by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway
Monticello, NY — Since the 2011 season began in early January the battle for supremacy atop the Monticello Raceway leaderboard figured to be between Bruce Aldrich, Jr. and Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr. And that’s exactly what’s happening.
During the first three months of the meeting Aldrich vaulted to the front and he looked like a runaway. With four, five and six win afternoons he compiled a 40-win lead over Zeke and Aldrich appeared on his way to another driving title.
Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr. has won 18 Monticello driving titles.
Then Aldrich hit a slump and Parker began a tear. Over the next few months Zeke not only closed the gap but he took over the lead in races won, something he had done at the finish of some 18 seasons during his illustrious Monticello Raceway career.
Parker, with a hot hand, opened-up a 30-win lead on Aldrich and he seemed comfortable at the top of the leaderboard.
But, low and behold, Aldrich has recently rushed back and two weeks ago he came within three victories of tying Parker, that is, until Parker went on another win-skein.
With three and four winners each racing program, capped by a six-win total on August 4, Parker opened up some breathing room and went 15 races ahead of Aldrich. However, that cushion hasn’t lasted long.
On Monday afternoon (August 8), Aldrich won four races and even though Parker copped two himself, the gap between the leader and the runner-up is again closing and currently Parker leads Aldrich in wins by a count of 231-220. And even though Parker has won 18 driving titles here it is Aldrich who has reined the most winners since the 21st century began.
Monticello photos
Bruce Aldrich, Jr. has reined the most winners this century at Monticello.
But oddly, since Parker hasn’t raced anywhere else than at Monticello Raceway this year, and Aldrich has occasionally stepped away to other racetracks and won some races, Aldrich’s 232 seasonal wins is one more than Parker’s yearly total of 231.
And it’s no secret that Parker has won over 10,000 races — 10,465 to be exact.
Aldrich, who’s some 15 years younger and didn’t earnestly begin his driving career until 1999, has recorded 3,626 career driving victories.
“When I was kid growing up in New England I idolized Zeke — and I still do,” Aldrich says unashamedly. “He’s a tremendous driver and always has been so if, and when, I win more times than he does I really feel like I accomplished something.”