STAFFORD, Conn. — Erica Santos made history July 10 at Stafford Motor Speedway, but there was one thing more important to the third-generation racer. She was finally a winner.
“It is very meaningful to make history with this club that involves so many great people,” said Santos after becoming the first female driver to win a Northeastern Midget Ass’n feature in the long history of the organization, “but it doesn’t matter that I’m a girl. Tonight I’m a winner.”
The 24-year-old daughter of Bobby Santos and brother of NASCAR driver Bobby Santos III has been looking for that first victory for several years.
Tuesday night she made a thrilling late-race pass of Greg Stoehr to claim the victory.
“I have wanted to win a race so badly,” said Santos. “The competition is stronger than ever, and it gets harder and harder to win. This is so exciting. I wish that Stu Murray (Wirtgen America, sponsor) could have been here with us to enjoy it.”
Joey Payne came on strong at the end to finish second, with Jeremy Frankoski, Jeff Horn and Ben Seitz rounding out the top five.
The finish:
Erica Santos, Joey Payne, Jeremy Frankoski, Jeff Horn, Ben Seitz, Adam Cantor, Mark Irving, Shane Hammond, Chris Leonard, Mike Horn, Kyle Carpenter, Cory Cleary, Matt O'Brien, Andy Shlatz, Steve Powers, Doug Cleveland, Paul Luggelle, Greg Stoehr, Randy Cabral, Nokie Fornoro, Mike Lugelle, Tim Heath, Paul Scally, Aaron Wall, Rich Gerbe, Ryan Preece, Lou Ciconni, Jr.