Racing and “roofing” are what Joe Peluso enjoys!

During the week, he owns Peluso Roofing in Ford City and is repairing roofs each day, but on the weekend, you will find him and his camper at the automobile race tracks. Two and a half years ago, Peluso had not been to a local speedway.

“My son brought me to the track!,” he said.

Now, he is the owner of Darin Gallagher’s Sprint car. Not only does he partner with Gallagher, but the “big-hearted” Peluso sponsors a series of other racers, Chase Lambert - Pro Stock, Colin Burke – Late Model, Dash Osmer – Micro Sprint, Jake Dietz – Pro Stock, Dave Smail - Four Cylinder, Ivan Kokowski - Motocross, John McConnel’s Podcast-Garage Call, who is also the announcer on Lernerville TV.

“I have always liked open wheeled cars. I traveled to Indy and enjoyed that! When I saw a Sprint car, I thought oh I like that!,” said Peluso.

His son Joey worked security at Allegheny Valley Hospital and his friend Mark Rothen brought him to Lernerville to do security, where Joey worked for eight or nine years. He decided that he was tired of that job and didn’t want to do it anymore.

Rather than lose good talent, the management put him at the pit board with Pit Steward Smokey Schempp to assist him and learn the job. Joey talked his dad into buying a Sprint car, so they purchased Sadie Siegel’s Sprint, trailer, and all the spare parts, too. His first driver was Ryan Beatty, who formerly drove Micro-Sprints. It was Beatty’s first time in a 410 Sprint. They raced 12 weeks together and parted ways.

While visiting Tri-City Speedway one Sunday evening, he met Darin Gallagher, who won the Sprint race that night. He decided to ask Gallagher to drive for him and they have been together since.

This season, Gallagher has four top-five Lernerville Sprint finishes and is third in points behind leader A J Flick and Sye Lynch. He is looking to score that illusive feature event soon.

“We have been so close to winning,” said Peluso.

“On race night, I walk to pits and check to see if everything is OK. Then I walk away. I get what they need. I don’t bother the driver or crew chief. They know what they are doing! What they do in the pits is their business. I don’t know much about setting up the car. That is their job.

“After the race is over, they come out to my camper and we feed everyone. They don’t eat before the races. We talk about the race. Darin is a good driver and has a good head on his shoulder. He takes care of the car. He is a conscientious driver and doesn’t destroy equipment. He is a cautious person and is not going to break me or put me in the red. He always had a 305 Sprint before this,” Peluso added.

Peluso now has four Sprint cars ready to go.

“I am hooked on racing,” he said.

Joe and his wife Tammy have four children: Gino, Casey, Brandy, and Joey.

“I used to golf a little bit and fix roofs. Now I race and fix roofs. Joey has been on the roof since he was five years old. He used to sit on the ledge. By the time he was nine years old he was the best worker I had,” Peluso said. “He went to the work force in high school. So, he is 29 and has been on the roof for 24 years. Joey is a Lieutenant in the Ford City Fire Company, and President of Ford City Council. He works like crazy!”

Joey and his wife Alicia have a 4-year-old daughter, Maddie who plays T-Ball and she won a trophy in the Lernerville bike races Saturday. The Peluso’s had a Paw Patrol Bus on the track for the Bus Race!

Joe added: “My wife Tammy is very important in all this. She is at every race. She takes care of everything. Without my wife, I wouldn’t be where I am. I’ve been married 38 years.”

Gallagher is only in his second full season in a 410 Sprint. He previously has driven a Mod-Lite or a 305 Sprint since 2010. This season, he is under a lot of pressure. In October, he is getting married to Rush Modified driver Chelsea Kriegisch and they are making plans for their wedding. He bought some land and has started building a home.

“Everything is slam-tight right now. There is just not enough time in the day anymore!,” Gallagher said.

“Joe is just a ball of energy who likes to have a good time. He is my partner who owns the whole operation. We do all the maintenance on the car and I drive it. Everything is doing really good now. Everything has been going really smooth!” The Peluso’s enjoy watching the races at the speedway.”

Gallagher’s crew chief is his brother Brad and the other members are his dad, Don, Chelsea, Bill Robinson, and Rick Green.

“We have been really close to getting a win at Lernerville. I want to get one for them. This Sprint division has so much talent and the competition is so stout! I couldn’t be more thankful for the Peluso’s, who have given me this opportunity to be their drive,” Gallagher said

“ I know they’re happy and I can’t thank them enough for everything they provide and do. I am just thankful we were able to team up with the way the economy is and the prices; we are able to race, but we try to stay local for that reason!”

Lysakowski resigns

After the Lucas Oil Late Model “Firecracker” event, General Manager Mike Lysakowski resigned from Lernerville Speedway. He was recruited by a Central PA state-funded agency that provides resources to over 70 agencies that offer services to children with special needs.

It was a tough decision for him to make.

“I loved my job at the speedway, the owners and staff,” Lysakowski said.

Financially, he was made and offer that was difficult to refuse and it was in his best interest to accept. His talents will be enjoyed by many at his new job, but he will be missed at the speedway. Mike is the younger version of Butler’s Walt Wimer, who is the Guru of Circle Track Auto Racing history, and has had multiple jobs at various speedways.

When Mike announces a race line up, he doesn’t use notes; everything is logged in his memory bank. Lernerville will be taking resumes for the vacant position.

Racing notes

Congratulations to Pro Stock driver Jake Dietz and his car owner Charlie Neeley for their career first win together at Marion Center Speedway Saturday. Alex Ferree was in the ULMS Late Model victory lane!

Mike Norris collected $3,000 for garnering the Rush Late model Herb Scott Memorial race at PA Motor Speedway.

Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle