DOUG IORIO II IS IN THE HUNT FOR THE PRO STOCK TITLE AT TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY

July 1, 2005 

   While many race fans find young drivers to be brash and bold, there are a few diamonds in the rough.

They are talented men with enthusiasm, kindness and a genuine competitive spirit that appreciate where they are in their racing careers and give due respect to the veteran drivers.

   Doug Iorio II is one of those men.

   The “Kennerdell Kid” is in his sophomore season in the Pro Stock division at Tri-City Speedway, and he is also the divisional point leader heading into the month of July.

   “I’m pretty happy about my racing career so far,” notes Iorio. “I never thought that I’d be able to win races.  I mean, these guys are my heroes. My dad, Gary Norman, Bobby Whitling and Dave Ferringer.  To be racing with them and winning is totally overwhelming. I’m just there to have fun and be competitive.”

    Iorio was born into racing. As a teenager, he watched his father, Doug, capture the 1996 Pro Stock track championship at Tri-City. As a member of a group of racers known as “The New Castle Connection,” Doug Iorio earned his tough-as-nails reputation along with fellow competitors like Gary Norman and brother Ron Iorio.

   “It’s been kind of tough for me,” laughs the second generation star. “I’m the younger Iorio and we’re known for our tempers and crazy antics. I’m trying to change that image. I just want to have fun. I’m the little guy and can’t let my temper get the best of me.”

   In 1999, Iorio’s father first put him behind the wheel. He raced about four times and even qualified for Tri-City’s Applefest 100, where he finished fifteenth.

   “At the time, I was still in high school. Racing was basically dad’s deal back then, and he did not have the money to support a two-car team. Dad’s been racing forever. All of his friends do it.  I did it for a little bit and he could not stand to sit back and watch. In the end, it was just something that faded away.”

   Following his short stint racing cars, Iorio turned to competition of a different sort: bass fishing tournaments.

   “I’ve been fishing hardcore for a long time. I really got into it right after the 1999 season and racing wasn’t really happening for me. I still go down and compete at Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park. I did quite well this past year. It’s the competitive spirit in me. I love competition whether it’s fishing or racing.”

   Then, in 2003, one event changed Iorio’s future. Tri-City ran a mechanics race for the Pro Stock teams. One man from each crew was allowed to race their team’s Pro Stock in the event. It proved controversial because some men with past driving experience, such as Iorio, were allowed to compete. Iorio performed well and won the race.

   “We got the opportunity to put the two-car team together for 2004, and the mechanics race set that in motion,” recalls Iorio. “I ran well there and dad got a chance to sit back and watch me run. As he watched, he realized that I was just too young back in 1999. When I ran well in the mechanics race, he wanted to get me into racing full-time.”

   Last season, Iorio, who works as a stockman at Wal-Mart in Cranberry, was superb as a rookie. He finished seventh in the point standings with one heat race win. His first full season culminated with a win at the Oil Region Labor Day Classic and a fourth place finish in the Applefest 100. He was also crowned the Pro Stock rookie of the year.

   “At the Labor Day race, there were guys from other tracks there, and I was pumped up. I’m so competitive that I couldn’t wait to race them. Then, I won. It was incredible.”

   In 2005, Iorio continued his success. To date, he has five top five feature race finishes in eight events, which includes one win, and five heat race wins. Last Sunday, after rival Jason Johns of Oil City ran into some bad luck, Iorio parlayed a runner-up feature finish into his first career points lead.

   “I’m not going to to lie and say the points are not important to me. It is more important to my dad and the crew. They really would like a point title.  I just want to be racing, winning and having fun.”

   With a relaxed attitude about his efforts, Iorio is in prime position to handle the pressure of his first career point chase. Even so, he yearns for more driving experiences.

   “I’d like to branch out and try some different tracks. I’d like to one day be like Bobby Whitling because when he pulls into the pits at any track, everyone knows he’s usually one of the guys you have to beat. The problem is we work hard to keep two teams on the track as it is.”

   The solution could be his father’s retirement at the end of the season. However, it is doubtful the elder Ioiro can stay away from the track for long.

   “Dad’s thinking about selling his car at the end of the season, so we can focus on one car and do more traveling. We’re all kind of taking bets to see if he really does it,” laughs Iorio.

    Given his success to date, Iorio has a real shot at becoming the next star of the Pro Stocks, if not another class as well. His charm, wit, talent and competitive spirit make him a natural.