Joe Bongiorno, a 17-year-old high school junior at Colts Necks High School in Colts Neck, NJ, has been named the National Amateur Driver of the Year. 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 UDR of .579. In the process of earning his driving license, he also reined many winners in non-wagering events.
Among the youngster’s heralded victories was a track record performance of 2:30:4 over a distance of one and a quarter miles with Winterleebrook in the Billings Series at Chester Racetrack in late November. He also recorded a 1:58:2 triumph with Oh What A Guy in the American Harness Drivers (Amateur) Club Final at the Meadowlands in early December.
Besides his prowess against seasoned amateur drivers in the Billings Series, where he finished third in points in the Eastern Region, Bongiorno dominated the AHDC Series.
Bongiorno was delighted with being named National Amateur Driver of the Year.
“Wow, I’m thrilled…this is a such great honour… 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. His mom, Barbara, is the daughter of Harold 'Sonny' Dancer, Jr. and thus the great niece of the late Hall of Fame trainer/driver Stanley Dancer. And his dad, Robert Bongiorno, was also a harness trainer, but now works outside of racing -- although he 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 also honed their skills in the amateur ranks.
“Talents like 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,” noted Joe Faraldo, the president of the North American Amateur Drivers Association. “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 may, but couldn’t hold back tears of joy while being informed her son won National Amateur Driver of the Year honours.
“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 United States Trotting Association, asked him about his future. He told Weingartner, “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 Untied Stated Harness Writers Association’s National Awards Banquet at the Marriott North Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday, February 27.
(USHWA)