Payne Rules NEMA at Monadnock
Winchester, NH — Joey Payne inherited the lead with four laps left and went on to win the Northeastern Midget Association’s Iron Mike Scrivani Memorial Saturday night at Monadnock Speedway. It was Payne’s first win since 2008.
Driving the new Breault #44, he took command when John Zych Jr. (Zych 9), who had led since lap 13, spun to avoid another car. Zych had a seven car-length lead at the time.
The early leader, Payne had to beat back a late single-file restart challenge from Greg Stoehr (Stoehr 26b) before claiming his 21st career NEMA win. In a late second-turn challenge, Greg Stoehr bobbled enough for brother Russ (Dumo’s Desire 45) to claim second. Seth Carlson (Feigel 71) and Ian Cumens (Seymour 29s) filled out the top five.
“We got lucky tonight,” summed up Payne, pointing out it came down to Zych “choosing the wrong lane” evading a spinning car. “We were catching him in traffic and it would have been interesting.”
[Photo Gallery] by Crystal Snape
“What can I say?” offered an unhappy Zych who charged from the 12th starting spot. “The car was great and I finished ninth.” Passing Payne on the outside through three and four, his apparent romp was interrupted only by a lap 17 restart where he had no trouble getting away.
The race was seven laps old before it really started, five cautions plaguing the early going. At that point Greg Stoehr, who started 15th, was fourth. Zych was seventh. Defending champ Randy Cabral was “out” at that point, a victim of NEMA’s two-spin rule.
Payne, whose last win came at Monadnock, did get away from Paul Scally and establish a lead on a lap seven restart. Zych caught him four laps later. “I followed Joey for two or three laps and then decided to go for it,” said Zych who had the fastest lap (12.042) on the 14th circuit.
“He had us covered,” admitted Payne who at that point decided traffic would be a factor.
With four winners in four races, NEMA heads for Stafford Spring’s Motor Speedway for Carquest Super Saturday.
NEMA NUGGETS – The race memorialized Iron Mike Scrivani. NEMA president Mike Scrivani Jr. was the honorary starter. Part of the ceremonies was the distribution of gift bags, some which contained $21, recognizing the number the Scrivani family is associated with…Payne owned the fastest lap of the night, an 11.6 en route to a heat win. Russ Stoehr won the other heat…Seth Carlson, Ian Cumens and Jim Chambers, four through sixth in a bunch, all had strong runs …There were four Stoehrs in the feature, Avery driving the Miller 3t.
Results: 1. Joey Payne, 2. Russ Stoehr, 3. Greg Stoehr, 4. Seth Carlson, 5. Ian Cumens, 6. Jim Chambers, 7. Todd Bertrand, 8. Paul Scally, 9. John Zych Jr., 10. Avery Stoehr, 11. Ryan Bigelow, 12. Doug Cleveland, 13. Bethany Stoehr, 14. Matt O’Brien, 15. Anthony Marvuglio, 16. Randy Cabral.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR