Optimistic Payne Set

For NEMA’s Opener

Joey Payne Jr. returns to the Northeastern Midget Association and Thompson Speedway’s season Icebreaker April 4-5-6. He admits to “looking forward” to the new season, his 24^th.

“I’ve been down the road a lot of times,” says Payne who’ll steer Gene Angelillo’s #45 for the fifth straight season. “I know that better times are coming. Last year really sucked so, yes, I’m looking forward to it.”

The Icebreaker kicks off a 19-race agenda for NEMA, the most in 20 years. The “Jersey Jet” comes off a strong indoor TQ season.

Payne’s objective is the 2008 championship. He did that back in 2003, his first season with Angelillo. Doing it again will not be easy.

“I’ll tell you what,” he insists, “on any given night 15 cars can win the feature.” He admits “the advancing technology has pushed the speeds up a little,” but it is the increase in competition that makes NEMA “the premier touring division in the northeast right now weather people want to admit it or not.”

Among the drivers poised to end the championship run of Ben Seitz is Nokie Fornoro, back in the Jarret #4. Although not a contender, Randy Cabral will be a factor in the Bertrand #47. Erica and Bobby Santos III are back, Erica in Esslinger-powered #44 and Bobby in the family #98. Jeremy Frankoski, the ’07 Rookie of the Year, moves into the Seamon #63. Veterans Adam Cantor and Greg Stoehr and youngster Chris Leonard are other threats.

Payne is ready. “Considering the way last year ended,” he says, “a win at Thompson would be very nice. Winning the first race can bring a lot of momentum to a team.”

And, it would soften a difficult memory. Payne and the Angelillo team had the championship in view at Thompson in last year’s season-ending World Series when an overheated engine force them to retire and accept second place in the final standings. It was the third time in the last four seasons Payne has been second in driver points.

Payne actually made his midget debut as an 18-year old in the 1984 Thompson World Series. Since then he has had a “love/hate” relationship with NEMA’s “separates the men from the boys” track. “There is a point where the right foot has to connect with the brain and knowing that can make a big difference there too,” he adds.

Back in 1998 an early crash in the World Series cost Payne the ISMA championship. And two years later, in a back-up car, he gave Angelillo his 100^th career victory. Since taking the ride in 2003, he has given Angelillo 14 more checkereds.

“When I finish at Thompson I usually finish up front,” says Payne. He’s been second at Thompson for times and third twice. He also had a second at Thompson before joining Angelillo.

Thompson, says Payne, is loaded with quirks. “The stands separate on the front stretch,” he says. “There’s a walkway there and on breezy days the wind comes right through there. It hits the wing, loads the left rear and the right front comes right up off the ground. It can really get your attention.”

Waterford – “I love it, probably the best Midget track on the east coast – a momentum track—I passed three wide there…I’ve passed on the bottom, in ht middle, on the top…three race grooves and I’ve used them all………………………………said a lot of guys used to run the bottom…guys took to following the veterans…losing all the secrets…