News Director 
Story By: NEMA – THOMPSON, CT – While riding on a right rear Hooiser tire that was first used in 2016, Todd Bertrand in his Bertrand Motorsports #45, dominated the 20 lapper Saturday. The New England air was cold, but the competition was hot as three wide racing was the order of the day.
Over 20 cars stuffed the pits to kick off NEMA’s long anticipated 65th consecutive racing season. The qualifiers were won by Paul Scally (30), and Chad LaBastie (14).
As veteran starter Craig Merriman threw the green for the feature, pole sitter Chris Vosey led the field to the first turn. Three wide racing started immediately but the P.J. Stergios (57), machine spun in turn one on the second lap to bring out the yellow flag.
After a “hold your breath” restart, Avery Stoehr (5), looped around in turn four bringing out another caution. Ryan Locke (38), and Kevin Iannarelli (27), pulled into the pits with mechanical issues. At the green, Anthony Payne (21), who had charged from mid pack, Danny Cugini (51) and Bertrand were battling their way to the front, to be factors later. Veteran Paul Scally (30), while putting on a driving clinic, led the early going but faded with an engine overheating issue and ended up sixth. On lap six, Bertrand stormed to the inside of Scally to take the lead. At the crossed flags it was Bertrand, Cugini, Scally, LaBastie and Jim Chambers (12). Payne also faded due to a clogged injector nozzle.
As the field entered the second half of the race and Cugini pressuring Bertrand, lapped cars were a big factor. Chambers and Ryan Bigelow (13), went high and low to enter the top five. With a few laps remaining, in car video shows Cugini actually drew even with the leader, but a lapped car that Bertrand used as a “pick” prevented the pass. At the “bumper to bumper” checked flag it was Bertrand, Cugini, LaBastie, Chambers and Bigelow.
Post race: Bertrand stated “the car got lose late in the race, and we had to contend with lapped cars but the motor ran really well. I really need to thank Glen Cabral who worked his tail off to get this car together, and also to Danny Cugini, who let us borrow a fly wheel so we could get here.”
Finishing third, LaBastie said the motor was getting hot but the car was still handling well.
Cugini said “the last few laps were awesome. We ran down the 45 from a straightaway back, and I saw him start to free up. The lapped cars played a big role in the outcome. Todd battled me hard and clean and he was driving his butt off, and our cars were almost identical at the end. It was a great race. I really need to thank my Dad who worked nearly all week to get this car together.”
21st lap Notes:
– Cugini put in the fastest lap of the race, a 19.60, to Bertrand’s 19.64 – both of which came on the final cicuit
– New comer and multi generation driver, Richie Coy, had early morning trailer problems, adding many hours to his trip.
– Due to the cold temps, long time tire supplier, Bobby Seymour, had to actually pre-warm a tire in order to dismount it.
– Said Bill Stergios; “We started the racing season with 6 inches of snow at my house”.
– With tail tank damage from heat race contact with the wall, Ryan Locke (38), and crew worked hard to get the car to the line for the feature.
