Column By: BILLY HODGES / RPW – PINE BUSH, NY – The timing is right for Joey Mennite. This coming season, he’s racing with a reason.
The 2023 campaign will be the Joey’s second year in the Sportsman division and he’s ready. He’s been racing since the age of 12 in karts and then by age 17 he was racing Limited Pro Stock.
Now, with the new year comes new challenges. The 112 team will be switching tracks to Accord Speedway for 2023, calling the Ulster County Bullring their home track for the full season. Joey’s father, Giuseppe, will crew chief and his mechanic talents mean a lot to the success of the 112.
The team will have a new car for the new season with a lot of sentimental meaning behind it. One of Joey’s good friends, Philip Goetschius, use to race at Accord and Bethel Motor Speedway. Unfortunately, he passed away just over a year ago due to COVID complications.
The two were very close. Even after his passing, Joey kept racing because he loves it, but also because Phillip loved it. The two shared a lot of laughs and good times at the race track so for 2023, Mennite will have Phil’s car, a HigFab Chassis, to run this year and the team plans to honor him going forward. Joey’s hoping for a huge 2023 season.
Last season was pretty rough for the 32-year-old from Pine Bush, NY with plenty of bad luck due to chassis issues. He ran half a season at Orange County and at Lebanon Valley, finishing in the top 25 in points at both tracks, even running a limited schedule.
The 112 crew is a small, but don’t let the size fool you. Sometimes, it’s just Joey and his father at events, however, it’s a strong team that doesn’t give up. The new car they have is Phil’s and they plan to honor him going forward and Joey is hoping for a huge 2023 season.
