Al Pillion

Competitor
CLASS OF 2012 | Pioneers
Veterans Committee Selection

Al Pillion started out in the Bay State Midget Racing Association in the late 1940’s, but it was with the Northeastern Midget Association where he found success. He competed in NEMA‘s first race at Seekonk Speedway and finished 2nd to Fred Meeker.

Pillion won the NEMA Championship driving for Ray Kelley in 1956 and driving Ed Stone‘s Offy in 1959.

During his career, Pillion won at Manchester Motordrome, West Peabody Speedway, Westboro Speedway, Waterford Speedbowl, Seekonk Speedway, Oxford Plains Speedway and Norwood Arena.

Al raced into the 1970’s before his career off the track relocated him to Texas, effectively ending his racing career. Pillion died of an aneurysm on June 17, 1986. He was only 64 years old. He was inducted into the NEAR Hall of Fame in a special Pioneers induction ceremony in 2012.