Anthony Payne Victorious in O’Brien Memorial at New-London Waterford Speedbowl

Posted by Wayne G. Barber & Photo by Wayne G. Barber

New London, CT

Anthony Payne beat back a late race charge from multi time NEMA champion, Randy Cabral, to take down a coveted win at the Jim O’Brien Memorial this past Saturday evening at the New-London Waterford Speedbowl. A full field of 21 NEMA Lites were on hand for the event to celebrate the O’Brien Memorial.

O'Brien's time in NEMA crossed a span of four decades, which personified the best of NEMA. At a very young age, he was introduced to the Midgets by his father and in 1970, joined the NEMA family as a car owner. He earned feature wins with Johnny Evans, driving his Falcon powered Kurtis, and Doug Cleveland who powered to victory in his home built "Pink Panther" laydown chassis. In 1975 he won the Coca-Cola dirt track championship with Hank Stevens at the wheel.

Jim was an innovative fabricator and engine builder and with his sons by his side, he always built his own cars and motors.

For years he served as a NEMA contest board member, once a vice-president, and for 13 consecutive years as the treasurer. His life-long dedication to the club was truly outstanding and in 2003, he was inducted into the NEMA Hall of Fame.

On Saturday evening, at the drop of the green, Paul Scally led the 21 car field to the green as Cabral, Payne and Ben Mikitarian followed. Cabral rocketed into the lead, only to have it called back on lap 3 as Bethany Stoehr came to a stop on the back straight.

On the restart, Cabral jumped out into the lead over Scally, Jim Chambers, Mikitarian, and Ryan Locke. Just two laps later, a yellow and then red flag flew for Juris Kupris, who was into the turn three wall, hard with heavy damage. Kupris was taken in the ambulance, but escaped with minor leg injuries.

When the action picked back up, Payne shot into the lead, followed by Cabral, Scally, Mikitarian and Danny Cugini from his 7th starting spot. The top five ran under a blanket, as further back PJ Stergios and visitor, Kyle Hamilton were slicing their way through the field.

By lap 10, Payne and Cabral were still puling away while Stergios and Hamilton broke the top 6 passing high and low.

Even though the top 10 were strung out by the 15th lap, the fast closing Stergios and Hamiliton finally broke the top 5. Mikitarian and 5th place starter Matt O'Brien were starting to fade back in the field.

Over the final laps, the leaders were now encountering heavy lapped traffic, but Denis O'Brien brought out the yellow, stalled on the back straight.

On the single file restart, Cabral turned up the pressure on leader Payne, but Payne was able to keep the lead. Hamilton put pressure on Stergios and got by in the closing laps for third. At the checkers Payne pulled away followed by Cabral, Hamilton, Scally and Jim Chambers who hung in the top five all day. Stergios, Danny Cugini, Joey Cipriano, Ryan Bigelow and Ben Mikitarian rounded out the top ten.  
“It means a lot to win the Jim O’Brien memorial. He did so much for the club, and was very instrumental in the success of the club for many years,” said Payne. “I’m excited for our team and can’t thank the Scrivani family enough, Mike and Lu Jarrett, Jim Susi and the whole crew,” he said.

Third place Kyle Hamilton enjoyed his second trip and second podium with the Lites this year as well. “The biggest adjustment I had to make when running a wing car was the corner entry speed. You have to drive in so much deeper to get the car to set. Once I figured that out, I was able to pass a lot more cars. With the way that NEMA does large inverts we've had to fight from deep in the pack and that has been a fun challenge. Last night the first 5 laps were hectic getting into position. Once we got in line I worked some passes. Waterford is awesome because you can sail the car down into the corner on the flat part and make some exciting passes. My final pass on Stergios was really fun because both of our tires were wearing down and we had to really fight. That's what I love about coming to run on the east coast. Clean hard racing!,” he concluded.

Notes:

Spirit of Jim O'Brien Awards,
Sponsored by Seymour Performance Products

Outstanding Innovator presented to Bill Stergios.
(For a mechanic of the race who displays talent and innovation, with the results evident on the racetrack)

Outstanding Competitor presented to Kyle Hamilton.
(For a driver who showed great and memorable skill moving through the field, putting on the best show for the fans)

Outstanding Racer presented to Jim Cataldo.
(For a driver or owner who shows the most dedication, ability, sportsmanship, and passion)

1	21	Anthony Payne	Fairlawn, NJ	Mike Scrivani
2	35	Randy Cabral	Plymouth, MA	Glen Cabral
3	76	Kyle Hamilton	Speedway, IN	Frank Manafort
4	30	Paul Scally	Raynham, MA	Paul Scally
5	12	Jim Chambers	Atkinson, NH	Jim Chambers
6	57	PJ Stergios	Candia, NH	Bill Stergios
7	51	Danny Cugini	Marshfield, MA	D.  Cugini
8	84	Joey Ciprianno III	-	Joey Ciprianno III
9	32	Ryan Bigelow	East Hampton, CT	Scot Bigelow
10	9	Ben Mikitarian	Northborough, MA	John Mikitarian
11	39	RJ  Tufano	West Haven, CT	RJ Tufano
12	46x	Matt O'Brien	Wilmington, MA	Andy Barrows
13	38	Ryan Locke	Raymond, NH	Ken Locke
14	20	Jeremy Decourcy	Rochester, NH	Jeremy Decourcy
15	17	Alan Chambers	Atkinson, NH	Mike Chambers
16	2	Jim Cataldo	Sterling, MA	Jim Cataldo
17	3	Chris Vosey	Groversville, NY	Chris Vosey
18 DNF	15a	Bethany Stoehr	Lakeville, MA	Russ Stoehr
19 DNF	16	Dennis O"Brien	Deerfield, NH	Chris O'Brien
20 DNF	42	Juris Kupris	Brooklyn, NY	Christian Briggs
21 DNF	36	Myles Devits	-	Glen Cabral
22 DNS	44	Christian Briggs	Mattapoisett, MA	Christian Briggs
23 DNS	13	Scott Bigelow	E. Hampton, CT	Randy Bigelow