by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — The eighth and final leg in Monticello Raceway’s Heritage Drivers Series will be presented on Thursday, September 2, with a race for drivers of Italian descent dubbed the Godfather Pace.

Upon the completion of the Godfather Pace the winners of each of the preliminary legs will come back for the series finale — the All-America Cup — scheduled on Monday, October 11.

Already with a berth in the All-America Cup are the seven previous preliminary leg winners. They are George Polk, Jr. (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace); Jennifer Lappe (Lady Godiva Pace); John Gilmour (St. Paddy Pace); Alan Charles (Passover Pace); Ken Devaux (Maple Leaf Pace); Greg Merton (Mayflower Mile); and Jordan Stratton (Munich Mile).

Last year Jimmy Marohn, whose mom was the former Bridget Circo, got his pacer Flying Aftermidnite up in the final strides to win the race for drivers of Italian descent in a time of 2:01.4.

According to Eric Warner, the track’s Director of Racing, there are a few Italian-American drivers regularly competing here — among them Kyle DiBenedetto, Mike Forte and Marohn — but, as always, in order to get a full field he will need a total of eight drivers for the Godfather Pace.

Currently Warner is in the process of seeking drivers for the Godfather Pace. Anyone with Italian heritage interested in competing is asked to call him in the racing office at 845.794.4100, ext. 557; or call the track’s publicity office at ext. 455.