Pete Fiandaca

Competitor
CLASS OF 2010

In a career spanning 40 years, Pete Fiandaca has captured 320 documented victories in modifieds, pro stocks, late models and a variety of support divisions. He has also been one of New England racing’s standout characters, a genuine low-dollar hero. Known as “The Travelin’ Man” for his willingness to race anywhere, anytime in his familiar #135 machines. In Peter’s case, the term “backyard racer” absolutely fit; until 1978, he raced without the benefit of a garage, maintaining his cars beneath a shade tree behind the family home in Fitchburg, MA.

Fiandaca’s record of track championships, 16 total, is staggering. At Hudson Speedway he won two Modified Championships (1974, 1976), three in pro stocks (1990, 1991, 1993), one in late models (1987). For his 1991 campaign, he won 18 out of the 18 races he entered. In 1980, he won Late Model Championships at Monadnock Speedway, Thompson Speedway and Westboro Speedway. He also won two Pro Stock championships at Monadnock (1985, 1989) and 4 track titles at Star Speedway, including 3 straight Late Model crowns from 1989-1991.

It was during the 1970s, one of modified racing’s most colorful periods, Fiandaca built his reputation for doing a lot with a little. His homemade cars weren’t always pretty, but they were fast enough to win at Riverside Park Speedway, Seekonk Speedway, Pines Speedway and even on a road trip to New Jersey’s New Egypt Speedway.

The New Egypt victory was classic Fiandaca. On a red-flag delay, the legendary Gil Hearne, running second, noticed the threadbare right-rear tire on the leading car, Fiandaca’s no. 135. “I throw better tires away,” Hearne remarked. Peter replied that it was the best one he’d had available. Later, when the checkered flag waved, Hearne was still chasing the car with the bald right-rear. Against long odds, The Travelin’ Man had earned another trophy, and won the admiration of another rival.

Pete passed away on October 16, 2022 at the age of 73.