Leo Cleary

Competitor
CLASS OF 1999

Leo “The Lion” Cleary competed at numerous tracks throughout the northeast during his career, including the Medford Bowl, Thompson Speedway, Seekonk Speedway, Stafford Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Oswego Speedway, Waterford Speedbowl, Lonsdale Sports Arena, Norwood Arena, Catamount Stadium, Westboro Speedway and New Smyma Speedway in FL.

In his 44 years behind the wheel, Cleary took down 14 track championships, including the Norwood, Seekonk and Thompson. These championships have come behind the wheel of jalopies, cutdowns, coupes, modifieds, pro-stocks, and mini modifieds. He drove for an array of legendary car owners of the time like Joe Brady, Sonny Koszela, Lenny Boehler, Art Barry, Tom Dunn and Bob Garbarino.

At age 58, when most people are busy planning their retirement, Cleary was busy planning his season at Seekonk Speedway, where he took down the 1986 Pro Stock Championship. The next year, the 59 year old Cleary switched to mini modifieds, again winning the Seekonk Championship. When Aetna Insurance transferred Cleary to Florida in 1988, most people, including Leo himself, figured that was the end of his racing. That’s when Vic Kangas convinced him to hop into his Florida modified, which he drove until 1993, when, at age 63, he suffered four broken ribs, and hung up his helmet for good.

Leo Cleary passed away on January 31, 2017 at the age of 88.