Wall Wednesdays  

This car was my childhood. We moved to New Hyde Park (where the Ferrante body shop was and still is) in 1969 when I was 2 months old. My father raced at Freeport Speedway and befriended the Ferrante's. I actually remember my father carrying me (I didn't like to walk) into their shop reguarly and watching Tony Sr and Bob Punzi building the x3 Vega in the back bay of the shop. I watched it win MANY races and at different tracks including Turkey Derby and the last Modified race at Freeport Speedway. Besides my father, Jim Hedrickson was my Racing GOD. I also remember driving to Wall from Long Island with Jim in his Cadillac. On the way home afterwards, I would sit in the back seat just kind of staring at Jim driving home saying to myself...OMG I'm driving home with Jim Hendrickson. 

In I believe 2008 (or 9), with the help of Kevin Eyres amongst others I got to drive that car in an early Turkey Derby practice and raced it in the "vintage" race that year. That was probably the COOLEST thing I have done in racing. It's an honor today to call the Ferrante's my 2nd family and Tony Jr my best friend. As a bonus I get to call Bob Punzi my Father-in law, who still comes to help me at my shop.

I'm sure many on this board have similiar stories and memories, but for me this IS, WAS and STILL IS what racing is ALL ABOUT.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to EVERYONE here on this board and their families!