Stoehr NEMA Winner At Speedbowl
Waterford, CT — Surviving two restart threats, Russ Stoehr collected his first Northeastern Midget Association victory since 2002 Saturday night at Waterford Speedbowl’s Wings and Wheels. Driving the Angelillo 45, it was Stoehr’s first win since returning to racing after a five-year hiatus.
Stoehr, who had the lead by lap two, beat back Randy Cabral (Bertrand 47) restart challenges on laps nine and 13. Stoehr, running laps consistently in the 13.1-13.2 range, and Cabral staged a torrid battle until Stoehr opened up a six-car lead over the final circuits.
Nokie Fornoro (Jarret 4) was third followed by William Wall (Wall 5) and Chris DeRitis (99). It was another epic effort for the Jarret crew which all but rebuilt the car after a second heat crash.
“I thought I was picking him off where I was suppose to,” said Stoehr in response to Cabral’s claim that he was jumping on the restarts. “He (Cabral) has pretty potent car and giving him the edge would be tough.”
“He started early both times,” said the usually reserved Cabral who had the fastest lap – a 13.075 on the 11th circuit. It was the fifth top-five of the campaign for the defending champion and point leader.
Several times Cabral got inside Stoehr through turns one and two. “I could hear him,” said Stoehr who regained control on the exit. “We were going fast enough so he could not get around us.” He was aware he had extended his lead “when the camera flashes stopped.”
Coming from fourth, Stoehr passed Paul Scally (Scally 30) for the lead out of four on lap two. Cabral had second almost immediately with Fornoro and Wall following.
“We short of lucked into that,” said Stoehr who moved up after a first-lap crash that eliminated his brother Greg, Adam Cantor and Jeff Abold, the latter the fastest car during practice.
It was a heartbreaking night for Cantor (Cantor 47). Like Fornoro, he suffered damage in the multi car second heat crash. A definite championship contender, he had finished no worst than sixth.
NEMA has a two-week layoff before a Labor Day doubleheader – a rescheduled event a Twin State Speedway on Friday, Sept 4 and a return to Monadnock on Saturday, Sept. 5.
RESULTS: 1. Russ Stoehr, 2. Randy Cabral, 3. Nokie Fornoro, 4. William Wall, 5. Chris DeRitis, 6. Paul Scally, 7. Abby Martino, 8. Neal Blatt, 9. John Zych Jr., 10. Paul Luggelle, 11. Lee Bundy, 12. Erica Santos, 13. Howie Bumpus, 14. Greg Stoehr, 15. Adam Cantor, 16. Jeff Abold, 17. Chris Leonard.
Souces:Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR