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(Reprinted from the USTA
Website - Article By John Manzi, publicity director,
Monticello Raceway )
Joe Bongiorno,
a 17-year-old high school junior at Colts Neck High
School in Colts Neck, N.J., has been named the National
Amateur Driver of the Year by the U.S. Harness Writers'
Association. Bongiorno was chosen over several other
worthy candidates.
In his first season of competitive driving, Bongiorno not
only won six pari-mutuel races in 14 starts -- he also
had two seconds and three thirds and a Universal Driver
Rating of .579 -- but in the process of earning his
driving license he also reined many winners in
non-wagering races.
Among the youngster’s heralded victories was a track
record performance of 2:30.4 over a distance of 1-1/4
miles, with Winterleebrook, in the Billings Series at
Harrah’s Chester in late November, and a 1:58.2 triumph with Oh What A Guy in the American
Harness Drivers’ Club (AHDC) Final at the
Meadowlands in early December.
Besides his prowess against seasoned amateur drivers in
the Billings Series, in which he finished third in points
in the East Region, Bongiorno
dominated the AHDC Series.
Contacted by phone, Bongiorno was delighted with being
named National Amateur Driver of the Year: “Wow.
I’m thrilled. This is a such great honor … and
in my first year of driving,” he said. “It
means a lot to me because driving horses is all I want to
do.”
It’s no secret Bongiorno wants to be a professional
harness driver, and he certainly has the background --
and the bloodlines -- to become successful in harness
racing. His mother, Barbara, is the daughter of Harold
“Sonny” Dancer, Jr., and thus the great niece
of the late Hall of Fame trainer and driver Stanley
Dancer. And his dad, Robert Bongiorno, was also a harness
horse trainer, who now works outside of racing but is
still involved in the sport as an owner.
Bongiorno, who is also a fill-in batboy for the New York
Yankees when they are playing at home, will undoubtedly
join other professional drivers who honed their skills in
the amateur ranks.
“Talents such as Yannick Gingras, Jordan and Cory
Stratton, Greg and Mike Merton, Jimmy Taggart, Jr. and
Harry Landy, to name few, began their pro careers as an
amateur driver,” Joe Faraldo, president of the North
American Amateur Drivers’ Association, noted.
“Aspiring professionals should realize that amateur
racing is a great way to get started.”
Bongiorno’s success touches the heart of his mom,
Barbara, who tried as she might but couldn’t hold
back tears of joy while being informed her son won
National Amateur Driver of the Year honors.
“I’m blown away. I’m overwhelmed.
It’s amazing,” she said through her tears.
“Joe did a good job, and driving horses is all he
wants to do. He often spends his weekends helping his
grandfather with his stock. Bobby and I are very proud of
him.”
Bongiorno began driving in the Billings Series in August,
and by the end of November, after reining five winners in
12 Billings starts, Ken Weingartner of the U.S. Trotting
Association asked him about his future: “Driving
horses. That’s it. I’m going to try to get
right in the horse business after high school. I’d
like to start out with a 10-horse stable, drive my own
horses and pick up some catch-drives and try to start a
catch-driving career from there.”
Bongiorno will receive his award at the U.S. Harness
Writers' Association’s National Awards
Banquet at the Marriott North Hotel in Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla. on Sunday, Feb. 27.
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