Thompson, CT - The fifth leader, two-time defending champion Russ Stoehr, took the lead on lap 13 and went on to capture the Northeastern Midget Association 33-lap Mini Indy on July 4 at Thompson Speedway. The event was part of NEMA's 50th birthday celebration.

Stoehr, diving Gene Angelillo's #45, went around Nokie Fornoro coming out of turn two on lap 13 and went on to post his 39th career NEMA win, putting him third on the all-time win list. "I really love to win at Thompson and I don't think anybody realized just how much Gene wanted to win tonight."

The three-abreast start (the first since the mid 1980s for NEMA) "went off without a hitch," said Stoehr who started outside the fifth row. He got a "close-up" view of some terrific racing, most notably a duel between teenagers Bobby Santos III and Ryan Dolan and the veteran Nokie Fornoro.

The winning pass came shortly after the second of four cautions. Fornoro was able to get away on the restart but it was Stoehr in front out of two. "[Nokie] was almost as fast as I was," explained Stoehr, "but he wasn't handling as well as he need to be. I figured if I could get by him it was going to be hard for the next guy."

A late rally gave Randy Cabral runner-up honors while front-row starter Ed Breault drove a consistent race to claim third. Both passed a slowing Phil DiMario in the final laps.

Fornoro, Dolan and DiMario, swapped positions behind Stoehr for much of the latter stages of the race. In the end, bad luck caught up with Dolan and Fornoro.

Dolan, who was looking for a second straight Thompson win, went out on the third restart running second. Fornoro and DiMario then went at it until Fornoro lost an engine with two laps remaining, resulting in the final restart. The slowing DiMario limped home from that point.

"There was some fast cars doing some great things out there," said Angelillo, taking pride as both winning car owner and club president. "This was a great Midget race."

Pole sitter Rudy Boetticher led the 33 starters into turn one but before the second lap was complete Santos, who started ninth in the Seymour #9, had the lead. Fornoro and Dolan were quickly in pursuit. A daring move to the outside heading into three on lap five sent Dolan past both Fornoro and Santos and into the lead.

"They talk about the learning curve," said Stoehr. "There is no more learning curve. These kids are coming with lots of experience and great equipment."

Mechanical woes claimed Santos just after the first yellow showed. That put Stoehr third behind Dolan and Fornoro. Stoehr followed Fornoro past Dolan and sat second when caution flew again two laps later.

"I really wanted to get a Thompson win with Gene," said Stoehr. "I've been second twice and I guess we picked the right night to get it." Stoehr won twice at Thompson driving for Bruce Beane.

History continues to repeat as NEMA heads for events at Star (July 13) and Hudson (July 14).

NEMA NOTES: Steve Grant started the Mini Indy from the track. "I have complete trust in these guys," said Grant who had to jump onto the wall and into the stand after the field passed…Promoter Don Hoenig, professing the Midgets remain his first love, was very happy with the show and told Angelillo, in front of the crowd, there's a standing invitation for more…Interestingly enough, the top four on NEMA's all-time win list were on the track. In addition to Drew and Nokie Fornoro and Stoehr, Dave Humphrey (who holds second spot) paced the field in the immaculate Ken Brenn Offy, the latter part of an ACOT display…

NEMA’S 50th Bash Includes Mini Indy