03/28/2024
Westport, MA- Unlike a typical warm summer NEMA Racing Saturday night, teams, family, and friends gathered at Whites of Westport this past Saturday on a cold, rainy night to celebrate the 2023 Champions and many other driver and team accomplishments, awards, and accolades.
NEMA celebrated its 70th Annual awards banquet and formally commemorated driver and owner championships, Avery Stoehr and Bertrand Motorsports in the NEMA Midgets and Alby Ovitt and Parker Brothers Racing in the NEMA Lites.
At the beginning of the evening, NEMA extended a special thank you to the team that helps in race day operations on and off the track, NEMA public relations, and push truck drivers. Followed by the presentation of the Presidential Award, awarded to a multigeneration open wheel racing family, Curt and Tiana Kibbe (Kibbe Racing).
The Evans/Thrall highest finishing Owner/ Driver Award was awarded to Paul Scally (Paul Dangerous) in the NEMA Midgets #30 and Randy Cabral in the NEMA Lites #47.
A couple of awards that one is not set out to win, the Hard Luck Award, was presented to Ryan Tidman (Ryan Tidman) and Mike Pernisiglio (Michael Pernesiglio) . Followed by The Never Say Die Award was awarded to REDline Motorsports, Ron and Dylan Coutu, for their perseverance and dedication to the sport and club.
The Dave Humphrey Lifetime NEMA Member was awarded to Jeff Horn. Dennis O’Brien (Dennis O'Brien) was awarded the Wen Kelly Memorial Award for exemplifying outstanding dedication and service to NEMA.
The Jim O’Brien Memorial Award, presented by the O’Brien family, was awarded to Pete Valeri (Valeri Motorsports ) for his outstanding contributions to family and racing. The Ray Roberts Award, an award that displays strength of character, sportsmanship, dedication even if finishing results do not necessarily show in finishing order was presented to Pete Pernisiglio Jr. While “Mazda” Pete Pernisiglio Sr. was honored with the Shane Hammond Sportsmanship Award.
Mechanic of the Year Award honored Dennis O’Brien and Dan Rock. While the Brian Caruso Hard Charger Award distinguished Danny Cugini (Cugini Motorsports) and John Zych. Trent Goodrow (Trent Goodrow #31) and Ryan Tidman were honored as the Ed Clotheir Rookie of the Year in the Lites and NEMA, respectively.
NEMA Future Star Award, recognized up and coming driver, Brayden Egan (Egan Motorsports). Followed by Joe Csiki Most Improved Driver Award was presented to Kyle Valeri (Valeri Motorsports).
In the final award of the night, Christina Cabral and Tiana Kibbe were honored with the Marilyn and Gene Angelillo Memorial Award for Outstanding Performance.
On behalf of the NEMA community, we would like to thank Dennis and Matt O’Brien for all they did in the planning and ex*****on of a successful 2023 Banquet. As well as a thank you to Bill Van Slyke for his generosity in picking up the bar tab, and lastly, Jack Arute for his guest appearance and award presentation.
As the NEMA banquet came to a close, teams said their final congratulations and goodbyes on the 2023 season. These goodbyes are not for long, as the snow and winter months come to an end, the summer nights spent under the lights at the racetrack are just around the corner!
The final countdown for NEMA and NEMA Lite’s 2024 season opener at Claremont Motorsports Park on April 27th has officially begun. NEMA looks forward to welcoming new and returning teams this season.
Who will take home the season opener win? Will we have a first-time winner? You will not want to miss out on the NEMA fast action, we hope to see you there! 🏁
