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ANTHONY
NOCELLA LOOKS TO CASH-IN ON STRONG START
TO 2017 WITH TTOMS WIN AT SEEKONK ON JUNE28 |
Anthony
Nocella of Woburn, MA, has had a strong start to the
2017 season. He hopes to ride the momentum to a win
on Open WheelWednesday at Seekonk Speedway on June
28 for the season-opening event for the Tri-Track
Open Modified Series (TTOMS).
A regular on the Valenti Modified Racing Series,
Nocella has posted two podium finishes in the
Series' first two events of 2017 including a win at
Stafford Motor Speedway on May 19 and a third-place
finish on May 27 at Lee USA Speedway. The versatile
driver has also posted a victory on dirt this season
in the POWRi Lucas Oil All-star Midget League event
at Glen Ridge Motor Sports Park in Fultonville, NY.
Noting the lore of Stafford Motor Speedway, Nocella
called the win at Stafford the biggest Modified win
of this career.
“I feel like there is a lot of history there,” said
Nocella with a bit of awe. “I have always wanted to
win there. Plus, it is super competitive with guys
that run there every week.”
He attributes his early season success to
experience, preparedness, new team members who help
at the shop, new sponsors for 2017 including AirGas
and most notably the support of his Dad.
“We have been building and now we have good notes
from the previous years. We finally have a good
set-up under the car when we go to the different
[tracks],” said Nocella. “It really started last
year. We ended the year with strong finishes.”
Not only will Nocella have momentum on his side but
the young wheelman has found victory at Seekonk
Speedway in a Modified and in NEMA and Ford Focus
Midgets. A victory in the track’s prestigious D.
Anthony Venditti Memorial event was also Nocella’s
first in a Modified.
“I have two wins in the Modified at Seekonk,” added
Nocella, “and four or five wins in the Midgets.”
Nocella will be doing double duty on Open Wheel
Wednesday competing in the prestigious Boston Louie
Memorial for the Northeastern Midget Association,
which is also on the racing card, for owner Bobby
Seymour, who helped Nocella launch his budding
career.
Off the track, Nocella is a quiet, unassuming young
man. Yet, just below the surface lies an intensity
and passion that quickly becomes evident on the
track. With seven wins in the Modified Racing Series
including the two at Seekonk, Nocella undoubtedly
will be considered a contender among the strong
field vying for the $10K purse.
“I feel like we will be fast,” added Nocella dryly.
“The car is usually good and fast [at Seekonk]. If
we are decent part way through the race, we will
have a shot to win.”
He was; however, quick to point out the level of
competition at this and all the Tri-Track Open
Modified Series events.
“There will be a lot of good cars. It is going to be
tough just getting into the race through the heat
races.”
The event promises plenty of excitement with $10,000
on the line and a roster that features some of the
best Modified racers in the country in 100-laps of
green flag racing.
And, as Nocella pointed out, “it’s pretty racy even
though it is a circle. It’s a two groove track that
allows you to race side-by-side.”
So, what would Nocella do with the big payday?
“We would put it back into the car,” said Nocella.
“The purse would definitely help pay the bill to
freshen our motors.”
Nocella will surely be among the first to arrive at
the “Cement Palace” when pit gates open at 10am on
Wednesday, June 28. Grandstands open at 4pm with
racing scheduled to go green at 6:30pm. Entry to
Seekonk Speedway’s pit area is $35. Grandstand
admission is only $25. Tickets are available online
by visiting
SeekonkSpeedway.com or by calling the
Speedway office at 508.336.9959 Monday through
Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. A rain date has been
set for Thursday, June 29.
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Source:
Dale Wolbrink / Tri-Track Open Modified Series
Posted:
June 9, 2017 |
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