NEMA Battle Down to Wire at World Series
Brockton, MA — The more things change, the more they stay the same goes the old adage. Once again, the Northeastern Midget Association driver and owner champions will be determined at Thompson Speedway’s World Series.
Randy Cabral and car owner Tim Bertrand, winners Sunday at Lee USA Speedway’s Oktoberfest, take an ever-so-slim five-point lead over John Zych Jr and his dad into Sunday’s 25-lap feature. It is hardly new territory for Cabral, a four-time champ, who has faced the challenge before.
NEMA’s all-time Thompson winner, five of Cabral’s 10 wins have come in World Series events including four of the last six. Zych, however, comes well prepared, checkereds at Stafford and Airborne Speedways evidence he can handle the ”big” tracks. Zych has four wins this year.
The last two World Series NEMA features highlighted battles between Cabral and Russ Stoehr, the latter a five-time Thompson winner including the 2011 World Series. They were both turning laps in the very 18s, meaning speeds well in excess of 130 mph. Russ Stoehr can never be counted out at Thompson.
Other World Series winners expected include Joey Payne and Greg Stoehr, both scoring historic victories.
A Thompson Midget win puts you on one of the sport’s most impressive win list and there is no shortage of contenders this time. It includes youngsters Seth Carlson, the winner at Oswego Speedway, and Bethany Stoehr, second at Oswego and a winner at Waterford. They put on a dazzling show at the ultra-quick Oswego layout.
Two-time winner Todd Bertrand, fast all year, and rookie Ian Cumens will compete for the third spot in the final standings. Cumens, second at both Stafford and Airborne this year, was among the leaders at last year’s World Series. Jim Chambers, also a rookie, deserves attention.
NEMA’s history includes many World Series stories. Among them: Greg Stoehr (in the Zahar 38b VW) passed brother Russ (in the Beane 26b Guerte) to win at the 1993 World Series; Joey Payne gave Gene Angelillo his 100th victory with a late pass of teammate Russ Stoehr at the 2000 World Series and Nokie Fornoro’s final Midget victory came at the 2009 World Series in the Jarret 4.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR