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Photo ID # H05.03.11_095_MEA_VIN_0060S_1
Car #: #95
Driver (s) : Len "Meatball" Mazzola
Location: Vineland, NJ
Date: 1960's
Photographer: William Curley
Photo provided by: Russ Dodge
Comments: Senior Moment From Russ Dodge:

Most Tracks Have A Meatball!

When I went to the races at Vineland Speedway as a teenager there were sportsman/modifieds and hobby stocks. I remember the announcer giving the hobby line-up with "Meatball" driving the 95 jr. Then he would add, that's the only name I have written here. It wasn't until several years later that I had a chance to meet "Meatball" when I was visiting Bob and Shirley Schwegel (who fielded the 77 sportsman at Vineland and later East Windsor) bench racing over coffee, when Meatball stopped in. That's about the time these reflections on "Meatball" begin.

First of all I found out that "Meatball's" real name was Leonard Mazzola and that he was from "down below". Now don't think I'm talking "Satanic" here, it is merely a regional location in South Jersey. I'll explain it this way. If you have been on Rt.55 (maybe going to the Millville Motorsport Complex) and exited onto Rt.47 Delsea Drive, that's is where "down below" begins! Down below then encompasses all the land area South of that spot to Cape May, N.J. point! Now, anyplace in New Jersey North of that point is referred to as "up above". Now you'll understand why I may be a little off since my mother's side is from "down below" and my father's from "up above"! Just say from Port Norris, and locals will automatically think "down below"!

I found Meatball to be a heck of a nice guy, with a quick smile and story. His 95Jr. pictured in the fence was painted and numbered like the 95 sportsman from East Broad Street Garage in Millville and driven by mainly by Bill Wilson and Larry Voss at the Vineland Speedway. After Meatball left, I really got some insight into some of his antics. "He's really something else!"Bob said with a smile. He drives truck for a living and you think he would be a natural on the speedway but so far that hasn't come about. He is a little wild behind the wheel of his truck. I remember him coming down the pike when it was snowing and icy, with his trailer brakes lock causing the trailer to slide sideways on the shoulder of the road, just to scare people!

One time we were working on the car and ran out of pipe. Meatball said I'll go pick up some lengths for you. Off he went, with us wondering how he was going to do it since he was driving and old Buick. Guess what? He came back with the full lengths uncut. He had slid them under his car and held them up off the road by tying them to the front and rear bumpers. He drove through Millville that way on his way back!

I'm sure you have met people with that special trait in their personality. Everyone knows them and they know everyone. As time flies bye, I guess it's been about 10 years since I ran into him in the pits at Grandview, for a Thunder On The Hill show. The smile was still there as we did a brief catch-up before the races began.

In typical Meatball fashion, the large photo above has the name Carlos painted on the car. I wonder what story that holds? Notice on the 95 Jr. there is even a painting of a Meatball. Too bad it was never made into a patch! LOL

Thanks for listening to this reflection on one of the grass roots member of our sport who will appear in the record books.

How about sharing a reflection on any of the "Meatballs" you have known in racing.

Senior Moment By Russ Dodge

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05.04.11 Ed Duncan What the sport needs is more people like Meatball.Thanks for posting Russ
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

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