Carlson/Feigel Eying 2013 NEMA Crowns
Brockton, MA — Car owner Gene Feigel is not shy. He and his driver Seth Carlson see themselves as contenders for the 2013 Northeastern Midget Association championships.
The team found another Drinan chassis to replace the one that was destroyed at Beech Ridge. It was also the one he drove to victory at Seekonk Speedway’s Open Wheel Wednesday. Carlson, who will not be 21 until October, was one of 11 NEMA winners last year.
While veterans like Randy Cabral, Russ and Greg Stoehr, Adam Cantor and Jim Miller did checker, youth was served as well. Ten of last year’s 11 winners will be back including youngsters Anthony Marvuglio, Todd Bertrand and Anthony Nocella.
NEMA begins its 61st season April 6-7 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Blast Off.
It will be the fourth season for Feigel and Carlson- two at Whip City and one with the NEMA Lites. “No question the kid is very good,” says Feigel. “It is a matter of putting him in a car that’s good enough.”
“I think we proved we can run with the leaders,” offers Carlson who was leading the race when an axle broke at “The Ridge.” At that point, he adds, “we had made major gains in overcoming early season motor problems.”
Anthony Marvuglio was the other first-time winner in 2012. “Winning makes you see why we do it,” says Marvuglio back in the Chris Derosier/Tammy Barbeau car on a “race-to-race deal.” Victory, he adds, “gets the monkey off your back. You go out knowing we are competitive, knowing you are fast enough to win. That means less stress on the driver and the team. It becomes more fun and that’s what we want.”
Todd Bertrand and Anthony Nocella will be looking to extend yearly win streaks to three. Nocella’s effort will be restricted by a full-time Modified commitment. Bertrand, however, comes back full-time in a new race car.
“Todd is switching to a new lighter chassis this year, a mid rail design,” reports brother and car owner Tim Bertrand. “His car was historically 125-150lbs over the minimum weight. We are looking forward to seeing what he can do in the new car.”
Can Todd expect help from teammate Cabral? “Todd has a Drinan but it is different and our driving styles are very different,” says Cabral. “I’m hesitant to give a lot of advice for fear of sending him down the river.”
Zych, last year’s Blast Off winner, was actually the point leader in the early going last year. Then weather and rescheduling problems caught up with the Louisville, KY-based Hershey Company executive. Still, six top fours in nine starts in the Esslinger/Drinan #9 is ample evidence they’re solidly in the contender category.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR