Danny Gallulo

Competitor
CLASS OF 2011
Veterans Committee Selection

Twice a Riverside Park modified champion (1963 & 1966), “Dangerous Dan” Galullo was one of the brightest stars of United Stock Car Racing Club. Along with the late Tony Mordino and Jap Membrino, he was a charter member of the “Waterbury Gang” that invaded the West Haven Speedway in the early 1950s to do battle with the track’s established stars, drivers like Billy Greco, Johnny “King” Cambino, Bobby Black, and Tommy Sutcliffe.

While it may have seemed like simply a track promoter’s hype, the “cross-town rivalry” was very-real resulting in some of the most intense competition ever witnessed at the small ballpark-turned 1/5-mile raceway. After several years at West Haven, he moved on to Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam, MA. Galullo scored a total of 20 modified feature victories at Riverside, and simply dominated the Tuesday night sportsman programs. Also included in his accomplishments is the 1962 United Stock Car Racing Club Grand American Championship, a feat he recorded by winning at the many United sanctioned tracks that once dotted Northeast. He was also a winner at the big Modified shows once held on the big 5/8-miler on the grounds of the Springfield Exposition.

During his career he also notched features at Plainville Stadium, Waterford Speedbowl, and Cherry Park in Avon, Connecticut among others. He competed in one NASCAR Grand National (now Cup Series) event at New Jersey’s Old Bridge Stadium in 1956. Following a serious heart-attack, Galullo retired from driving while still in his prime. He passed away in 1974, but not before witnessing the racing accomplishments of his sons, Richie and Danny Jr.