McCarthys to Compete in NEMST, Hudson-Star Circuit
Billy and Melinda McCarthy will have a very busy season. Billy will run five races on the North East Mini Stock Tour, and a limited schedule in the Roadrunner division at Star Speedway and Hudson Speedway in New Hampshire. Melinda will run a full-time schedule at Star and Hudson to get a championship at both race tracks. Billy is looking forward to running at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July, and the oval and road course at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
Both brother and sister are looking forward to trading paint on the track. Billy believes it will be fun and also interesting. Melinda feels it will be really bad or really good. Both are very excited.
Their mother, the backbone of the McCarthy race team, lost her battle with cancer last year. She loved being at the track. “She was the first person in your window net at the trailer to tell you how you looked whether we did good or bad,” Billy said. “She was way more than just supportive. She was the backbone of the team.”
“She was our biggest fan,” Melinda said. “She told us when we messed up and we did great. This season will be so different without her but the two of us are determined to make her proud.”
Melinda won her first race at Hudson last July. Her first win felt great and was made better with her mother in attendance. “At Hudson I always had trouble getting around the lapped cars,” Melinda said. “They would always turn me. Most of them hate racing with me because I’m a female. I held it together and showed them all I can do it.”
Billy won the Howler at Star, leading 23 of the 25 laps. The prestigious victory came a month after their mother passed. A late caution worried Billy about losing the race with four laps to go.
Melinda’s goal is to get a championship this season. She has finished in the top five in points at both Hudson and Star, but is determined to get the championship. Billy would love to battle for a championship as well, but he will evaluate it after the first five races. Despite the rivalry, the siblings support each other off the track.
The season opener for Star Speedway is Saturday May 2. Hudson will host its first race on Sunday May 17.
Sources: Matt Wiernasz/YankeeRacer.com