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NEMA MOURNS |
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written
by Pete Falconi, NEMA Announcer |
This sport that we love so
much, this thing that is so entrenched in our hearts and souls,
has now hurt our hearts and taken a piece of our souls. Some of
the attraction of this sport that occupies many of our days and
nights are the personalities of the people involved, the
interests that we share, the camaraderie of the competitors, the
spirited competition and the overall thrill that is auto racing.
A good part of that thrill is the danger associated with the
event itself. There isn’t a driver whose adrenaline isn’t fueled
by the risk they take every time they strap themselves into the
car. That risk and the element of danger is part of what brings
us back week in and week out, puts spectators in the stands and
provides the excitement that consumes so much of our lives. Love
it as much as we do, we hate it when it takes one of our own.
Shane Hammond was a colorful kid, warm and friendly with a great
smile and pleasant attitude. He was a racer’s racer. He never
complained, he listened a lot, a true professional, a gentleman
and a friend to everyone he raced with. He could turn the
wrenches and was admired for his mechanical abilities. He was
good on the track, too. One of those drivers that week in and
week out was in contention, and more often than not we said
“he’s due for a trip to victory lane.” Often times we were
surprised that he didn’t post a podium finish and be back at the
start/finish line after the race to celebrate with some of the
more experienced drivers like Joey, Nokie, Randy, Greg and Ben.
He certainly was on par with those guys. Many of the times he
didn’t post a top three finish it was no fault of his. It was
mechanical problems or he just didn’t get the break he needed to
get to the front. Even though he wasn’t there in front of the
crowd getting his picture taken at the end of the race, he never
showed an ounce of discouragement. Right back at it next week,
listening, asking questions, trying harder. Shane was a racer’s
racer, a role model to the incoming rookies and sophomores of
NEMA. He was part of that new breed of midget drivers that have
been putting NEMA on the map lately; destined for greatness in
open wheel racing.
Now we try to make sense of a devastating tragedy like this.
Why? Why Shane? Why NEMA? Why now? If there is even the
slightest consolation, we have to remember that death is at the
doorstep for all of us. We can’t predict when we will be called,
only the Good Lord can make that decision. We can only hope and
pray that we will be one of the fortunate ones that are called
to Eternal Life while doing something that we truly enjoy,
something that is our love and passion. If there is a final gift
on this earth, it is that.
The Northeastern Midget Association will go on in our 56th
season. We’ll gather at the track and continue the spirited
competitiveness, maintain that special camaraderie and live the
thrill of the sport that is so close to our hearts. But our
hearts will be heavy and it won’t be the same for awhile.
There’ll be a hole in the line-up, an absent smile, a great
competitor, a friend, a racer’s racer will be missing. Have the
faith that he will be with us in spirit at the track every week.
He’ll be in the pits and at the drivers’ meetings. In spirit he
will ride with you, the drivers, for each and every lap and he
will be in victory lane to celebrate right alongside you.
God rest Shane’s soul and God ease the pain of Shane’s family
and friends and of the wonderful people that are The
Northeastern Midget Association. |
In lieu of flowers, Shane's family has asked that contributions be
made in Shane's name c/o NEMA. All contributions can be sent to
NEMA at 266 Kelly Rd, Middlebury CT 06762. |
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1ST EVENT - THOMPSON ICEBREAKER
APRIL 5-6, 2008
NEMA’s Shane Hammond Succumbs at
Thompson
Shane Hammond, one of the Northeastern Midget Association young
stalwarts, died Sunday from “traumatic injuries” sustained in a crash at
Thompson International Speedway’s season-opening Icebreaker. The crash
occurred on the fourth lap of the scheduled 25-lapper.
Hammond, 27, of Halifax, MA, made contact with another car at the end of
the backstretch on the fourth lap. Getting airborne, Hammond’s car
cleared the concrete wall and struck a billboard in turn three.
After being extricated from the racer (a process that took some 12
minutes), Hammond was taken by ambulance to Day Kimball Hospital in
nearby Putnam where he died.
NEMA immediately suspended the race. It was the first of nineteen
scheduled events for the 58-year old club.
Hammond, who was diving Mike Jarret’s #4x second car, joined the Midget
ranks in 2003 after a very successful stint in Go Karts. Regarded
as a “steady hand,” he had “shook down” the car on several occasions and
last raced it at Beech Ridge in 2007.
The last fatality for NEMA was Ed Clothier at Westboro Speedway on June
19, 1965.
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Heat 1 Winner - Erica
Santos
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Thompson Icebreaker - Sat 4/5 - Heat 1 |
| Pos. |
# |
Driver |
Hometown |
Owner |
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1 |
44 |
Erica Santos |
Franklin, MA |
Ed Breault |
| 2 |
45 |
Joey Payne |
Fairlawn, NJ |
Gene Angellilo |
| 3 |
63 |
Jeremy
Frankoski |
Huntingon
Station, NY |
TSR
Motorsports Inc. |
| 4 |
9 |
John Zych
Jr. |
Mendon,
MA |
John Zych |
| 5 |
11 |
Mark Irving |
Worcester, MA |
Charles Camosse |
6
DNF |
33 |
Shawn Torrey |
Marshfield, MA |
Shawn Torrey |
7
DNF |
2 |
Lee Bundy |
Kennebunkport, ME |
Lee Bundy |
8
DNF |
27 |
Troy Boissoneau |
Bedford,
NH |
Ray Boissoneau |
9
DNF |
4x |
Nokie
Fornoro |
Stroudsburg,
PA |
Mike
Jarret |
10
DNF |
37g |
Shane
Hammond |
Halifax, MA |
Shane
Hammond |
11
DNS |
14 |
Kevin Park |
Foxboro, MA |
Paul
Holmstrand |
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Heat 2 Winner - Nokie
Fornoro
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Thompson Icebreaker - Sat 4/5 - Heat 2 |
| Pos. |
# |
Driver |
Hometown |
Owner |
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1 |
4 |
Nokie
Fornoro |
Stroudsburg,
PA |
Mike
Jarret |
| 2 |
26b |
Greg Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
Greg Stoehr |
| 3 |
7ny |
Adam Cantor |
Dix Hills, NY |
Cantor Racing |
| 4 |
77L |
Mike Luggelle |
Hull, MA |
Mike Luggelle |
| 5 |
22 |
Chris
Leonard |
Pelham,
NH |
Dave
Leonard |
| 6 |
5 |
William Wall |
Shrewsbury, MA |
Wall
Motorsports LLC |
| 7 |
78 |
Brian Cleveland |
Billerica, MA |
Linda
Cleveland |
| 8 |
28 |
Paul Luggelle |
Holbrook, MA |
Paul Luggelle |
9
DNF |
35 |
Glen Cabral |
Plymouth, MA |
Glen Cabral |
10
DNS |
30 |
Paul
Scally |
Raynham,
MA |
Paul
Scally |
11
DNS |
98 |
Bobby Santos
III |
Franklin, MA |
Robert Santos Jr. |
12
DNS |
47 |
Randy Cabral |
Plymouth, MA |
Tim Bertrand |
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Strong NEMA Field Ready For Icebreaker
The Northeastern Midget Association begins its 56th season at Thompson
International Speedway’s Icebreaker April 4-5-6. Club President Mike
Scrivani Jr. expects upward to 30 cars for the 25-lapper on what is the
fastest track NEMA visits.
It is the first of 19 races for NEMA, the most in 20 years. It is the
first of three ’08 visits to Thompson. The Budweiser Modified Nationals
at
Waterford Speedbowl follows a week later (April 12-13) providing the
club with a demanding start.
Testing at Thompson has increased excitement, several cars turning
competitive speeds.
“NEMA is in tremendous shape,” says Scrivani. “Car count, improved
equipment, competitive cars, youngsters and veterans, number of races –
it’s all excellent. We have had a great off-season. This is one
of the most anticipated openers in a long time.”
Last fall’s World Series winner Randy Cabral, in the Bertrand # 47,
leads NEMA into the 2008 season. He’ll be seeking his sixth career
Thompson NEMA triumph that would equal the record currently held by
Johnny Mann.
Two very experienced drivers, Nokie Fornoro in Mike Jarret’s #4 and Joey
Payne Jr. in Gene Angelillo’s # 45, will kick off what each hopes will
be a championship season at the Icebreaker. Bobby Santos
III will be in the family # 98. His sister Erica returns in Ed Breault’s
now Esslinger-powered #44. The Stoehr brothers, Greg and five-time champ
Russ, are also on the roster.
The 2007 Rookie of the Year Jeremy Frankoski will be making his debut in
the Seaman #63. The club’s celebrated youth corps includes Aaron Wall,
who moves into the Power Point Race Cars # 99, and Chris Leonard in the
family # 22.
Veterans Adam Cantor and Pete Pernesiglio and youngster John Zych Jr.,
all in the family equipment, are other contenders.
Cabral, who says Thompson demands the utmost respect, also believes a
win will set the season off on the high note.
“The cooler the weather, the faster we’re going to go,” says Fornoro,
pointing out he and Bobby Santos III were in the “lower 17s” at last
fall’s Icebreaker. Still, as Payne is quick to point out, “Thompson has
always been filled with surprises, especially early and late in the
season. The place can send you soaring and it can break your heart.”
NEMA/THOMPSON NOTES
Although the Northeastern Midget Association was actually formed in the
Thompson Speedway clubhouse in the spring of 1953, the club didn’t get
around to racing on the historic oval until May 24, 1960. National
Midget Hall of Famer Dutch Schaefer was the winner. It was the season
opener…This year’s Icebreaker will be the 12th time Thompson has hosted
NEMA’s opener… Sixteen year old Ryan Dolan’s win at the 2002 Icebreaker
made the youngest winner in club history…The late Johnny Coy won the
1971 NEMA opener at Thompson. Johnny Coy Jr. did it in 1978.
The Icebreaker will be NEMA’s 68th event at Thompson… Johnny Mann is the
all-time NEMA win leader with six.....Rnd Cabral, the winner at last
fall’s World Series, is one away from equaling that. Cabral won the 2001
Icebreaker…In addition to Cabral and Dolan, active NEMA drivers with at
least one NEMA Thompson win are Russ and Greg Stoehr, Nokie Fornoro,
Joey Payne Jr., Bobby Santos III and Ben Seitz…Among active owners Gene
Angelillo has six checkereds including his 100th win (with Payne driving
a backup car) on Oct. 13, 2000…Hank Rogers Jr. won the 1980 opener in a
Scrivani car. The Scrivani family, Mike and present NEMA president Mike
Jr., have at least a half dozen Thompson wins including memorable rides
by Modified ace Gene Bergin in 1968 and Dave Humphrey in 1970, the
latter clinching half the championship. |
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