A NEMA Tradition Returns with Hudson and Star

Doubleheaders have been a part of the NorthEastern Midget Association (NEMA) since it’s inception. Seekonk (MA) Speedway and New London-Waterford (CT) Speedbowl held the first two races on Memorial Day weekend of 1953.

A pair of southern New Hampshire ovals are reunited on the NEMA schedule. Star Speedway in Epping, host of more NEMA races than any other (152), and Hudson Speedway will run a doubleheader June 20-21. Star has run 52 of the 272 series’ doubleheader races, with Hudson second all-time with 34.

The first doubleheader for Hudson and Star was 40 years ago. Dave Humphrey won September 1 at Star, while Johnny Coy, Jr. won September 2 at Hudson. The arrangement continued until 1991. It returned for 1994 and 2002. 23 doubleheaders ran until the last was held July 13-14, 2002. Drew Fornoro won at Star, with Howie Bumpus winning at Hudson. A planned 2012 visit saw Randy Cabral win at Star, but the Hudson race was canceled.

Nokie Fornoro was the first driver to sweep in 1981. Drew Fornoro was the most recent in 1989. Dave Humphrey and Butch Walsh are the only other drivers to sweep in 1986 and 1984.

Drew Fornoro won 14 times in the 49 races. His brother Nokie shares second with Lee Smith at 5 wins each. Mike Favulli, Dave Humphrey, Russ Stoehr, and Butch Walsh are tied for fourth with 3 wins. Jeff Horn and Bobby Seymour won twice, with 9 drivers winning once.

Since then, Hudson was purchased by Ben Bosowski from the Webber family. The historic facility has been renovated with new grandstands and a concrete wall encircling the quarter-mile.

The former owner of both facilities, the late Bob Webber, was inducted into the NEAR Hall of Fame last month.

Hudson joined the NEMA schedule in 1958, part of a July 3-6 quadruple-header with Norwood and the Pines. Tony Bonadies and Bob Boone won. Dick Brown won a July 20 visit, part of a tripleheader with Norwood and the Pines.

Drew Fornoro holds the Star record with 24 wins. The series’ inaugural winner Dave Humphrey (1968) won 17, and Russ Stoehr won 10 times. John Zych, Jr. won the most recent visit, held on Star Classic weekend in September. Star will host the 50th Star-Hudson doubleheader race on June 20.

Hudson & Star Doubleheader Races all-time

by: Nicholas Teto, YankeeRacer.com
NEMA records courtesy of Pete Zanardi

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