Joe “Geezer” Fanelli (pictured right) promoted the Rumble by the River to reward the six racers furthest back in the point standings, with the best attendance. The event pitted these 600 micro sprint drivers in a race of their own at Shellhammer’s Dirt Track in Leesport, Pennsylvania. Benefactors donated a total of $1,300-plus for the purse. Jake Fisher (middle) won the event.
“People ask me why I want to promote this type of race,” Fanelli, 57, of Exton, Pennsylvania, said. “I’ve been racing a long time, with no great success. I’m dedicated 110% to racing. I am fortunate I could stay in the sport as long as I could. This race is for the dedicated drivers, who are back in points, who are trying to win but are not having luck.”
Fanelli, who also races in the 600 micro sprint class, modeled the event after a similar one he promoted last year at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania. Fanelli’s friend, Joe Adams (pictured left), of Joe Adams Lettering, LLC, helped him raise funds. Fans threw in $20 donations. Weikel Sportswear donated $200 to be spread through the field.
“It was $100 to take the green,” said Fanelli of the purse.
Others contributed to the winnings with awards other than money. The track owners, Brenda and David Cordier Jr., and the Shellhammer family gave the six drivers free pit passes for this week’s event and the sixth-place finisher a new right-rear tire.
The third-place finisher got a basket from Asher’s Chocolate Co. and a $50 bonus. Superior Auto Service posted a bonus for second place, Rags Carter Racing for fourth place, and The 4-Wide Salute: A Dirt Racing Podcast for fifth place.
Custom Graphics Shack made coffee mugs for each driver, with their likeness and name on them. Joe Adams Lettering printed the giant check that went to Fisher. In all, 20 people and companies donated to the event.
Winning the Rumble by the River meant a lot to Fisher.
“Not only was it my first win, but it was much needed,” Fisher, 19, a sophomore 600 micro sprint racer from Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, said. “Morale was high after we won. The race gave six drivers from the back a chance to shine.”
Fanelli said he’ll promote another race like the Rumble by the River again.
“I’ll do one per season,” said Fanelli. “Which track it is at will depend upon where I land next.”
Mike Adaskaveg has written hundreds of stories since the website’s inception. This year marks his 54th year of covering auto racing. Adaskaveg got his start working for track photographer Lloyd Burnham at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway in 1970. Since then, he’s been a columnist, writer, and photographer, in racing and in mainstream media, for several outlets, including the Journal Inquirer, Boston Herald, Stock Car Racing, and Speedway Illustrated. Among Adaskaveg’s many awards are the 1992 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Ace Lane Photographer of the Year and the 2019 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) George Cunningham Writer of the Year.
