Bertrand, Cabral Set To Defend Crowns
Brockton, MA – Tim Bertrand and Randy Cabral #47 will begin defense of their respective championships (owner and driver) when the Northeastern Midget Association begins the 2009 season Saturday night (May 23) at Monadnock Speedway. It will be the 57th season opener for NEMA.
“Rule changes have equaled competition up a little bit and it has forced our team to be on our game a little more,” says Bertrand. He expects a torrid battle for the championships that will include, among others, Nokie Fornoro is the Mike Jarret #4, Russ Stoehr in the Gene Angelillo #45 and Greg Stoehr in the family #26. Other contenders include Erica Santos in the Ed Breault #44 and Adam Cantor in the family #7ny.
“We are excited about beginning the defense of our championships,” said Bertrand. “We expect it to be difficult. Several cars have tested well.”
Getting off the mark with a strong effort will be the concern for the likes of Doug and Brian Cleveland, Chris Leonard, Andy Shlatz and Aaron Wall.
Monadnock, which kicks off a 17-race agenda, is one of the few tracks where Cabral and Bertrand have not tasted victory. They have, however, won three season openers including last year at Waterford Speedbowl.
According to Bertrand, the #47 team has been purposefully quiet over the off-season but has hardly been idle over the past month. “We were just not very good at Monadnock last year,” Bertrand continues. “With the help of Lou Cicconi, Danny Drinan and Glen Cabral, we have made some significant chassis/suspension changes on the Drinan chassis for Monadnock that we believe will be hopeful for our overall short track program. That’s all we’re saying for now and will hope for the best.”
Greg Stoehr (2), Russ Stoehr and Fornoro have all been winners at the tricky Monadnock that, Bertrand says, “favors” the experienced, veteran competitors. On the owner’s side, Angelillo is far and away the leader with 12 wins, 11 with the now retired Drew Fornoro. The last one came last year with driver Joey Payne.
A NEMA NUGGET: Nokie Fornoro will begin his 34th year in Midgets looking for his 108th victory. He recalls “actually lying” to get his first Midget ride with George Ferguson at Wall Stadium back in 1976. “I told him I was experienced and he finally got tired of hearing me,” recalls Fornoro. “I went out and led much of the race before being passed late by Lenny Boyd in Dewey Cali’s Badger. It was only after the race when Boyd came out to congratulate me on my first Midget ride that Ferguson knew about it. I did drive for him some more.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR