RGeeProductions
05-15-2007, 07:37 AM
NEMA Celebrates Two of Its Finest at Seekonk This Weekend on National Midget “Driver of the Year” Night; Martino on the Mend
The long-awaited second event of the 2007 season for the Northeastern Midget Association has finally arrived. This weekend, the NEMA Midgets head to the Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, MA, with added zeal. On Saturday, May 19, the 25-lap NEMA feature event will honor two of NEMA’s finest, Stu Murray of Wirtgen America and Mike Jarret of Helping Hands of America. The two men spearhead the companies that proudly serve as the Northeastern Midget Association’s title sponsors.
“An exciting race at Seekonk Speedway is the best way for us to show how much we appreciate their support and friendship,” said NEMA President Mike Scrivani.
With a rich history that includes exciting finishes and fierce competition, the Seekonk Speedway is the ideal venue for such an important race for the NEMA competitors and fans.
Stu Murray and Mike Jarret have been instrumental in the recent and ongoing success of the Northeastern Midget Association. Both have provided financial support of the Club, to individual teams, and to individual races. Purse increases, additional activities and events, enhanced promotional opportunities and added exposure over the last several years can be attributed to their contributions.
With encouragement of these two very active sponsors, NEMA has experienced an influx of talented young drivers, embraced new technology and witnessed increased levels of competition while maintaining the dynamics of a competitor-driven governing body. The result is more marketability and additional exposure.
Their Series sponsorship tells only half the story. Mike Jarret and Stu Murray share a genuine interest in the well being of the Club and its members.
With his hands on approach, Jarret is a fixture at each and every race. As a cheerleader, motivator, administrator or salesman, Jarrett is a driving force with the every day, behind- the-scenes running of the Northeastern Midget Association.
Stu Murray has played integral role in attracting up and coming drivers to midget racing, most notably the NEMA Midgets. The support of Stu Murray and Wirtgen America adds credence to NEMA. As a long-time supporter of “big time” racing he has become known for his uncanny ability to recognize talent. By association with Wirtgen America, the racing community and the media pay attention to the quality of the drivers and the competition at NEMA.
“Without people like Mike (Jarrett) and Stu (Murray) -- NEMA would simply not
be what it is today,” said car owner Tim Bertrand. “Their investment in our series has led to more professional competitors and a more professional series on the whole. The
tracks take notice, the fans take notice, and NEMA appreciates their
assistance in an extraordinary way.”
Wirtgen America, the world leader in asphalt recycling and base stabilization equipment, has served as the Series sponsor since 2003. The company’s marketing strategy has utilized motorsports successfully for nearly 20 years traditionally in the open-wheel ranks including associations with Mark Kinser and Danny Lasoski in the World of Outlaws.
Wirtgen America, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, TN, is the world’s largest manufacturer of pavement milling machines; offering a full line of asphalt and concrete milling machines/profilers, hot and cold recyclers, and mixers for the pavement recycling and reconstruction industries. Wirtgen America products are available through a network of representatives and dealers throughout North America.
The Helping Hands of America Foundation is a private corporation that solicits tangible goods (autos, trucks, boats, etc.) for donation with portions of all liquidation proceeds directly benefiting the associated charities including the Lupus Foundation of Massachusetts, Sacred Heart Community Missions, the Association of Blind Citizens and the Massachusetts Chapter of the A.L.S. Association.
Helping Hands of America, through a personal investment by founding partner Mike Jarret of Bellingham, MA, began their support during the 2004 season.
As always, Jarret will be on hand for the celebration while Stu and Connie Murray will travel from his home in Tennessee to be part of the festivities.
“NEMA would not be where it is without (Stu) and (Mike) and I am very thankful that they have come and stayed aboard with us throughout the years,” said driver Shane Hammond. “What better place than Seekonk to dedicate a race to two great sponsors. It would be a great honor to take down a victory at this race.”
All of the drivers share the sentiment of fellow competitor Hammond but none more than Nokie Fornoro and Aaron Wall. Fornoro, the winning-most driver at Seekonk and a two-time winner in 2006, will pilot the beautifully prepared #4 owned by Jarret. Rookie Aaron Wall will be behind the wheel of the Wirtgen-sponsored #29 for Bobby Seymour. After his strong performance in his NEMA debut at Waterford and with many laps under his belt at Seekonk in a Focus Midget, a top finish is not out of the question for the Wirtgen America driver.
Saturday night’s race at Seekonk is also one of five National Midget “Driver of the Year” promotional nights to be held at various tracks around the country. The awards group will be adding a minimum of $300 cash along with product certificates to the purse.
NEMA Rookie Abby Martino will be missing from the field as she continues to mend after her devastating wreck in the season opener at Waterford.
“The doctor told me that at this point if everything is still healing well I may go to using only one crutch,” said Martino. “So it looks as if I have at least another 5-6 weeks using the crutches and then probably a few weeks walking with the brace after that but we will have to see!”
The racing community eagerly awaits this young ladies return to NEMA competition.
For a comprehensive look at the Northeastern Midget Association log on to www.nemaracing.com.
For more information on Saturday’s event at Seekonk Speedway visit www.seekonkspeedway.com or call (508) 336-9959.
by Dale Wolbrink
The long-awaited second event of the 2007 season for the Northeastern Midget Association has finally arrived. This weekend, the NEMA Midgets head to the Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, MA, with added zeal. On Saturday, May 19, the 25-lap NEMA feature event will honor two of NEMA’s finest, Stu Murray of Wirtgen America and Mike Jarret of Helping Hands of America. The two men spearhead the companies that proudly serve as the Northeastern Midget Association’s title sponsors.
“An exciting race at Seekonk Speedway is the best way for us to show how much we appreciate their support and friendship,” said NEMA President Mike Scrivani.
With a rich history that includes exciting finishes and fierce competition, the Seekonk Speedway is the ideal venue for such an important race for the NEMA competitors and fans.
Stu Murray and Mike Jarret have been instrumental in the recent and ongoing success of the Northeastern Midget Association. Both have provided financial support of the Club, to individual teams, and to individual races. Purse increases, additional activities and events, enhanced promotional opportunities and added exposure over the last several years can be attributed to their contributions.
With encouragement of these two very active sponsors, NEMA has experienced an influx of talented young drivers, embraced new technology and witnessed increased levels of competition while maintaining the dynamics of a competitor-driven governing body. The result is more marketability and additional exposure.
Their Series sponsorship tells only half the story. Mike Jarret and Stu Murray share a genuine interest in the well being of the Club and its members.
With his hands on approach, Jarret is a fixture at each and every race. As a cheerleader, motivator, administrator or salesman, Jarrett is a driving force with the every day, behind- the-scenes running of the Northeastern Midget Association.
Stu Murray has played integral role in attracting up and coming drivers to midget racing, most notably the NEMA Midgets. The support of Stu Murray and Wirtgen America adds credence to NEMA. As a long-time supporter of “big time” racing he has become known for his uncanny ability to recognize talent. By association with Wirtgen America, the racing community and the media pay attention to the quality of the drivers and the competition at NEMA.
“Without people like Mike (Jarrett) and Stu (Murray) -- NEMA would simply not
be what it is today,” said car owner Tim Bertrand. “Their investment in our series has led to more professional competitors and a more professional series on the whole. The
tracks take notice, the fans take notice, and NEMA appreciates their
assistance in an extraordinary way.”
Wirtgen America, the world leader in asphalt recycling and base stabilization equipment, has served as the Series sponsor since 2003. The company’s marketing strategy has utilized motorsports successfully for nearly 20 years traditionally in the open-wheel ranks including associations with Mark Kinser and Danny Lasoski in the World of Outlaws.
Wirtgen America, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, TN, is the world’s largest manufacturer of pavement milling machines; offering a full line of asphalt and concrete milling machines/profilers, hot and cold recyclers, and mixers for the pavement recycling and reconstruction industries. Wirtgen America products are available through a network of representatives and dealers throughout North America.
The Helping Hands of America Foundation is a private corporation that solicits tangible goods (autos, trucks, boats, etc.) for donation with portions of all liquidation proceeds directly benefiting the associated charities including the Lupus Foundation of Massachusetts, Sacred Heart Community Missions, the Association of Blind Citizens and the Massachusetts Chapter of the A.L.S. Association.
Helping Hands of America, through a personal investment by founding partner Mike Jarret of Bellingham, MA, began their support during the 2004 season.
As always, Jarret will be on hand for the celebration while Stu and Connie Murray will travel from his home in Tennessee to be part of the festivities.
“NEMA would not be where it is without (Stu) and (Mike) and I am very thankful that they have come and stayed aboard with us throughout the years,” said driver Shane Hammond. “What better place than Seekonk to dedicate a race to two great sponsors. It would be a great honor to take down a victory at this race.”
All of the drivers share the sentiment of fellow competitor Hammond but none more than Nokie Fornoro and Aaron Wall. Fornoro, the winning-most driver at Seekonk and a two-time winner in 2006, will pilot the beautifully prepared #4 owned by Jarret. Rookie Aaron Wall will be behind the wheel of the Wirtgen-sponsored #29 for Bobby Seymour. After his strong performance in his NEMA debut at Waterford and with many laps under his belt at Seekonk in a Focus Midget, a top finish is not out of the question for the Wirtgen America driver.
Saturday night’s race at Seekonk is also one of five National Midget “Driver of the Year” promotional nights to be held at various tracks around the country. The awards group will be adding a minimum of $300 cash along with product certificates to the purse.
NEMA Rookie Abby Martino will be missing from the field as she continues to mend after her devastating wreck in the season opener at Waterford.
“The doctor told me that at this point if everything is still healing well I may go to using only one crutch,” said Martino. “So it looks as if I have at least another 5-6 weeks using the crutches and then probably a few weeks walking with the brace after that but we will have to see!”
The racing community eagerly awaits this young ladies return to NEMA competition.
For a comprehensive look at the Northeastern Midget Association log on to www.nemaracing.com.
For more information on Saturday’s event at Seekonk Speedway visit www.seekonkspeedway.com or call (508) 336-9959.
by Dale Wolbrink