Column By: RYAN HILL / RPW – BALLSTON SPA, NY – Albany-Saratoga Speedway Sportsman Modified driver Nick Fretto straps in for today’s installment of RPW’S “THE TEN”.
Nick is a 16-year-old driver out of Ballston Spa, NY who is moving up to Sportsman division at the “Great Race Place” after winning twice in the Limited Sportsman division with his #92 Bicknell. Nick was also awarded the Driver of the Year / Outstanding Performance for that class last season.
1- WHY ARE YOU THE #92?
I am the 92 because my dad was that number when he raced street stocks and late models at The Valley before I was born.
2- WHAT TYPE OF RACE CAR WOULD YOU LIKE TO DRIVE?
I would love to run with The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series as my job, those guys are the most talented drivers, and it is also the highest level of dirt racing.
3- WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST RACING MOMENT?
My proudest moment was receiving the Driver of The Year Award for Slingshots and Limited Sportsman.
4- WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING RACING MOMENT?
That was almost slipping off the roof of my car in Victory Lane this season.
5- WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE RACE CAR DRIVER BEFORE YOU RACED?
My favorite driver is Joey Saldana.
6- WHAT RACE WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN THE MOST?
I would love to win the Chili Bowl in Tulsa.
7- HOW DID YOU START RACING?
My Dad raced before I was born. I was at a car show in the mall when I was 7, when I saw karts on display there. From then on I never looked back; I am now going on my tenth season!
8- WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS AS A DRIVER?
Racing on slick tracks. I have always run on dry slick tracks, so I have picked up a few key tips to running them.
9- WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES AS A DRIVER?
Not being aggressive enough. I feel like we could have finished better and even won more races if I was a bit more aggressive.
10- HOW HAS RACING AFFECTED YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?
It has affected my life tremendously. Racing is all I have ever done. I have more friends at the track then I do at school. I never really hangout with friends because I am always busy doing things for racing, however, racing has given me valuable life lessons , like success is earned not given, and with hard work you will be great at what you desire to be great at. I’m not going to prom because there is a race that night, but who would want to go to the prom when you can go race?
Nick is a talented young driver, and a grounded teenager… Someone to keep an eye out for and root for.
Nick added that “I need to give a big thank you to all the people that make this possible, without them we would not be where we are today. Thank you to my Mom and Dad, my Uncle Pat, Uncle Johnny, Aunt Miki, Matt and Angel Sargen, Bob Killinski, Chuck, Bernie Companion, Elmo and Chris Reckner, Ray Dickson, Dick Hicks, Fretto Industrial Cleaning, Koval Electrical, Northeastern Fine Jewelry, Riberdy Contracting, Latham Ford, Jeff Spraker, Dino Petrocelli Professional Photography, Man of Kent Tavern, No Limits Detailing, David and Brian Lifford, and DKM Motorsports.