EMRA Successfully Inaugurates NJMP Racing
By Russ Dodge
Reminder Automotive Correspondent

Millville, N.J. (July 14, 2008) – Auto racing has now officially come to Cumberland County. The potential, talked about during the four year battle to bring New Jersey Motorsports Park to fruition, became reality when the cars of the Eastern Motorsports Racing Association took to the 1.9-mile Lightening Raceway road course this past Saturday and Sunday. First time fans took in six races in two days and saw all manner of racing machines challenge what has quickly become acknowledge as a “fast track.”

It was Saturday at 5:00 pm when the first green flag flew to start a 15-lap open cockpit race, which was won by a Formula A driver, Tony Carpanzano. Carpanzano’s victory in the overall race was flag to flag, having taken the pole and leading every lap. Finishing second overall, but first in Formula C was Anthony William, who started third on the grid, but battled second place starter, Jerome Kaye for the final FC lead.

In the evening one hour enduro contest, it was all trucks running out front as the NASCAR Craftsman series racing trucks have an EMRA class. Tom Haronian, the pole sitter took an early lead, but eventually yielded to Cary Nadel who took the checkered flag in what turned out to be a 25-lap contest. Two track blocking accidents caused longer than usual time in the pits for the competitors during two black flag periods resulting in fewer laps than in most enduros.

Sunday saw repeat winners with four 22-lap contests. Carpanzano chalked up a win in Sunday’s first event for open wheel, open cockpit racers. Carpanzano started third on the grid and had taken over first place by lap six. William was the overall race pole sitter, and eventually finished second after leading the first five laps. As on Saturday, his Formula C racer was the class winner.

Other winners Sunday included Tony Haronian in the big bore contest, outlasting the other trucks of pole sitter, Steve Minghenelli and Nadel. In the small bore contest Darrel Stein put on a flag to flag performance in his Mazda RX7 to take the checkered flag. Brian Gerhart outdueled Dan Kraus for the Sports2000 win as the two drivers swapped the lead throughout the race.