Seitz Roars to Second Win of the 2005 NEMA Season

New Jersey native Ben Seitz had a lot to prove coming into the 2005
season.  Fresh off his NEMA championship in 2004, Seitz wanted to
prove that his title run wasn’t a hoax, that it wasn’t a one-time
deal.  Seitz mentioned at the beginning of the season, “We need to
run upfront again this year and back up what we accomplished in
2004.  People don’t remember what you did last year, they remember
what you did last race.”

With that said, Seitz started off the 2005 season at Stafford with a
victory over the NEMA brass, picking up where he left off in 2004. 
But the next race was at Adirondack and it proved to be a disaster
for the Cape Cod Aggregates # 17.  Seitz lost a brand new motor in
his heat race.  Prior to the feature Cabral Racing, Father Glenn and
Son Randy, graciously offered Seitz a ride in their backup mount. 
Seitz, starting at the rear of the field, took off like a man
possessed, passing cars high and low, all over the track.  By lap
five Seitz was up to 4th place and a caution came out to slow the
pace.  At the same time, during the caution period the Autocraft
motor in the Cabral Racing backup car, not unlike Seitz potent
Gaerte, sizzled out, leaving Seitz with a weak finish.

The team went back to the shop and put in one of the Gaerte’s they
acquired last year and had freshened during the winter.  They went to
Star Speedway in NH and the car was off a bit but still, Seitz
managed to manhandle the car and bring it home with a solid 4th place
finish against some of the best midget drivers in the country.  But
to Seitz and the Valeri Motorsports Crew a 4th just wasn’t going to
cut it.  They went back to the shop, made some changes and got the
car ready for the short tow from Monument Beach, MA to Seekonk
Speedway.

Seitz, with his primary sponsor, Cape Cod Aggregates, and a slew of
their employees in the stands knew it was time to get back to
business.  Seitz started dead last in his heat and within a few laps
had rocketed to the helm, turning blistering lap times and setting
the stage for the rest of the competitors.  Come feature time, with a
9th place starting spot and a bumper crop of talent in front of him,
Seitz went to work.  By lap eight Seitz had wheeled his strong
running Beast/Gaerte combo by North East star Bobby Santos and put on
the after burners.  With just a handful of cautions slowing the pace,
Seitz cruised to a strong victory, putting his team back in 2nd place
in the points standing and looking forward to catching and overtaking
Joey Payne, ISMA/NEMA standout.

“We’re taking it one race at a time right now”, said an always polite
and low-key Seitz.  “My Car owner, Peter Valeri, gave me a great car
as ususal.  And I really have to thank Cape Cod Aggregates for all
their support, we couldn’t do this without them and we appreciate
it.  If we just keep moving forward, plucking off a few points here
and a few points there we can definitely catch Joey and make this two
in row.” 

In the end, Seitz has proven time and time again that he knows how to
wheel a car and get the job done.  His smooth, thoughtful style has
led him to titles in every division he’s ever raced in.  As for
what’s on the horizon, Seitz and his team always have something
cooking but for right now they are focused on the 2005 season with
the NEMA series.  And right now Seitz is setting his vision on making
it two in a row and three out of five when they go to Thompson
International Speedway on June 30th.

For more information on Ben, his season and more, head over to
www.BenSeitzRacing.com or email the team at PR@BenSeitzRacing.com