Cugini ready for 50 laps of fury

WATERFORD — The NEMA Lites were created in 2008 as an entry-level division to support their big brothers in the NEMA Midgets.

In a short period of time, however, the Lites have grown into one of New England’s most competitive open-wheel touring divisions, a perfect compliment to the powerful NEMA cars.

Dan Cugini, 26, from Marshfield, Mass., should know. He has competed in the NEMA Lites for six years and has won one driver’s championship, two owner’s championships and has racked up 12 career wins, including two in 2018.

On Saturday, however, Cugini will be trying to do something that he has never done before — win a 50-lap race.

It will be a challenging night for Cugini and his fellow NEMA Lite drivers when the Jim O’Brien Memorial takes place at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, one of the crown jewels of the Speedbowl’s Nostalgia Night.

In addition to the NEMA Lites, the CT. Pro 4 Modifieds, the New England Antique Racers and the Senior Tour Old-Timers will be making guest appearances.

The guest divisions will be joining the Speedbowl regulars the SK Modifieds, the SK Lite Modifieds, the Sportsman and the Mini Stocks. Qualifying gets under way for the nine-feature program at 4:45 p.m. with the opening ceremonies and features to follow.

Cugini says this will be a special night for him and the rest of the NEMA Lite gang. That’s because the race is dedicated to the memory of Jim O’Brien, who was a car owner and official in NEMA for 40 years. He was known for his ingenuity, his sportsmanship and his class both on an off the track. He was the pulse of NEMA from 1971 until his death in 2011.

“I know his sons, Dennis and Matt, and it’s always good to have them at the track,” Cugini said. “It will be a tribute to a great racing family.”

Cugini is coming into the O’Brien Memorial with plenty of momentum. He has won two of the last three races and has five Top 3 finishes in seven Lite events. He leads the point standings by a sturdy 146 points over Avery Stoehr.

“The car has been stout,” Cugini said. “It’s right where we want it to be right now. We’ve been spending all week dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s and our plan is to put out the best car we can.

He needs to. That’s because the Lite competition has been tougher than ever.

“Any race you go to, there are at least 12 to 15 cars that can win,” Cugini said. “That makes it a lot harder.”

Plus the drivers will be in uncharted territory — 50 laps at the Speedbowl, double than the usual race distance of 25 laps.

“We’ll be going with our usual baseline setup and snug the car up a bit,” Cugini said. “We have real good tires from Hoosier and they’ll stay under you for the entire race.

“But I’ll still have to baby that right rear tire. And I’m not good at babying the right rear tire.”

Cugini plans on being a factor for the lead early in the race.

“I definitely want to be the one that sets the pace,” Cugini said. “I want to get into the Top 3 as quickly as possible and don’t let the leaders out of my sight.”

Cugini says he was introduced to midget racing by the Seller family, and it didn’t take him and his dad long to go all-in.

“We have six midgets in our garage and we do almost everything in-house,” Cugini said. “We do our own motor work and our own chassis work, but the more I can do in-house, the more I can race.

“It’s a huge time commitment — my dad and I are in the shop three nights a week and we spend a lot of time together. It’s worth it.”

While Cugini competes in the full-powered Midgets every so often, his main commitment is to the Lites.

“We take pride in the fact that the Lites are a tight, close-knit group,” Cugini said. “Everyone helps each other and teaches each other new set-ups. It’s a great atmosphere.”

There’s another thing Cugini likes about the Lites.

“They’re fast cars,” Cugini said. “This is not an entry division. On Saturday, we’ll be the fastest cars in the show.”

Cugini’s sponsors include Worldwide Preowned in Falmouth, Mass., Bob’s Collision Center in Weymouth, Mass., Bumper to Bumper Accessories in Broxton, Mass., Pro Built Transmissions of Holbrook, Mass., Enterprise Equipment of Weymouth, Mass. and Lu-Mac’s Package Store of  Preston.

His team consists of his dad and mom, Max and Ken Zachem and Chase Cook.

His sister, Megan Cugini, also competes in the NEMA Lites and is sixth in the standings with one Top 3 finish.

“I think that’s pretty cool,; she is a bad ass on the track.” Cugini said, paying tribute to her sister’s tenacity. “We are spending a lot of time with her and it’s working. She hasn’t missed a race in five years.”

On Saturday, however, Cugini knows it will be all up to him.

Once there are 10 laps to go, it’s all up to the driver,” Cugini said. “I will drive the car until there’s nothing left.”

The O’Brien Trophy will be worth the extra effort.

Press release from the New London-Waterford Speedbowl

Contact Mike Serluca at MikeS@speedbowlct.com