Tomorrow, February 27, we will be at our Awards Banquet at Stratigos, Rt 30, Irwin.
2010-02-22 2010 PIT SPOTS
DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY! DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY!
If you had a reserved Pit Spot for the 2009 Season that you would like to renew for the 2010 season, please mail your check to:
Pittsburgh Raceway Park
538 Stone Jug Road
New Alexandria, PA 15670
The prices for 2010 will be the same as last year. Also, please put your pit spot number in the memo, so we know which spot is yours.
The DEADLINE to renew your spot for 2010 will be March 19. All unpaid spots will become available on a first come, first serve basis after March 19.
2010-02-21 Racing Fuel
Next week, PRP will be placing an order with VP Race Fuel
2010-02-17 RaceTrack Current conditions.. snow is melting
Are you ready for Racing? The track is emerging from the blanket of snow. It still needs to drain, so keep checking back for the latest news on opening day, scheduled for April 3.
2009-12-29 PRP will be at the World of Wheels January 22-24!
Pittsburgh Raceway Park was the presenting sponsor of Drag City USA at the World of Wheels car show this past weekend at the Convention Center in Pittsburgh! A message from track manager Greg Miller:
I would like to start out saying that the World of Wheels custom car show was a huge success this past weekend. There was a tremendous amount of work that was put into this weekend to make it a great one. I would like to personally thank each and every one of the following for all of their help and support:
Sean Ulanawitz & Bob Lawson for all the help and organization of putting the show on and having PRP be a big part of it.
Now as for my crew of help, whether it was in the booth or setting up the display and cars:
Mike Tedesco
Bob Tedesco
Carmen Tedesco
Josh Wirt
Kelsey Cosalter
Chuck Turocy
Scotty Campbell
Donny Ickes
Larry DePretis
Bill Turk
Barry Barnett
Doug Solocher
Jordan Haase
Amy Ladish
Summer Gonder
I would also like to thank Jimmy Senkewitz & Bill Truby for all the hard work and set up of the PID section and a SPECIAL THANKS to Bob George and BGR for the huge support in cars and all other participants for bringing their rides to the show to display:
Aj Casini
Jordan Haase
Barnhart Family
Ken Rhine
Beth Boyd
Mathew McDade
Bill Ferrari
Michael Barnyk
Bill Prest
Nick Galderisi
Bill Tovlin
Ralph Lucas
Bob George
Rich Penn
Bob Liberatore
Ron McClellan
Chas Augustine
Scotty Campbell
Curt George
Steve Fulwylie
Darrell Franks
Steve Reasbeck
Dave Ross
Tom & Barb Barnhill
Don Martik
Tom Terek
Frank Citallinor
Alongg with others:
Gino Fagnilli
Jeff Lutz
Jeff McDade
Mike Palman
Jim Lydon
Dave Ulisky
Joe Mizia
Steve "House of Toys"
Steve Hughes
Congratulations to Michael Barnyk for winning the "Rising Star" award!
Again - Thanks to all of you - it couldn’t have been done without any of you.
Greg Miller
Bill Truby's pics from the car show are now up! Go to the multimedia tab on the menu on the left, and choose "Photos"
Steelers DB DeShea Townsend with Carmen Tedesco and Chuck Turocy
Bob George's '68 hemi Super Stock Dart
2009-12-21 Motorcycle racer Bill Dornin in physical rehab
** UPDATED 1/19/2009**
Bill has been in the care facility for two and a half months now, and his condition is updated below. His spirits are good, but, as you can imagine, he would like to be home. Please, if you can, take a moment to give Bill a call or visit, or drop him a card.
Motorcycle racer Bill Dornin, long time supporter of KR/PRP as an engine builder, tuner, and racer, was injured during the Bike Bash event, going down at the finish line at about 130mph. He has a list of injuries to recover and rehabilitate from:
Hairline fracture of the left heel leaving him immobile (he is now allowed to put weight on it, but the ankle joint is very stiff, and he is working through the pain walking causes)
Left forearm fractured
Left hand severely broken (9 pins, 1 to be removed soon - ongoing therapy for finger motion and hand strength. His hand is still tender with little strength, but is able to use the walker in therapy)
Multiple left and right fractured ribs
Left elbow - severe road-rash to the bone
Knees - road-rash
Bill is being cared for at:
Mountainview Specialty Care Center
Bill Dornin - Room 215D
227 Sand Hill Road
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-537-7360 extension 237 (nurses station)
Please keep Bill in your thoughts and prayers, and drop a card or letter to the address above to wish him a full recovery.
2009-12-08 Assorted notes of interest
* The 2009 banquet will be held on Saturday, February 27, at Stratigos, off of Route 30 near Irwin, the same place as the last 2 years. Ticket information and remaining details will be announced in the beginning of January, with the tickets on sale directly after the annoucement.
* Pictures are on their way, courtesy of Bill Truby! He will be uploading his shots to the Photos page, which can be found on the Multimedia block at the bottom of the menu on the left side of the main page. There are several days out there now, including the Ghosts, Goblins, and Gearheads weekend and Bill will add more as his time permits. Thank you, Bill, for all of the great shots! Thank you, Victor, for fixing the page!
* Have you noticed the pictures of the featured racers when you visit the PRP home page? You can get in the mix by completing a profile. Click on "Register Here" underneath the featured racers pictures, fill in your information, and go through the validation process.
* We are working with the webmaster, Victor, on the newsletter database of addresses. At this point, please register for the newsletter only if you never have before. Once we are set on the database, we will announce a date for a test newsletter to be sent out. If you do not receive that test, then please register. Thank you for your patience.
2009-12-07 LOCAL MAN REACHES THE TOP OF THE RACING SUMMIT
Some people don’t understand drag racing or care about it very much, but that’s not the case for Irwin, Pa’s Bill Nuzzo. For him, drag racing is a life-long passion. William Frank Nuzzo was born on Sept. 30, 1955 in Pittsburgh, Pa. to Vincent and Mary Grace Nuzzo. Nuzzo, who’s now a professional in the drag racing world, had an eye for cars at a young age. “I had to walk to school every day for all my school years, and everywhere else,” said Nuzzo. “I would get to school soaked from the rain while people were getting dropped off. It made my desire for a car even stronger.”
Even at the young age of 11, Nuzzo was so fascinated with cars that every day on the way home from school he would sit in an abandoned one and pretend to be racing down the strip.“I liked cars, I liked fast cars,” said Nuzzo. He got involved in racing by going “to the track to watch them. I went to the high school library to read about them. We couldn’t afford magazines.” As soon as Nuzzo turned 16 he purchased his first street car, a 1971 Corral Orange Ford Pinto, for roughly $2,000. Soon after that he became a mechanic and worked for Sears and Roebuck and then later for Ted McWilliams.“We never had a car so I enjoyed working on them,” said Nuzzo.
Nuzzo, who’s currently a Snap-On Tool dealer, began his racing career in 1972 with a blue 1966 Ford Mustang that he bought for $500.
1974
He joined the IHRA, the International Hot Rod Association, and began racing competitively on the quarter-mile and eighth-mile drag-strips all over the East coast.
“It’s fun when you’re driving there,” said Nuzzo. “There’s a lot of energy on the way to the track. The drive back isn’t good unless you win though.”
1978
After a few years he moved on to a Blue 1967 Mustang that he only raced locally, due to his concentration on his soon-to-be wife Patricia Ann Kimble.
After settling down with Patricia, Nuzzo was able to maintain a balance between personal life and drag racing, as he took “Patty” with him to every race.
“We were young,” Patricia Nuzzo said. “I enjoyed traveling with Bill. It was always a fun and exciting time at the drag strip.”
Nuzzo and his wife have two kids, Patrick, 18, and Delaney, 16, who both have gone racing with their father since they were young.
It was in 1999 at the Holley Nationals in Kentucky when Nuzzo got his big break. An ESPN 2 reporter approached his “unique” car and talked to Nuzzo about it.
A few weeks later, the Bret Kepner and Bill Nuzzo interview aired on ESPN 2 across the nation. It was a big moment in Nuzzo’s life, as he went from the shadows to the spotlight.
Nuzzo currently races a stick-shift ’76 Mustang that he and his father built in 1979. Vincent Nuzzo was a staple in Bill’s life, as he went to every race with his son for over 20 years.
Unfortunately, Vincent passed away in December of 2004, causing Nuzzo to question if he wanted to race again.
2009
After making the difficult decision to continue on with racing, Nuzzo had his car repainted and had a monstrous 656 horsepower engine put in over that winter.
That year he fared pretty well in competition and received a “Best Appearing Car” award in Milan, Michigan.
Nuzzo’s son, Patrick, was appointed crew chief during that 2005 season, and made a huge difference for his father. After making his way through a 40 car field, in 2008, Nuzzo won his first ever IHRA race at Pittsburgh Raceway Park in New Alexandria, Pa.
Nuzzo embraced his son when they met at the winner’s circle. Tears rolled down their cheeks as they hugged in front of the crowd and said “We did it.”
“That was the greatest…the biggest thrill of my life,” said Nuzzo. “I felt satisfied, everything. It was the biggest accomplishment of my life. I just wish that my dad was here to see it, but I know he’s up there watching. “
Nuzzo continued his momentum as he made it to several semi-finals and one more final round that year. He was crowned the IHRA Division 1 Super Rod Champion that October in Cincinnati.
“That was great too,” said Nuzzo. “I’ve never experienced anything like it. It felt good to be on top. I felt that it was an even greater victory because I use a stick shift car. It made the victory even better because of the challenges I faced with the stick shift, versus the automatic. “
Nuzzo had waited 36 years for this moment, and nothing could’ve made it better than celebrating with his son.
2008
“Most people can drive an automatic car, not everyone can drive a stick. It is one of the greatest things I’ve ever worked for and accomplished. I could never have done it without my son though. He’s always there for me, and in the end he’s the one who crunches the numbers.”
Overall, Nuzzo learned more than just racing was fun and gave him something to do. It taught him how to lose and still be happy in the end.
“It takes courage to get into a race car and go 150 mph when you know that you could be seconds away from death,” said Edinboro University student Tim DiPaolo. “That’s why I have a tremendous amount of respect for what Bill Nuzzo does. He is my hero.”
Nuzzo followed his championship with another final round appearance in the 2009 season. However, that was the bright spot as his season was cut short due to his wife being diagnosed with cancer.
It is unknown whether he will continue racing in 2010, but one thing is for sure, Nuzzo has gone from a small-time drag racer to the top of the mountain, and no one, no one can take that away from him.
2009-11-25 Mark Brewer passes away
The entire Pittsburgh Raceway Park family offers their deepest and most sincere condolences to the Brewer family. Long time racer, sponsor, and friend to the PRP community Mark Brewer Sr. had a special angel girl come this morning and take him to heaven, after complications following Mark's surgery. Please keep Mark and the Brewer family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Arrangements are below. Please visit the CaringBridge page for Mark and offer your support to the Brewers. www.caringbridge.org/visit/markbrewer
You can also visit the PRP thread on DragRaceResults.com's Bracket Talk forum:
Mark E. Brewer, 49, of Greensburg, passed away Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, in UPMC Shadyside, with his family and best friend by his side, as a special little angel came and took him to heaven. Born April 29, 1960, in Greensburg, he was a son of the late Robert E. Sr. and Catherine Cecelia (Menchio) Brewer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert E. Brewer Jr. Mark is survived by his best buddy and loving wife of 24 years, Christine (Yusko) Brewer; four sons, Jerry Moyer, of Madison, Joey Devola and Sonya DeRienzo, of Ruffsdale, Luke Brewer, of Greensburg, and Markie Brewer, at home; a brother, Joseph Brewer and wife, Christine, of Shelocta; a sister-in-law, Suzanne Brewer, of Ligonier; best friend, Dave Dominick, of Pittsburgh; and several nieces and nephews. Mark was the heart and soul for 22 years of "THE MOTORWORKS" in Greensburg. His passion was building and listening to his motors tell a story and drag racing at Keystone Raceway, now re-named Pittsburgh Raceway Park. Mark enjoyed helping his fellow racers, who remain his extended family forever. Mark was called to heaven to build God a small block Ford race motor and to help a certain little angel, Nikki, with her pink junior dragster. Family and friends will be received from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in the JAY A. HOFFER FUNERAL HOME, Norvelt. His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home with the Rev. John Nosal officiating. Interment to follow in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mark's memory to Family House Shadyside, 5245 Center Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232, or www.beatsarcoma.com.
BEEP BEEP BEEP News Flash hot off the desk of Greg Miller PRP Track Manager. All the voting is done and the decision in, the IHRA Division 3 Team Bracket Finals comes to Pittsburgh Raceway Park again for the 2010 season. More information on the Bracket Finals will be posted next year. This was a majority vote among all the division 3 racetracks. We would like to thank all those that voted for PRP in 2010.
2009-11-23 We need some ideas!
PRP needs your ideas and input... check out the contest page!
Do you have a passion for cars and bikes of all types? Pittsburgh Raceway Park is looking for dedicated, energetic employees for the 2010 season, willing to help make every race day as smooth as possible for racers, crews, and fans. While the season runs from April to October, PRP is looking to enhance their family of employees. Positions available:
2 computer operators (all events, to enter in car numbers, dial ins, etc)
Water box attendants (all events, put water down, broom out the debris, be an extra set of eyes on cars)
Staging lane/car caller attendants (all events, watch cars, in the lanes, call car numbers, dial ins, etc, to the computer operators)
All are welcome to apply, and training will be provided. Please email track manager Greg Miller at miller@pittsburghracewaypark.com. He will be accepting applications and conducting interviews in March.
2009-09-16 Junior Dragster Track Champion!
Congratulations to our Junior Dragster Track Champion, Thomas Vasbinder. Vasbinder beat out Andrew Valentino, the 13-17 year old class champion in the runoff to claim the track championship.
Congratulations to our 2009 Pittsburgh Raceway Park class winners! Greg Miller won the Millerstown Pic-A-Part Modified class, Rich Zemrose in Top, Jesse Bone in Bike, Kevin Romeo in the Aamco of Lower Burrell Street Class, and Shawn Booher in the NAPA Trophy class. Our Junior Dragsters 13-17 Class Champion is Andrew Valentino, and the 10-12 Class Champion awaits a runoff between Breanna Bailey and Thomas Vasbinder.
The updated points have been posted. Congratulations to all of our Bracket Finals qualifiers! Let's make it three in a row for Team Pittsburgh!
2009-09-01 PRP Press Release
Aug 31 2009
Pittsburgh Raceway Park has had several management changes within the operation.
Therefore, effective immediately, we have made the following changes in the chain of command:
Bob Tedescois the Director of Operations reporting to the undersigned will oversee all aspects of Pittsburgh Raceway Park which includes the Drag Racing and Motor Cross tracks and also all future expansions. Bob brings years of management and experience from the BMX Motor Cross Venue to PRP. Bob was a stout racer mixing it up with the likes of Ronnie Sox’ and Grumpy Jenkins and many others from years past.
Greg Miller reporting to Bob Tedesco, will be the new Track Manager for all Drag Racing venues. Greg will be leading the drag racing staff with a strong emphasis on customer service along with creating an exciting fun time for the Racers and Fans who attend PRP events. Greg will also be handling the marketing responsibilities and opportunities for Pittsburgh Raceway Park. Greg’s vast experience of drag racing and customer service relations along with marketing expertise makes him a great addition to the PRP team. Greg is replacing Frank Tedesco who is moving on to another venue. We want to thank Frank for his years of service and wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Josh Wirt, has been promoted to work within the Marketing and Sales department reporting to Greg Miller. Josh can be found at most race events in the Tower or in the Main office during the week.
Kelsey Cosalterreporting to Bob Tedesco is the Office Administrator. In this role Kelsey will be handling all areas of administration from the office duties to race event functions. Kelsey will be providing administrative support for both the Drag Racing and Motor Cross events.
In addition to the management changes above, the current website is being redesigned and will be online shortly. Also the New Motor Cross track is up and running and has its own website as part of the main www.pittsburghracewaypark.com
Please provide your support and cooperation to these changes as we look to an exciting time ahead for Pittsburgh Raceway Park.
Best Regards,
Mike Tedesco
Owner
Pittsburgh Raceway Park
2009-08-18 Deepest Sympathies to the Deniker family and friends
We lost a true champion today " Nikki Deniker" a precious Angel that has touched so many hearts in the short 7 years on earth. Please continue to pray for the Deniker family in this healing time.
Anyone interested in sending their thoughts and prayers can do so here.. http://drr.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/75460652/m/19410307/p/19
The owners, staff, friends and racers at PRP send their deepest sympathies to the Deniker family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Pittsburgh Raceway Park - 538 Stone Jug Road New Alexandria, PA 15670 - 724.668.7600 - 724.668.2296 (fax)
We lost a true champion today " Nikki Deniker" a precious Angel that has touched so many hearts in the short 7 years on earth. Please continue to pray for the Deniker family in this healing time.