RSTW, Leatys to Honor Vecchio Racing at ROC
Williamson, NY - The Vecchio Racing Team has been a long time fixture of NASCAR racing in the Northeast. Founded over 20 years ago by the Vecchio family, the Syracuse-based team has been successful on the asphalt modified and Busch North tours. The team was a partnership between Tony, Sr., and his son Tony, Jr. With the business and family demands of Tony, Jr., and when Tony, Sr., passed away in November, 2002, the Vecchio team cars have seen only limited action over the past couple of seasons.

During the 53rd Annual Sunoco Race of Champions Weekend at Oswego, Rochester (NY) Steel Treating Works (RSTW), a long time sponsor and supporter of Vecchio Racing, will team up with NASCAR Modified Series veteran Jan Leaty and his son, modified driver Mike Leaty, to pay tribute to the Vecchio racing tradition. Both Leatys plan to race in the ROC Modified event, and the tail panels of both cars will display a commemorative Vecchio team decal during the weekend's festivities.

RSTW is also a 2003 sponsor of both Leatys. Celebrating over 70 years of service in 2003, RSTW specializes in commercial heat treatment of a wide variety of steel and related alloy parts.

Over the years, a number of drivers have piloted the Vecchio machines. The list includes Tony, Jr., Randy Hedger, Tony Hirschman, John Preston, Jerry Marquis, John Wall, Sr., Donny Croft, Joe Bessey, John Kohler, and Tom Carey.

In the late 80's, Vecchio Racing was a force to be reckoned with in asphalt modified racing. Piloted by NASCAR modified star Tony Hirschman, cars from the Vecchio stable won the 1989 Budweiser 200 at Oswego, as well as the Race of Champions at Pocono that same year. Hirschman visited the winner's circle on other occasions at Oswego while driving for the Vecchios, and also captured a NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series win at Martinsville. The 1990's saw a shift to NASCAR Busch North racing, the highlight being a Vecchio win at Watkins Glen in 1995, with Bessey behind the wheel.

Branich Motorsports
P.O. Box 897
Williamson, NY 14589
Call: 315-589-4444
E-Mail: FKae4@aol.com