‘Geezer’ grateful for every race day
Joe Fanelli doesn’t take his racing for granted.
“Without sponsors I could not go racing,” said the NASCAR T.P. Trailers Modified racer who finished his first season of Modified racing in 2017. “I just can’t thank my sponsors enough.”
Familiarly known as “Geezer”, he probably shows his appreciation to his sponsors more than most racers. There is a constant flow of information sent to his fans, the media and to the sponsors.
Fanelli, of Exton, is already well prepared for the 2018 season, though, as he is quick to point out, there is always room for another sponsor or two. Funding is a consistent challenge for racers at all levels, Fanelli included. He pointed out that this could very well be his last season as an owner and driver.
“It is tough to say the least. And it is tough on the wallet even though we do have some very solid sponsorship support,” he said.
The 54-year-old has been racing for a number of years, 11 full-time seasons to be exact. He has feature wins in the 600 Modifieds, came close in the Sportsman and Late Model stocks and is going through a learning curve with the NASCAR Modifieds that he races at Grandview Speedway. He was able to win a few heat races and ran well in the features.
Keep in mind that “Geezer” goes up again some of the toughest Modified competition there is on the area dirt tracks each Saturday night and for some special shows. Regularly he goes up against Craig VonDohren, Jeff Strunk, Duane Howard, and a host of other top talents.
He does appreciate the advice that he is able to gain from VonDohren and one of his crew members, Jason.
Getting back to this being his last season as an owner-driver, he has visions of hooking up with a car owner for the 2019 season. However if that does not happen then most likely he will stick it out as an owner-driver.
Primary sponsorship comes from JDT Construction and Welsh Automotive Specialties (a new sponsor) both from Exton, along with Horn Plumbing and Heating in West Chester. Associate sponsors include Kistler Log Home Maine Vacation Rentals along with Keystone Air, Exton Beverage, Giorgio’s Pizza of Exton and Checkered Flag Bakery. Fanelli is a huge fan of donuts.
Another sponsor is his employer, Church Farm School, where he is able to store and work on his race car. His real job is Physical Plant Manager.
Unknown to many is the fact that he is an undefeated boxer, adult league champion golfer and he has earned a number of titles in adult league hockey.
And for those who may wonder why Fanelli has the nickname “Geezer” here is his explanation: “Back in the early days in the small cars the Geico commercial with the slogan “So easy a caveman can do it” was popular and I was ‘older’ than most in the small cars, so one day a young competitor said to his pals while pointing at me “It’s so easy a Geezer can do it” and they laughed and called me that for the 7 years I was in that division. I have been giving out a rocking chair at the Xcel banquets since. Now I still can’t shake the name,” answered the popular Modified racer.
The married father of two daughters is quick to appreciate family support of crew help from his daughter CJ, along with Hunter, Cathy, Wendy, JD, Al, Ken, Todd, Missie, Kaleigh and Brian Houseknecht, who has been the driver of the No. 323 Modified.
Like most racers who are financing their own racing efforts Fanelli is always anxious to hear from businesses that just might want to climb on board as sponsors for the 2018 season. He can be reached at 2geezer2@gmail.com.
One of the traits I find interesting about Joe Fanelli is that he does not look at negatives.
He will kick off the season, officially, on April 7th with the running of the Bruce Rogers Memorial.