Story Book Ending as Stoehr, Cugini Take Rifchin Honors at LEE USA Speedway
LEE, NH — Saturday’s Northeastern Midget Association event could not ended with a more ideal finish for the young Avery Stoehr. A storybook ending topped the evening for the young, hard charger whose family has had a long affiliation with the late Marvin Rifchin and the M&H tire, who the race was in Memorial of. Rifchin, a long time NEMA supporter and owner of M&H tire, was well represented by his family, who joined the Stoehr family in victory lane.
Doug Cleveland and Paul Scally led the field to the green. Stoehr, who started third, quick blasted into the lead.
Further back, Randy Cabral – who started eighth, was on the prowl. Cabral moved into the second after a lap seven restart. When the green flag flew, Stoehr continued his run and dominated the feature event. When the checkered flag flew, Stoehr took down the victory by a half straightaway over 2014 series champion, Cabral. Seth Carlson had one of his best runs of the year to finish third, followed by a battled that raged the whole race between Jim Chambers, John Zych and Todd Bertrand for fourth – finishing in that order, Bethany Stoehr, Alan Chambers, Danny Cugini, and Paul Scally.
“It’s an honor to win this event. Marvin supported my father’s racing for many years, and to win is memorial event is unbelievable,” said Stoehr.
“It was exceptional to have this event at LEE USA Speedway. The competitors were excited to come back, and it was fitting to have Marvin’s race at a facility that has so much history with NEMA,” Said NEMA President Russ Stoehr.
In the Lites division, Danny Cugini quickly worked his way from his fifth starting position into the lead. Cugini has been very strong in Lites competition in recent years at LEE USA, and this past Saturday night was no different.
“LEE is one of those tracks where tires play a big role, and we needed to conserve them as much as possible. I thought if I could go really hard early on, and get some breaks, I could conserve my tires when I get to the front. Once I got the lead, I concentrated on hitting my marks,” said Cugini.
“Winning the Rifchin trophy is unbelievable. I never had the opportunity to meet Marvin, but I understand that he was instrumental in NEMA’s success and many of the racers that he touched,” said Cugini.
Following Cugini across the line was Jim Chambers, PJ Stergios, Scott Bigelow, Dylan Duhaime, Paul Bigelow, Randy Cabral, Paul Scally, Anthony Payne, and Jim Cataldo.
NEMA’s Saturday show, the Jim O’Brien Memorial was rained out at White Mountain Speedway. A make-up date is being discussed.
NEMA LITES – LEE USA – 7/17/15
Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner
1 51 Danny Cugini Marshfield, MA D. Cugini
2 21w Jim Chambers Atkinson, NH Jim Chambers
3 11 PJ Stergios Candia, NH PJ Stergios
4 32 Scott Bigelow E. Hampton, CT Scott Bigelow
5 57 Dylan Duhaime Loudon, NH Shawn Duhaime
6 31 Paul Bigelow Kensington, CT Paul Bigelow
7 35 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Glen Cabral
8 30b Paul Scally Raynham, MA Paul Scally
9 21 Anthony Payne Fairlawn, NJ Jennifer Scrivani
10 2 Jim Cataldo Sterling, MA Jim Cataldo
11 41 Megan Cugini Marshfield, MA D. Cugini
12 16 Dennis O’Brien Deerfield, NH Chris O’Brien
13 DNF 03 Dennis Potter New Boston, NH Dennis Potter
14 DNF 29d Jeremy DeCourcey Rochester NH Jeremy DeCourcey
NEMA MIDGETS – LEE USA – 7/17/15
Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner
1 15a Avery Stoehr Lakeville, MA Russ Stoehr
2 47 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Tim Bertrand
3 71 Seth Carlson Brimfield, CT Gene Feigel
4 21 Jim Chambers Atkinson, NH Mike Chambers
5 9 John Zych Jr. Mendon, MA John Zych Sr.
6 39 Todd Bertrand Suffield, CT Todd Bertrand
7 44a Bethany Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Ed Breault
8 7 Alan Chambers Atkinson, NH Mike Chambers
9 51 Danny Cugini Marshfield, MA D. Cugini
10 30 Paul Scally Raynham, MA Paul Scally
11 77 Steve Powers – Mike Luggelle
12 50 Kevin Park Foxboro, MA Pete Pernesiglio
13 87 Doug Cleveland Sudbury, MA Doug Cleveland
Sources: Tim Bertrand/NEMA PR