Joey Payne Wins Iron Mike Memorial in NEMA’s Return to Monadnock
New Car Nets 2003 Champion First Win Since 2008
WINCHESTER, NH — The quarter-mile high banks of Monadnock Speedway seemed to be the perfect venue for the mighty NEMA Midgets. Joey Payne was mired back in 15th place in NEMA points but he busted out in a big way Saturday night by besting a potent field of cars.
Ryan Bigelow and Paul Scally brought the field to green and Scally got the lead but a lap one caution reverted the field to its original start.
This time after the green flew the Jersey Jet Joey Payne surprised everyone by moving to the inside and blowing by the leaders to take the lead. Three more early cautions slowed the pace but on each restart, Payne would regain his lead. The action was intense as these little power monsters were three and sometimes four wide looking to better their positions.
[Photo Gallery] by Crystal Snape
Payne was turning laps under 12 seconds but John Zych, Jr. wanted victory and was moving through the pack from his 13th starting spot, passing Greg Stoehr for third on lap six and then passing Paul Scally for second one lap later. Zych set his sights on Payne and by lap 13 made a move to the outside, and whistled by Payne to the lead. A lap 17 caution calmed the pack down.
On the restart, Zych and Payne fought each other for the lead. Zych prevailed to lead Payne, Greg Stoehr, Russ Stoehr and Seth Carlson on a 5-car freight train. A lap 26 caution for a spinning Matt O’Brien in turn four turned out to be a nightmare for Zych as he spun to avoid O’Brien and with four laps to go, Payne inherited the lead. On the last lap, Greg Stoehr drove his car hard into turns one and two, got sideways, losing a position to brother Russ Stoehr, to finish third. Points leader Randy Cabral was never a factor after receiving the black flag for the two spin rule.
Finish
Pos. ## Driver Hometown Owner
1. #44-Joey Payne-Fairlawn, NJ-Ed Breault-Running
2. #45-Russ Stoehr-Bridgewater, MA-Dumo’s Desire Racing
3. #26b-Greg Stoehr-Bridgewater, MA-Greg Stoehr-Running
4. #71-Seth Carlson-Brimfield, CT-Gene Feigel-Running
5. #29- Ian Cumens-Lydell, PA-Bobby Seymour-Running
6. #21-Jim Chambers-Atkinson, NH-Mike Chambers-Running
7. #39-Todd Bertrand-Suffield, CT-Bertrand Motorsports-Running
8. #30-Paul Scally-Raynham, MA-Paul Scally-Running
9. #9-John Zych Jr.-Louisville, KY-John Zych Sr. -Running
10. #3t-Avery Stoehr-Lakeville, MA-Trevor Miller-Running
11. #13-Ryan Bigelow-E. Hampton, CT-Randy Bigelow-Running
12. #77-Doug Cleveland-Sudbury, MA-Mike Luggelle-Running
13. #5b-Bethany Stoehr-Bridgewater, MA-MCI Racing/Greg Stoehr-DNF
14. #16-Matt O’Brien-Wilmington, MA-Jim O’Brien & Sons Engineering-DNF
15. #38-Anthony Marvuglio-E. Bridgewater, MA-Tammy Bourbeau-DNF
16. #47-Randy Cabral-Plymouth, MA-Tim Bertrand-DNF
17. #3m-Jim Miller-Weymouth, MA-Jim Miller-DNS
Sources: Jim Snape/YankeeRacer.com