Venolia Recognizes the Crew Chiefs Behind Those Flying Funny Cars

The memory of Joe Pisano, owner of Venolia Pistons still burns bright in the annals of drag racing. His company’s aluminum pistons and connecting rods have been recognized by many as the industry standard for several decades in nitro and alcohol competition. Their design, strength and durability have enabled fuel engine tuners and builders to churn out incredible levels of horsepower from drag race and land speed engines.

But he was much more than the builder of race parts; Joe was also a racer. Although he competed at Bonneville, his reputation was forged in drag racing, more accurately nitro Funny Car racing. From early on, campaigning with brothers Frank (the current owner of Venolia) Carmen, Sam and Tony, his cars were always fearsome competitors, immaculate in appearance and engineering.

Joe’s focus on business precluded him from following the entire NHRA schedule, but his list of national event wins is impressive, including the ’86 U.S. Nationals. Joe was very much a hands-on owner. Everything in front of the motor plate was his domain, and the cars never made a lap unless he was at the track.

Which brings us to the Joe P. Venolia 3 Second Award. Frank Pisano, Joe’s successor at Venolia, has been keenly aware of the performance level the current crop of Funny Cars has been achieving, most notably traversing 1,000 feet in three seconds—an incredible feat. He enlisted Venolia Vice President Tom Prock, a renowned Funny Car driver and crew chief in his past life, to acknowledge this performance achievement.

There have been numerous achievement awards or “clubs” in drag racing history: five-and six-second barrier breakers, 250-and 300-mph runners and so on, but Frank’s concept took a different focus. All of the previous awards were presented to the race car drivers. In a nod to Joe P.’s personal focus on tuning rather than driving, the Venolia 3 Second Award honors crew chiefs.

The following are the first 10 crew chiefs to receive the honor for their efforts to propel Funny Cars into the “3 Second Zone.” Thanks to Venolia for creating this noteworthy award and the crew chiefs for the excitement they’ve provided.

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