Ted Christopher to Make NEMA Start at New London Waterford Speedbowl’s Wings & Wheels

 Ted Christopher to Make NEMA Start at New London Waterford Speedbowl’s Wings & Wheels

Waterford, CT – Ted Christopher will make a rare start for Bertrand Motorsports when the Northeastern Midget Association visits the New London Waterford Speedbowl for its annual Wings & Wheels event.

A multi time national NASCAR “Tour” champ and 50+ event winner at the Speedbowl, Christopher will take a break from the Modifieds to drive the Bertrand #47 in the prestigious race. The car was driven previously this year by Kyle Hamilton, Doug Coby and Justin Bonsignore, to a two second place finishes and a victory, respectively.

The versatile Christopher, who has multiple wins at Atlantic City and Providence, RI is not a stranger to the NEMA’s Victory Lane. Driving a Marilyn Angelillo-owned car he won at Waterford Speedbowl on May 24, 1998. He battled Bobby and Mike Seymour over the final laps. “I’m excited to race for the Bertrand’s again. The last couple of times we have teamed up, we have had a really good car and Tim’s stuff is always good. I really love racing the midgets, and especially at the Speedbowl. They are fast & fun to drive,” said Christopher.

Among drivers best known for their “stock car” success, Doug Coby leads the pack with four wins, followed by Gene Bergin with two. Bergin won in a Scrivani car at Thompson in 1969 and on the dirt at Lakeville Speedway in 1973 driving the Leahy #18. Christopher’s hard-charging style, in fact, reminds many of Bergin. NEMA legend Mike Scrivani Jr. vividly recalls Bergin’s run from the back to victory at Thompson.

Again like Christopher, Bergin drove a number of different style cars with success. Bergin also notched a pair of seconds in NEMA action. Christopher was third in his first-ever NEMA race at Hudson for Angelillo in 1990. He has driven for Bertrand before, putting on an epic battle with Mark Buonomo finishing third at Stafford Speedway in 2006, when Nokie Fornoro took down the victory.

 With a few exceptions, NEMA has not been kind to outsiders. Geoff Bodine and Bugs Stevens recorded second place finishes at Stafford and Thompson respectively. Reggie Ruggiero fans remember his strong run at Riverside Park. The late Hank Stevens was a Modified legend for many years but was a Midget regular when he won for Jimmy O’Brien at Antigonish in Canada in 1970.