Asking Mike Scrivani Jr. to come up with a No. 1 memory of his dad is both unfair and impossible. The Northeastern Midget Association president has a host of fond memories of the bigger-than-life character remembered as “Iron Mike.”
It is fair to say there are hundreds of stories about the late Mike Scrivani who will be inducted into the New England Antique Racers (NEAR) Hall of Fame Sunday, January 27th at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.
A charter member of NEMA (Jerry Russo drove his car in the club’s first-ever race at Seekonk on May 30, 1953), Scrivani’s auto racing connections went back to the Sprint Cars of the late 1930s. Although he was also successful in Modified racing, “his heart was always with the Midgets and Sprints,” reports Mike Jr.
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Marilyn Bertrand (Tim’s Mom & Gil’s Wife) is on her way home from the Hospital after a successful treatment this week. She will need to return to Philadelphia every three weeks for treatment.
Cards and letters can be sent to: The Bertrand Family, 25 Devine Road, Suffield, CT 06078.
Marilyn Bertrand (Tim’s Mom & Gil’s Wife) is currently in the hospital, bravely battling a rare cancer. She underwent an experimental therapy today (11/13) and will be in the Hospital at least until the end of the week.
(Until Thursday or Friday):Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Gibbon Building, Room 3107, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
(After that):The Bertrand Family, 25 Devine Road, Suffield, CT 06078.
Sources: NEMA PR
Westport, MA — Champions Ben Seitz and Peter Valeri carried off the biggest trophies as the Northeastern Midget Association celebrated its 55th campaign Saturday night. The 2007 Awards Banquet attracted a capacity crowd at White’s of Westport in Westport, MA.
Club President Mike Scrivani and Master of Ceremonies Peter Falconi covered past, present and future. The usual assortment of hardware, including trophies for the top-15 owners and drivers, was presented.
The festivities ended on a positive note, Scrivani pointing out “a couple years ago we had to struggle to get races. Right now, the promoters are calling us. That’s how good we are.”
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Jack will be in the hospital for awhile.
Send cards and letters to: Jack Glockner 34 Lawrence Rd., Halifax, MA 02338.
The presentation of several awards, including Rookie of the Year and Mechanic of the Year, will highlight the Northeastern Midget Association’s 2007 Awards Banquet Saturday evening at White’s of Westport in Westport, MA.
Champions Ben Seitz (Driver) and Peter Valeri (owner) head the list of honorees as the top 15 owners and drivers will receive appropriate trophies and point checks. It was the fourth straight championship for Seitz and third in four years for Valeri.
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Mike Jarret, under the banner of Helping Hands of America, will be the primary sponsor of the Northeastern Midget Association in 2008. It will be the fourth straight season Jarret has been involved with the club that will celebrate its 56th consecutive season.
“It’s all from my allowance from my wife,” jokes Jarret who “uses the logo of my company hoping to get it some publicity.” He will also be back as the car owner/crew chief on the Nokie Fornoro-driven No. 4.
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Gene Angelillo is on the road to a full recovery and out of the hospital following a procedure at St. Raphael’s in New Haven, CT.
He is available at (203)-577-2450. Mail will still reach Angelillo at 12 Badger Road, Wolcott, CT 06716.
Fifteen-time Owner Champion Gene Angelillo is currently in the Hospital of Saint Raphael’s in New Haven, CT following a heart attack Monday night.
While he is not yet ready for visitors, notes and cards are welcome: Gene Angelillo, Room 320, Hospital of St. Raphael’s, 1450 Chapel St., New Haven, CT, 06511.
Sources: NEMA PR
A student of history, Ben Seitz rates the 2007 Northeastern Midget Association Drivers Championship, his fourth straight, as the best. “Well,” he explains, “nobody has ever done it before.”
The 27-year old admits, four straight “was looming around in the back of my mind” most of the season. Seitz and car owner Pete Valeri, powered by an Esslinger/Beast combo, didn’t lay claim to the championships until the checkered fell on the final event of the season at Thompson Speedway’s World Series.
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Randy Cabral and Ben Seitz were both opportunists Sunday. Cabral won the caution-free 25-lap Northeastern Midget Association feature at Thompson Speedway’s World Series. Seitz’ sixth place finish turned out more than enough to capture a record fourth straight driver’s championship.
It was the 16th and final event in NEMA’s 55th season.
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The Fornoro boys – Drew and Nokie – are together again and coming to Thompson Speedway’s World Series this weekend.They bring some Northeastern Midget Association history to a spot already loaded with it.
The point battle - Joey Payne Jr. and owner Gene Angelillo come to the World Series with an eight-point edge on Ben Seitz and owner Peter Valeri – takes center stage. There are a number of “stories” accompanying what will be the 67th NEMA feature on the storied five-eights. The Fornoros are one of them.
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Seekonk, MA — A record 232 race cars and trucks converged upon the 1/3-mile Seekonk Speedway for the Bay State facility’s season-ending D. Anthony Venditti Memorial Festival of Racing, an…
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Sixteen points separate point leader Ben Seitz, seeking an unprecedented fourth straight drivers title, and Joey Payne Jr. as the Northeastern Midget Association returns to Seekonk Speedway Oct. 6-7 for the D.Anthony Venditti Memorial.
“It’s all about pressure,” says Seitz, a winner earlier this year at Seekonk. “It’s all about how good you do in the garage and on the track.” NEMA’s best get around the quarter mile in the low 11 seconds bracket.
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Thompson, CT — It is a racing weekend like no other. Thompson International Speedway’s World Series of Speedway Racing brings together just about every type of racecar to be found in the northeast for a three-day racing extravaganza that includes over five hundred racecars and fourteen different divisions. It all happens the weekend of October 12th, 13th, and 14th.
The 34th annual World Series of Speedway Racing, presented by Whelen Engineering and XTRAMART, is the largest and most diversified racing weekend held anywhere in the country. Race teams and race fans from over a dozen states and two Canadian provinces make their annual pilgrimage to this incredible event which is as much a huge party as it is a non-stop race weekend.
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Growing up, Jeremy Frankoski’s dad insisted he play different sports. The Newark Valley, NY athlete played baseball, some football and actually captained his high school hockey team.
“All I wanted to do was race,” says Frankoski, the Northeastern Midget Association’s leading rookie heading into Seekonk Speedway’s Oct 6-7 DAV Memorial. “My father was worried as I grew up my passion would change so I played other sports.”
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Born in Madison, N.J., Nicky raced cars from 1946 to 1956, earning the ARDC Midget Racing championship title in 1950 and becoming the first NASCAR Midget champion in 1953. He retired from driving in 1956 at the request of his wife Bette and started flagging the next day at Victory Speedway in Middletown, NY as a way to stay involved in racing.
He became the official flagman (starter) for numerous professional racing organizations including ARDC, ATQMRA, USAC (east coast events) and on occasion URC as well as individual tracks such as Pocono Int’l Raceway. He eventually became the first Chief Starter for the international Championship Auto Racing Teams Indy Car Series, serving in that position from 1979-1992. In 1993, he was the honorary starter for the Indianapolis 500, which marked his last Indy car race in an official capacity. In the ensuing years, he often traveled to races where Drew and Nokie competed as well as to the NASCAR races at Pocono which is owned by his good friends Doc and Rose Mattioli, and to Nazareth Raceway when it hosted the Indy cars.
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Waterford, CT — Grabbing the lead four laps in, Randy Cabral survived two yellows and a red to score a dominating Northeastern Midget Association victory Sunday at Waterford Speedbowl’s Town Fair Tire Finale. It was the second win of the season for Cabral, both at the Speedbowl.
Starting fourth, Cabral tucked the Bertrand #47 inside pole sitter John Zych Jr. coming out of two. Only the yellows and red slowed Cabral en route to his 12th career NEMA win, five of them at the Speedbowl.
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Waterford, CT — Dennis Gada lost his bid to become a 7-time SK Modified titlist, but went out a winner in Sunday’s 100-lap Town Fair Tire Finale feature at the Waterford Speedbowl.
Other feature winners were Bruce Thomas Jr. (Late Model), Al Stone III (Sportsman), Ken Cassidy Jr. (Mini Stocks), and, Randy Cabral, (Northeastern Midget Association), Cassidy clinched the championship.
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Waterford, CT — The Northeastern Midget Association is about to celebrate a unique milestone. Sunday’s appearance at the Town Fair Tire Finale (a 25 lapper) will be NEMA’s 75th event at Waterford Speedbowl.
“It has always been one of my favorite places,” offers Nokie Fornoro whose four Speedbowl wins stretch over 26years (1981-2007). Earlier this year Fornoro won a 25 lapper in a sensational six minutes, eight seconds. “Length, width, surface,” he says, makes the three-eights Speedbowl “an amazing Midget track.”
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Waterford, CT –One hundred lap features for the SK-Modifieds and Late Models top the bill for this weekend’s 13-division Town Fair Tire Finale at Waterford Speedbowl. The two-day battle with bring to a close a couple of special point races as well.
Rob Janovic Jr. takes a 14-point lead over Dennis Gada in the SK 100 while Ken Cassidy Jr. enters the Mini Stock 30 lapper a mere 12 ahead of Danny Field. Janovic and Cassidy are seeking first-time crowns while Gada and Field are after new records – a 7th title for Gada and a third straight for Field.
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Seekonk, MA (September 15, 2007): “Liquid” Lou Cicconi of Aston, PA, has quickly become the man to beat in Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) action at Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, MA. The veteran open-wheeler posted his second consecutive Midget feature event win at the famed Cement Palace on Saturday night. Cicconi, who started fourth, took the lead on lap two then went on to hold off a hungry Adam Cantor on a pair of early race restarts before cruising to the victory.
“This is a great win for Tim and Gil Bertrand,” said Cicconi in victory lane. Gil’s wife is battling health issues at home. We wish her a speedy recovery.”
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Epping, NH — Ben Seitz of Pocasset, MA, became the first North East Midget Association three-peat winner during the 2007 season for the Helping Hands of America/Wirtgen America series with a stunning performance on Saturday night at the All-Star Classic. The victory came on the heels of an extremely emotional week for the North East Midget Association, when one of the club’s most beloved, Marilyn Angelillo, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.
Angelillo was, officially, the Northeastern Midget Association’s secretary for many years. Unofficially, she was the club’s social director, points keeper, publicity agent, organizer, sounding board, problem solver and, most importantly, its conscience. Marilyn, along with husband Gene, and the Dumo’s Desire crew amassed 14 owner championships throughout the last three decades.
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Marilyn Angelillo was, officially, the Northeastern Midget Association’s secretary for many years. Unofficially, she was the club’s social director, points keeper, publicity agent, organizer, sounding board, problem solver and, most important, its conscienceMarilyn passed away Tuesday after a brave bout with cancer.
“Her contributions to our club over the years are many, far too many to count,” said NEMA President Mike Scrivani. “Saying she will be missed seems trite at this point, but Marilyn touched so many of us in positive ways. Whatever the problem, she was there for us. It is a sad time.”
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Winchester, NH — This season, Greg Stoehr of E. Bridgewater, MA, has been knocking on the door of victory lane. On Saturday night, he let himself in by winning the 25-lap feature event at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH. Stoehr has posted several top finishes this season including runner-up finishes at both Thompson Speedway and the Waterford Speedbowl. Mechanical woes stopped Stoehr in his tracks at what could have been a promising race at the Stafford Motor Speedway. Nothing could stand in Stoehr’s way at the fast quarter-miler as the veteran driver went on to capture his first victory since rejoining the Club full-time in 2005.
The Northeastern Midget Association only had four days turn around time after last Wednesday’s mid-week spectacular at Seekonk Speedway that was won by Lou Cicconi. Saturday’s event at Monadnock Speedway was rescheduled after rain forced the postponement of the event originally scheduled for June 9, 2007. With great efforts by all, Stoehr and the rest of the NEMA contingent were for up for the challenge.
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Seekonk, MA — Open-wheel ace “Liquid” Lou Cicconi of Aston, PA, scored his second Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) victory of the season in dominating fashion on Wednesday night at Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, MA. This was the second race for the Midgets at Seekonk in the last five days. The event, which was postponed due to inclement weather back on July 18, 2007, was worth the wait for Cicconi and his Bertrand Racing teammate Randy Cabral, who chased Cicconi to the checkers. Cicconi took advantage of his front row starting position and went on to wire the field for the victory.
The one-two finish was a much-needed boost for the race team and the Bertrand family. Since an opening day win at the Waterford Speedbowl in April, Cicconi has seen his fair share of adversity. Mechanical woes have sidelined Cicconi twice in the last four races.
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Seekonk, MA — Ben Seitz of Pocasset, MA, became the first repeat winner during the 2007 season for the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) with his dominating performance on Saturday night at Seekonk Speedway. The victory came in the prestigious “Boston” Louie Seymour Memorial Coors Light Silver Cup Classic; making Seitz only the second driver to repeat in the event’s 11-year history.
Seitz, who made a three-wide move on the initial start, led every lap to score the victory. It was anything but clear sailing for Seitz who had to make the pass for the lead twice before it counted and then had to withstand a pair of cautions during the race to score the victory.
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Groton, CT — It is considered by most to be the marquee event of the season for the Northeastern Midget Association. On Saturday night, August 25, 2007, the Seekonk Speedway and the Seymour Family proudly present the 11th Annual Boston Louie Seymour Memorial Coors Light Silver Cup Classic. This prestigious event honors the patriarch of the noted Seymour Racing family of Marlborough, MA.
The “Boston” Louie Seymour Memorial Coors Light Silver Cup Classic is presented annually by the Seymour Family and a host of sponsors to pay tribute to one of Midget racing’s most endearing characters. Termed the “man who traveled a million miles”, Seymour earned notoriety nationally for his ability to build stout race cars and winning race teams. While traveling the country from his home in Massachusetts, Louie Seymour earned accolades at the top level of open-wheel racing with prominent drivers like Kenny Schrader.
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Waterford, CT — Nokie Fornoro of Stroudsburg, PA, scored his first feature win of the season in Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) competition in the 25-lapper at the Waterford Speedbowl in Waterford, CT, on Saturday night. Fornoro became the sixth different winner in six races in the highly competitive series. This was Fornoro’s fourth win at the shoreline oval, ending a winless streak at the facility that dates back to 1985.
The 25-lap event took only 6 minutes, 8 seconds from green to checker; setting a new record for the Waterford Speedbowl. It may have been quick, but every second of the caution-free feature event was action-packed.
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Groton, CT — After two straight successful events it appeared as if the season, which has been plagued by inclement weather so far, was getting back on track for the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA). But torrential rains in the area forced the postponement of the mid-week special planned for Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at the Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, MA.
This marked the second time this season that an event at Seekonk Speedway was affected by rain. Officials from NEMA and Seekonk Speedway are still searching for a suitable replacement date. Details will be made available as soon as possible.
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