April 29, Brockton, MA--- Greg Stoehr of Bridgewater has been driving race cars for over 30 years. He’s been a Northeastern Midget Association competitor since the mid 1980s. After all that time he’s finally going after a championship. The quest continues, this weekend, May 3-4 when NEMA takes on Seekonk Speedway, helping the “Cement Palace” open its season. “It’s the first time I’ve ever really wanted a championship,” says Stoehr. He feels he owes the effort to the people who have helped him, notably Bruce Bean and John Andruk of Circle Performance Motors. They are the masterminds behind the unique Mazda engine that powers the Stoehr 26b. He is not exactly a stranger to championships. Older brother (by 11 months) Russ, from Carver, has five NEMA crowns. “Russ knows how to win championships,” understates Stoehr. “He knows how to get it done.” The run, he adds, “is the culmination of a lot of trial and error.”

Stoehr joins two other veterans who have lofty intentions – Joe Payne Jr. and Nokie Fornoro also know how to win championships. “You need a lot of reliable equipment, you need good people and you have to be smart on the track,” says Stoehr. The Stoehrs have a combined eight NEMA wins at Seekonk, five for Russ. Only Nokie (8) and Drew (2) Fornoro have more. Stoehr comes to Seekonk off a strong third place at Waterford Speedbowl’s Modified Nationals. Greg has a first and a second in heat action. “[Seekonk] has to smile at you,” says Stoehr who sees the historic quarter-mile in contradictory terms. “It is,” he continues, “a rhythm track as opposed to a gas and brake track. The smoother you are the more Seekonk rewards you because if you slow down, a lot of cars are going to pass you. And you have to be good in traffic because you are in it almost immediately.” Stoehr, who spent 10 years driving fendered cars at the ‘Konk, believes it’s a place where experience counts. There are exceptions (Randy Cabral of Plymouth and Bobby Santos III of Franklin) but “some guys never get it,” says Stoehr.

The Stoehrs and Fornoros are both sons of drivers –Paul Stoehr from Bridgewater and Nicky Fornoro respectively. Nicky Fornoro actually won a AAA race at Seekonk in 1952. “You’ve got to let the car run free at Seekonk,” says Nokie Fornoro. “You can’t hold it down. You’ve got to let it go.” He claims he often “gets into such a rhythm there that the right rear actually ticks the wall in the front stretch.” Nokie, who uses no brake, says he learned a lot about driving Seekonk from Mike Scrivani Jr. and Modified Hall of Famer Leo Cleary of Hanover.

Among active drivers, Randy Cabral (3), Jeff Horn (3), Joey Payne Jr. (2) and Bobby Santos III (1) join Fornoro and Stoehr on the Seekonk/NEMA win list. Stoehr and Fornoro agree it will take laps in the low 11 seconds to win a Midget race at Seekonk. That compares with laps in the mid 15 seconds back in the early 1950s. NEMA’s first race was at Seekonk on May 30, 1953, the late Fred Meeker beating Al Pillion and Cliff Riggott. The next NEMA feature will be the 71st at Seekonk … The legendary Oscar Ridlon won the first-ever event at Seekonk, a Midget race, on Memorial Day in 1946. Through the years Seekonk has run events sanctioned by many sanctioning bodies including Bay State, Triple A, ARDC and USAC. The win list is extraordinary and includes the likes of Bill Schindler, Joe Sostillio, Johnny Thomson, Len Duncan, Billy Randall, Joe Csiki, Mel Kenyon, Johnny Mann and Dutch Schaefer.

Erica Santos of Franklin wants, make that needs, another victory. The sooner it comes the better it will be for Santos who made Northeastern Midget Association history last year when she won at Stafford Motor Speedway, the first female in the club’s history to do so. NEMA’s busy ’08 campaign continues May 3-4, helping Seekonk Speedway open its season. You can bet on folks talking about Erica at Stafford. “They can stop with Stafford,” says Santos. “They don’t need to keep talking about it. It’s time [for me] to back it up. I want to win other races.”

In her second season in the Ed Breault-owned #44, she is cautiously optimistic heading into Seekonk. Admitting she “hasn’t run great there in the past,” Santos returns believing “we might have found something the last time we were there. I think we should be pretty good.” “If they know nothing else, people go home knowing how Erica did,” explains NEMA president Mike Scrivani Jr. of Brockton. Within the club, she is treated as any other potential winner. “When I do pretty good or OK people make such a big deal about it,” she continues.

She understands “there are not too many girls racing midgets” but sees herself “as another race driver. I’ve been driving longer than a lot of the people out there so I should be doing what I’m doing.” The #44 team will come to Seekonk with a fast car. “We’ve had good cars on both weekends,” said Santos who captured heats at both Waterford and Thompson. “We are ahead of last year and last year was good. We have to keep doing what we’re doing.” Santos and Breault wound up fifth in their respective standings in ’07.

At Waterford’s Modified Nationals she was ahead when the rain came. “Had the rain not come, had it stayed green, I probably would have been OK,” she says. “After the long delay [winner] Randy Cabral’s car was better; mine was a little worse.” Admitting to a mistake, she wound up fifth. “I need to be fast, consistent,” she says. “I need to be in a position where we can win.” She shares the spotlight with heralded brother Bobby III who often pilots the family-owned #98. Although the #44 is maintained by Lou Breault, Erica’s father and brother “put the set up in it.”

As much as possible, Erica tries to follow her brother in practice. “First,” she explains, “I know that’s he is usually one of the fastest cars. If I can keep up with him I know I’m in pretty good shape. And, it’s easier for my dad. He doesn’t have to watch two cars on opposite sides of the track.” Seekonk, she says, is “definitely a handling race track” and having a car that’s “comfortable” is key “because you are always turning there. If I’m not in a good handling car I’m going to get tired quickly.” Strength is one of the things that, Santos believes, puts girls at a disadvantage in auto racing. “We are not as strong and we not as aggressive, things you need to be a good race driver. Guys are just so naturally competitive and really aggressive,” she offers. She sees herself as “really competitive” and “pretty aggressive for a girl.” Seekonk Speedway will also have it's final practice drills on Saturday afternoon starting at 1 p.m. Along with the NEMA Midgets the Cement Palace will open for the season on Sunday afternoon with four divisions of stockcar action at 1 p.m.

Thursday Night Thompson Thunder (TNTT) returns to the Thompson International Speedway on Thursday, May 22. The TNTT series will once again feature six NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions in a fast-paced race program that has been so popular with race fans. The Thompson Sunoco Modifieds lead the way with a roster of drivers bursting with talent. The competition is second to none and race fans love the close, high-speed competition of this exciting open wheel division.

Former division title holder, Bert Marvin, claimed the victory on ICEBREAKER weekend in the first of two events scheduled for the Sunoco Modifieds. He was followed across the finish line by Jimmy Blewett, Doug Coby and Danny Cates. The 2006 and 2007 division champions, Woody Pitkat and Keith Rocco respectively, were eliminated from the competition early in the event. The second of two races scheduled for ICEBREAKER weekend was rained out and will be rescheduled.

Pro Stock veteran and defending champion, Mike O’Sullivan claimed the honors his division’s opening act for the 2008 season. He bested Norman Wrenn, Fred Astle, Jr. of Westport and Dave Darling of Rehoboth in the thrilling 30-lap race.

The Late Model division, like the Sunoco Modifieds, had a twin bill scheduled for ICEBREAKER weekend. Like the Modifieds, Mother Nature intervened in the Sunday race. However, Saturday night’s race saw Late Model veteran, Jeff Zuidema claim the victory in a hard fought battle with Mark Palmisano, Jay Stuart and Rick Gentes.

Jesse Gleason was victorious in the Limited Sportsman debut and it was Glenn Boss in victory lane in the Thompson Modifieds. Danny Field claimed the victory in the thrill-a-minute Mini Stocks.

Prior to the May 22nd opening of the NASCAR Whelen All American Series TNTT races at Thompson, the track will be open for two practice sessions. These will be held on Thursday, May 8 and Thursday, May 15. Both open practice dates will be available to any race car meeting Thompson’s safety requirements and will operate between the hours of 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. These two open practice dates are being offered to competitors who want to fine tune their race cars for the season’s weekly competition. They also offer a great opportunity for new drivers to get valuable ‘seat time’ and for new race teams to hone their skills.

Three days after the track opens for Thursday night racing, the annual Eve of Destruction is scheduled. This traditional Memorial Day weekend family fun night will once again present a fun-filled evening of smash and crash events, large and small car demo derbies, school bus demo, daredevil acts, the ever-popular Trailer Trash race and a huge fireworks display to round out the evening. The show starts at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 29.

Even though the indoor racing action came to an adrupt end at MotoTown in Windsor, Conn., Rochester's Timex Morgan ended up winning the 600 cc Micro Sprint Winter Championship Series. That venue claims it will reopen in October.

Rockland native and former Busch Series driver Dale Quarterley had John Salemi of Nashua, NH at the wheel of his Camping World Tour Chevy in the recent event held at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in SC. Selemi finished 11th.

Heluva Good!, a leading producer of real sour cream dips, cheese, and condiments, will sponsor the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pole Days and the NASCAR Camping World Series East races on Friday, June 27, 2008 and Friday, September 12, 2008 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Both Fridays will be designated as the "Heluva Good Pole Days". The NASCAR Camping World Series East events will be named the Heluva Good! 125 in June and September. "With such an enormous following and loyal fan base, teaming up with New Hampshire Motor Speedway was a perfect fit," said Lynne Bohan, Heluva Good! spokesperson. "Whether it's just a few friends in your living room, or you're at the track among thousands of fellow race fans, Heluva Good! always makes the best parties even better." "We are delighted this well-respected, New England-based company recognizes the marketing power of NASCAR racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway," said Jerry Gappens, Executive Vice-President and General Manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "We look forward to working closely with Heluva Good! in this new partnership and helping them deliver their message to the hundreds of thousands of our brand-loyal race fans." Tickets for the NASCAR events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, including the June 29 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 and the September 14 SYLVANIA 300, are on sale.

Opening night of Thursday Night Thompson Thunder (TNTT) is set for May 22. The 2008 racing season marks the ninth year that the popular Thursday night race program has been thrilling race fans in New England.

Thompson’s six NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions compete weekly in what has to be the fastest, most efficiently run race program to be found anywhere in southern New England. Feature event racing begins around 7 p.m. and fans are headed home by 9:30 p.m However, during that period, fans get to see six feature events with the best drivers the region has to offer.

The Thompson TNTT line up includes Sunoco Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Late Models, Limited sportsman, Thompson Modifieds and Mini Stocks. Each of these divisions is packed with highly competitive race teams and the on-track action is exciting and virtually non-stop. Race fans are anxiously awaiting the debut of the new lighting system recently installed at Thompson. Immediately after last November’s Swap Meet was over, construction began on the new Musco lighting system. The infield was graded, a new retaining wall was installed and the towering new fixtures were installed before the New England weather brought the project to a halt. Once the snows were gone and the ICEBREAKER program run, work resumed at a fever pitch. Trenches were dug in both the infield and on the midway for the underground wiring. Miles of wire were carefully installed and testing of the new system is about to begin. Once the lighting system installation is completed, the entire midway will be dug up, reshaped and prepared for a brand new asphalt coating.

This two fold approach of presenting a great weekly race program and annual improvements make Thompson International Speedway one of the truly great race tracks in the country. Thompson opened in 1940 as the first asphalt track in the U.S. and nearly every year since race fans have been treated to improvements in the facility.

The Thompson pit area will open at 3 p.m. for TNTT race programs and practice will begin one hour later. Qualifying races get underway at 5:30 p.m. and the first of six main events follow qualifying. TNTT is family priced and fans get to see NASCAR short track racing at its very best right in their own back yards. For many, this fast-paced racing program is the beginning of the weekend. TNTT is a great way to make summer weekends seem longer and more enjoyable.

Ted Christopher of Conn. took the checkered flag in the 37thAnnual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler for his fourth career Spring Sizzlervictory, a victory that ties him with Mike Stefanik for the most careerSizzler wins. TC has previously won the Spring Sizzler in 1988,2002, and 2003. Ryan Preece, driving for the same Boehler Racing Enterprises team that wonthe Inaugural Tech-Net Spring Sizzler in 1972 with Fred DeSarro behind thewheel, appeared to be well on his way into the Stafford record books with aperfect CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Weekend. Preece set fast time in last Saturday’s Whelen Modified Tour practice session and winning the pole position for the Sizzlerrace. After the pole redraw, Preece started the race from the seventh position, but it took him only 28 laps to work his way by pole sitter Rob Summers for the race lead. Preece had the race under his control, comfortably keeping his car out front until a blown engine took him out of the race on lap-91. Preece’s misfortune handed the race lead over to Ted Christopher, who held the lead until he came to pit road for a second time on lap-143. Christopher’s pit stop handed the lead of the race over to Eric Beers, who had pitted under the caution period for Preece’s blown engine back on lap-93. Christopher pitted for a second time under caution on lap-143 and moved back into second place on lap-166 behind Beers when the caution came back out for a spin by Frank Ruocco.

On the restart, Christopher moved by Beers in turn 3 to retake the race lead. Several late caution periods kept the field in close contact with Christopher and Beers kept the pressure on Christopher for the lead, but was unable to get close enough to make a pass. Chuck Hossfeld came home third in Bob Garbarino’s car that Donny Lia drove to last year’s Sizzler victory, Mike Stefanik finished fourth, and James Civali rounded out the top-5. Finishing 6th through 10th was Rowan Pennink, Richard Savary of Canton, Jamie Tomaino, Todd Szegedy, and Glenn Tyler. Ryan Preece, driving the Boehler entry out of Freetown, ended the day in 28th place. Bob Grigas of Marshfield had a similar fate and wound up 30th overall in that NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event.

Six-time champion Dennis Gada charged from a 20th-place starting spot, passed Jeff Pearl with 10-laps remaining and went on to win Saturday evening’s 35-lap SK Modified feature at the Waterford Speedbowl. It was the 59th career triumph for the 2008 Budweiser Modified Nationals winner. Following Gada was Ron Yuhas Jr, Keith Rocco, Pearl , and Frank Ruocco.

At Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH last weekend local driver Kirk Alexander came home the winner in the True Value Modified Racing Series 100 lap feature. Not so fortunate was Raynham's Tom Cravenho, who was driving the Falmouth Ready Mix, had an off day and came in 26th place.

We hear at WWWUB Networks New England are reaching out to racing fans here in New England and as far away as England, to ask for your support. Our community is by the biggest community in any sport. Project Bread is holding their 40th Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 4, 2008. That's this coming Sunday, RAIN or SHINE. It's a 20 mile walk through the streets of Boston, Cambridge and Brighton. This event is MBTA accessible from the Park Street Station (RED LINE) or T Stop. WUUB will have our camera's rolling at this event.

The short track flat track motorcycles and Quads event at the Brockton Fairgrounds short track scheduled for Sunday May 18 has been cancelled due to permit problems. The issue should be resolved in time for the Fair races in July. That May 18 event has been moved to the NEDTS flagship track, Wachusetts Valley Riders Club in Winchendon with practice at noon, with races set for 1:30 p.m.

Let's see what else is on the racing schedule this weekend in southern New England. It's more NASCAR All American Series action at the Stafford Speedway in Conn. on Friday night. Waterford Speedbowl in Conn. hosts the True Value Modified Racing Series plus five support divisions on Saturday night. The same night Whip City in Westfield has Mini Sprint action on the quarter-mile dirt track. On Sunday the Quoboag Riders in Monson will hold it's first motorcycle hillclimb meet starting at noon. Other bike action is on that same day at MotoX 338 in Southwick. Down in Shelton Speedway it's dirt track racing for the Go-Karts all day Sunday. Also for the bike crowd is MotoX racing on Saturday and Sunday at the Capeway Rovers in Middleboro.

    Lou Modestino is a long-time columnist and Public Relations person, working for numerous tracks in the northeast, and now writes for The Enterprise in Brockton, MA.  He may be reached at lmodestino@hotmail.com. 

Long Island Motorsports News encourages you to patronize our fine sponsors---

Disclaimer:  Views expressed by columnists and all others on this website are strictly their own, and may not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of the management of Long Island Motorsports News.

 Long Island Motorsports News, your source for racing coverage, is updated daily.

Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Long Island Motorsports News.  All rights reserved.