Dave Pace Passes
Jack Kromer photo - Provided by Dave Pratt & Jack Kromer
Photo By Jack Kromer/Provided Dave Pratt
9/27/20 We have received the sad news of the passing of Dave Pace.
The racing community, and we here at The Vault offer or condolences to the family and friends of Dave Pace.
Photographer Unknown - Provided by Kevin Eyres
Obituary/Service Information below:
https://obits.lehighvalleylive.com/obituaries/etpa/obituary.aspx?n=david-pace&pid=196878152&fhid=8042
Racer Tom Vroom Passes
8/10/20: Very sad news has reached us of the passing of racer, and friend to many of us here in The Vault, Tom Vroom.Tom raced at Harmony, Nazareth and at Flemington in the 70's. In most recent years, Tom would be a frequent guest at various racing events such as the Flemington Speedway Historical Society gatherings at the Hunterdon County Fair, and The Phillipsburg Dirt Track Heroes show.
Here's one of Tom (2nd from right) getting ready to be interviewed by AARN's Earl Krause (blue shirt) at the 2013 Old Bridge NJ Racing Reunion. That's "Racer Ray" Liss with the blue/green shirt also on the panel, and Tom's long time close friend Charlie Lindmar on the left.
We'll miss the opportunities to talk with Tom, and will miss his comments, and his racing knowledge that he shared here on our Message Board.
Our sincere condolences to the Family and Friends of Tom Vroom.
Racing Photographer John John Lane Passes
John John Lane with Pocono Speedway's Dr. Joseph Mattioli at 2007 Eastern Motorsports Press Association (EMPA) gathering.
4/18/20: The racing community is shocked at the very sad news of the sudden passing of racing photographer John John Lane. John John, son of Ace Lane Jr, is well known throughout the racing community from his award winning photography from many area speedways, as well as racing related events.
John John Lane (top left) receives award along with fellow Motorsports photographers at 2017 EMPA event.
Those who attend events at Wall Stadium have seen John John on the job, with camera always at the ready, capturing the on track action, along with the victory lane celebrations.
Always with a smile, it was obvious that John John was doing what he loved.... capturing the great moments of our sport in high quality photographs, in the tradition as his father Ace Lane Jr,. and Grandfather Ace Lane Sr.
John John Lane with his father, Ace Lane Jr. at New Egypt Speedway - 2007
We will miss our friend John John Lane.
Our condolences go out to Ace, to Tommy, and the entire Lane Family, and to the many friends of John John Lane.
Ron John Koczon Passes
4/17/20: Very sad news has reached of the passing of racer Ron John Koczon.
A winning racer behind the wheel, Ron John's accomplishments included a Street Stock Championship at East Windsor, followed by a Sportsman Championship at New Egypt Speedway, and multiple modified feature event wins, also at New Egypt Speedway.
Ron John in Street Stock action at EWS (left) - Jim Brown photo. Ron John after a Sportsman Feature win at EWS (right) - Dave Pratt photo
On the gas (left) - FJH Photography. Ron John in the pits at New Egypt - 3W photo.
Ron John's success behind the wheel was certainly enough to warrant the admiration of the fans who watched him race, but surely another reason for his large fan base had to be Ron John’s smile, and involvement with many fan friendly events. Ron John could always be counted on to sign autograph cards for fans early in the evening, and would still be one of the very last to leave the pits after a long night of racing.
Ron John's popularity with fans of all ages earned him the appropriate "New Egypt Nice Guy" name from NES announcer Nick Leach....and when Ron John won, victory lane was sure to be packed with well wishers from the stands, as well as visits by drivers and crew members from other teams, as a display of friendship and respect for Ron John - the person, and Ron John the racer.
Victory Lane was the popular spot for everyone to be whenever Ron John took the feature event win.With the family business of RJS Heating & Cooling being based in New Egypt NJ, his popularity went well beyond the racetrack as most who lived anywhere in the area didn’t just know of Ron John, but knew him personally, and considered him a friend. Those who would stop by the Wawa (at the corner of 528 & 539) near lunch time during the week might not only get a sandwich and a cup of coffee, but would sometimes see Ron John there in his RJS Heating & Cooling truck on the phone trying to conduct business, while those who knew him couldn’t pass by without stopping to say hello.
We’ll always remember Ron John for the great memories of him racing at East Windsor and at New Egypt, and we’ll always remember the friendship, and the smile that came with it.
We have learned that a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Additional Information
We send our condolences out to the Koczon Family, and to the many friends of Ron John at this very difficult time.
Winning Car Owner Tony Ferraiuolo Passes
Restored Ferraiuolo #73 Grant King built modified - Warren Township - 2008.
4/8/20: Very sad news has reached of the passing of winning car owner Tony Ferraiuolo.
Mr. Ferraiuolo, along with his brother Ronnie, put together one of the all time successful modified race teams, recognized by the racing community for the familiar family #73, their unique color, and always for their attention to detail in appearance, and in performance.
Some of the winning drivers to wheel the Ferraiuolo #73 along the way were Whip Mulligan, Rags Carter, Billy Osmun, Sammy Beavers, Anthony Ferraiuolo IV, and others. The championship winning team had success wherever they choose to race, including many extra distance feature wins. It was on the biggest stage of all, at Syracuse, where the team may have shined the brightest, winning multiple Schaeffer 100 events, as well as Labor Day, and 4th of July races.
A. Ferraiuolo & Sons Race Team, Whippany NJ - H. Caughy photo.
Whip Mulligan in victory lane at Flemington - Dave Innes photo
Ferraiuolo racer driven by Gary Balough - H. Caughy photo
Billy O wheels the Ferraiuolo #73 at Flemington - P. Irving photo.
A. Ferraiuolo & Sons Race Team - Bob Perran photo
Gary Balough in the Ferraiuolo #73 at OCFS - Irving photo.
Gary Balough at Syracuse in the Ferraiuolo #73 - Irving photo.
Billy O at Syracuse in the Ferraiuolo #73 - Bob Yurko photo.
Anthony Ferraiuolo (AFIV) at OCFS - Sam Rosenberg photo.
Tony and Ronny Ferraiuolo join son Anthony in victory lane.
Ferraiuolo #73 (1980's) - John Lucas photo
Ferraiuolo #73 at New Smyrna FL - Terry Shaub photoPerhaps racing historian John McCaughey put it best: "The Ferraiuolo's (Tony and Ronnie) set the standard for years with their first class race team."
We are fortunate to have seen the efforts and witnessed the winning results of Tony Ferraiuolo, and the cars that so proudly wore the "A. Ferraiuolo and Sons Race Team" across the edge of their roof.
We send our sincere condolences to the many, many friends, and to the Family of Tony Ferraiuolo.2020 "Our Racing Community News"
Danny Serrano Passes
3/5/20: There is great sadness throughout all levels of the racing community of the news of the passing of Danny Serrano.
A long time super race fan, Danny had the opportunity a few years ago to take his love of the sport from the grandstand, to the main office in the role of General Manager at New Egypt Speedway. Years later, Danny would take that same energy and excitement with him to Bridgeport Speedway, where again, in the role of General Manager, Danny would be a major part in moving Bridgeport Speedway to the next level.
Danny, with a bunch of friends enjoying the show from the stands in this June 2013 New Egypt photo.
Danny, often called "Pimp" by those who knew him well (Pimp was actually short for "The Allentown Pimp", a nickname/handle that Danny proudly owned for his years of rooting for Allentown PA's Doug Hoffman), He was a big Hoffman fan, and he wasn't shy about it!....
Prior to his involvement in an official speedway capacity at New Egypt, in August of 2006 Danny led an effort to recognize friend and fellow race fan Mike Rogie, who was battling lung cancer, in what would become well known throughout the racing community as "Friends of Mike Night", a special night to recognize his friend, and a night to give back to the racers. Danny, with the support of race teams, sponsors, and fellow fans, was able to raise thousands of dollars that were then redistributed throughout the racing field via the winners purse, heat winners, taking the green, and other various awards throughout the night. It became one of racing's biggest nights, and it was all Danny, with help from his many, many friends.
Danny (right) alongside track announcer Nick Leach (left) address the huge crowd at the 2006 Friends of Mike event.
It was through this initial Friends of Mike event, and subsequent events, that the racing community saw Danny as not only a huge fan of the sport, but as someone who had the support of the competitors, crews and fans... and as someone who could pull racing folks together..... There was something about Danny's passion for short track racing that could help bring folks together... and could help improve the sport from the inside.
From his early years as a toddler when "Grams" would take him to the races at Flemington, to the days of sitting in the stands surrounded by friends as a young man... to eventually stepping up to a management level - making decisions to keep the sport of short track racing in NJ strong...., Danny never lost his passion and love for the sport.
Left photo -Dan with legend Stan Ploski (a favorite of Dan's Gram Mom.) Dan during a birthday celebration it New Egypt in 2011 (right.)
Dan in victory lane (2011) with David Van Horn.
Going to the races and seeing Danny was something that you could always count on, and something to look forward to... Whether just a quick head nod and smile... or a quick chat.... whether at Bridgeport...or New Egypt... or Wall...or Georgetown...or Volusia.... It was something that would just always happen, because Danny was everywhere.
Danny in New Egypt victory lane with sponsor Tom Hamill (left), Track owner Bill Miscoski (right) and Dan's good friend, the late John Romano.
Through the sadness of his sudden passing, we will move forward... thinking of his smile... appreciative of his friendship, and of what Danny had accomplished for the racing community.... and knowing that Danny will always be at a racetrack.... somewhere.
Viewing: Friday March 13th, 4-8pm at Timothy E. Ryan Funeral Home in Toms River, NJ.
Service: Saturday March 14th, 11 am at the funeral home followed by burial at Greenwood Cemetery, Brielle.
https://www.ryanfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/4128211/Serrano-Daniel/service-details.php
Long Time Flemington Speedway Official Wendy Kennedy Passes
Flemington Speedway's Wendy Kennedy signs the "Who's Who of Flemington Speedway Tire" at a Flemington Speedway Historical Society event.
Very sad news has reached us of the passing of long time Flemington Speedway Official Wendy Kennedy.
Those who were fortunate to have known Wendy will tell you, that nobody had more "Flemington Speedway Spirit" than her.
Wendy was a long time official, but more than that, she had a love and an excitement for the speedway that was greater than anyone I have ever met. She also always had the respect and admiration of all who knew her....
She didn't just work at the speedway... She lived it.
Our condolences to the Kennedy Family and friends of Wendy Kennedy.
https://www.holcombefisher.com/obituaries/Wendy-E-Kennedy?obId=11058172#/c<wbr/><wbr/>elebrationWall
Bob Drayton (Father of Modified Racer Bobby Drayton) Passes
Bob Drayton with his son Bobby in victory lane at New Egypt Speedway in this 2010 photo.
1/23/20: Very sad news has reached us of the passing of "Mr Drayton" (father of modified racer Bobby Drayton).
A big supporter of his son's racing since the Street Stock days at East Windsor back in the 90's, Mr. Drayton was always a big supporter of the speedway events through his "Mr Bob's Portable Toilet Rentals" business, including sponsoring nights, billboards, and other events throughout the racing season.
At some point a few years ago when I was helping out at New Egypt Speedway, Mr. Drayton approached me with the idea that drivers who won features should be given a checkered flag. "The winner should get a flag.... Something they can keep and have for the future." I agreed that it was a great idea, but that we'd need a sponsor to support the idea. Not long after that, the Drayton Team showed up with a big box of checkered flags to be given out to each feature event winner for the balance of the season and beyond.
The Drayton #09 modified crew in victory lane.
Racer Bobby Drayton said of his father, "Pops got me started in racing. He was my biggest fan."
We send our sincere condolences to Bobby and Sherri, and to the family and friends of Bob Drayton.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Bradley & Stow Funeral Home, 127 Medford-Mt. Holly Road, Medford, N.J., where a Memorial Service will be held on Sat. at 12 Noon.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/burlingtoncountytimes/obituary.aspx?n=robert-l-drayton&pid=195165473&fhid=13791
