MODIFIED MINUTE – EPISODE 11-"IT'S AN ITALIAN THING"

WEBVTT
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This week on the modified minute.
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Yeah, I I think I said it in my interview.
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I think I said, you know, you don't want to be standing on a podium because day on day one, because then you got nothing to look forward to.
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But uh we did have a pretty good start to the season, and um you know, I I love that I had such a great start, but I wouldn't have minded uh a worse start.
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You know what I mean?
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It's hard to live up to.
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Being on the tour is great, you know, it's just like uh it's a dream for for us racers, us modified racers in Connecticut, um, but especially in New England, just that's kind of like our cup series.
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Every Saturday night I'd ask for the night off.
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I go if I'd go to Riverside.
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I'm going to races.
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Um so that's where I got the itch.
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And when I second, I wanna when I went into the park and I seen modified, and I heard them, I was like, I'm either owning one or driving one.
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All that plus hot dog of the week, radio replay, and either or.
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So tighten those belts because this week's modified minute is next.
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They're called the Mod Squad.
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Ground Pounders.
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The men that live by the grace of God and 600 horsepower.
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Here they come to the strike, down to the minute, flying in the air, hell.
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Here comes the inside.
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Here comes Calpini Jr.
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And off the corner to the mode comes.
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This is the Modified Minute.
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Go inside the world of modified racing with Jack O'Root.
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Modified Minute is brought to you by Wadell Communications, the official track side radio supplier for the mod squad, by mid-state type development, safety, knowledge, and innovation.
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By Wheelers Auto Services, the finest and top-level service of premier automobile makes and models.
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By Humble Brothers Quality Means, 100% quality since 1933.
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By Riverhead Building Supply.
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Build smarter, build better, by Mr.
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Reuter Plumbing, expert plumbing contractors you can trust by Time Pro, exceeding your expectations, and by Ferguson Contractors, building excellence since 1925.
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Here's Jack.
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Appreciate you stopping by to catch up on this week's Modified Minute Episode.
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The guest list is an eclectic assembly of rookies, veterans, and tackling new challenges.
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Vinny Rapoccio drops in.
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He's a rookie in the SK Lights at the Waterford Speed Bowl, but already he has flexed his muscles scoring second place finishes in both races run thus far this season.
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Andrew Moller has been turning left since the age of 13.
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And this season he's stepping up to the wheel and modified tour.
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He explains why it's a step that he's dreamed about since he started following his father around modified paddocks at the ripe old age of six.
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And John Rafano swings by and explains how he got hooked on modified when a teenager named Keith Rocco knocked on his auto repair shop looking for sponsorship help to start his modified racing career.
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But before we dive into the guest list, I want to welcome two brand new sponsors to the show.
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The first is Sign Pro and the Rapocio family.
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They're the new sponsors of the championship chases.
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And the other is Vinnie Beadle and Mr.
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Reuter.
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They've taken over the either-or segment.
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I hope that you'll support them along with all of my other sponsors.
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But enough of that.
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We need to get you up to speed with this week's action.
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Time to get you up to speed in the modified world.
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Up to speed is brought to you by Mid-State Site Development.
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Mid-State safety, knowledge, and innovation.
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The action kicked off Friday night at the Stafford Motor Speedway with the SK Lights.
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And it came down to double green white checkers and a turn three bonsai move.
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Here's the green.
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And they race into the first turn.
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It's Robert Blocks, and that's ahead of Tyler Bear.
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And here goes Fink Mind, taking a peek to the bottom hunter blocks him coming up to turn two.
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Right on the back bumper as they head in the three.
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Alright, then we get to the light flag, and then ultimately the checker blocks the lead.
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Spink mine is there.
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Anglais dives right to the bottom, challenging for second.
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Very amazing.
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Big Mine turns back in the line of third.
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Here comes Anglace.
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He goes up to hill! Fake mine goes to the inside.
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It will be a victory for Jason Fake Mine is one an incredible run to the wire.
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Ah, this is awesome.
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We stayed up till midnight.
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Almost all the way.
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And uh I got a great crew, and I've come asked for a better crew, and uh this is awesome.
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Then it was the annual Costello Waste 80 for the SK and lake number one of the sign pro$20,000 triple crown.
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Here they get up double green, so fly wheel up to speed here at Snapford.
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Like number two, we don't look to the top of stage the minus DMP makes the way to screen.
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It's green that has to leave.
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Julio looks for the top spot.
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Julio dies to the inside colour number seven.
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That's the left number two.
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Let's start it for the fun in the 40 minutes away all the way to the five.
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First of 2026 is the number four flaggers.
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I started to think we were we weren't gonna win a race, you know.
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I just uh it's been a long time and these been the same role last year, and uh to come here to win a big race like this means a lot more than just winning a regular race, and uh just really happy to get these Costello, these beautiful sign pro Costello trophies to uh North Ramford Connect.
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At the New London Waterford Speedbowl, Nick Covey took down the win, the first of his career at that shoreline Oval.
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At the Riverhead Raceway Saturday night, Chase Grennan won the 50 Lapras.
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It was Grennan's fifth win at the bowl race.
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And then, of course, the weekend curtain closure was the return of the Wheel and Modified Tour to the Oxford Plains Speedway where an 18-car field raced it out for 150 laps.
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Topic back around, no lead of lap number one as everybody tries to find their early footing here in this event.
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Enemy working well right now in that outside lane on Steven Topsick was what the opening laps of this event means so far.
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McKennedy knows it's out front, top of the racetrack off of turn number four, and it looks like he may lead lap number nine here.
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He does cautious flag is out, but not sure, until we debris something on the racetrack.
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We're not sure what the checking of the cars did come down.
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It is off.
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The Fierce number 64.
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John McKennedy is quiet, but not on the racetrack.
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If he pulls away on the restart, white flag is out, one lap to go.
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Jonathan McKennedy waits for the win in the All-State Materials Group 150 at Oxford.
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There's no question about it.
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He led the majority of the laps.
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He was the fastest car in watchers, but the record books will show today's event.
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Now it's the record books for the running here in Oxford Play.
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And John McKennedy is taking it down to the impressive victory.
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Amazing one for Tyler Riskula to finish it second.
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Eric O'Dale will finish it first.
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After Lake Loud Media, I was actually hoping the races went.
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I didn't want to I don't want to have a pitched off or take the chance of you know putting on tires because sometimes the cars are just different, and um there's a lot of variables, so I was content with the race going.
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The car was just absolutely awesome, it really was.
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All day it was a rocket ship.
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Um what can I say it's just great to be great to be back here, Oxford.
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I enjoy recent year, and thanks to Tom Aberry, um, everyone with NASCAR putting this event on.
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Uh awesome.
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And now you are officially up to the field.
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With all the racing action last week, we need to look at the championship chases.
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And the new sponsor of this segment is Sign Pro.
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Here's a look at the championship chases.
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Brought to you by SignPro, exceeding your expectations.
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Jonathan McKennedy's win at the Oxford Players Speedway moved him up in the standing from fifth to third in the Wheel of Modified Tour.
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Steven Kopsick has a slim market over defending champion Austin Beard with Eric Goodale and Patrick Emerson rounding out the top five.
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With his win in the Cusello Way's Daily, Jonathan Julio sits in first in the side pro triple crowd of Stafford, followed by Michael Christopher Jr., Glenn Reed, Brian Narducci, and Deep Rock.
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The next leg for the 20K Science Pro Triple Crowd is by 24.
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Things remain the same in the modified Tri-Track series.
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With John McKennedy, Michael Christopher Jr., Patrick Emmer, Jake Johnson, and Ronnie Williams filling out the top five squad.
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The Tri-Track series runs their second race at the Thompson Speedway on Wednesday, June 24th.
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And there's no change to the Smart Modified Tour standings as well, where Danny Bone is ahead of Ryan Newman, Jack Baldwin, Brandon Ward, and Kurt Meyer.
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The Smart Tour is off until their July 4th event at the Caraway Speedway.
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John Rifrano became enthralled with modified racing while he was a teenager working at a local garage.
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From there, he ended up becoming one of Stafford Speedway's top owners when he and Keith Rocco knocked down 58 SK victories, three track titles, and a national championship.
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He's still at it with his son Marcello, and he is the subject of this week's Crew Call.
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Time to drop into the race shop and get the dope from the guys that twist the wrenches.
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It's Crew Call.
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Brought to you by Ferguson Contractors, building excellence since 1925.
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Well, John, I'm really happy that you agreed to join us here on the Modified Minute because you have such a stellar record as a car owner, not only at Stafford Speedway, but a core across the modified racing community.
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How did you get started in the racing biz?
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Um, well, I I used to work at uh a gas station called Richie's Amico in West Haven, which was uh Richie Okus he used to own a 73 that used to run at Riverside Park.
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So I I got the the itch there um with modified.
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So I worked part in part-time going to school back and forth, but every Saturday night I'd ask for the night off.
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I'd go to Riverside.
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I'm on a races.
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Um so that's where I got the itch.
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And when I second I wanna when I went into the park and I seen modifieds and I heard them, I was like, I'm either owning one or driving one.
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Um never had the opportunity to drive, didn't have the crew, didn't have the funds, you know, and then it just from there um I went to work for Greco's Greco's auto machine for George Greco.
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So uh I did some uh modified racing with him and he ran the 21 late model up at uh Stafford there for a few years.
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So I helped him out and stuff.
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Then I kind of got away from it a little bit.
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Um kind of went drag racing a little bit.
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Uh then when I ended up um getting my own shop and everything, I just I always had that in the back of my head.
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I loved modified racing, you know, and I always wanted to go modified racing.
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And uh I happened to be at the shop on a Saturday morning.
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Hopefully I wasn't gonna be bothered.
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But I was with a knock at the door.
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And the knock at the door was Keith Rocco.
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And I said, geez, what does he want here?
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What do you do what's he doing here on a Saturday morning?
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So I always told the story.
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He was a hungry kid, knew he wanted he wanted to be a modified driver, you know, had it in his heart.
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He was soliciting um sponsors up and down State Street.
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So he knocked on my door.
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So he came in, we shot the shit a little bit, this and that.
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And before you know it, I mean, I said, Yeah, I'll help you out.
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So I started hanging with him again when he was driving the 78 from Poland.
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And uh he's like, Hey, uh Gene wants to retire next year.
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He goes, uh, what do you think?
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I says, Well, maybe I'll buy his equipment.
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He goes, Yeah, he wants to sell everything.
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Well, make a long story short, we didn't go that route.
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I ended up buying a brand new Troyer.
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We went to upstate New York on a cold winter day.
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Jeff, his brother, me, and Keith, we drove up there, looked at the car, brand new piece.
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That's the piece we're getting.
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So we we bought the car, and the rest was history.
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Rocco on the outside in the inside, off the turn, they come to the line.
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Keith Rocco brings it down to the line, he'll take down the whip.
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And quite a history between the two of you.
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Uh, you know, so many wins in the SK modified division, so much success.
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When you look back, does it surprise you at all that you guys clicked the way that you did?
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Um, yeah, no, I mean it it doesn't surprise me because he knew what he wanted.
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I only provided the b the best equipment.
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To me, it's either the best or nothing.
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You're you know, I'm not going around I'm not going to flounder on the racetrack.
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You know?
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I'm going there to win races.
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Um he was a a r an awesome driver.
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Um and everything just yelled perfect at that time.
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We had good real good help with the cars.
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Um, everything was going perfect.
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As you know, we won ended up winning a national title.
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Um you know, between the three tracks and everything.
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I wasn't solely me, but you know, with other people You played a role in it, a major role.
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Yeah.
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We did, yes, I did, yes.
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Um and then my son started, you know, getting into the you know, we started racing goal karts with him when he was eight years old.
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We just uh migrated from there.
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We just kept going and going and going, and then once he started getting to the SKs, I was just, you know, I wanted to put all my effort into my son.
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You know, nothing against Keith.
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He was great.
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Um, but it just I had I had to make a decision.
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You know, I can't I wouldn't want to float two cars.
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My head wasn't there to help him.
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You know, I needed to focus on one thing.
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Well, and and in that process, okay, not that people were surprised, but it provided the opportunity for Keith to develop the KRR concept.
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Yeah, he's doing very well.
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But by the same token, uh, you ended up making it a family affair as as all of us watched as Marcello matured and came up through the ranks.
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And I I get a great deal of enjoyment seeing the two of you operating these days because it's a true, at least as an outsider, John, it's a true illustration of a great father-son relationship.
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It is, it is, it is.
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I I I really enjoy it.
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I enjoy I love racing.
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He loves driving.
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Um, he's gotten better and better and better.
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Yeah.
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This year I think it clicked even better.
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Um, I don't know if it's just because he and I are only, you know, working on the car and we're communicating better.
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But he has a a goal when he gets in the car and we have to be good.
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You know.
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What was it like for you?
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A sense of pride and accomplishment when he scored that victory a couple of weeks ago.
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I was all I knew I I knew it was I knew it was gonna come quick because first race of the season, we were just he was like that, this car has never been this good.
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He goes, This is you know, I seen it in him.
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He felt so confident with the car, he goes, listen, everything goes smooth.
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I think we can get one today.
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We can get the sizzler.
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Uh then we had that you know that mishap.
00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:29.839
Michael ended up blowing an engine and we got caught up in that, but it's a racing deal.
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What are you gonna do?
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Um Then we came back the next week, car was just as good.
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You know, I ended up thinking we ended up finishing third no second second or third that night.
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Forget.
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Um come back just as consistent.
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Every week it's been the same.
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Even this week, you know, the car was real good.
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We just got caught up in that restart deal.
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But nothing you can do, it's a racing deal.
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You know, that's the way it goes.
00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:59.519
Is is it a different feeling or a similar feeling to when you won all those races with Keith?
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The fact that it's your son and the fact that he grew up behind the wheel.
00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:17.599
I mean, we all make kind of make fun of him nowadays, but when he was just a young teenager, I mean he made all the typical teenage mistakes, but he kept at it, and there is, as you say, a a level of maturity these days.
00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:26.799
What about from your standpoint, with so much that you accomplished with Keith Rocco, including a national title, and now seeing your son come into his own?
00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:32.079
He's he's you know, like I said, he's definitely getting better and better.
00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:34.880
Um, we're I think we're contenders every week.
00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:39.119
Um I I think wherever we go, we can be a contender.
00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:41.359
It's just everything has to be right.
00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:55.839
Come a long way, my friend, from uh someone knocking at your door and saying, uh, hey, listen, uh, I'm looking for some sponsorship, and even a longer way from when you would hook Saturday so that you could go to Riverside Park.
00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:59.599
So my question to you, John Rufrano, is what lies ahead?
00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:02.559
What what's on your bucket list that you want to accomplish?
00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:11.759
I I'd I mean win races and I mean everybody thinks about a championship, but we just want to win races, you know.
00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:14.559
Whatever if it's there at the end, it's there.
00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:19.519
If it's not, if I win five races, four races, three races, if we win two, I'm happy with that too.
00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:22.319
I just as long as we're running well, I'm happy.
00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:24.799
Um What are we gonna keep doing?
00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:27.279
We'll do some selected open open races.
00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.960
Run the SK at Stafford.
00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.640
I really like Stafford a lot.
00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:33.039
Um I mean it's such a great track, you know.
00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:36.000
Every everything, it's like the kids are doing such a great job there.
00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.519
Every year they're doing something different.
00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:42.240
They're doing such a great job, you know, uh with the facility.
00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:44.720
It's just it's just it's like it's my home track.
00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:45.599
That's my track.
00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:48.559
Well, you're you're one of our hometown heroes, too.
00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:54.880
Uh it was a chance encounter with the 1969 winner of the Indianapolis 500.
00:19:55.200 --> 00:20:02.640
The crowd beginning to pay its tribute to Andretti, the young man who came to this country at the age of 14 as an immigrant from Italy.
00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:06.480
He had driven racing cars even before he came over here.
00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:10.720
This was the one he wanted more than anything else in the world.
00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:12.319
And here it comes, Mario.
00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:15.839
The check and plague of victory.
00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:16.720
He's done it.
00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:21.200
You want to share that with our listeners here on uh modified minutes?
00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:23.200
Yeah, Mario Andretti.
00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:31.759
He was my guy when I wanted when I wanted when I was watching racing indies or any racing, he he was my guy.
00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:38.079
The Italian, tie in Mario Andretti with the accent, you know, it was just it's like wow, you're all Italian.
00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:43.440
It's like, oh, you know, it just gives you the you know, he gave me the inch to go, you know?
00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:44.240
Yeah, yeah.
00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:52.720
The guy came from the old country, I mean built cars like out of uh junkyard, you know, went racing and look who he is today, you know.
00:20:52.880 --> 00:21:03.839
That's it it certainly uh at at your request I shared the story with Mario this past uh past May in Indianapolis.
00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:09.920
And but the great quote was well he's uh not the only one that is inspired by me.
00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.599
Typical Mario, right?
00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.279
Yeah, typical Mario.
00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:17.279
Finally, uh every team has a notebook.
00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:27.119
And uh as as I watch you during practice, and I asked I asked your son about this, that he says you take copious notes, you've got everything down there.
00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:30.880
And I said, Well, who gets to keep the notebook?
00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:42.960
And I I sense that maybe there's a little bit of a pull and a push and a not necessarily, but good naturedly, that he wants to get a look at that notebook every once in a while.
00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.559
There's no secrets.
00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:46.160
They're they're there, the book is there.
00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.519
He and I know where it is.
00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:50.559
Uh he can read it whenever he wants, he knows what we what we can do.
00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.000
Does he know how to read?
00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.799
Oh yeah.
00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.920
Yeah, he can read.
00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.279
So yeah, it's it's there.
00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:01.200
It's We make our notes every week.
00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.799
We try to stay as consistent.
00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.720
If it's working, we do we do the same.
00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:09.599
The second we start to fall off a little bit or see something, we need to make an adjustment we need to do something different.
00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:11.680
You can't just keep doing the same thing.
00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:19.519
Well, I I'm very impressed, and most most reason most of the reason why is John, you're kind of self-taught.
00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:23.359
You know, you did it the right way, you did it the old-fashioned way, you did it the hard way.
00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.640
You gotta figure it out.
00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.359
Exactly.
00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:30.720
And you guys you guys continue to do that, and I appreciate your visiting with me tonight.
00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:33.599
And we will see you at Stafford on Friday night.
00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.160
Thank you.
00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.279
Thank you for having me.
00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:39.920
You know, Noah Corner has won a number of Legends national championships.
00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:43.119
He's also an SK winner at the Stafford Speedway.
00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:46.480
So let's throttle down with Corner.
00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:52.480
This is Throttle Down Time, where you get to ride along inside a modified.
00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:59.680
Brought to you by Wattell's Communications, your Northeast trackside dealer for radios and repair.
00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:05.599
You ride this week with Noah Corner in the last weekend's SK modified Castello Waze.
00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:23.279
It would make sense that you'd want to do likewise, right?
00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:28.000
Well, that's the case with this week's SK Soundings guest, Vinny Rapocio.
00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.680
Let's meet him.
00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:32.240
This is SK Soundings.
00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:36.079
News from the SK great and SK Light.
00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:40.480
SK Soundings is brought to you by Wheelers Auto Services.
00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:48.079
The finest and top-level automobile makes and models specializing in European, Japanese, and domestic vehicles.
00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:54.400
Thank you very much, Jack.
00:25:54.880 --> 00:26:09.039
So I'm scrolling through race results on Race Monitor about a month ago, and I happen upon Waterford Speedbowl, and I look at the SK Lights finish, and there's this guy, Vincent Rapocchio.
00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:14.079
And I'm like, well, Rapocio is like a root, it's a very unique name.
00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:19.680
So there's got to be a connection to uh SignPro and your dad.
00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:24.880
And I happened to mention to him, and he says, Oh yeah, he's racing in the SK Lights.
00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:27.039
How did all of that come about, pal?
00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:41.759
Yeah, so um I definitely grew up at Waterford um watching Corey and Dana, those are my cousins, Corey and Dana and DiMateo, and they always started in Bandoleros, and then they went to Legends, and from there I went to SK Lights and SK's, and now they're running the tour.
00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:49.599
And I remember going every weekend as a kid and just watching them race legends, and it was just like, hey dad, like when can I get in?
00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:52.640
I can't reach the pedals yet, but I I want to get in.
00:26:53.200 --> 00:27:00.640
And we rented the track one day um as a family and all the cousins got to drive the cars, but I was too short and I couldn't drive.
00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:05.359
So they let me drive in the parking lot and they put some pillows behind me so I could reach the pedals.
00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:08.559
And um I still remember that to this day.
00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:13.279
And I always kept asking Pete when, you know, my dad, when can we start racing?
00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:14.480
When can we start racing?
00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:23.279
And he was always just like, We can't do it because once we start we're gonna go full in and we're gonna show up with a stacker and an extra car, extra parts.
00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:26.319
And I think we finally got him to rip the band-aid off.
00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:29.680
And uh we we started doing carts last year at Stafford.
00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:31.759
It was definitely a a learning curve.
00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:38.400
And uh those cars are hard to drive and uh you don't expect them, but they're definitely harder than the SK Lite this year.
00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:40.880
And there was some good competition last year.
00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:49.440
And um once we uh got on the track last year and just figured out we love the sport, we love the people, we love the community, and we want to be a part of it.
00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:54.240
Um we wanted to take it to to Waterford just because that's where we grew up.
00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:56.079
Um it's a wonderful track.
00:27:56.240 --> 00:28:01.519
I love the track, and it's open, it's two lanes, you can pass on the bottom, you can pass on the top.
00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:10.559
It's just so much fun, and and I can't thank my parents enough for for letting me get into this and uh my my family and my cousins for for starting this.
00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:12.319
So yeah, that's how I got into it.
00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:23.680
You know, uh one thing about the Manaforts and the Rapochios and the D Mateos is when they go into something, they do go all in without question.
00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:31.279
But that's quite the jump to go from you know from the the the Monday night carts to an SK light.
00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:35.839
Now, granted, at Waterford's a little bit less intimidating than a half mile.
00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:44.400
What was well and you you just mentioned it was harder to run the cart than it is to race this SK Lite.
00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.680
That's my opinion.
00:28:45.839 --> 00:29:04.000
I mean you have you have suspension in SK Lite, you don't have suspension in the carts, so every bump you feel, every bump hits your back and it hurts way more than SK Lite, and SK Lite's got power steering, feels like a real car, you know, you move around the track, whereas you know the carts kind of just felt like it was one line.
00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:14.559
So, in the midst of this racing legacy that you grew up in, you also had the requirement that you had to go off to college, you had to get yourself an education.
00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:20.720
And uh just about a month ago, you finally got that diploma from the University of Connecticut.
00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:36.160
My question to you, we'll talk a little bit about what you majored in, but my question to you is how many of your fellow students at UConn knew what your secret passion was and what you did on weekends?
00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:40.319
I don't think a lot, to be honest.
00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:42.559
Yeah, a lot of people knew.
00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:50.880
Um definitely so I raced a car to my junior year of college um in the summer, and it's very low key.
00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:52.000
I don't think all my friends do.
00:29:52.240 --> 00:30:00.000
I kind of came back, and once we decide on the SK Lite, that was kind of when I was like I told everyone, hey, we're gonna be driving this this car this year.
00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:05.440
And um all my friends just got so excited, and I have eye racing simulator up at school.
00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:08.400
I mean, I was on it every day, all my friends trying it out.
00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:17.599
I was like, they were like, hey, this thing is harder than it thinks, this is harder than it looks and um I don't know, I just it always came somewhat easier to me.
00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:22.079
Well, you you had good teachers you know on top top to bottom.
00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:27.440
And are they the one they're the best, they're they're two of the best.
00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:34.240
They certainly burned up the racetrack at first at Stafford in in Legends Cars, and as you alluded to at Waterford.
00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:49.119
And I remember when their dad said the most the the most difficult thing was when one won and one lost the long ride back home, because there was one happy camper and there was one that just wanted to go back to work and find out how he could be better.
00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.319
Yeah, 100%.
00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:57.200
So we're about we're about maybe into the first month of you being behind the wheel.
00:30:57.759 --> 00:31:03.119
As you develop your racecraft, where do you think you need to improve?
00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:10.319
I think I definitely need to improve just on seat time and getting comfortable um making moves.
00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:24.400
Because um definitely uh these past uh this past month, um getting more comfortable every time I drive the car and um definitely feeling the difference on adjustments and and feeling where I like it, what line I like.
00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:33.839
But then in the race, you know, you kind of just I don't want to say it goes all out the window, but you're kind of just relying on your reactions and um not really thinking too much.
00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:36.720
Well that's the critical part of developing a racecraft though.
00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:44.640
When it becomes muscle memory and you don't have to think about it, that's when you can check that box and move on to something else.
00:31:44.960 --> 00:32:04.240
Yeah, so definitely um definitely focusing on on that and um trying to make moves when it's the right time and not trying to be too impatient, definitely trying to be patient, pick off when I can, and um especially in the SK Lite division, just trying to look out for Rex because we all know how the SK Lite division is.
00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:05.839
Well, what do you expect?
00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:06.880
Come on, Vinny.
00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:07.759
It's most cards.
00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:15.119
It's an entry-level series where people like you develop their racecraft, develop the skill set.
00:32:15.359 --> 00:32:29.440
So I you know I've always looked and said, you know, the guys that excel in the SK Lights, when they make the jump, whether it's to a tour type modified or to an SK, they've they've had the good training.
00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:46.640
And too often, less often than before, it's you have success in the SK lights and then your helicopter dad or your uncle or your mom or your whomever, your friends say, Oh, we need to go SK racing, or we need to go run the you know the Monaco modified tour.
00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:52.400
Long before everything that you do behind the wheel is second nature.
00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.279
Yeah.
00:32:54.480 --> 00:33:02.319
When you when you first got on the track, and I think it was the first night I saw the race results, you had a podium finished, dude.
00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:05.279
Yeah, I I think I said it in my interview.
00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:10.319
I think I said, you know, you don't want to be standing on a podium because day on day one, because then you got nothing to look forward to.
00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:23.920
But uh we did have a pretty good start to the season, and um you know, I I love that I had a such a great start, but I wouldn't have minded a a worse start.
00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:24.480
You know what I mean?
00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:29.119
It's hard to live up to two second places in a row as your first two races.
00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:32.720
Not not too shabby, but you gotta pass cars.
00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:36.000
You gotta learn, you gotta learn how to go from the back.
00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:39.519
You gotta learn how to be a little bit like Ted Christopher was.
00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:42.480
And you know, if you want to make friends, then go to summer camp.
00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:47.920
You need to become a little bit like Dale Earnhardt and you know, show some intimidation to others.
00:33:48.160 --> 00:34:03.839
Are you looking forward to getting to the point where you you got a great America 250 hat on right now, to where when you get in the cockpit of the car, people look at you and say, He's the man, he's the guy we've got to beat.
00:34:04.880 --> 00:34:10.159
I mean, I wouldn't shoot for that right now because I don't think I'm trying to make too many enemies on the track.
00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:14.079
Um definitely trying to move in year one.
00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:14.480
Yeah, good.
00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.199
Yeah, yeah.
00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.400
Definitely trying to take it easy.
00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:18.400
I don't want to ruffle any feathers right now.
00:34:18.800 --> 00:34:21.519
Um, I'm not trying to pick any fights with anyone.
00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:25.280
Just trying to finish the race clean in one piece, to be honest.
00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:26.400
This race this year.
00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:30.639
You know, I've known your dad from when he was about your age.
00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:38.159
Yeah, and you know, he's he's always had this abiding passion and a love affair with modified racing.
00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:41.199
And he's been very successful with the sign pro.
00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:46.320
Uh, I remember when he just had his first die-cut uh decal maker.
00:34:46.559 --> 00:34:57.199
And and yet he, I think, always lived vicariously through his his relatives that were doing it out on the racetrack.
00:34:57.440 --> 00:35:04.960
So my question to you is you said, he has a tendency to go all in, and now you gotta get a stacker, you gotta have this, you gotta have that.
00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:09.679
But when when he's at the racetrack, uh I see him lit up.
00:35:09.840 --> 00:35:17.519
I mean, I when you talk about pride, when you pull back into the pits with that trophy for second place, what'd he say to you?
00:35:18.320 --> 00:35:21.519
Um my dad just gave up.
00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:23.679
Come up, he came up screaming, yeah!
00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:29.519
And then um But he's not emotional at all, is he?
00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:35.760
No, but then my brother over my brother was getting a little emotional and um Yeah.
00:35:36.639 --> 00:35:38.960
It was cool to see both sides of it, you know.
00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:41.840
The emotional side and then the the happy side.
00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:44.719
So how long do you think you want to stay in SK Lights?
00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:50.800
I think as as long as I'm as long as it takes until I'm ready to jump up.
00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:56.960
I'm not trying to move up too quickly and um I'm just really trying to hone my racecraft.
00:35:57.679 --> 00:36:02.480
This is a self-serving question because as you know, my family owns the Stafford Motor Speedway.
00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:10.480
So when are we gonna see, you know, the headhunter Vinny Rapocchio, uh give it a stab in the SK lights at Stafford?
00:36:12.079 --> 00:36:14.159
That might be a question for Pete.
00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:17.360
That might be a question for Pete because Well I'll work him over.
00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:19.599
All right, I'm gonna work him over on your behalf.
00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:19.920
Okay.
00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:27.679
I think I think Jack, if if you guys let sponsor or let spotters for one race, I would be there with another.
00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:36.719
But I just think that, you know, with the experience that I have, and it's not a lot without a spotter, is um kind of just jumping into the deep water right away.
00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.400
Who spots for you down at Waterford?
00:36:38.960 --> 00:36:39.679
Dana Dana.
00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:40.880
And he's the best.
00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:44.400
I think Dana's one of the best spotters, probably in the state.
00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:55.920
I mean, I've listened to him spot for Corey growing up my my whole life, and um honestly listened to him since I was so young, I can already like I know his lingo, I know his terminology, so it just feels natural.
00:36:56.159 --> 00:37:01.360
And he's a driver, so he knows what the car does and he knows what what adjustments to make uh in the car.
00:37:01.760 --> 00:37:07.199
Well, before I let you go, we talked about graduation, you got your diploma now from the University of Connecticut.
00:37:07.360 --> 00:37:09.440
My question is, what are you gonna do with it?
00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:18.400
So I got my univers uh I got my marketing degree from University of Connecticut, and I am taking the Nath to Science Pro and going to be working with the family business.
00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:33.679
Uh my mom, my dad, and my brother all work there, and um it really truly is a family business, and we're just trying to make it the best um best science company and just cultural community that SciencePro can get.
00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:45.280
And um I just think being at SciencePro, being around the family, I'm finally back home and um just ready for for the race season, ready to keep going.
00:37:46.239 --> 00:37:48.559
We learn some we learn something every week.
00:37:48.719 --> 00:37:56.719
Um learned a lot of stuff last week, and we have a week off this week, so got the car tuned up, dialed in, and we'll be back the week after next.
00:37:56.960 --> 00:38:20.239
I if people don't know about Sign Pro, I would urge them to go and take a look because one of the wonderful things that your family has done is they're not just a business entity, they have embraced the community and not just the racing community, but the community where the business is established and what your family gives back to those that maybe have less.
00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:24.880
I think is a perfect case study of how you can pay something forward.
00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:32.079
As I alluded to, Pete started with you know, started small and just worked his way up to it's a major enterprise.
00:38:32.159 --> 00:38:35.519
And and I'm glad you decided to go into the family business.
00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:37.440
Of course, of course.
00:38:37.840 --> 00:38:40.880
I've been wanted to go into the family business since I've been 12.
00:38:40.960 --> 00:38:43.360
I've been working there every summer with my brother.
00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:45.360
Just it's it feels like home.
00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:50.320
So and think about the great part is when you were 12, you weren't getting a set a check.
00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:53.360
Now we got now you got now.
00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:57.679
You got withholding, you've got your 401k, you know, yeah, all the time.
00:38:57.760 --> 00:38:58.880
Oh, this is oh yeah.
00:38:58.960 --> 00:38:59.440
Yeah.
00:38:59.760 --> 00:39:02.800
Now remember, you gotta buy tires, you gotta buy fuel.
00:39:03.360 --> 00:39:04.000
Oh yeah.
00:39:04.239 --> 00:39:07.199
Oh yeah, I got the the the checks are rolling in.
00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:08.639
Hey, it's a real treat.
00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:10.239
I wish you nothing but the very best.
00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:20.480
I wish I could influence Mark and Lisa and David and and Paul to put radios in the SK lights, but I know we're gonna see you sooner or later once you're ready.
00:39:20.559 --> 00:39:22.239
But I'm gonna work the old man over.
00:39:22.400 --> 00:39:22.719
Okay.
00:39:22.880 --> 00:39:23.199
All right.
00:39:23.280 --> 00:39:25.840
I I'm gonna be on him like a cheap suit.
00:39:26.400 --> 00:39:26.880
Love it.
00:39:27.280 --> 00:39:28.960
Hopefully, I'll see you soon as that for.
00:39:29.199 --> 00:39:30.400
You take care, my friend.
00:39:30.639 --> 00:39:31.440
You too, Jack.
00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:32.639
Thank you for having me on.
00:39:32.960 --> 00:39:36.639
There's domination, and then there's domination.
00:39:36.880 --> 00:39:40.159
Let's meet this week's hot dog of the week.
00:39:41.280 --> 00:39:46.159
It's now time to reveal this week's modified minute hot dog of the week.
00:39:46.320 --> 00:39:48.480
Someone who stood above the rest.
00:39:48.960 --> 00:39:56.079
Brought to you by Hummel Brothers, Quality Meets, the top dog in modified racing.
00:39:56.320 --> 00:39:59.599
100% quality since 1933.
00:40:00.480 --> 00:40:08.000
Jonathan McKennedy went to Oxford Plain Speedway with NASCAR's Wheeler Modified Tour after a 37-year effort.
00:40:12.719 --> 00:40:15.760
In the 150 lapfer, it was all McKennedy.
00:40:16.000 --> 00:40:21.760
He had the fastest laps and left the most laps, become the first double winner this season.
00:40:22.079 --> 00:40:25.199
John McKennedy is quiet, but not on the racetrack.
00:40:25.360 --> 00:40:29.519
As he pulls away on the restart, white flag is out, one lap to go.
00:40:29.679 --> 00:40:34.960
Jonathan McKennedy looking for the win in the All State Materials Group 150 in Oxford.
00:40:35.039 --> 00:40:36.320
There's no question about it.
00:40:36.400 --> 00:40:38.159
He led the majority of the laps.
00:40:38.400 --> 00:40:40.559
He was the fastest car in practice.
00:40:40.719 --> 00:40:44.159
But the record books will show today's event.
00:40:44.320 --> 00:40:48.000
Now into the record books for the running here in Oxford Play.
00:40:48.079 --> 00:40:51.039
And John McKennedy is taking down the event.
00:40:57.280 --> 00:40:59.199
Um, you know, we definitely had a little advantage.
00:40:59.280 --> 00:41:04.880
I baked terror fights over the years, and a lot of these guys haven't seen the place and it's a very line, sensitive track.
00:41:04.960 --> 00:41:06.320
Um, there's no markings out there.
00:41:06.400 --> 00:41:06.880
It's wide.
00:41:06.960 --> 00:41:14.000
Your preception is challenging here as far as lift points, and um, so definitely laughs here and experience definitely helps.
00:41:14.239 --> 00:41:16.079
So um pay dog.
00:41:17.519 --> 00:41:19.920
Congratulations goes out to Jonathan.
00:41:20.159 --> 00:41:25.199
You are this week's modified minute hot dog of the week.
00:41:28.239 --> 00:41:32.800
Andrew Moller has come up through the ranks following in his father Mike's footsteps.
00:41:33.039 --> 00:41:41.280
He was winning SK modified races before Andrew Moller has come up through the ranks following in his father Mike's footsteps.
00:41:41.519 --> 00:41:47.280
He was winning SK modified races before he could even earn his driver's license.
00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:53.519
His life is racing, and we visit with him in this week's Racer Spotlight.
00:41:53.920 --> 00:41:55.920
It's racer spotlight time.
00:41:56.159 --> 00:41:58.960
Brought to you by Riverhead Building Supply.
00:41:59.440 --> 00:42:02.320
Build better, build stronger.
00:42:03.039 --> 00:42:09.840
Well, joining me now is Andrew Moller, who is a track champion at the Stafford Motor Speedway in the SK division.
00:42:10.000 --> 00:42:19.119
Before that was one of the youngest drivers to ever win a modified race, an SK race, when he was, well, he wasn't even old enough to drive.
00:42:19.440 --> 00:42:22.400
So take that, Paulie Hartwig III.
00:42:22.559 --> 00:42:24.719
Uh Andrew, good of you to join us.
00:42:24.880 --> 00:42:28.320
You're you're uh back on the wheel and modified tour.
00:42:28.400 --> 00:42:35.519
And while you're not eligible for the Rookie of the Year award, this is your first full-time season with them.
00:42:35.679 --> 00:42:36.800
How's it been going?
00:42:37.039 --> 00:42:39.840
Yeah, for first and foremost, thank you, Jackie, for having me on here.
00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:41.599
Um, you know, it it's awesome.
00:42:41.840 --> 00:42:43.840
It's just being on the tour is great.
00:42:43.920 --> 00:42:53.039
You know, it's just like uh it's a dream for for us racers, us modified racers in Connecticut, um, but especially in New England, just that's kind of like our cup series.
00:42:53.119 --> 00:42:54.239
I I I always say that.
00:42:54.320 --> 00:42:56.480
That's like our our the top level for us.
00:42:56.559 --> 00:43:02.719
We know how how hard it is for uh for us to get to like that, you know, truck and O'Reilly's cup level.
00:43:02.800 --> 00:43:06.639
So like getting to the tour is like, you know, you feel like you've made it here in New England.
00:43:06.719 --> 00:43:17.039
So just to be able to be a part of that with Danny Watts racing, took an took an up a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to be on his race team this year is just uh it's a dream come true.
00:43:17.119 --> 00:43:17.840
I'm not gonna lie.
00:43:17.920 --> 00:43:18.960
It's it's pretty awesome.
00:43:19.039 --> 00:43:21.440
So I'm uh very, very happy to be uh part of it.
00:43:21.679 --> 00:43:23.599
You know, it's a resurrection for Danny.
00:43:23.760 --> 00:43:33.599
Uh he had had you know so many wheel and modified tour wins with so many great drivers like the late great Ted Christopher, and then decided that well, he'd had enough.
00:43:33.760 --> 00:43:42.880
And then lo and behold, you and your dad come along and uh you convince him to get the old old car out of the barn, and uh you've been doing quite well.
00:43:43.119 --> 00:43:53.519
Yeah, I think uh I think Danny probably finally got sick of all my dad's uh Facebook and text messages to uh pull that car out of out of the garage and uh let us drive it.
00:43:53.679 --> 00:43:59.760
So we uh, you know, honestly, uh I think you know Danny had uh uh you know some plans to.
00:44:00.159 --> 00:44:02.559
Do something this year with uh with a different driver.
00:44:02.719 --> 00:44:04.079
It just didn't really work out.
00:44:04.239 --> 00:44:10.320
And uh it just so happened that you know, we kind of had been like, hey, let us know if uh if uh there's any opportunities.
00:44:10.559 --> 00:44:12.800
And uh lo and behold, you know, here we are.
00:44:12.960 --> 00:44:16.719
Um, you know, it's just uh I guess uh it was meant to be, right?
00:44:16.800 --> 00:44:20.480
You know, sometimes some things in racing and and even just in life are just not meant to be.
00:44:20.639 --> 00:44:28.559
And and uh this one was so to be able to work with Danny to to kind of bring him out of retirement, just the respect that everybody has for him in the garage area on the tour.
00:44:28.719 --> 00:44:37.360
I mean, from the officials to just the drivers to the teams, everybody, um, no matter where we go, everyone just has uh uh the utmost respect for Danny.
00:44:37.519 --> 00:44:41.599
Danny's a a very um you know uh down-to-earth type guy.
00:44:41.760 --> 00:44:44.400
He's uh he's gonna tell you, tell it how it is.
00:44:44.559 --> 00:44:46.559
Um, but he's he's just awesome to be around.
00:44:46.639 --> 00:44:48.800
Just just really, really happy to work with him.
00:44:48.960 --> 00:44:50.320
He's got great equipment.
00:44:50.480 --> 00:44:58.320
Um, you know, so uh just um we're we're doing the best we can to to bring his um you know number 82 to the front.
00:44:58.400 --> 00:44:59.920
Um and we're making games, you know.
00:45:00.000 --> 00:45:04.320
We're we're going to some tracks that I've never raced the modified on or maybe even never raced at before.
00:45:04.480 --> 00:45:06.239
So uh it's been a lot of fun.
00:45:06.559 --> 00:45:08.159
You know, it's a big jump, my friend.
00:45:08.559 --> 00:45:15.119
A track title just a couple of years ago, and now lo and behold, you as you say, you're running with the big dogs.
00:45:15.360 --> 00:45:19.679
What has been is there or better yet, let me rephrase that question.
00:45:19.920 --> 00:45:28.239
Have there been any surprises on your end of things wow, I didn't know I was gonna have to deal with that fill in the blank.
00:45:29.199 --> 00:45:46.880
Um, honestly, I mean, you know, I think I think part of I think I would say like, you know, a lot of these guys had their their big notebooks when it came to the Hoosier tires, and it it almost feels like there was the uh a great reset in a way with these new American racer tires for a lot of these teams.
00:45:47.119 --> 00:45:59.840
So um, you know, just us trying to um, you know, kind of uh guess on what these tires are gonna do because, you know, they're they've been, you know, a little inconsistency with with um with how those have been.
00:45:59.920 --> 00:46:03.760
So I guess like, you know, uh trying to figure those out a little bit.
00:46:03.840 --> 00:46:08.559
Um we've also I've been, you know, a lot more hands-on this year with our our race cars too.
00:46:08.719 --> 00:46:18.320
Um, you know, just we're we're a little bit uh um understaffed and and so I'm not gonna lie, I haven't always been the most hands-on driver as some of these other guys have been.
00:46:18.400 --> 00:46:22.159
So really just been trying to learn as much as I can this year and get more involved.
00:46:22.320 --> 00:46:28.559
Um, so you know, we've been working really hard on this car to uh to get it going um better each and every race.
00:46:28.800 --> 00:46:31.360
Um and um yeah, it's just it's it's been fun.
00:46:31.440 --> 00:46:34.320
I I I keep saying it's been fun because it's just been awesome.
00:46:34.480 --> 00:46:43.039
Like my dad raced on the Whalen Modified Tour, and you know, growing up, being a three or four-year-old kid seeing his race cars in the shop, and you know, that that was the dream.
00:46:43.119 --> 00:46:45.440
That was a dream to make it to the tour someday.
00:46:45.599 --> 00:46:54.800
So, you know, even having my dad back in the garage area and seeing a lot of the officials that you know he knew from when he raced on the tour is probably a full circle moment for him as well.
00:46:54.960 --> 00:46:57.920
So um just grateful for sure.
00:46:58.559 --> 00:47:01.280
I want to go back to when you first showed up.
00:47:01.599 --> 00:47:06.559
As I alluded to when I introduced you, you weren't even old enough to drive to the racetrack.
00:47:06.800 --> 00:47:17.519
And yet your dad, uh look, he he took you through the early stages and then sat you in a in an SK modified and said, go do it.
00:47:17.840 --> 00:47:34.000
Uh when you look back on the way your career has unfolded, what were the feelings when just as a I'm gonna say, you know, as a youngster, hadn't he couldn't even drive on the highway, and you're out there racing against some of the very best in the Northeast.
00:47:34.320 --> 00:47:38.800
Yeah, I think, you know, I think my career has kind of been in like two different phases.
00:47:38.960 --> 00:47:47.599
I think when we first started out racing cars that were more than just like a quarter midget or a go-kart, um, it was more of like a almost a little bit of a rush, right?
00:47:47.760 --> 00:47:49.360
Like we jumped very quickly.
00:47:49.440 --> 00:47:51.920
We raced SK lights, we raced tour type modifies.
00:47:52.000 --> 00:48:05.840
We were like, we were, I was like 13, 14 years old racing these big cars against like Ryan Priest and um Braun Silk, like all these guys that I'm racing with again today, but at such a young age, like I just didn't have the experience.
00:48:06.000 --> 00:48:09.280
I didn't have the knowledge, the racecraft to to be out there.
00:48:09.360 --> 00:48:10.159
I really didn't.
00:48:10.320 --> 00:48:18.559
Um, and so you know, obviously everybody knows we we had the incident with with the age and and kind of like took a step back after that and said, okay, here's what we're gonna do.
00:48:18.639 --> 00:48:22.800
We're gonna race SK lights for a full season, we're gonna see how we do with that.
00:48:22.880 --> 00:48:29.760
We ended up second in points, won a few races in 2017, you know, raced SK lights full-time at Stafford in 2018.
00:48:30.079 --> 00:48:32.320
Um, in the 2019 race in SK.
00:48:32.400 --> 00:48:47.360
So we we decided we were gonna slow it down a little bit and then kind of work our way up, which honestly probably is what saved my racing career because if we just kept trying to rush along and seeing how far we could go at such a young age, I just it just would have probably died out for all of us.
00:48:47.519 --> 00:48:52.239
We would have spent way too much money, way too much time, and not gotten the results we wanted.
00:48:52.400 --> 00:49:05.840
And um, you know, I'm just grateful that we kind of took a step back, and by we I mean my father, um, and just decided to slow down a little bit and and focus on, you know, the opportunities we had at hand and and kind of seeing what the future h held.
00:49:06.159 --> 00:49:08.639
So uh just you know, obviously grateful for that.
00:49:08.719 --> 00:49:12.880
I think that's kind of what saved my career a little bit and also helped me as a driver too.
00:49:13.199 --> 00:49:19.840
Well, it certainly helped when uh you won the track championship in the SK modified division.
00:49:20.159 --> 00:49:38.400
I think before then the jury might have still been out, but when you took that title, that certainly established you as one of the uh well, the upper level modified shoes, whether it's in an SK or in a tour type modified or an open modified.
00:49:38.719 --> 00:49:47.440
Tell me a little about that season and just what it meant to you and the team that you were you were tied in together with.
00:49:47.760 --> 00:49:52.719
Yeah, you know, I mean, listen, um that was uh just a special year, right?
00:49:52.880 --> 00:49:57.840
I got given an opportunity in a car where there had been a lot of guys that were really successful.
00:49:57.920 --> 00:50:01.840
I mean, Tyler Hines drove that car, won like their first ever race in that car.
00:50:01.920 --> 00:50:02.719
They went out and won.
00:50:03.039 --> 00:50:07.679
I was in that field that day, probably running like 15th or 12th or something like that.
00:50:08.000 --> 00:50:12.639
Um, and you know, I'm like, wow, like what I what I would do to drive that car.
00:50:12.800 --> 00:50:14.400
What I would do to drive that car right now.
00:50:14.559 --> 00:50:18.639
Just how fast they were, they were always so up front every single week, you know.
00:50:18.719 --> 00:50:20.480
And um, you know, it didn't work out with him.
00:50:21.039 --> 00:50:23.440
Brian Arducci drove the car, also had success.
00:50:23.599 --> 00:50:25.679
Jimmy Blewett drove the car, also had success.
00:50:25.840 --> 00:50:26.559
Everybody had success.
00:50:26.719 --> 00:50:34.239
I mean, their worst finish until I started driving that car at the um Spring at the Spring Sizzler, I think was second or third.
00:50:34.719 --> 00:50:38.719
Um I got in that car, I got given the opportunity in 2024.
00:50:38.800 --> 00:50:42.719
So during the offseason 2023, we decided, okay, we're gonna make this all happen.
00:50:42.880 --> 00:50:51.440
Got the opportunity, and just I was so nervous going to the spring sizzler, and I finished fifth, and like I was so disappointed in myself.
00:50:51.519 --> 00:50:56.320
I gave them their worst finish in this at the spring sizzler in their four seasons of being around.
00:50:56.559 --> 00:51:07.360
Um, and just like the the comments I've I saw on Facebook, even before and after, of oh, this kid's not ready to drive this car, he didn't, you know, he's not as good as the guys that drove it in the past.
00:51:07.440 --> 00:51:10.719
Like all these comments were just like fuel to my fire.
00:51:10.880 --> 00:51:17.199
Like, I just I saw all those comments, I saw what everybody was saying, and I had a lot of people that supported me too.
00:51:17.519 --> 00:51:20.639
And it just helped kind of fuel my fire all throughout the summer.
00:51:20.719 --> 00:51:24.400
We finally broke through and won that race kind of later in the back half of the season.
00:51:24.880 --> 00:51:27.119
Deep down, low, off the turn.
00:51:27.440 --> 00:51:29.519
Moeller brings them back to the line.
00:51:29.599 --> 00:51:34.079
Andrew Moeller, your points leader, scores win number one for 2024.
00:51:34.400 --> 00:51:36.400
And we were so consistent all year, though.
00:51:36.480 --> 00:51:39.760
I mean, that's kind of got I feel like gets a little overlooked.
00:51:39.840 --> 00:51:46.480
Like we stayed so consistent, and that is why we were able to have such a buffer at the end of the season to actually win that championship.
00:51:46.559 --> 00:51:54.000
And then that that kind of that walk-off win at the fall final in 2024 was uh was probably one of my wins of all time.
00:51:54.159 --> 00:51:59.119
Just the the the points were closing up, the 82, uh Mike J Mike Christopher Jr.
00:51:59.280 --> 00:52:02.079
was closing in, and it was getting, you know, everybody was anxious.
00:52:02.159 --> 00:52:03.679
We were having a tire issue that day.
00:52:03.760 --> 00:52:08.400
We went out and we won that race, and like I mean, I felt like I was on top of the world.
00:52:08.480 --> 00:52:10.480
So what a season with those guys, right?
00:52:10.559 --> 00:52:12.000
I mean, I'm not with them anymore.
00:52:12.079 --> 00:52:23.360
Um, you know, the petty cash motor sports uh folks, but just to to drive that race car and to to win them a championship and to win a championship for myself, I mean, you know, what's better than that?
00:52:23.679 --> 00:52:36.639
Well, what is better than that is if you win on the modified tour, which is on the on the horizon, and and in many ways, Andrew, I was fortunate enough to watch you grow up, watch you acquire the skill set.
00:52:36.960 --> 00:52:42.719
But you have also become quite uh a spokesperson for what I call the young guns.
00:52:42.960 --> 00:52:50.960
You know, we we were starting in especially in the modified tour, we were starting to see the graying of the driver roster.
00:52:51.199 --> 00:53:07.440
Not that they're old farts, because nobody's as old as I am, but by the same token, we needed an infusion of youth, and whether it's you, Steven Kopsick, uh Paulie Hartwig the Third, all of a sudden the young guns are making noise in the Wheel of Modified Tour.
00:53:07.599 --> 00:53:15.119
And I think that boat, this is my opinion, that bodes very, very well for the future of the mod squad in the coming decade.
00:53:15.599 --> 00:53:16.400
Yeah, for sure.
00:53:16.559 --> 00:53:18.480
I mean, you know, I I say it a lot.
00:53:18.639 --> 00:53:28.000
I feel like, you know, there's I don't know why, it just feels like there's less and less young guys coming up through, and you know, racing is so expensive and it's just it's hard, you know.
00:53:28.079 --> 00:53:32.880
It's just hard to to you know have a you gotta have a good group of guys behind you, gotta have good equipment.
00:53:32.960 --> 00:53:42.159
I mean, all the all the equipment now is so close, so it's so much harder to win um races and and get yourself out there and um you know social media is so important.
00:53:42.239 --> 00:53:46.719
There's so many things that that are a part of being able to climb the ladder and get to the next step.
00:53:47.039 --> 00:53:48.400
Um but yeah, it's great.
00:53:48.480 --> 00:53:54.480
You know, there's you know, obviously we have Austin Beers, we've got Steven Kopczyk, we've got uh Paul Lee Hartwig, we've got myself, right?
00:53:54.559 --> 00:53:59.360
We're we're uh we're the kind of the younger squad there trying to come up through and and make a name for ourselves.
00:53:59.519 --> 00:54:03.199
Some of those guys already have, and some of us are are still working at that.
00:54:03.360 --> 00:54:15.760
But um, you know, it's uh like like this for me, you know, some people in my life as of recent, as of in the past, have said, hey, this racing thing might, you know, it's a it's a fad or it's a phase, you know.
00:54:15.920 --> 00:54:22.559
You know, once you grow out of it, you know, you can start to focus on, you know, your real life and build insight for me.
00:54:22.639 --> 00:54:23.440
This is a lifestyle.
00:54:23.519 --> 00:54:27.119
This isn't a hobby, this isn't uh a fad or uh this is a lifestyle.
00:54:27.199 --> 00:54:28.320
I don't know anything about this.
00:54:28.480 --> 00:54:35.679
I mean, you know, I race on the weekends and then I sell racing parts and and anything, everything I do with racing during the week.
00:54:35.760 --> 00:54:40.559
So it's like what I I don't know what I would do with my life if it wasn't for this sport.
00:54:40.719 --> 00:54:45.039
I mean, all the people I know, I mean, uh everybody is all because of this sport.
00:54:45.280 --> 00:54:48.320
So um I've lived this sport for my entire life.
00:54:48.480 --> 00:54:50.880
I plan on doing it for the for as long as I can.
00:54:50.960 --> 00:55:02.000
I can't race forever, but uh, I do want to be a part of it for for the rest of my life, whether it's uh, you know, doing what you're doing or or you know, helping out younger guys coming up through, whatever it may be.
00:55:02.079 --> 00:55:03.519
I just I love the sport.
00:55:03.679 --> 00:55:06.719
Um, so um it's just uh ever it's everything I know.
00:55:07.039 --> 00:55:22.079
Well, as I tell people, I haven't ever had a real job, but basically I get to live my passion 247-365 and you know cover racing from the top to uh you know to the the Monday night go-karts, and it's all the same.
00:55:22.480 --> 00:55:25.360
Listen, I I I wish you nothing but the very best.
00:55:25.679 --> 00:55:29.920
I know that I know that checkered flag on the tour is forthcoming.
00:55:30.079 --> 00:55:35.599
You got you you got plenty of races left, and you're going to some places that you have some intimate knowledge on.
00:55:35.679 --> 00:55:39.440
There's this one that's back, I think it's uh what's Stafford Speedway.
00:55:39.840 --> 00:55:40.559
Sounds familiar.
00:55:40.800 --> 00:55:41.280
Sounds familiar.
00:55:41.679 --> 00:55:42.800
It kind of rings a bell.
00:55:43.039 --> 00:55:44.960
Andrew, thanks so much for joining us today.
00:55:45.280 --> 00:55:47.599
And uh look forward to seeing you at the racetrack.
00:55:47.840 --> 00:55:48.320
Thanks, Jack.
00:55:48.400 --> 00:55:49.280
Appreciate you having me.
00:55:49.760 --> 00:55:52.480
As I said at the top of the show, I'm honored to welcome Mr.
00:55:52.559 --> 00:55:55.280
Rooter as the new sponsor of Either Or.
00:55:55.519 --> 00:56:00.000
And this week in the quiz chair is Glenn Reen, driver of the S.K.
00:56:00.159 --> 00:56:02.880
Avery construction number 10A.
00:56:04.880 --> 00:56:10.239
It's either or, where our guest must choose one or the other.
00:56:11.039 --> 00:56:12.480
Brought to you by Mr.
00:56:12.639 --> 00:56:17.519
Rooter Plumbing, expert plumbing contractors you can trust.
00:56:20.800 --> 00:56:24.079
All right, Glenn is a glutton for punishment.
00:56:24.239 --> 00:56:27.599
He was on Modified Minute, and now he is volunteered.
00:56:27.760 --> 00:56:33.920
Well, I should say he was pushed forward into participating in either or.
00:56:39.599 --> 00:56:43.840
Alright, either sushi or chicken fingers.
00:56:44.719 --> 00:56:45.760
I like sushi.
00:56:46.400 --> 00:56:48.559
Although I do like chicken fingers, I'm gonna say sushi.
00:56:48.719 --> 00:56:49.920
Well, good for you.
00:56:50.159 --> 00:56:56.079
How about the old style modified coop bodies and the original pinto bodies, etc.?
00:56:56.559 --> 00:56:58.960
Or the new style modifies.
00:57:00.559 --> 00:57:15.199
I wish we I love the new modified, don't get me wrong, but I have that big respect for the old ones, but I'm gonna have to say, like when I started in 06, it's a little bit different than now, so I picked the newer ones over now, but I even like the newer style, like when I started.
00:57:15.280 --> 00:57:19.920
That's like my vintage, if I'm gonna call it, because that's when I started, you know what I mean?
00:57:20.159 --> 00:57:21.519
But yeah, but that was a big deal.
00:57:23.119 --> 00:57:36.239
Wouldn't you welcome the opportunity to drop the port of 427 fuel injected fire breathing 37 Chevrolet Cooper with little MH tires on it?
00:57:36.400 --> 00:57:37.519
And drop brakes?
00:57:37.679 --> 00:57:38.079
Yeah.
00:57:38.320 --> 00:57:43.760
I mean, you know, those those were the guys that lived by the grace of God in 800 horsepower.
00:57:43.920 --> 00:57:44.800
Yeah, that's back.
00:57:45.280 --> 00:57:47.119
When men were men and the women were too.
00:57:47.280 --> 00:57:48.800
And sheep were terrified.
00:57:49.119 --> 00:57:49.840
Exactly.
00:57:50.719 --> 00:57:53.679
Bull rings or big tracks?
00:57:54.639 --> 00:58:01.599
Um I are we are we talking like mile and a half, or with like no, I'm talking about in modified racing.
00:58:01.679 --> 00:58:06.719
So it's you'd max out at the mile, Stafford and Thompson would be considered big tracks.
00:58:07.039 --> 00:58:08.320
Yeah, that's big tracks.
00:58:08.559 --> 00:58:08.719
Yeah.
00:58:09.119 --> 00:58:10.800
I I love anything half mile and off.
00:58:10.960 --> 00:58:14.719
Don't get me wrong, I love quarter mile, but you can never get into a rhythm.
00:58:15.119 --> 00:58:17.679
It's every five or six laps that something happens.
00:58:18.000 --> 00:58:26.159
Um but yeah, like half mile to me, five eighths, even up to a mile in the modified, it's just it's just so amazing.
00:58:26.239 --> 00:58:28.000
Most cars just they're awesome.
00:58:28.239 --> 00:58:29.280
Like I hate it and I love it.
00:58:29.360 --> 00:58:36.320
Like I jump into the other car, these spinning car, and I'm like, like, just gonna get there.
00:58:36.960 --> 00:58:38.320
Alright, here we go.
00:58:38.559 --> 00:58:44.639
And I don't know if I told you in the other one, we got back to Stafford after uh what was it, Walk-ins, right?
00:58:45.039 --> 00:58:51.039
I ran Stafford, you have to walk-ins, but I literally came over the radio after turn one and I was like, this thing sucks.
00:58:51.679 --> 00:58:54.079
I was like How did you really feel?
00:58:54.320 --> 00:58:57.679
Yeah, I was like, Joey, I'm like, I just drove a modified last night.
00:58:57.760 --> 00:59:00.239
I'm like, this is this car is horrible.
00:59:01.360 --> 00:59:05.440
Alright, let's see this car, which is that's what they get to be thousands of pounds heavier.
00:59:05.840 --> 00:59:07.920
They call them tanks for a reason.
00:59:08.239 --> 00:59:13.360
Alright, next question in either or chrome or powder coat?
00:59:18.159 --> 00:59:20.320
And I can't afford it, so powder coat.
00:59:20.639 --> 00:59:20.960
Okay.
00:59:21.679 --> 00:59:28.079
And finally, in the either or department, Blake Sheldon or Gwen Stefani.
00:59:31.199 --> 00:59:34.800
Are we talking Gwen Stefani from like no doubt, or are we talking Gwen Stefani?
00:59:35.360 --> 00:59:37.360
Whatever Gwen Stefani you want to fish.
00:59:38.960 --> 00:59:39.679
Fantasize.
00:59:39.760 --> 00:59:39.920
Okay.
00:59:40.159 --> 00:59:41.920
That was our jam back in the day.
00:59:42.239 --> 00:59:43.360
Punk rock, you know.
00:59:43.519 --> 00:59:44.320
Yeah, okay.
00:59:45.760 --> 00:59:50.079
Well, I don't see any bruises on you, so I think he uh came through unscathed.
00:59:51.519 --> 00:59:52.880
She's waiting for me.
00:59:53.119 --> 00:59:53.440
Okay.
00:59:54.000 --> 00:59:56.400
Thanks so much for being part of Either Or.
00:59:57.119 --> 00:59:58.000
Absolutely, Matt.
00:59:58.079 --> 00:59:58.800
Thanks for being on.
00:59:59.039 --> 01:00:00.719
Well, that puts a lid on this week.
01:00:00.880 --> 01:00:06.239
My thanks go out to my guests, John Rifrano, Vinny Rapocio, Andrew Moller.
01:00:06.480 --> 01:00:08.639
Be sure to hit the subscription button, okay?
01:00:08.800 --> 01:00:10.320
And help me grow the show.
01:00:10.559 --> 01:00:11.920
I'm Jack Aroot.
01:00:12.159 --> 01:00:18.960
Join me next week when we dive into the world of modified racing, right here on the Modified Minute.
01:00:21.360 --> 01:00:23.519
This has been the Modified Minute.
01:00:24.000 --> 01:00:28.880
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