NEMA Adapts to Airborne
PLATTSBURGH, NY — The Northeastern Midget Association adapted well to Airborne Speedway despite an absence of 42 years. Russ Stoehr went on a turned a 14.810 on the half-mile en route to winning the first heat and then eventual feature John Zych Jr. posted a 14.581 in the second heat which was won by Todd Bertrand.
“A real driver’s track,” said Ian Cumens after winning the 25-lap Lites feature. It was a credit to NEMA’s ability to size up a new location.
The ”Meet-And-Great,” a innovation perfected this year by Bill Van Slyke, was especially impressive. At the urging of NEMA president Mike Scravani Jr. almost the entire group of drivers showed up to sign autographs, more, in fact, then there were seats. The addition of the Scrivani 21 and Mederios 50 was well received by the fans, especially the young ones. “People, especially kids, want to see the cars, touch them, sit in them,” said Scrivani.
NEMA NUGGETS – It was the second time Cumens, a NEMA rookie, chased Zych home this season. He did it previously at Stafford. “I’m really getting comfortable with the car (Seymour 29)” says the Pennsylvania resident who finds himself in the point race…Zych on points: “I’d be lying if I said I don’t look but I don’t think about it.” Zych insists he and his car-owner dad do not make major changes on the car. The car, he said “was not great but better than anybody else.”…Defending champion Randy Cabral stayed in the point race with a hard earned fifth. The cap came off the power steering tank six laps in. “All the fluid came out and I know that because it is all over me,” he said…In the “some kids never grow up” category, NEMA legend “the always exciting” Mike Luggelle took over the Cleveland 77 In the second warm up. He then returned to his push truck responsibilities…An impressive run for young Seth Carlson in the Feigel 71, grabbing a podium spot after a great battle with Russ Stoehr, the latter showing much improvement from previous results.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR