Nocella, Cabral NEMA Winners at “The Ridge”
Scarborough, ME — Defending champion and current point leader Randy Cabral (Bertrand 47) ended the streak at 10, capturing Sunday’s 30-lap Northeastern Midget Association feature on PASS 300 Weekend at Beech Ridge Speedway. The streak of NEMA having no double winners reached double figures Saturday night with Anthony Nocella’s triumph in the Seymour 4.
Coming from the seventh starting spot, Cabral took command with a daring outside move around Greg Stoehr five laps into Sunday’s event. He went on to finish ahead of Stoehr, Nocella, Mike Ordway (Bertrand 47b) and Maine stock car standout Trevor Sanborn, the latter making his NEMA debut in the Bundy 2.
Cabral joked in victory lane, pointing out he, unlike Nocella, “was able to drive to victory lane.” Nocella indeed walked there on Saturday night, a flat right rear causing him to spin just a few yards after taking the checkered.
Greg Stoehr was second on Saturday night as well, followed by Cabral, Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire 45) and Jim Miller (Miller 3m).
“It was one of those you hope it’s going to stick deals,” said Cabral of his winning move. It was his 33rd career victory, tying him with Bill Eldridge for fifth on the all-time NEMA win list.
Cabral lined up beside Stoehr following the only caution on lap five. Stoehr got the jump but Cabral went to the outside (“my car ran there the best all day”) and exited two with the edge. He opened up a five car length only to have Stoehr, who had the fastest lap (13.446), battle back. They actually touched on the backstretch on lap 24, Stoehr dropping back after that and finishing just over a second behind Cabral.
Nocella’s winning move also came on a restart against Stoehr. With eight laps left he too used the outside to take command. Yellow flew again three laps later and, despite it being a single file restart, Stoehr made a valiant inside challenge before settling for second.
Ironically Nocella, who took full advantage of the outside groove from the start, was “trying to protect my tires” moving through traffic. Aware that “something was happening,” Nocella was “just trying to hang on the best I could” over the final laps.
The Boston Louie Memorial Saturday night, Sept. 29 at Seekonk looms next for NEMA. The club’s most coveted trophy, “The Louie” is part of the Seekonk 200 and also features the ISMA Supermodifieds.
NEMA NUGGETS – The ten races without a double winner equals a mark set back in 1994, long before Cabral or Nocella began racing… Cabral’s victories have come over a 12-year span…Jeff Horn, Jim Santa Maria could not start on Sunday. Todd Bertrand moved into the Cabral 35 when his usual Bertrand 39 could not go on Sunday.
Sunday Results: 1. Randy Cabral, 2. Greg Stoehr, 3. Anthony Nocella, 4. Mike Ordway Jr., 5. Trevor Sanborn, 6. Russ Stoehr, 7. Mike Horn, 8. Paul Scally, 9. Jim Miller, 10. Anthony Marvuglio, 11. Brian Cleveland, 12. Todd Bertrand, 13. Paul Luggelle, 14. James SantaMaria.
Saturday Results: 1. Anthony Nocella, 2. Greg Stoehr, 3. Randy Cabarl, 4. Russ Stoehr, 5. Jim Miller, 6. Seth Carlson, 7. Mike Horn, 8. Paul Scally, 9.Brian Cleveland, 10. Todd Bertrand, 11. Anthony Marvuglio, 12. Jeff Horn, 13. Mike Ordway Jr., 24. Paul Luggelle, 15. Lee Bundy, 16. Glen Cabal.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR