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(Press Release from the Northeastern Midget Association)
Bethany Stoehr is hugged by her father Greg after winning a NEMA Midget feature at the Waterford Speedbowl in Oct. 2013
For many years, a NEMA race has not passed without a Stoehr family name on the starting grid – from grandfather Paul, to brothers Russ and Greg, to the new generation of Stoehrs – Avery and Bethany. This year will be no different.
2015 runner up in the NEMA division, Avery Stoehr, will again campaign a full time ride on the NEMA schedule, and in addition will sport a new Lites ride at the Icebreaker bringing along his familiar sponsors Motorcars International, Skaters Edge, Maaco and Jon Andruk’s Circle Performance. In addition, Stoehr will run select TQ races – as evidenced by his appearances in Trenton NJ and Atlantic City, and is working on other possible rides, including Stafford Speedway on Friday nights.
“2014 was a good year – I think we accomplished everything we set out to and thensome. I think we’ve got a very good season to build off of for 2015,” said Stoehr.
The young Stoehr says that Oswego and Thompson, two of NEMA’s fastest tracks, are his favorite places, not unlike many of the young drivers. “NEMA is a place where any given car can win on any given night at any track these days,” he says.
A welder by trade, Stoehr is also joined by some familiar company at the track in the father & son combination Carl and Curt Kibbe. The Kibbe’s have been a mainstay in NEMA for the last four decades, Carl having won multiple championships as a car owner, and Curt having been a key crew member for his father, and the late Gene Angelillo.
And it does not end there. Avery’s cousin, Bethany, also a regular front runner in NEMA will also have a busy off season and is looking forward to the full NEMA schedule as well.
“Our plans for the 2015 season for the 5B team include building a new car over the winter and plan to attend every scheduled. Our goal is to try and podium finishes, or a top 5 at every,” she says.
When asked about her favorite track – she says “I like Oswego and Twin State the most but it is awfully hard to narrow down a favorite, I like any tack that involves going fast and turning left!”
A race fan since she can remember, NEMA’s only current female competitor has had the sport in her blood since a very young age. Stoehr also has a passion for music as well, singing the National Anthem at a number of races, and enjoys singing & writing music as a hobby, when she is not busy either working on the race car, racing, or at her full time job at Motorcars International. Long time NEMA board member, tech inspector and chassis expert – Shawn Torrey, will join Bethany’s father Greg, and mother Tara as the crew on her 5B in 2015.
There is one thing for sure, when the green flag drops at NEMA’s season opener, the chances of a Stoehr on the podium, or in the winner’s circle are very strong for 2015.
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