by John Manzi

Monticello, NY — In recent weeks the name of Billy Parker, Jr. has been absent from Monticello Raceway’s official race program and for those wondering why it’s so, it’s because earlier this month “Zeke” went under the knife and had his cancerous prostate completely removed.

Geri Schwarz photo

Billy ‘Zeke’ Parker, Jr. in action at Monticello Raceway.

“It was a long surgery but I’m doing pretty good now,” Parker told the Monticello Raceway publicity office today. It’ll be a long healing process and I‘m gonna take it slow. They say I probably won’t be back (in action) until March.”

Parker, 58, added another driving title to his resume when his .341UDR was the best among the Monticello Raceway drivers during the 2011 campaign. Since he came here from his native Maine in 1985 Zeke has won 18 driving titles and with over 7,000 races won right here at the Sullivan County oval he is far and away the winningest driver in Mighty M history.

During the 2011 season Zeke added another 388 winners to his lifetime totals and currently his 10,623 career victories ranks him seventh all time in the sport.