Bethany Stoehr, Ian Cumens Definite NEMA 2013 Threats
Brockton, MA – Over the past 10 seasons the Northeastern Midget Association has had at least one first-time winner.
Youngsters Bethany Stoehr, who won’t be 19 until Nov. 2, and Ian Cumens, who’ll turn 21 on July 20, are prime candidates to keep that streak alive. Both are part of established NEMA teams, Cumens with the Seymour folks while Bethany is the daughter of veteran campaigner Greg Stoehr.
NEMA opens its 61st season April 6-7 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Blastoff Weekend.
According to her dad, Bethany “proved she’s a racer,” at Waterford Speedbowl last summer, winning her heat (beat Uncle Russ) and turning a sizzling 12.986 lap in a Beast chassis that was purchased from Mike Jarret. She’ll be in the same car this summer, now painted blue and carrying the number 5b.
Bethany has made 26 Lites starts over the past two seasons, posting four seconds in 2012. A fifth at Waterford was the best of seven full-midget results. Cousin Avery, a two-time winner a year ago, will spend another season with the Lites where, Uncle Greg insists, “he will be a force to be reckoned with.”
”She goes as fast as the car will let her,” Greg continues, making it clear Bethany is top priority this year.” He plans to make as many shows as possible but points out “maintaining two cars can be expensive. If it comes down to a part, she’ll get it.”
The Hoosier Tire Lites Challenge Champion, Cumens will be a steady competitor in one of two Seymour maintained cars – a VW/Hawk and a Beast/Mopar. “He has paid his dues; he has been to just about every track we run at,” said owner Bobby Seymour. “He is a definite threat to win in 2013.”
Cumens finished third in his full-Midget debut last year at Lee. A Lites winner at Seekonk in 2012, Cumens had a win, three seconds and four thirds in the Lites a year ago.
Four of NEMA’s 11 winners in 2012 – Anthony Marvuglio, Todd Bertrand, Anthony Nocella and Seth Carlson – are “graduates” of the Lites program.
Anthony Nocella, a Seymour mainstay for the past three years, will make four or five starts for Seymour around a modified commitment.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR