Top Photo: Jim Farren
Second Photo: Bill
Top Photo: Ely Photo
Photo: Unknown
Top Photo: Joe Messina used to race primarily
asphalt at Pine Bowl and Empire Raceway (Menands). In
the beginning of his career, Joe had a yellow & blue #13. He raced
a
Most of his dirt racing took
place at the Valley in Ken Tremont’s #115 , after
Ken Goodermote moved on. Did some races in maroon #50’s and
13's, one was was owned by Joe Leto. Possibly even the first car Leto had. As
usual Uncle Art had a nick name for Joe, and his was ''Little Joe from
Joe won a track
championship at Devils Bowl in 1970 ( driving for
Tremont’s) some say he never got paid for it because the next season
Devils Bowl went asphalt, is anybody shocked???
Just like that, Joe was gone from the racing scene.......We often wonder why? He was that good...........
Second Photo:
“I used to help Joe Messina at his old gas station in
rensselaer I got to know him and helped him build this 40 Hudson with a Caddy
motor, full race and had 6 carb's in this pic. The car was built for the open
comp races the valley held twice a month. Money problems caused Joe to eventually
sell the car. This time was special to me, as I am the kid looking in the passengers
side window.”
Bill
Additional Comments: