Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) Press Releases

March 2, Brockton, MA--- On Wednesday July 21, Seekonk Speedway hosts the Northeastern Midget Association’s “Showdown of Champions” a star-studded 25-lap event featuring some of the most-heralded racing talent ever assembled in New England.

Announced during a NEMA press conference held at the recent Racers Expo Trade Show in Marlborough, MA. the race will be part of Seekonk’s “Open Wheel Wednesday” event which also features a full slate of action for the NEMA full-Midgets.

Organizers drew from a vast talent pool for the “Showdown” coming up with a cast of championship-caliber competitors representing several different segments of the sport.

Competing in equally-prepared NEMA Lites Series entries in a 25-lap dash will be Nokie & Drew Fornoro, Chris Perley, Russ Wood, Ted Christopher, Mike Stefanik, Bentley Warren, Vinny Annarummo, and Fred Astle. The group represents literally hundreds of victories and multiple championships in everything from Indy Cars, Midgets and Sprint Cars, to Modifieds, Super Modifieds, and Pro Stocks. There remains the possibility of more “notable” racers being added to the roster.

“We worked diligently at getting some of the best drivers from all facets of the sport to participate, and the response was overwhelmingly positive,” stated NEMA Lites Series Race Director Steve Grant. “We aimed for an absolute “All-Star” cast competing on a completely-level playing ground. In the months-ahead, we’ll be working even-further to assure that the Lites Series cars we’ll be utilizing for the event are truly-equal in performance for these guys. It’s an opportunity for fans to see the “Cream of the Crop” all in one event. There will be no advantages – this one will go to the best driver. With all the talent in this group, “bragging-rights” are sure to be a top priority,” he says.

Started with only a handful of entries in 2008, the Lites Series has served as both an economic starting-point for new drivers to get involved in what remains one of the countries “purest” forms of open-wheel competition, and also as a venue for some of the most-seasoned of NEMA competitors. Utilized in the division are economical “sealed” engines. Only a few other subtle differences separate the Lites cars from their “full” Midget counterparts. The competition is both thrilling and equal, setting the stage for a great deal of “side-by-side” racing.

For more information on the July 21 “Showdown of Champions” and other Northeastern Midget Association events, log-on to www.nemaracing.com

March 1, Waterbury, CT--- Gene Angelillo, a 14-time Northeastern Midget Association owners champion, died Monday after a short illness at St Mary’s Hopsital. Angelillo, 74, also had an ARDC championship on a 30-year plus resume that included over 112 victories, 107 of them in NEMA.

Calling hours for Angelillo will be Thursday, March 4, 1-to-3 and 5-to-9 at Chase Parkway Memorial, 430 Chase Parkway in Waterbury, CT.

Funeral services will be at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main Street South in Southbury, CT on Friday at noon.

A Waterbury native, Angelillo’s team was “Dumo’s Desire” in recognition of his late father Dominic and more recently “Marilyn’s Desire” in honor of his late wife.

Marilyn and Gene, both officers, brought a passion to Midget racing in general and to NEMA in particular.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Laura and Curt Kibbe and granddaughters Tiana and Brooke.

Angelillo and Drew Fornoro formed one of the greatest owner/driver combinations in Midget history. Russ Stoehr and Joey Payne also won features and championships for Angelillo. He won races with Johnny Kay, Nokie Fornoro and Ted Christopher as well.

NEMA, ‘Bowl Share Exciting History

February 27, Brockton, MA--- Two-time defending champions Tim Bertrand and Randy Cabral were competitors before they were teammates. They shared the podium at the 2002 Boston Louie at Waterford Speedbowl.

Bertrand, in the family car, was second and Cabral, also in a family ride, third to Bobby Santos III in a Seymour machine. It was the first Midget victory for Santos, now a USAC standout. It is a part of NEMA's long history at the Speedbowl. NEMA opens its 58th season at the three-eights oval on March 27-28.

The Speedbowl has been hosting Midgets since its opening in 1953. Johnny Thomson, considered still to be the area's premier open cockpit racer, was the winner.

Cabral is NEMA's all-time NEMA winner at Waterford with eight, six of them coming in Bertrand equipment. Back in '02, however, things were different. Bertand was a winner earlier that year, beating both Cabral and Santos. Cabral's first Waterford win came later that season.

While the Cabral/Bertrand combo didn't win at the 'Bowl last year, it did post the fastest feature lap, a sizzling 13.075 effort. The team will debut its new Honda power in the opener.

Adam Cantor and Russ Stoehr were Waterford winners last year. Both are back, part of a strong field that will include a pair of promising youngsters - 2009 Rookie of the Year Chris DeRitis in a Lou Cicconi machine and one-time NEMA Lites standout Jesse State who takes over the Power Point #99 car.

Since 1953, there have been 42 winners in 81 NEMA features at Waterford. Active NEMA drivers in addition to Cabral, Russ Stoehr and Cantor with at least one Speedbowl victory are Nokie Fornoro, Jeff Horn, Barry Kittredge, Jim Miller and Greg Stoehr.

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