Photos and story by John McCartney and Steve Bell

Each and every year Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey hosts a series of Nostalgia events. These nostalgia events allow fans to be able to take a step back in time. Back to when folks came together to have fun at the races and see who had the baddest of the bad when it came to racing on the drag strip. Whether you were part of the local car clubs or just someone that thought they had a cool car that could run fast and quick. This is the vibe at each and every nostalgia race that Island Dragway puts on.

This year’s open event took on even more of a special feel and look for this year was titled Nostalgia Spring Fling/Duke Snyder Race. Everyone that has every raced at Island Dragway since the track opened back in 1960, no doubt encountered Duke Snyder. Snyder has been part of the Island Dragway close to when the track opened way back in 1960. Snyder did many jobs over the year but perhaps was best known for his role as one of the track tech inspectors.

Snyder worked many of those years with Tom Brown his fellow tech inspector. During the tribute to Snyder, who passed away last year,  Brown spoke about Snyder was the good cop and Brown the bad cop when it came to tech in the racers who wished to compete in events that were held at the track over the years.

Prior to the first round many of Snyder’s family and friends gathered on the starting line for a group photo and a special presentation. Track owners Melissa and Carl Milano presented the family with a special plaque to the family as well telling stories about Snyder who was a special member of the Island Dragway Family. Snyder would have really enjoyed all the cars that came out to take part in the days racing activities.

The members of the North East Timing Organization NETO came out in force to do battle in the two NETO classes. First up in NETO Comp it was Anna Marie Parinello in her Shirlely Muldowney pink tribute dragster taking home the win over Larry Wittig in his Sox and Martin Plymouth GTX.

For the best reaction time award in NETO Comp it came out in tie as both Vinny Laurita Sr. and Jeff Donnelly recorded a .012 reaction time each. While over in NETO Nostalgia Frank Paradiso Jr. picked up the victory in his Chevy over Frank Pisani driving his Ford. Over in the NETO Nostalgia reaction time wars it was Lou Tarascio with a near perfect .002 light.

MANDRA had a fine group of racers taking part in this special event as well. In the semi final round Bill Wert got the bye run, while Geoff Sotak took out Mark Santtee. In the final round Sotak, behind the wheel of his Pontiac, had a .002 reaction time and runs a 10.52 on his 10.58 dial in this proved to be enough to take the victory over Wert who had a .050 reaction time but also broke out as he ran 9.48 on his 9.56 dial in in his Chevy.

In addition to these two fine groups taking part in the days event there was also four trophy classes which featured all sorts of old time cars taking part to compete for some great prizes. There was a special area set aside for folks to bring out their cars whether it be hot rods, muscle cars, customs or vintage race cars and put them on display.

At the end of the day, it was all about getting everyone together to have a fun day racing, talking about cars and remembering a special person Duke Snyder. Check out the rest of the Island Dragway Nostalgia events and keep in mind the big Funny Car Anniversary show coming to Island Dragway in August.

For more of John’s images from Island, go to