Randy Cabral has the fastest Wings at Thompson again ...

Posted by Wayne G. Barber and Photos by Wayne G. Barber

The North Eastern Midget Association (NEMA) Midgets were on the great racing card with yet another driver familiar to victory lane in Thompson taking the checkered flag. Randy Cabral #74 continued his winning ways at the Big-T, adding to his impressive win total that makes him (14) the winningest driver in the NEMA Midgets at Thompson. Cabral also claimed his second consecutive series win on the season and 51st lifetime and fended off a hard charging John Zych, Jr.(engine failure last lap) in the closing lap to get the job done. “I had to keep my cool and keep going,” Cabral said. “It was awesome. I love this place.” The win wasn’t enough to put Cabral in the points lead for the season, but it closed up the tight battle for the championship lead going into the series’ next event at the Waterford Speedbowl on August 12.Rain date is August 13 Ted Christopher will join the NEMA race also. Christopher is no stranger to NEMA and has done well in previous contests and even has a win.

One proud Dad !

  15 race teams qualified for the 25 lap feature.Young shoe Avery Stoehr #39 entered the contest in the Bertrand Motorsports entry with a very slim lead over Jim Chambers, Randy Cabral ( 5 championships) Alan Chambers, Seth Carlson and current three top champion John Zych Jr. within striking distance at the half way point of the 2017 racing season

 I was highly disappointed when Jim Santa Maria #99 came up lame along with Ryan Bigelow #31 and had to park on the infield  for the green checker flag. I also was baffled why Bethany Stoehr was not selected to sing the National Anthem with her golden voice and should think about entering America's Got Talent. 

 As a consolation for me she was driving what looked like brand new midget #5b and started the race up front with Doug Cleveland #87 by her side. The field stayed rather tight for the first 3 laps then the two race cars upfront tangled just before the turn three wall and because of the wings slowing them down no one was injured. The current point leader Avery Stoehr and Seth Carlson #71 were done for the event and the race was red flagged to clean it up. By lap 13 the two cream of the crop teams put on a awesome show for the sell-out crowd and really put on a driving clinic. Mean while we had a race within a race for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th and no one backing off for a spot to my delight.
  Zych finally caught Cabral in turn three and something happened causing Zych to check up and the tires must have been altered by it. The car was not the same after for Zych who tried everything in his arsenal to catch Cabral , never mine pass him. The last lap Zych's #9 slowed coming out of turn four and took a left on to pit road and Randy Cabral knew it was over in his quest for a record 13th victory at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park with a very proud Dad to cheer him on. The win was Cabral's 51st career and a certain future Hall of Famer and no one works harder than his team to keep them competitive  and his winged warrior turned a amazing lap of 17.976 and about 130 mph. My nominee for Speed 51's Best Touring Group in the entire Country. See them at Seekonk, Monadnock, New London Waterford, Star , Wiscaset or Lee and you will to agree.

Unofficial Results  Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park 8-9-17 Race # 7 of 18 scheduled in 2017

1	74	Randy Cabral	Kingston, MA	Bertrand Motorsports
2	47	Kyle Hamilton	Plainfield, IN	Bertrand Motorsports
3	21	Jim Chambers	Atkinson, NH	Mike Chambers
4	A1	Mike Horn	Ashland, MA	Jeff Horn
5	5b	Bethany Stoehr	Bridgewater, MA	Greg Stoehr
6	48	Todd Bertrand	Danielson, CT	Gill Bertrand
7	30	Paul Scally	Raynham, MA	Paul Scally
8	9	John Zych Jr.	Mendon, MA	John Zych Sr.
9	87	Doug Cleveland	Sudbury, MA	Doug Cleveland
10	7	Alan Chambers	Atkinson, NH	Mike Chambers
11	66	Chris deRitis	Philadelphia, PA	Dan deRitis
12	71	Seth Carlson	Brimfield, CT	Gene Feigel
13	39	Avery Stoehr	Lakeville, MA	Bertrand Motorsports
14	99	Jim Santa Maria	Burlington, CT	Jim Santa Maria
15	31	Ryan Bigelow	East Hampton, CT	Paul Bigelow
16	77	Jesse Jakubajtys	-	Mike Luggelle

Very good day for Bertrand Motorsports

13th Thompson career win and 51 overall, not to shabby !

With the NASCAR Whelen's here the track was totally different for the winged race cars and a whole lot of rubber.

Elizabeth and her husband John, Americas Racing Couple

 Bertrand Motorsports had a great day with the victory in the #74, a second #47 Kyle Hamilton, a sixth #48 Todd Bertrand and a 13th with Avery Stoehr. Put this NEMA tour on your bucket list for 2017 at your local track.