The Northeastern Midget Association will be returning to Maine’s Wiscasset Speedway for the first time in 42 years. NEMA and the NEMA Lites will be part of the three eights-mile “NEMA Night” on Saturday, June 7 at 6:00pm.
NEMA’s last and only visit to Wiscasset was July 1, 1972 when Butch Walsh, in the Connor 58, defeated Jerry Wall and Walt Gale.
“The Wiscasset fans are excited, and the anticipation is growing” said track owners Vanessa and Richard Jordon. “Fan chatter is on the rise and we can’t wait until the 7th gets here.“
NEMA makes a habit of showing up and toppling existing track records, especially on the shorter ovals. The winged warriors are expected to set a blistering pace. Doug Coby’s 13.00 second lap at Evans Mills last week was a perfect example.
“Wiscasset is a new challenge and there is nothing NEMA likes better than new challenges,” said club president Mike Scrivani Jr. “Our record in adapting to tracks is well documented.”
Defending NEMA champion John Zych won twice last year on tracks he saw for the first time – Airborne and Riverside (Groveton, NH) Speedways. He’ll adopt the same adjustment policy at Wiscasset. Four-time champion Randy Cabral also has a sterling record on tracks he has visited for the first time.
Last week’s feature winner, Seth Carlson, loves racing at new ovals. “We approach a new venue with an open mind which I believe is an advantage, we get excited for a new challenge”
Long time car owner and former driver, Tim Bertrand, will field a pair of midgets next week with Randy Cabral, (#47), and brother Todd, (#39). “Our drivers like similar set ups, so we’ll start more “neutral” and adjust from there.”
In the NEMA Lites division, Connecticut’s own “Team Bigelow” is on fire. They absolutely owned the month of May winning all three races on the schedule. Brothers Paul checkered at Waterford May 10, Scott May 24th at Evans Mills and Ryan just last weekend at Star. The rest of the field at Wiscasset will not only have to figure out the new oval, but also how to dethrone the Bigelows.
Owner Vanessa Jordon continues, “we’re opening the track to the NEMA club, we consider them our guest’s for the night.“ So, in appreciation, a NEMA driver Meet and Greet is planed at 5:30pm as well as souvenir giveaway’s for the fans. Plans are also in the works to make available NEMA race cars for the kids to sit in for photographs.
Along with the winged midgets, the racing card will also include the exciting Late Models, Strictly Street, Thunder 4’s and Trucks. The pit gate opens at 2:00pm; grandstand gates at 4:00pm; the on-track driver meet & greet begins at 5:30pm and racing action rolls off at 6:00pm.