Stoehr Breaks Into NEMA Victory Lane at Monadnock

This season, Greg Stoehr of E. Bridgewater, MA, has been knocking on the door of victory lane. On Saturday night, he let himself in by winning the 25-lap feature event at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH. Stoehr has posted several top finishes this season including runner-up finishes at both Thompson Speedway and the Waterford Speedbowl. Mechanical woes stopped Stoehr in his tracks at what could have been a promising race at the Stafford Motor Speedway. Nothing could stand in Stoehr’s way at the fast quarter-miler as the veteran driver went on to capture his first victory since rejoining the Club full-time in 2005.

The Northeastern Midget Association only had four days turn around time after last Wednesday’s mid-week spectacular at Seekonk Speedway that was won by Lou Cicconi. Saturday’s event at Monadnock Speedway was rescheduled after rain forced the postponement of the event originally scheduled for June 9, 2007. With great efforts by all, Stoehr and the rest of the NEMA contingent were for up for the challenge.

Stoehr took the lead on lap five of the event and held on for the victory; making him the eighth different winner in ten races held thus far this season.

The Northeastern Midget Association had a celebrity in their midst on Saturday night, Pro Stock champion and Monadnock Speedway top-gun Jeff Zuidema, jumped aboard the Mike Luggelle-owned #77 for his first-ever NEMA Midget start.

Pete Pernesiglio took advantage of his pole starting position to lead the opening laps of the event with Corey Cleary and Barry Kittredge taking chase. Randy Cabral and Stoehr rounded out the top five. The first caution of the event flew on lap four when Shane Hammond encountered troubles.

The ensuing restart proved to be the undoing for early leader Pernesiglio who relinquished his lead to a charging Stoehr. Almost immediately, the caution flew again for an incident involving Cleary, ending his strong run. When racing resumed it was Jeff Horn showing his strength. By lap seven, Horn had moved into the second position. A pair of laps later, Nokie Fornoro joined Stoehr and Horn at the top of the heap.

At the halfway marker Stoehr continued to lead Horn and Fornoro. Rookie Aaron Wall, back at the helm of the Seymour #29, and Ben Seitz completed the top five.

Steve Powers, aboard the Cleveland Family #78, spun to bring out the caution on lap #19. On the single file restart it was Stoehr who continued to show the way.

It was an uneventful chase to the checkers over the final six laps of the main event for Stoehr, who went on to take the win. Horn and Fornoro joined the winner on the podium. Seitz and Joey Payne were able to get by Wall to complete the top five. Early leader Pernesiglio, Adam Cantor, Jeremy Frankoski and Erica Santos rounded out the top ten.

Next weekend, the Northeastern Midget Association takes part in the prestigious Star Classic on Saturday, September 8, 2007. The mighty midgets will join the International Supermodified Association for a night of winged excitement. For complete details log on to www.all-starspeedway.com or call the race track at (603) 679-5306 or (978) 927-1322.

For a complete look at the Northeastern Midget Association log on to www.nemaracing.com.

Northeastern Midget Association Feature Finish
Monadnock Speedway
Saturday, September 1, 2007:
1. Greg Stoehr, Bridgewater, MA; 2. Jeff Horn, Ashland, MA; 3. Nokie Fornoro, Stroudsburg, PA; 4. Ben Seitz, Pocasset, MA; 5. Joey Payne, Fairlawn, NJ; 6. Aaron Wall, Shrewsbury, MA; 7. Pete Pernesiglio, Lake Grove, NY; 8. Adam Cantor, Dix Hills, NY; 9. Jeremy Frankoski, Newark Valley, NY; 10. Erica Santos, Franklin, MA; 11. Barry Kittredge, Marlboro, MA; 12. John Zych Jr., Mendon, MA; 13. Rich Gerbe, Franklin Sq., NY; 14. Shawn Torrey, Marshfield, MA; 15. Jeff Zuidema, N. Brookfield, MA; 16. Paul Scally, Raynham, MA; 17. Steve Powers, N. Andover, MA; 18. Paul Luggelle, Holbrook, MA; 19. Randy Cabral, Plymouth, MA-DNF; 20. Kyle Carpenter, Gloucester, MA-DNF; 21. Cory Cleary, Plymouth, MA-DNF; 22. Shane Hammond, E. Bridgewater, MA-DNF; 23. Doug Cleveland, Sudbury, MA-DNF.

Dale Wolbrink/NEMA PR