Comment:

It's just too bad that all the sports reporters were too busy worrying about that Billy Pauch vs Frank Cozze race to even bother paying attention to the great race at hand. I'll verify the real story for all the fans who want to know what made that race so spectacular to watch. (well for those who were paying attention anyway.)

On lap 2 of the Sportsman feature (Oct 18th, 2003), Dominick got spun up into another car and that caused his power steering belt to fray and snap which ultimately forced him to go into the pits. The crew ran down to the pit just as he took off his helmet and the race resumed. Dom thought it was a lost cause but then an accident involving Rich Scolatta and Mike Lyons as well as numerous other drivers caused another caution giving crew members time to repair the belt and get him on the track with only half a lap to spare before the green flag was thrown.

From last place he charged his way to the front showing them veterens a thing or to about spirit and the drive to win.  Every position he gained was well deserved and when he crossed that finish line I don't doubt that anyone besides the crew believed he could do it. But he did and it and it annoys me that every single article that has been written about the race only calls it "a  caution  plagued barnburner",   when they don't even tell the readers why it was a barnburner race to begin with.

The caption for this piture is so true. He's been making a name for himself and he will continue to do so until the wheels fall off the car. But then again, what great driver doesn't have a spare? (haha!)

Those who were there know what happened during that Sportsman feature (10/18/03).  I have seen a lot of drivers and Dominic is one of the smoothness I've ever seen.  (TRUE STORY:  A few years back, I went to the pre-season practice session at NES and saw the 2b taking laps.  Later that week I stopped by Rayco on Rt 18 in East Brunswick to tell Jess that he looked real smooth in the car.  Jess informed me that it wasn't him in the car, but it was, as he said, "the kid - Dommy."

That season, Dommy went on to finish 2nd in the Rookie Championship and has since won multiple Sportsman Features events in each of year.  Interestingly, Dom won at NES, EWS and Bridgeport last year and did so while only running a handful of events at EWS in a different car, and his Bridgeport win came in his first attempt.

Regarding the race you detailed, here's some more info for you:

When Dom went to the pits (on lap 2) and the race went green without him, me and my very cold 7 year old headed for the car which was parked way down behind turn 2.   After getting to the car and driving up the lot, I opened my window just enough to hear Pete Wortman say that "Dominic Buffalino is now in 9th spot" as we were about to pull out onto Rt 539.  I told my son that somehow Dommy was back on the track and sounded like he was running strong so he asked if we could go watch!. 

I grabbed a parking spot right behind the ticket office and we ran up to the stands and watched the final 5 laps or so and not only got to see him win, but Uncle Jess let my little guy stand in Victory Lane for the picture taking ceremonies since he too is a HUGE Dominic Buffalino fan!

For those who don't know, Dominic is a very professional, unassuming talent who has always been available to help out every time he's been asked him to support the sport and the fans that support it!  A couple of years ago we did the picture signing deal in the picnic area.  Last year, Dominic joined us for a day of fun at Go Kart Speedway.   Earlier this year, Dominic became the first driver to sign up for our "Meet and Greet Featured Driver Program."

There are many, many good young drivers, and I would have to agree that Dominic Buffalino has proven to be one of the very best whose consistency and smoothness will not go unnoticed.  In fact, if there is anyone out there looking to gain exposure for your business through auto racing, Dominic Buffalino, with the #2b Buffalino Racing Team behind him, is definitely a team to choose.