Randy Cabral of Kingston will be looking for redemption this Saturday night at Waterford Speedbowl’s Wings and Wheels. He had a DNF there in the season opener. (Credit: NEMA photo)

By Lou Modestino

The Northeastern Midget Association’s history book is a big one and you’ll find Gene Angelillo’s name all over it. He is responsible for much of the club’s history throughout the last three decades. Gene, his team and drivers amassed over 100 wins and a record 14 owner championships.

Gene, and wife Marilyn joined the club at a pivotal time for midget racing and made sure they kept NEMA on the map with competitive equipment and strong dedication to the organization. Both served as officers with the club, Gene as President in the 90’s.

The Angelillos will be remembered and honored by NEMA with the annual race in their name this Saturday night at the Waterford Speedbowl.

NEMA returns to “The Bowl” for their second race in as many weeks. A full field of NEMA midgets and NEMA Lites are expected to be on hand along with the ISMA Supermodifieds and Valenti Modified Racing Series for the track’s annual “Wings and Wheels” event.

Suffield CT’s Todd Bertrand could be considered the favorite heading into Saturday. He’s won the last three Angelillo Memorials, including his first ever NEMA win in 2011. Seth Carlson of Brimfield will no doubt return with the same set-up that helped him lead every lap of the last NEMA race at Waterford. He set a blistering pace early leaving only 8 cars on the lead lap at the finish to claim his second win of the year.

Avery Stoehr of Lakeville rides a wave of podium finishes heading into the Angelillo Memorial. The young hot shoe scored a win, a third and a second in a week that saw three events at three different tracks. He’s been wonderful at Waterford with a win on opening day and his runner-up finish two weeks ago. Stoehr, in his first full season in the midgets is locked in a classic duel atop the point standings with four time champ and season three time winner Randy Cabral of Kingston.

But, the Speedbowl is not one of Cabral’s best performance tracks. He suffered a DNF on opening day, a fifth place finish last time out. He has been shutout of Waterford’s victory lane for a handful of years and looks to change that on Saturday.

The NEMA Lites had another first time winner in Juris Kupris of Williamsburg, NY last time out. Kupris dominated the field after he methodically picked his way through the top five to wrestle the lead from NJ’s Anthony Payne with just a handful of laps to go. Payne followed Kupris across the line two seconds later to score his career best finish.

Both Kupris and Payne are out to prove their podium finishes were not a fluke. The other podium finisher, PJ Stergios of Candia, NH hopes to improve this week and claim victory #5.

Ryan Krachun of Neshanic Station, NJ looks for his first win in NEMA despite leading the point standings. Danny Cugini of Marshfield, Andy Barrows of New Ipswich, NH and CT’s Bigelow brothers are also threats to bring home the Angelillo trophy in the Lites feature.

Waterford Speedbowl’s Wings and Wheels event also offers an autograph session with drivers from all the touring series between the practice sessions and qualifying.