Boston
Louie - Seekonk - 8/26/06 |
Pos. |
# |
Driver |
Hometown |
Owner |
1 |
4 |
Nokie
Fornoro |
Stroudsburg, PA |
Mike
Jarret |
2 |
45 |
Joey
Payne |
Fairlawn, NJ |
Gene
Angellilo |
3 |
29 |
Bobby
Santos III |
Franklin,
MA |
Bobby
Seymour |
4 |
A1 |
Jeff Horn |
Ashland,
MA |
Jeff Horn |
5 |
47 |
Randy
Cabral |
Plymouth,
MA |
Tim
Bertrand |
6 |
37g |
Shane
Hammond |
E.
Bridgewater, MA |
Jack
Glockner |
7 |
26 |
Greg
Stoehr |
Bridgewater, MA |
Greg
Stoehr |
8 |
17 |
Ben Seitz |
Monument
Beach, MA |
Pete
Valeri |
9 |
44 |
Erica Santos |
Franklin,
MA |
Ed Breault |
10 |
21 |
Barry
Kittredge |
Marlboro,
MA |
Barry
Kittredge |
11 |
80 |
Pete
Pernesiglio |
Lake
Grove, NY |
Peter
Pernesiglio |
12 |
99 |
Mike
Ordway Jr. |
Freemont,
NH |
Power Point
Racing |
13 |
36 |
Cory
Cleary |
Plymouth,
MA |
Glen
Cabral |
14 |
30p |
Mike Horn |
Ashland,
MA |
Jeff Horn |
15 |
3 |
Tommy
Spada |
Kensington, CT |
Gino
Spada |
16 |
16 |
Matt
O'Brien |
Wilmington, MA |
Jim
O'Brien |
17 |
87k |
Bobby
Kuiken |
Prompton
Lakes, NJ |
Robert
Kuiken |
18 |
22 |
Andy
Shlatz |
Enfield,
CT |
Alex
Shlatz |
19 |
2 |
Lee Bundy |
Kennebunkport, ME |
Lee Bundy |
20 |
52 |
Kevin
Park |
Foxboro,
MA |
Kevin
Park |
21 |
18 |
Rich
Gerbe |
Elmont,
NY |
Lee Gerbe |
22 |
77 |
Mike
Lugelle |
Hull, MA |
Mike
Lugelle |
23 |
7ny |
Adam
Cantor |
Dix
Hills, NY |
Cantor
Racing |
24 |
30 |
Paul
Scally |
Randolph,
MA |
Paul
Scally |
25
DNS |
25 |
Sean
Dolan |
Acton, MA |
Jay Dolan |
26
DNS |
55 |
Mike
Keeler |
Danbury,
CT |
Kevin
Keeler |
HEAT 1
-
37g - 29 - 80 - A1 -
7ny - 25 - 30 - 77 - 3 (DNS)
|
HEAT 2
-
47 - 45 - 30p - 21 -
36 - 87k - 16 - 18 (DNS)
|
HEAT 3
-
44 - 17 - 4 - 26 - 2
- 22 - 52 - 99
|
|
Fornoro Dominates in
Seymour Memorial Win at Seekonk
by Dale Wolbrink
|
Seekonk, MA (August
26, 2006): Nokie Fornoro of Stroudsburg,
PA led wire-to-wire to win the 10th
Annual “Boston” Louie Seymour Memorial
for the Northeastern Midget Association
on Saturday night at Seekonk Speedway.
The veteran driver took advantage of his
pole starting position and went on to
take down the impressive win in the
29-lap main event. Holding back
challenges from Joey Payne, Fornoro was
the class of the field in the Mike
Jarett owned #4.
The “Boston” Louie Seymour Memorial
Coors Light Silver Cup Classic is
presented annually by the Seymour Family
and a host of sponsors to pay tribute to
one of Midget racing’s most endearing
characters. Nicknamed the man who
traveled a million miles, Seymour made a
name for himself nationally in the
open-wheel ranks with winning race cars
and prominent drivers like Kenny
Schrader, all the while traveling from
his home in Massachusetts.
Although a national icon, it is right
here at home in New England where his
influence is most keenly felt. His
contributions to the sport helped shape
Midget Racing in New England. In the
tradition of “Boston” Louie himself, the
entire Seymour Family has continued to
help advance Midget racing through their
technical knowledge, business savvy and
unwavering commitment.
“This is the most important race win I
have ever had in my career,” said an
emotional Fornoro in victory lane after
getting a hug from Bobby Seymour.
“Boston was the best person I have ever
known and the Seymours are an incredible
family. They are like my family too.”
The sentiment expressed by Fornoro
speaks to the strength of character of
Louie Seymour. By becoming the crown
jewel in Fornoro’s all-ready noteworthy
career it puts into perspective the
place that this man held in the hearts
of the racing community.
The “Boston” Louie Seymour Memorial was
started back in 1997 and over the years
the event has gained prestige with its
sentiment and added prize money.
“We wish to extend our sincere thanks to
NEMA, Seekonk Speedway, and the fans for
helping us honor Boston, said the
Seymour Family. “We could not do it
without you!”
Sponsors for the 10th Annual Boston
Louie Seymour Memorial included heat
race sponsors Falconi Brothers, The
Parker’s Sanitary Pumping and South
Shore/Cape Cod Chrysler. Feature
sponsors were Wirtgen America, Schrader
Racing, R.J. Harrington Trucking,
Ferrara Spring Works,
cheapcaribbean.com, and West End
Rentals. Lap sponsors came from
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode
Island, New Hampshire, California,
Arizona, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio,
North Dakota, and Pennsylvania helping
to make this Boston Louie one of the
most lucrative events on the NEMA
schedule.
Fornoro adds his name to a growing list
of drivers who have won the prestigious
event including his brother Drew. Other
previous winners have included Joey
Payne (2), Ben Seitz, Russ Stoehr, Bobby
Seymour, Bobby Santos III, and Randy
Cabral.
The pre-race ceremonies for the Silver
Cup Classic where made even more special
when four of Boston’s grandchildren ran
parade laps in their beautifully
prepared Quarter Midgets.
With starter Steve Grant waving the
green flag from the racing surface in
true Midget racing tradition, Fornoro
jumped out to take the lead on the
initial start. It did not take him long
to stretch out his lead over Shane
Hammond and Pete Pernesiglio. Joey
Payne, who was making his return to
action after a devastating accident at
Stafford last month, was looking strong
in his brand new Dumos Desire #45. On
lap five, Payne was locked in a heated
battle with Pernesiglio for the third
spot. Payne was able to grab the spot
away. Shortly after, Pernesiglio went
sliding through the infield on lap six
relinquishing the fourth position.
The high-flying Fornoro was into lapped
traffic by lap eight. Unphased, Fornoro
continued to stretch his commanding
lead, now on Payne who had blasted past
Hammond on lap nine. Bobby Santos III
was moving his way through traffic. The
red-hot open wheeler moved into the
fourth spot on lap 10 and took third
from Hammond on lap 11.
The event’s first caution flew on lap
12; erasing Fornoro’s giant lead. The
restart put Fornoro and Payne on the
front row followed by Santos and
Hammond. Randy Cabral occupied the fifth
position.
Payne got a great run on the restart to
challenge Fornoro for the lead. The two
ran wheel-to-wheel for nearly a lap
before Fornoro edged ahead for the lead
once again. The top three of Fornoro,
Payne, and Santos started to breakaway
from the rest of the pack. Hammond
continued to keep pace in fourth over
Cabral and Greg Stoehr.
Seemingly from out of nowhere Jeff Horn
was becoming a factor. On lap 17, after
passing Ben Seitz then Stoehr, Horn made
quick work of Cabral to move into the
top-five. The second caution flew on lap
19 when Mike Luggelle stalled in turn
one.
When the cars lined up to take the green
once again it looked as if the event
would come down to a dual between the
veterans vs. the young guns.
Fifty-year-old Fornoro took his place at
the head of the field ahead of Payne,
youngsters Santos and Hammond, 61-year
old Horn and the “baby-faced” Randy
Cabral.
Once back to green, Fornoro jumped back
to his lead while Payne had his hands
full with Santos. Santos used the high
groove to make his move past Payne to
take over the runner-up spot; however
before they could complete the lap the
caution flew for a spin by Mike Ordway,
Jr. negating Santos’ pass.
Again on the restart, Payne stayed
alongside Fornoro in a bid for the lead.
The result was the same, as Payne had to
fall in line behind Fornoro once again.
The tables where turned for Santos now
with Horn bearing down for the third
spot. On lap 20, Horn was able to move
by Santos into the third position. Not
done yet, Horn sets sail for Payne in
second. Meanwhile Cabral snuck by
Hammond to put his mount back inside the
top-five.
Corey Cleary spun between turns one and
two sending the field scattering. Cleary
was not collected in the single-car
incident that brought out the fourth
caution.
The lap 22 restart found Fornoro, Payne,
Horn, Santos and Cabral inside the top
five. Hammond, Seitz, Stoehr, Erica
Santos and Barry Kittredge lined up in
sixth through tenth. Payne was again
strong on the restart while Horn
struggled. Despite his efforts, Payne
settled for second behind leader Fornoro.
Santos was able to get by Horn.
After fending off the advances of Payne,
Fornoro ran out to a comfortable lead
once again. The running order stayed
relatively calm inside the top five over
the closing laps with Fornoro leading
Payne, Santos, Horn, and Cabral.
The best battle on the track in the
final two laps was behind sixth-place
runner Hammond that pitted Seitz against
Stoehr for the seventh position. Stoehr
laid in wait and finally made his move
to take over the spot.
At the checkers it was all Fornoro,
heading to his NEMA-leading eighth
career victory at Seekonk Speedway.
“I get real nervous with all those
restarts,” said owner Jarett. “But the
old guy pulled it out.”
With his victory Fornoro edged ever
closer to point leader Ben Seitz in the
chase for the 2006 Northeastern Midget
Association championship.
Payne made his return a good one with
the runner-up finish followed by Santos,
Horn, and Cabral.
“We had to some problems with the new
car,” said Payne after the race. “We
lost the brakes during the feature. I
think we may have had something for
Nokie but I did not want to send the car
in and risk making contact and taking us
both out. We’ll settle for second after
everything we have been through.”
“I need to take this opportunity to
thank our sponsors who stuck by us
throughout this terrible wreck,” added
Payne.
Hammond had a great night to finish
sixth over Stoehr, Seitz, E. Santos, and
Kittredge. Mike Ordway, Jr. was
presented with the Hard Charger Award.
Fornoro, who posted a scorching average
lap speed of 106.88 miles per hour, set
the quickest lap of the event.
A very gracious Fornoro concluded his
victory speech with heartfelt thanks to
all the event and series sponsors along
with the Venditti Family and the fans of
NEMA and Seekonk Speedway.
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