NEMA Oswego Honors for Carlson
Oswego, NY — Taking advantage of lapped traffic, Seth Carlson joined Midget racing’s elite Saturday night, winning the 25-lap Northeastern Midget Association feature at Oswego Speedway.
Starting third, Carlson (Feigel 71) followed pole sitter Bethany Stoehr (Stoehr 5b), the only other leader, for 18 laps before making the winning pass through turns three and four. Carlson then ran out to a commanding lead, showing a 2.098 seconds advantage at the finish.
Bethany Stoehr held on for a career best second. Her father Greg Stoehr (Stoehr 26b) edged Randy Cabral (Bertrand 47) for third, the latter coming back from a first-lap spin. Jim Chambers (Chambers 21) was fifth with point leader John Zych Jr. (Zych 9) sixth.
“I was waiting for the lapped car to come up. I figured that was my best shot. I took a chance. I made it work and now I’m here,” Carlson said from Victory Lane. “We really had a good car here last year and I kind of gave it away so this is what I really wanted.”
Only one-caution marred Carlson’s drive, Cabral’s spin on the first lap. Dropping back to 14th on the restart, Cabral was back in the top five by lap 10 and soon was in a battle with Greg Stoehr. Multiple times Cabral drew even with Stoehr.
Despite the single caution, Carlson needed just under seven minutes and 19 seconds to pick up his second career victory. Greg Stoehr had the fastest lap – a 17.116 (131.346 mph) but the entire top five were in the low 17s.
Bethany Stoehr and Carlson were both heat winners, Bethany pulling it off despite losing power steering.
The point race now very tight, NEMA begins its “stretch drive” at Waterford Speedbowl’s Finale Oct. 5-6, Lee USA Speedway’s Oktoberfest (Oct. 12-13) and Thompson Speedway’s World Series (Oct. 19-20) follow.
NEMA NOTES – Carlson is NEMA’s eighth winner of the season…While speeds were impressive, Jim Miller’s sizzling 16.94 record Oswego lap set last year remains intact…It was the fourth straight top five for Cabral.
RESULTS: 1. Seth Carlson, 2. Bethany Stoehr, 3. Greg Stoehr, 4.. Randy Cabral, 5. Jim Chambers, 6. John Zych, 7. Ian Cumens, 8. Todd Bertrand, 9. Paul Scally, 10. Russ Stoehr, 11. Doug Cleveland, 12. Chris Abold, 13. Anthony Nocella, 14. Michael Barnes. DNS – Phil DiMario.
Morocco Rules Lites at Oswego
Oswego, NY – Making his 13th start, Northeastern Midget Association rookie Richie Morocco became the Lites Division’s ninth winner of the season Saturday night, capturing the 20-lap feature at Oswego Speedway.
Starting fifth, Morocco passed Christian Briggs, the only other leader, with an inside move going into turn one on lap 16. He then went on to a convincing triumph in the caution-free event. It was the first Lites podium finish for the Plainville, MA youngster.
Briggs who started third and took the lead immediately, held on for a season-best second. In a battle that saw several passes, Danny Cugini bested point leader Carl Mederios Jr. for third with Kenny Johnson fifth. It was the fifth straight top-five for Cugini.
“I thought I had a chance about five or 10 laps in when I started catching Christian,” said Morocco, who had the fastest lap – an 18.605 (120.935 mph. “After I got by him I knew I was good.” Needing 19.02 minutes to cover the 20 laps, he had a 1.54 second advantage at the checker.
The Lites next start will be Saturday night, Oct. 5 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Finale.
RESULTS: 1. Richie Morocco, 2. Christian Briggs, 3. Danny Cugini, 4. Carl Mederios Jr., 5. Kenny Johnson, 6. Avery Stoehr, 7. P.J. Stergois, 8. Brandon Igo, 9. Ian Cumens, 10. Paul Bigelow, 11. Jack Smith, 12. Andy Barrows, 13. Ryan Krachun, 14. Logan Rayvals, 15. Paul Scally, 16. Megan Cugini.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR