Thompson Always A Test For NEMA

Pointing out Thompson Speedway separates the men from the boys is both a true and a tired observation. It has been so for over half a century. It will continue when the Northeastern Midget Associations 25-lap Marvin Rifchin Trophy Race joins World Series festivities Oct. 17-18 with a 25-lap feature.

It was quick back in the fall of 1974 when Dave Humphreys 21.428 seconds qualifying run raised eyebrows. Randy Cabral had a fast lap of 17.620 seconds en route to a victory at last years World Series a reduction of almost four seconds.

The race honors Rifchin, the tire manufacturer (M&H) who was a long-time contributor to NEMA.

Cabral, defending driver champion and current point leader, will be looking for his eighth career win at Thompson (five in Bertrand equipment). He has won the past two World Series and three of the last six. The owners point race, however, holds the spotlight as Mike Jarret (and driver Nokie Fornoro) hopes to chase down Cabrals owner Tim Bertrand.

Although there have been exceptions, Thompson tends to favor the veteran competitors. Cabral, the all-time Thompson NEMA winner with seven, can also expect plenty of competition from Greg and Russ Stoehr, Adam Cantor and Jeff Horn, all winners this year.

Thompson is a stand on it place, says Tim Bertrand, a test of both driver and car. Straightaway speeds are over 125 mph.

You have to challenge the place but you have to show it the utmost respect, says Fornoro, a four-time Thompson winner.

The Thompson NEMA win list, going back to a victory by Dutch Schaefer in 1960, is one of the most impressive in NEMA. The good drivers have always looked forward to Thompson, says NEMA President Mike Scrivani Jr. A Midget victory at Thompson looks very good on the resume.

Dave Humphrey, Hank Rogers Jr., Gene Bergin and Nokie Fornoro won at Thompson in cars owned and prepped by Mike Jr. and his legendary father.

Like the Scrivani family, the Stoehr brothers have a long Thompson history. Greg Stoehrs Thompson win, in the Zahar car back in 1993, came after a late-race pass of brother Russ. The brothers have not raced together at Thompson since that day.

Gene Angelillo, Russ Stoehrs current owner, grabbed his 100th NEMA win at Thompson in 2000. Joey Payne Jr., in a backup car, passed Russ Stoehr with two to go.

NEMA Winners at Thompson

No. Driver First Last

7 Randy Cabral 2001 2008

6 Johnny Mann 1972 1978

5 Drew Fornoro 1985 2003

4 Johnny Coy Sr. 1969 1981

4 Nokie Fornoro 1982 2005

4 Armond Holley 1976 1977

3 Bob Cicconi 1978 1987

3 Ben Seitz 2005 2007

3 Russ Stoehr 1994 2002

2 Mark Buonomo 2001 2004

2 Dave Humphrey 1970 1971

2 Russ Klar 1969 1972

2 Hank Rogers 1980 1980

2 Bobby White 1979 1979

One-time Thompson winners: Gene Bergin (1969), Lennie Boyd (1979), Kyle Carpenter (2002), Joey Coy (1992), Johnny Coy Jr. (1981), Ryan Dolan (2002), Leigh Earnshaw (1979), Ronnie Evans (1970), Mike Favulli (1989), George Ferguson Jr. (1978), Walt Gale (1968), George Monsen (1978), Joey Payne Jr. (2000), Bobby Santos III (2003), Dutch Schaefer (1960), Greg Stoehr (1993), Butch Walsh (1986), Hank Williams (1960).