking for a second Lites win this year. Seeking their first checkered will be Dylan Duhaime, Bethany Stoehr, Paul Bigelow, Andy Barrows and Danny Cugini.
Marilyn and Gene Angelillo were the most successful owners in NEMA history. The #45 Dumo’s Desire carries on the Angelillo tradition which captured 14 championships and over 100 feature wins. In addition, they served the club in a number of positions. Gene was president and Marilyn secretary for a number of years.
Honoring Gene and Marilyn
Marilyn and Gene Angelillo were the most successful owners in Northeastern Midget Association history. In addition to 14 championships, Gene and Marilyn claimed well over 100 features including 14 at Waterford Speedowl. They also served the club in many positions. Gene was president and Marilyn secretary for several seasons.
NEMA’s fourth Angelillo Memorial is set for Saturday night at Waterford Speedbowl, both NEMA and the NEMA Lites on the agenda. The Speedbowl is a most fitting place to honor Marilyn, who passed away in September of 2007, and Gene, who died in March of 2010.
The Angelillo’s first Waterford win came with Drew Fornoro aboard in 1982. Over the next 30-plus summers, Russ Stoehr and Joey Payne joined Payne winning at Waterford in Angelillo equipment. The versatile Ted Christopher's only Midget win came at Waterford on May 24, 1998 in an Angelillo car.
Gene’s final win was Waterford’s 2009 Wings and Wheels. Russ Stoehr was the driver.
Gene initiated the first Angelillo race, calling it the “Marilyn’s Passion” at Monadnock in 2009. Russ Stoehr and P.J. Stergios (Lites) were the winners. Their daughter Laura Kibbe brought the race to Waterford following Gene’s death. Russ Stoehr and Jesse State (Lites) were the winners in 2010. Todd Bertrand was the winner a year ago.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR