Waterford, CT - On Sunday 10/5, the Mighty NEMA Midgets wrapped up their thrilling 2025 season with a dramatic doubleheader weekend at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl during the Angelillo-Fornoro Memorial. At the end of a fiercely competitive season, it was Randy Cabral who emerged victorious, clinching his ninth NEMA Drivers Championship. Piloting the Bertrand Motorsports #74, Cabral not only added another title to his storied career but also helped secure the team’s 14th Owners Championship, further solidifying their legacy in NEMA history.

Heading into the final feature, the championship stakes couldn’t have been higher. Cabral and Paul Scally #30 were tied in points after Scally’s dominant win the day before at Lee USA Speedway. With the championship on the line, the formula was simple: Scally just needed to finish ahead of Cabral, but it was anything but easy.

Starting from 8th, “The Dangerous One” Paul Scally threw everything he had at the final race in pursuit of his first NEMA title. The atmosphere was electric as both contenders pushed their cars to the limit, but in the end, Cabral held strong and crossed the line ahead, securing a milestone championship in dramatic fashion.

In the final 25-lap feature of the 2025 season, Mike Horn #93 and Randy Cabral #74 led the field to the green flag. Horn took the initial lead into turn one, but Cabral wasted no time, charging to the outside down the backstretch. By the time they reached the front straight, Cabral had surged ahead to lead lap one, followed by Horn and Brayden Egan #3m.

As the field began to spread out over the opening laps, Cabral set a blistering pace, pulling away with nearly a half-straightaway lead. Behind him, a heated three-car battle developed for fourth between Joey Bailey #A1, Avery Stoehr in the Bertrand Motorsports #39, and Paul Scally #30.

By lap 5, Scally dove to the inside of Bailey in turn one to grab fourth. Stoehr quickly followed suit, challenging Bailey on the inside. The two battled side-by-side for several laps until lap 8, when Stoehr made a strong move around the high side to claim fifth. That same lap, Egan launched a move on Horn for second, diving low into turn one, but Horn held strong.

As lapped traffic came into play, the fight for second intensified. Horn, Egan, and Scally raced nose-to-tail, each looking for the slightest opening. On lap 13, Egan finally made it happen, powering alongside Horn out of turn two and completing the pass in turn four to take second.

With Cabral extending his lead, Scally wasn’t done yet. By lap 15, he was pressuring Horn hard. Hugging the low line, Scally pulled even in turn one and powered past out of turn two to take third. Now on the move, he set his sights on Egan.

By lap 18, Cabral’s lead was a full straightaway. Meanwhile, Scally had reeled in Egan for second, racing just a few car lengths behind. The two ran nose-to-tail until lap 22, when Scally found the opening he needed, diving to the inside down the frontstretch and claiming second.

At the same time, a spirited battle for fourth developed between Horn and Stoehr. Stoehr used the high groove to build momentum and eventually made the pass in turn three.

As the final laps clicked off, Cabral remained untouchable at the front. On lap 25, the checkered flag waved, signaling the end of the NEMA season and the crowning of a champion.

In victory lane, Cabral commented on his win, “I have not been looking at any points, all I knew is that I just had one job to do tonight. This win is important for me, as this memorial race was for people that I grew up with and chasing, Gene Angelillo and Drew Fornoro were the duo that everyone wanted to become. This race is about them. I will never forget the induction into the Hall of Fame. Drew and I began talking, and he told Gene that I was going to be the next guy to beat. Him and Chuck Welling were the only ones that thought that. Those things mean the world to me. I don’t look at points; I am just here to have fun and do this with my family. This championship is for Tim and Cara Bertrand, they really believed in me since day one.”

To round out the top 10 were strong finishes by: Randy Cabral #74, Paul Scally #30, Brayden Egan #3m, Avery Stoehr #39, Mike Horn #93, Joey Bailey #A1, Matt O’Brien #16, Kyle Valeri #21, Mike Pernesiglio #69, and E.J. Douville #55.

With the 2025 NEMA season now in the books, the NEMA LITES will wrap up their season on Saturday 10/11 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park during the World Series Weekend.

Another championship battle is set to unfold as Randy Cabral #47 leads the points standings, with Kyle Valeri #17 trailing by just 14 points. Can Cabral pull off the rare double championship sweep, adding a NEMA LITES title to his already impressive season? Or will we see a new face at the top as Valeri chases his first title?

One thing is certain, it’s going to be a day full of action you won’t want to miss! Join us at Thompson Speedway, or if you can't make it in person, be sure to tune in live on Racing America for full coverage.