Streaks Play Role In NEMA’s Boston Louie
Brockton, MA — Two of the Northeastern Midget Association’ top teams head into the 16th annual Boston Louie Memorial concerned with streaks. The Seymour family would like to extend one while Bertrand Racing hopes to end one.
“The Louie,” NEMA’s premier event, is part of the Saturday night, Sept. 29 Seekonk 200 Presented by S.M Lorusso & Sons at Seekonk Speedway. NEMA’s two-layered effort – a 29-lap feature for the full Midgets and a 21-lapper for the Lites, joins a 100-lap ISMA Supermodified haul and a 50-lap Street Stock Open on the agenda.
The Seymour family hopes to extend a “Louie” win streak to four. Bertrand Racing would like nothing better than stopping a skein of three straight runner-up finishes with a victory.
The race memorializes one of New England’s most revered characters. For over two decades, Marlboro, MA-based Louie Seymour (the "Boston" tag came from Marlboro's proximity to the Bay State capitol) towed to USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown events throughout the country. “The man who towed a million miles,” he was tabbed.
Louie’s sons Mike and Bobby and widow Miss Ellie, are emotionally invested in the race which has contributed much to the NEMA mystique. Tireless workers on the promotional level, they continue to be competitors as well. Bobby and Mike finished one-two in 1999.
The Seymour family is, in fact, looking for a fourth straight “Louie,” Jeff Abold driving their car to victory over the past three years. Abold, also a supermodified threat, had the fastest time on each winning occasion, posting an incredible 11.071 seconds lap in 2010.
While Abold will be present again in his own Midget, the Seymours will be looking to young Anthony Nocella to continue their run. Nocella is no stranger to “Louie” excitement or Seekonk. He won the 2010 Louie Lites race in Seymour equipment. A year ago he was fourth in the Louie driving for another owner and then jumped back in the Seymour to win the DAV.
“I’ve had pretty good success at Seekonk,” says Nocella, pointing out “keeping your momentum is the key there. It a short track but it is very fast.” He is determined to maintain the streak. “I know how much the Seymour family wants a victory,” says Nocella who comes to the Louie on a win and a third at Beech Ridge. “I know how excited they got after I won the Lites race.”
Indeed, the Seymours are looking to Ian Cumens to duplicate the sweep they celebrated in 2010 in the Lites feature.
Tim Bertrand’s cars have chased Abold home the past three years – Cole Carter the driver in 2009 and Randy Cabral in the past two Louies. The defending champ and present point leader, Cabral aims to join Abold as the only three-time winners of the race. Cabral’sfirst-ever NEMA win came in the 2000 Louie in the family 35. He won again in 2008, besting Abold.Todd Bertrand will also be in a Bertrand car.
Both Nocella and Cabral come to the Louie off victories at Beech Ridge Speedway.
Joey Payne Jr. will also be seeking a third Louie win.
Sources: Petet Zarnardi/NEMA PR