Zych, Stergios Triumph in NEMA’s Wings & Wheels
NEMA and the NEMA Lites were on tap at last Saturday’s Wings & Wheels event at the New-London Waterford Speedbowl, as part of a winged card that included the TQ midgets, the ISMA Supermodifieds and the VMRS. John Zych Jr. passed five time NEMA champion Randy Cabral at the halfway marker to take down the NEMA feature, and PJ Stergios charged through the field to take down the Lites victory.
In the NEMA feature, Paul Scally and Bethany Stoehr brought the field to the green. From his fifth starting spot, Randy Cabral rocketed into the lead on lap two. Cabral would begin to stretch out his lead, but further back in the pack, John Zych Jr. and reigning NASCAR Whelen Modified Champ Doug Coby were slicing their way through the pack.
Zych took over the second spot on lap six, and began a run after Cabral that ended after a four lap side by side duel on lap fifteen, just after the halfway marker. Coby then took his aim for Cabral, but only ever made it to within two carlengths. Zych went on to take down an impressive victory, and evaded a last lap wreck that took out some of the top points runners, including Jim Chambers. Cabral would finish second, followed by Seth Carlson, as Coby’s machine expired with a broken brake caliper on the last lap. Avery Stoehr was fourth, followed by Paul Scally, Bethany Stoehr, Doug Coby, Jim Santa Maria, Kevin Park and Danny Cugini.
“The car was really excellent in the feature, and really consistent throughout the whole race,” said Zych. “We never changed anything but the tires all day long. Once the race started, I could tell we were pretty good. Randy got a great start, but as I was pacing behind him, I could tell we had what we needed to get out front. We had an awesome duel for the lead for three or four laps, that was really fun. Once we got ahead, we were consistent enough to take home the win,” Zych went on to day.
In the Lites, PJ Stergios, not an unfamiliar face to victory lane triumphed over a strong Lites field, but this time, in a more unfamiliar car. In only the third start for the Stergios Racing #57, the young New Hampshire driver parked it in victory lane. Stergios got by Randy Cabral for second early in the race, and then out raced Cabral to take the lead.
A single file restart with less than five laps to go, saw Stergios run away and hide, while multi feature winner Jim Chambers mounted a charge from fourth to pass Danny Cugini and Cabral for second.
Stergios would go on to take down the victory over the hard charging Chambers, Cabral, Anthony Payne, Danny Cugini, RJ Tufano, Ben Mikitarian, Jeremy Decourcey, Alan Chambers and Jim Cataldo.
“The new car was awesome, but thankfully the yellows came out right when we needed them,” said Stergios. “We tried some new ideas that seemed to work well, and the car was really consistent. I need to thank my family for their support,” said Stergios.
NEMA MIDGETS – SPEEDBOWL – 8/6/16
Pos.
#
Driver
Hometown
Owner
1
9
John Zych Jr.
Mendon, MA
John Zych Sr.
2
47
Randy Cabral
Plymouth, MA
Tim Bertrand
3
71
Seth Carlson
Brimfield, CT
Gene Feigel
4
15a
Avery Stoehr
Lakeville, MA
Russ Stoehr
5
30
Paul Scally
Raynham, MA
Paul Scally
6
5b
Bethany Stoehr
Bridgewater, MA
Greg Stoehr
7
74
Doug Coby
Wethersfield, CT
Tim Bertrand
8
99
Jim Santa Maria
Burlington, CT
Jim Santa Maria
9
28
Kevin Park
Foxboro, MA
Pete Pernisiglio Sr.
10
51
Danny Cugini
Marshfield, MA
D. Cugini
11
DNF
21
Jim Chambers
Atkinson, NH
Mike Chambers
12
DNS
39
Todd Bertrand
Danielson, CT
Todd Bertrand
13
DNS
31
Paul Bigelow
Kensington, CT
Paul Bigelow
1
57
PJ Stergios
Candia, NH
Bill Stergios
2
12
Jim Chambers
Atkinson, NH
Jim Chambers
3
35
Randy Cabral
Plymouth, MA
Glen Cabral
4
21
Anthony Payne
Fairlawn, NJ
Mike Scrivani
5
51
Danny Cugini
Marshfield, MA
D. Cugini
6
39
RJ Trufano
West Haven, CT
RJ Trufano
7
9
Ben Mikitarian
Northborough, MA
John Mikitarian
8
20
Jeremy Decourcy
Rochester, NH
Jeremy Decourcy
9
17
Alan Chambers
Atkinson, NH
Mike Chambers
10
7
Jim Cataldo
Sterling, MA
Jim Cataldo
11
30
Paul Scally
Raynham, MA
Paul Scally
12
16
Dennis O”Brien
Deerfield, NH
Chris O’Brien
13
DNF
13
Ryan Bigelow
E. Hampton, CT
Ryan Bigelow
14
DNF
32
Scott Bigelow
E. Hampton, CT
Scott Bigelow
15
DNF
84
Joey Cipriano
–
–
16
DNF
38
Ryan Locke
Raymond, NH
Ken Locke
17
DNF
41
Megan CuginI
Marshfield, MA
Glenn Cugini
18
DNF
99
Jim Santa Maria
Burlington, CT
Jim Santa Maria
Sources: Tim Bertrand/NEMA PR