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| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10th |
| NEMA MIDGETS ONLY |
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Photos by John DaDalt |
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Photos by Norm Marx |
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NEMA MIDGETS -
THOMPSON - 8/10/16 |
|
Pos.
|
#
|
Driver |
Hometown
|
Owner |
|
1 |
9 |
John Zych Jr. |
Mendon, MA |
John Zych
Sr. |
|
2 |
71 |
Seth Carlson |
Brimfield, CT |
Gene
Feigel |
|
3 |
21 |
Jim Chambers |
Atkinson, NH |
Mike Chambers |
|
4 |
15a |
Avery Stoehr |
Lakeville, MA |
Russ Stoehr |
|
5 |
51 |
Danny Cugini |
Marshfield, MA |
D. Cugini |
|
6 |
47 |
Randy Cabral |
Plymouth, MA |
Tim
Bertrand |
|
7 |
74 |
Bobby Santos III |
Franklin, MA |
Tim Bertrand |
|
8 |
30 |
Paul Scally |
Raynham,
MA |
Paul Scally |
|
9 |
39 |
Todd Bertrand |
Danielson, CT |
Todd
Bertrand |
|
10 |
28 |
Pete Pernesiglio Jr. |
Ronkonkoma, NY |
Pete Pernesiglio Sr. |
|
11 |
5b |
Bethany
Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
Greg
Stoehr |
|
12 |
99 |
Jim Santa Maria |
Burlington, CT |
Jim Santa Maria |
|
13 |
50 |
Kevin Park |
Foxboro, MA |
Pete Pernisiglio Sr. |
|
Zych Tops Thompson Speedway
Motorsports Park
NEMA Return |
John Zych Jr. came from deep in the pack to take
down his second win in a row last Wednesday evening when the
Northeastern Midget Association joined the Whelen Modified
Tour at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. A grim forecast
didn't stop Thompson's staff from forging forward, in what
turned out to be a blockbuster evening at the Speedway.
When the green flag flew, Danny Cugini blasted out into
the lead from his front row starting spot. Cugini's Toyota
Racing #51 looked very strong in the early stages, pulling
away to a half straightaway lead at times. When the caution
flew, Cugini lined up beside Todd Bertrand in the Bertrand
Motorsports #39. Cugini jumped back out into the lead, until
another caution flew. On the next restart, Bertrand got the
jump, and pulled along with him John Zych Jr. who had come
from the tenth spot. Bertrand continued to lead for four
laps, when his machine started to falter, and Zych shot into
the lead. Bertrand retired from the event a few laps later
with a faulty spark plug wire.
During the next
caution period, Randy Cabral pitted from an earlier incident
in the race, and a nerf bar that was badly wearing into his
right rear tire. On the green flag, Zych rocketed into the
lead and was never seriously challenged. Seth Carlson put on
a strong run late in the race to finish second, and Jim
Chambers rounded out the podium. Avery Stoehr finished
fourth, followed by Danny Cugini, Randy Cabral, Bobby Santos
III, Paul Scally, Todd Bertrand and Pete Pernesiglio Jr.
"Starting 10th I wasn't very optimistic about getting to
the front. Once the race started I knew I had to go in a
hurry to be able to have a chance at catching the guys up
front. The few cautions that we had probably helped bunch us
back up. It was a pretty intense battle after the last
restart with the top 4 or 5 cars. We were able to break free
and once we took the lead the clean air and space to run the
line I wanted allowed us to break away and run our fastest
laps," said Zych.
NEMA picks back up Saturday, August
20th at Star Speedway where Sammy Swindell will highlight
the race card for Bertrand Motorsports. |
|
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“Dead Heat” Points Battle
& Bobby Santos
III Highlight
NEMA’s Return to Thompson
Speedway
Motorsports Park |
An epic battle has ensued
at the top of the Northeastern Midget Association points
standings over the first half of the season. John Zych Jr.
and Avery Stoehr are currently locked in a "dead heat" at
1058 points, while five time champion, Randy Cabral trails
the duo by just five points. Thompson Speedway Motorsports
Park (TSMP) is known by NEMA as the "separate the men from
the boys" facility, or as NEMA's lone female driver, Bethany
Stoehr would prefer - "separate the bold, from the rest."
Cabral, the all time win leader at Thompson Speedway
Motorsports Park, with eleven (11) wins, brings his Bertrand
Motorsports #47 to the race after a runner up finish at the
New-London Waterford Speedbowl last weekend. Zych, hot of a
win at the Speedbowl, has been impressive at TSMP over
recent years as well, clicking off the fastest lap ever in a
midget last year at the World Series of Racing, an
impressive 17.60.
Stoehr, who has been consistent
all season, brings his Motor Cars International 15a to
Thompson. Todd Bertrand, who has struggled this year, was
one lap from winning his first Thompson feature last year at
the World Series when a broken brake caliper slowed him to a
second place finish, while Cabral made a bold move to pass
him on the final lap. Paul Scally, Seth Carlson, Danny
Cugini and Jim Chambers will all be vying for a first
Thompson win as well.
All eyes will also be on Bobby
Santos III, who climbs aboard the Bertrand Motorsports #74
machine. Santos, who has many NEMA victories, including TSMP
- has been hot as of late on the Whelen Modified Tour, and
continues to tear up the winged pavement sprint car series
in the Midwest. He will drive the car that Doug Coby drove
to the Boston Louie Memorial victory earlier this season.
"I'm excited about Wednesday. Tim and I are due for a
good run together, and I'm excited to be teaming back up,"
said Santos. |
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