Nema Information

Wirtgen America, the world leader in asphalt recycling and base stabilization equipment, has served as the Series sponsor since 2003. The company's marketing strategy has utilized motorsports successfully for nearly 20 years traditionally in the open-wheel ranks including associations with Mark Kinser and Danny Lasoski in the World of Outlaws. Wirtgen America, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, TN, is the world's largest manufacturer of pavement milling machines; offering a full line of asphalt and concrete milling machines/profilers, hot and cold recyclers, and mixers for the pavement recycling and reconstruction industries. Wirtgen America products are available through a network of representatives and dealers throughout North America. The Helping Hands of America Foundation is a private corporation that solicits tangible goods (autos, trucks, boats, etc.) for donation with portions of all liquidation proceeds directly benefiting the associated charities including the Lupus Foundation of Massachusetts, Sacred Heart Community Missions, the Association of Blind Citizens and the Massachusetts Chapter of the A.L.S. Association. Helping Hands of America, through a personal investment by founding partner Mike Jarret of Bellingham, MA, began their support during the 2004 season. As always, Jarret will be on hand for the celebration while Stu and Connie Murray will travel from his home in Tennessee to be part of the festivities. "NEMA would not be where it is without (Stu) and (Mike) and I am very thankful that they have come and stayed aboard with us throughout the years," said driver Shane Hammond. "What better place than Seekonk to dedicate a race to two great sponsors. It would be a great honor to take down a victory at this race." All of the drivers share the sentiment of fellow competitor Hammond but none more than Nokie Fornoro and Aaron Wall. Fornoro, the winning-most driver at Seekonk and a two-time winner in 2006, will pilot the beautifully prepared #4 owned by Jarret. Rookie Aaron Wall will be behind the wheel of the Wirtgen-sponsored #29 for Bobby Seymour. After his strong performance in his NEMA debut at Waterford and with many laps under his belt at Seekonk in a Focus Midget, a top finish is not out of the question for the Wirtgen America driver. Saturday night's race at Seekonk is also one of five National Midget "Driver of the Year" promotional nights to be held at various tracks around the country. The awards group will be adding a minimum of $300 cash along with product certificates to the purse. NEMA Rookie Abby Martino will be missing from the field as she continues to mend after her devastating wreck in the season opener at Waterford. "The doctor told me that at this point if everything is still healing well I may go to using only one crutch," said Martino. "So it looks as if I have at least another 5-6 weeks using the crutches and then probably a few weeks walking with the brace after that but we will have to see!" The racing community eagerly awaits this young ladies return to NEMA competition.