RPW Exclusive: With Eyes Focused, LJ Lombardo’s All In With Cordova Family For Success In ’25

Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – DANBURY, CT – A race car driver may step out of the driver’s seat.  He, or she, may spend time away.

However, you can never take the racer out of them.

Just ask LJ Lombardo.

In recent seasons, Lombardo had really begun to make a name for himself, driving for Paul Wehnau and his potent Snap-On no. 35 PMC Race Cars. He’d been a winner on the Super DIRTcar Series and was a champion in the 358-Modified division at the Lebanon Valley Speedway.

However, for 2024, Lombardo stepped away from racing on a full-time level to focus on his life outside of the sport, but it did not leave his system. He helped out the 7CT Motorsports 358-Modified team with Donny Travaglin and the Cordova Family’s Sportsman operation with driver Brady Cordova.

He even stepped into a Big Block Modified on three occasions for the Travaglin team, with some assistance coming from his father, Lew, and a Performance Engine by Billy the Kid.

That combination produced one top 5 and two top 10’s in those three starts, showing that Lombardo still had the ability to get the job done.

Then, Lombardo put together a very lofty schedule for Eastern States Weekend at Orange County where he ran a Big Block and a 358-Modified for the Cordova team and a Sportsman for Nick Giardini. He finished tenth with the Big Block, ninth with the Small Block and was an early retiree in the Sportsman 50-lapper.

The fire is still there for Lombardo, and that will be on full display in 2025 as he’ll be behind the wheel of a Big Block Modified for David Cordova’s team while mentoring his two sons, Brady and Cody.

“We’re going to run a lot of different places in 2025,” Lombardo said. “I’m going to start off the season at New Egypt for the first Super DIRTcar Series race and then the second at Albany-Saratoga. We’re going to see how we shake out after those two races to see what tour races we’ll travel to next.”

Then, things will get a little more ‘pick-and-choose” as they say for the team.

“We’re going to run opening night at Lebanon Valley and then go back for some of their special shows,” he said. “We’re going to run both Super DIRTcar Series races, Howard’s 81st Birthday race and a couple others through the summer.”

There is one track, however, that is very close to Lombardo’s heart, and fans will get to see him compete at all of their Big Block events this coming season.

“The only ‘full schedule’ we’re going to run is the five Big Block events at Orange County,” he said. “The way Brett (Hearn) and Doug (Dulgarian) have things at Middletown, it works out well for us. We’re also going to run Eastern States Weekend.”

The big question is what made Lombardo decide to do this? After 2023, he decided that his focus was on his personal life and getting things in order. While he’s not racing every week for points, this is an awfully ambitious schedule he’s got on tap. Why?

“A lot of things have changed in my personal life over the last year,” he said. “Sometimes, you need to take three steps back to move ten steps forward in life. I’ve had some really good people in my corner no matter what life has presented to me.”

One of those people is Cordova.

“After our Eastern States effort last year, Dave told everyone on our team that we weren’t done yet,” he said.  “He said that the two of us were going to put something together for 2025 to really make a statement and, so far, he’s done just that. We’ve been able to get a lot of my old marketing partners from the Middletown (NY) and Danbury (CT) areas back on board to make this whole deal come to life.”

That deal includes a lot of fresh equipment.

“The car I’ll be piloting will be a brand new 2025 Bicknell with a fresh Billy the Kid Big Block,” he said. “We’re putting together a complete new car, turn key, so we have the best shot at running up front all year. We aren’t skipping any steps at all with the entire fleet of Cordova cars this year.”

That’s the main caveat for this deal. Lombardo will be mentoring both of Cordova’s sons to help them improve as drivers.

“Whenever I hit to road with the Big Block, I’ll have Brady and his Sportsman car with me to log laps at new race tracks,” he said. “This will get us both the traveling experience we need. Plus, I’ll be at the Valley working one-on-one with both Brady and Cody. Cody’s making a comeback this year so it’ll be good to get him laps too. All of these cars are under one roof and it’s a total team effort.”

Did racing for Travaglin, Codova and even Giardini in 2024 help keep Lombardo in the game?

“I worked with a lot of different teams on the suspension side of things last year,” he said. “Being able to apply a new package on the 7CT Big Block showed that we made huge updates to our Penske Shocks. Being behind the wheel kept me sharp, for sure, but it also kept me highly motivated. Once Eastern States came and I ran three different cars, turning nearly 400 laps that weekend alone, I felt super comfortable again.”

Now comes the new season and renewed optimism for the Danbury, CT pilot. He’s ready to get back to his winning ways.

“We truly hope to win some big races,” he said. “Our equipment is top notch. Our team is top notch. We hope to show up to these races and run up front everywhere we go.”

While he’s optimistic, LJ’s also a realist.

“I have no clue what’s in store for 2026,” he said. “I’m a ‘live in the moment’ type of guy. For now, I’m giving my all to the Cordova’s program, as a complete team, and we’re going to have some fun this year.”

A Note From LJ…In His Own Words…

“I really need to thank Dave and the whole Cordova family for the opportunity. Not only to race for them, but for them trusting me with their entire racing operation. I want to take Brady and Cody’s cars to the next level to give them the best opportunity to win races.

For this family to trust me to do it means the world to me and my family.

A ton of people came together to make this all happen. It wouldn’t be possible without Cordova Plumbing, Ultimate Kreations, Hotsy, Garcia Motorsports, Penske Racing Shocks, Performance Engines by Billy The Kid, New Fairfield Autobody and everyone involved with Outlaw Built Racing Services and our amazing crew. None of this would be even close to possible without them.

We’re working on a few more marketing deals that will be announced soon and we’re super excited to add to this whole operation.”