NEMA Returns to Monadnock
Brockton, MA — Randy Cabral and Carl Medeiros Jr. take narrow point leads into the Northeastern Midget Association’s Iron Memorial Saturday night at Monadnock Speedway. NEMA returns to the Granite State oval after an absence of two years.
NEMA and the NEMA Lites will each go 30 laps on a program that memorializes legendary Midget car owner Iron Mike Scrivani.
After three podium finishes, defending champion Cabral has a 31-point advantage on Bertrand Racing teammate Todd Bertrand. John Zych, a winner two weeks ago at Star, Anthony Marvuglio and Greg Stoehr are bunched together in positions three through five.
Cabral was a Monadnock winner in 2009 while Bertrand grabbed a Lites checker there in 2010. Greg Stoehr is leader among active drivers with three Monadnock wins, one better than brother Russ. Joey Payne Jr. also has a Monadnock win. Ian Cumens, Jim Miller, Seth Carlson, Bethany Stoehr and Jim Santa Maria are other contenders.
Russ Stoehr captured the last Monadnock NEMA visit turning laps in the high 11s in a three-way battle that included Cabral and Russ Stoehr.
Only 11 points separate Lites leader Medeiros and Andy Barrows, the latter coming to the Iron Mike Memorial off a second at the Boston Louie and a first at Star. Medeiros has been equally strong with three podiums including a victory.
Bill Stergios tops the Lites owner list. Sons P.J., a Monadnock winner in 2009, and Jake have both won in the car this summer.
The busy Cabral sits third in Lites points. Danny Cugini and Avery Stoehr, sitting fourth and fifth, hope to improve their positions in a very competitive field that also includes D.J. Moniz, Logan Rayvals, Christian Briggs, Brandon Igo and Kevin Hutchens, the latter the top rookie so far.
NEMA NUGGETS – Greg Stoehr lists Monadnock among his favorite tracks and for good reason. In the last eight races, he’s had five podium finishes, one better than Randy Cabral… In the past two Monadnock races, the same trio (the Stoehr brothers and Cabral) made up the podium…P.J. Stergios also lists Monadnock as his favorite track…John Zych, who fondly recalls doing battle with the likes of Nokie Fornoro and Lou Cicconi before settling for fourth back in 2009, says Monadnock’s uniqueness makes it “a fun track.”…
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR