Zych, Medeiros Jr. Grab NEMA’ Tops Honors
Westport, MA — First-time champions were in the spotlight Saturday night at the Northeastern Midget Association’s Awards Banquet at White’s of Westport. Driver champions John Zych Jr. and Carl Medeiros Jr. along with owner champions John Zych Sr. and Donald Cugini carried off the bulk of the hardware as NEMA celebrated its 61st season.
The Zychs are the first “first-time” NEMA champions in five seasons while Medeiros Jr. and Cugini are the “first-ever” count-all-the races Lites division champions.
“A dream come true,” John Zych Sr. told the gathering, declaring “whether it was a good car or bad” his son “drove the wheels off the car.” John Sr. is the Mechanic of the Year; John Jr. is the Joe Csiki Most Improved Driver winner and proud wife and mother Janice Zych garnered the Angelillo Memorial Women Behind the Man award.
Others receiving recognition: Ed Breault (the coveted Johnny Thomson Award), Mike Jarret (Wen Kelley Memorial), Kevin Park (Ray Roberts Memorial), Gene Feigel (Ralph Miller Memorial for Outstanding and Continuing Perseverance), Greg Stoehr (Jim O’Brien Outstanding Contribution to Family and Racing Award) and Avery Stoehr (Brian Caruso Hard Charger Award).
Glenn Cugini is the Lites’ (Mechanic of the year) while Dan Cugini is the division’s Most Improved Driver.
Also recognized were Ian Cumens and the Lites’ Richie Morocco (Ed Clotheir Rookies of the Year) and Bethany Stoehr and the Lites’ Megan Cugini (Pat Thibodeau Youth, Talent and Determination trophies). Megan Cugini joined Todd Bertrand in receiving the Shane Hammond Sportsmanship Awards.
Still other hardware was given to the Lites’ Scott Bigelow and Cantor (Hard Luck), to Jim Chambers and the Lites’ Craig Rayvals (Associate Member Never Say Die Awards), to Lites’ drivers Kenny Johnson and Logan Rayvals (Up and Coming Drivers) and to Evans/Thrall Owner/Driver Trophy winners Todd Bertrand and Andy Barrows (Lites).
Nokie Fornoro earned a spot in the Dick Gallagher NEMA Hall of Fame. Peter Falconi, the master of ceremonies, became a lifetime member.
Perfect attendance kudos went to owners John Zych Sr. (9), Paul Scally (30), Gene Feigel (71), Todd Bertrand (39), Tim Bertrand (47), Donald Cugini (51), Daryl Cugini (41) and Craig Rayvals (94), the latter three Lites competitors.
Also recognized were push truck operators Dave Shore, Pete Pernesiglio, Mike Jarret, Jackie Giananni, Brian Cleveland and Glen Cabral and officials race director Tom Fox, starter Steve Grant, Cyndi Scrivani, Melisa Tully, Ellen Pernesiglio, Tara Stoehr, Bob Blanchette, Paul Scally, Lu Jarret, Linda Cleveland, Deb Marvuglio and Bill Van Slyke.
NEMA POINTS
Drivers: 1. John Zych Jr., 2039; 2. Randy Cabral, 2022; 3. Ian Cumens, 1,824; 4. Todd Bertrand, 1,807; 5. Russ Stoehr, 1,787; 6. Seth Carlson, 1,630; 7. Paul Scally, 1,489; 8. Bethany Stoehr, 1,398; 9. Jim Chambers, 1,343; 10. Joey Payne Jr., 1,210; 11. Anthony Marvuglio, 1,129; 12. Greg Stoehr, 1,166; 13. Doug Cleveland, 1,051; 14. Jim SantaMaria, 650; 15. Phil DeMario, 494.
Owners: 1. #9 John Zych Sr., 2,039; 2. #47 Tim Bertrand, 2,022; 3. #39 Bertrand Motorsports, 1,681; 4. #45 Dumo’s Desire Racing, 1,681; 5. #71 Gene Feigel, 1,630; 6. #30 Paul Scally, 1,489; 7. #26b Greg Stoehr, 1,442; 8. #5b MCI Racing, 1,398; 9. #21 Mike Chambers, 1,343; 10. #29s Bobby Seymour, 1,293; 11. #7ny Allan Cantor, 1,178; 12. #74 Tim Bertrand, 1,126; 13. #44 Ed Breault, 1,100; 14. #77 Mike Luggelle, 1,051; 15. #99 Susan SantaMaria, 1,022.
NEMA LITES
Drivers: 1. Carl Medeiros Jr., 1,781; 2. Dan Cugini, 1,754; 3. Avery Stoehr, 1,569; 4. Kenny Johnson, 1,450; 5. Logan Rayvals, 1,345; 6. Richie Morocco, 1,268; 7. Andy Barrows, 1,248; 8. P.J. Stergois 1,224; 9. Brandon Igo, 1,063; 10. D.J. Moniz, 982; 11. Megan Cugini, 972; 12. Ian Cumens, 886; 13. Paul Bigelow, 785; 14. Randy Cabral, 767; 15. Ryan Bigelow, 671.
Owners: 1. #51, Dan Cugini, 1,754; 2. #50 Carl Medeiros Sr., 1746; 3. #11 Bill Stergios, 1,718; 4. #15a Avery Stoehr, 1,507; 5. #46 Jeff Johnson, 1,450; 6. #94 Craig Rayvals, 1,345; 7. #25 Rick Morocco, 1,268; 8. #81 Andy Barrows, 1,248; 9. Daryl Cugini, 1,190; 10. #45 Dave Igo, 1,063; 11. #9 Bobby Seymour, 1,062; 12. #31 Paul Bigelow, 1,053; 13. #18 Dave Moniz, 982; 14. #33 Paul Bigelow, 772; 15. #52 Kevin Park, 716.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR