Scally, Trainor Take Coveted Boston Louie NEMA Victories

For the past 20+ years, the race held in honor of the Massachusetts-based car owner – “Boston Louie” Seymour, who campaigned his winning midgets, sprints and Silver Crown cars across America, has brought together the very best in open-wheel Midget racing. This past Wednesday at Seekonk Speedway was no different as Paul “Dangerous” Scally fought off the NEMA field to take down his first Boston Louie Memorial victory and Jake Trainor took down the Lite portion from deep in the field.

The day started with Jessica Bean, Hunter Wise, and Jake Trainor taking down heat race wins in the Lites, with superstar Kenny Schrader taking honors for “Fast Time” in qualifying.  In the NEMA group, Jake Trainor and NASCAR star Chase Dowling took down heat race wins, with Ben Seitz taking quick time honors.

When the cars rolled out for the feature event in the NEMA group, pole-sitter Paul Scally beat 2020 champion, Todd Bertrand, into the first turn.  Scally, whose car was working flawlessly, quickly went to work on the field, pulling away by ten lengths.

Scally looked to be cruising to victory in the 29 lap Louie, when a caution flew on lap 19 for a Kyle Valeri spin.  On the restart, Scally lined up against multi-time champion Randy Cabral.  Scally, flawless in his restart execution, pulled away from Cabral after a brief one lap battle.  Two laps later, the caution flew again for an Andy Lunt spin.  Once again, Scally pulled Cabral on the restart, and Avery Stoehr passed teammate Chase Dowling for third in the Bertrand 39.

Scally went on to dominate the closing laps, showing his strength to take down his career-best feature win in NEMA.  Cabral was second, followed by Stoehr, Dowling, Alan Chambers, Ben Seitz, Todd Bertrand, Matt Merry, Mike Horn, and Doug Cleveland.

“When I jumped out to an early lead, I was trying to drive fast but settle into a rhythm that would be good on my tires and equipment. I figured I would need the best tires I could have when I got up on lapped cars. When the yellow came out, I looked on the board and saw the 74, “oh boy here we go again” I said. Then it happened again another yellow just like 2014, and then the third time. I was thinking that, they (the other racers) were just out to get me. I told myself to settle down start fast and run the line that would get me back into that earlier rhythm,” said Scally.  “If I had to sum it up in one-word Determination. Just never giving up, trying to improve on the last result, and no matter what do not get discouraged,” said Scally.  “I have to thank Rachel Leclerc, My Dad Paul, Rachel’s Brother Eddie Leclerc, and Ron Lum for being my crew that day. Sponsors – Earth Movers, Charter Environmental, Frank Capone, American Anchor, Circle Performance Machine, and the race sponsors Nocella Paving, Seymour Performance Products, and the Seymour family,” he said.

In the Lites Division, multi-time USAC champ, Jessica Bean looked very strong out of the gate.  Bean looked to be dominating the first half of the feature event, leading the first 30 laps in her Radical Race Gear #5.

Further back in the field, the action was intense.  Jake Trainor, who started in the 9th spot, had marched into fourth by lap 21, and moved into second by lap 22.  Quick time and legendary competitor, Ken Schrader, was making his march to the front as well, after starting in the 15th spot. Schrader moved into fourth on lap 34, and into second on lap 35.

Ast the laps wound on, Bean slipped to third, then fifth, and tenth place starter Richie Coy advanced into fifth.  With Trainor out front, Schrader started to set his sights on him, as they approached lapped traffic closing the gap lap by lap.  Behind them, Joe Bailey in the Scrivani 21 was also making a march to the front.  With three to go, Schrader closed the gap to two carlengths on Trainor, and when the white flag flew, a blanket would fit over the front duo.  Trainor would go on to best Schrader by a half carlength, and Bailey would finish third. PJ Stergios was fourth followed by Coy, Anthony Nocella, Bean, Michael Pernesiglio, Randy Cabral and DJ Moniz rounded out the top ten.

“It was my most memorable achievement in racing and to get it done in the 29 car for the Seymour family just made it that much more of a special win!,” said Trainor. “The team has worked so hard on this car, and it was just spot on tonight. To win over Kenny Schrader was also very special,” he said.

Sources: Tim Bertrand/NEMA PR

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