Emotional, Dominating NEMA Win For Cantor
Lee, NH – Dedicating the performance to his gravely ill stepfather Joe DeMonte, Adam Cantor dominated the 25-lap Northeastern Midget Association Friday night at Lee USA Speedway. Driving a new Reider chassis numbered 33 in honor of DeMonte for only the second time, the Long Islander led every circuit and won by almost half a lap.
After a series of early restart challenges from Todd Bertand (Bertrand 39), Cantor, who started second, took the lead for good on lap nine and romped to victory. “Finally got rid of the bugs,” understated Cantor whose feature efforts followed an equally dominating heat triumph.
Coming from the eighth starting spot, point leader John Zych Jr., (Zych 9) took second place from Bertrand with a daring move in turn one with 11 laps gone. Bertrand held on for third with Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire 45) and Randy Cabral (Bertrand 47) completing the top five.
[Photo Gallery] by Crystal Snape
It was an emotional win, DeMonte a valued member of the Cantor crew. “He was always there to help me,” Cantor said. The win, he added, “helps sooth what is a tough time for all of us.
The final restart marked the seventh time Cantor bested Bertrand. “You just got to figure out what you did the last time to beat him,” he explained. Each time Cantor, who was concerned with it becoming “the 24 hours of Lee,” left no doubt about his dominance.
He credited is dad Allan with solving the fuel problems that plagued the car’s debut at Stafford.
He had high praise for Bertrand. “He could have drove me dirty and he didn’t,” said Cantor following his sixth career win, the second at Lee. His best lap (13.307) came late in the race.
“We were just hanging on. It was a wild ride,” said Zych following his fourth top five and third podium of the season.
There have been four winners in as many races as NEMA faces a busy week – Seekonk Speedway’s Open Wheel Wednesday (July 18) and the return to Star Speedway on July 21.
NEMA MIDGETS – Lee – 7/13/12
Pos. # Driver Hometown Owner
1 33 Adam Cantor Glen Cove, NY Allan Cantor
2 9 John Zych Jr. Louisville, KY John Zych Sr.
3 39 Todd Bertrand Suffield, CT Bertrand Motorsports
4 45 Russ Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Dumo's Desire Racing
5 47 Randy Cabral Plymouth, MA Tim Bertrand
6 71 Seth Carlson Brimfield, CT Gene Feigel
7 3m Jim Miller Weymouth, MA Jim Miller
8 93x Mike Horn Ashland, MA Jeff Horn
9 DNF 77 Bethany Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Mike Luggelle
10 DNF 26b Greg Stoehr Bridgewater, MA Greg Stoehr
11 DNF 44 Joey Payne Fairlawn, NJ Ed Breault
12 DNF 30 Paul Scally Raynham, MA Paul Scally
13 DNF 99 Jim Santa Maria Burlington, CT Susan Santa Maria
14 DNF 8 Barry Kittredge Marlboro, MA Barry Kittredge
15 DNF 78 Lanson Fornoro Stroudsburg, PA Linda Cleveland
16 DNS 38 Anthony Marvuglio E. Bridgewater, MA Tammy Bourbeau
17 DNS 7ny Ben Seitz Pocasset, MA Allan Cantor
18 DNS 87 Doug Cleveland Sudbury, MA Doug Cleveland
HEAT 1: 33-3m-8-47-9-30-dnf 99-dnf 78-dns 7ny
HEAT 2: 26b-44-45-39-93x-71-dnf 38-dnf 77-dns 87
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR