Original Portrait Photo Johnny John Barbaro Coy Race Driver Islip? Circa 1950

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Nice original photo. Condition good may have minor blemishes. � Received a note from Mr. Coy's son saying this was likely Islip Speedway. � � � � � � � Best remembered for his great success in the cockpit of a Midget, Johnny Coy Sr. (March 29, 1925 – October 28, 2006) had a long and successful racing career that saw him compete during a time in which the Midgets drew thousands of spectators to race tracks seven nights a week and Eastern fans always got their money’s worth when the popular Coy was in action. � � � � � � Born John Barbaro, the Long Island, New York, native got his training as a race-car driver at a racing school that was held at the old one-fifth-mile asphalt track in Freeport Stadium. � However, his “racing identity” came as a result of a comment that was made to him by his mother who suggested that he get “a professional name like they did in Hollywood” and it was his brother Carmen who came up with “Coy.” � � � � � � However, no matter under what name he was racing, Coy handled Modified stock-cars, Sprint Cars, Three-Quarter Midgets and Championship Cars with great skill and ability – although it was in the Midgets where he really shined. � � � � � � Coy began racing in 1946 and spent four years (1946-1949) in the No. 29 Midget owned by Jack Berryman, Gene Thein and Jimmy McCrew, and wrenched by Artie Lang. � � � � � � � The 1949 Auto Racing Association/Midget Auto Racing Association champion, Coy won full Midget events at such noted tracks as: the one-fifth-mile asphalt Islip (N.Y.) Speedway, where he was the 1959 Midget Champion; the old track located inside Madison Square Garden in New York City; and, he took the checked flag in NorthEastern Midget Association (NEMA) events at such places as Connecticut’s Thompson and Stafford Motor Speedways. � � � � � � He also did rather well in American Three-Quarter Midget Racing Association events at the old one-tenth-mile Pine Brook (N.J.) Speedway, the one-tenth-mile layout inside the Teaneck (N.J.) Armory and on the one-fifth-mile concrete at the Atlantic City (N.J.) Convention Hall. � � � � � � � � Coy’s numerous feature wins include 69 with the American Racing Driver’s Club where he was a four-time (1968-1969 & 1971-1972) champion. � Plus, he was also ARDC’s Non-Offy Division Champion in 1967 and he placed third that year in ARDC’s Offy points. � � � � � � From 1953-1960, the Stock-Car-oriented sanctioning body that was NASCAR also featured its own brand of Midget racing and Coy was one of the top drivers. � � � � � � � In 1954, he was fourth in NASCAR’s Ford-powered Midget standings and in 1955 he was fourth in NASCAR’s Offy Division. � In 1957, Coy was runner-up in the race for the NASCAR Midget title but in 1958 he really got things going his way as he won 14 of the 25 Midget races that NASCAR held and he finally claimed the NASCAR Midget Championship. � � � � � � A skilled mechanic by trade, Coy also scored a victory in one of his infrequent runs with the United Racing Club’s Sprint Cars. � � � � � � � � � Coy drove in many fine rides during his nearly 40 years as a race car driver and won many Islip races in the black and red No. 10 Offy that was owned by Angelo Vitucci. � He also handled the famous Offy Midget that was fielded by fellow EMPA Hall of Fame member Ken Brenn Sr. and drove it with the ARDC Champion’s No. 1 on its side. � And he scored many victories and won an ARDC title in Mike Sheehan’s No. 7 Offy. � � � � � � Johnny Coy’s career came to an end after he won the 1984 Turkey Derby Midget feature on the one-third-mile high-banked asphalt track at Wall (N.J.) Stadium, but that “racing name” continued to be a force in motorsports as: son Joey was a three-time (1989, 1991 & 1993) NEMA champion and the 1992 ARDC champion; son Johnny Jr. raced Midgets and became a crew chief in NASCAR’s Cup Series; and, grandson Richie raced in T-Q Midgets before he moved on to compete in NASCAR’s Touring Modified Series. � � � � read more

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