Joe Tinty

Track Owner, Promoter
CLASS OF 2012 | Pioneers
Veterans Committee Selection

Joe Tinty was the flamboyant owner & operator of Plainville Stadium in Plainville, CT. It opened as a 1/4 mile dirt track in 1948, but by the next event the track was paved with asphalt.

Legendary New England racers whose roots trace back to Plainville Stadium include Ed Flemke, Reggie Ruggiero, Stan Greger, Dave Alkas, Dick Dixon, Ron Wyckoff, Jap Membrino, Ronnie Rocco and Ray Miller plus car owners Bob Judkins, Ron Berndt, Billy Simons and the Garuti Brothers.

Tinty was notoriously not a fan of the press, rarely embracing the media’s coverage of the events at his track. Citing rising operating costs & insurance premiums coupled with dwindling car counts, Tinty closed the track after the 1981 season. The property was eventually sold and developed into retail outlets soon after he passed away.

Joe was presented the Frank Maratta Award for outstanding contribution to auto racing in 1996. He was inducted into the NEAR Hall of Fame in a special Pioneers induction ceremony in 2012.