NEMA Stretch Run Begins at Waterford
Brockton, MA — Waterford Speedbowl’s Finale, Oct. 5-6, begins the traditional “stretch run” for the Northeastern Midget Association. Point races take center stage as both NEMA and the NEMA Lites have places on Waterford’s two-day season-ender.
John Zych Jr., a four-time winner this season, will take a 17-point edge on four-time and defending champion Randy Cabral in Sunday’s 25-lap feature. It is NEMA’s fourth visit to the Speedbowl this season.
The Lites point race – three-time winner Carl Mederios Jr. is 51 up on Danny Cugini – could well be decided in Saturday’s 25-lap Lites feature. Both NEMA and the Lites will qualify on Saturday.
The Zych- Cabral battle has raged throughout the season. Both have won at Waterford in the past and both were runners-up there this season. Getting to the front as quickly as possible could well be the secret at a facility where 12-seconds laps are no longer a rarity. Anthony Marvuglio turned a 12.933 en route to winning the Hammond Memorial earlier this summer.
The owners battle between John Zych Sr. and Tim Bertrand is equally close. Bertrand cars, in fact, will be seeking a Waterford sweep – Todd Bertrand winning twice and Marvuglio once.
It does not stop with the top two. Positions three through fifth are still in question among Todd Bertrand, rookie Ian Cumens and Russ Stoehr, the latter hoping Waterford provides an avenue out of the doldrums for himself and the Dumo’s Desire team. Russ Stoehr and Cabral each have eight Speedbowl wins.
Seth Carlson and Bethany Stoehr hope to prove their sterling performances at Owsego were not flukes. Greg Stoehr, third at Oswego and Joey Payne will be looking for a return to Waterford’s victory lane. Rookie Jim Chambers and Paul Scally are among the other contenders at a track that has a history of first-time winners.
Waterford, which hosted the first-ever Lites race back in 2008, now plays a major role in determining the division’s first “count all the races” champion. Mederios, the biggest winner over the past two seasons, hopes to move closer to the crown while the ever-consistent Cugini aims to stay in contention
.
Avery Stoehr, who sits third in points seeks a second Waterford victory this season while rookie Richie Morocco hopes to follow up Oswego with a second triumph. Ian Cumens, doing double duty all year for the Seymour family, Brandon Igo and rookie Kevin Hutchens are other favorites.
The stretch drive will continue with Lee USA Speedway’s Oktoberfest on Oct. 12-13 and Thompson Speedway’s World Series Oct. 19-20. The Lites finish the season at Lee.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR