Plum man revels in Keystone hall of fame induction
In the early 1980s, Dave Dortenzo of Plum won his first two races at Keystone Raceway Park in New Alexandria, and while much has changed, including the track's name, one thing has remained the same: Dortenzo wins races and championships.
That's why, after more than 30 years of racing, Dortenzo was the first person inducted into Keystone Raceway Park's Hall of Fame.
“You work hard for 30 years doing this, and when I got the call that I was going to be the inaugural inductee, that was pretty exciting,” Dortenzo, 57, said. “I never imagined I'd be in any hall of fame. When I first started, I raced motocross and then drag race bikes, but I never did any good. But when I raced a street car for the first time, I won a trophy.”
Dortenzo's career numbers are impressive: 33 years as a full-time driver; 12 championships over the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, including seven in a row from 1982-88; and 91 victories.
“I always loved the cars, and I was a gearhead as a kid,” Dortenzo said. “I was always looking at the drag racers. I just never had the money to race a car. Motorcycles are a lot cheaper. In 1980, the very first time I raced I won the trophy. There was one more race in the season, so I moved up to a heavy class, and that was a money class.
“I ran that, and I won. I just couldn't believe that I won. It was the first time I had ever won any money.”
Dortenzo has qualified for the Bracket Finals in 30 of his 33 seasons; he did not run for points in 2010-11. Twice he has advanced to the Bracket semifinal. He also has 48 runner-up finishes to go with his 91 victories.
With the help of his wife, Janis, and daughters, Danielle and Nicole, Dortenzo has done this with basically one car, modified and maintained accordingly. When he started, he ran a 1970 Chevy Nova SS, but that was a streetcar modified for the drag strip. He replaced that car after two years.
“It's the same car. I've just updated it over the years,” Dortenzo said. “I started running in the mid-11s, and I am running 9s now. I am probably up to my fifth or sixth motor, which is pretty good for 30 years. I do have two complete motors now. One is on the stand ready to go, and the other is in the car, thanks to B&R (Speed Supply), which has sponsored me since 1983.”
It's easy to lump racers together, but rarely is there cross-pollination between dirt, asphalt or drag strips. Dortenzo flirted with dirt racing once.
“When I first started getting into racing, I had a buddy who had a semi-late model, probably around 1978,” Dortenzo said. “I went and helped them in the pits. I saw all the work and the help that you needed. I didn't have that. There was no way I could do that. I had an idea of the costs with drag racing. In 1981, I bought my first race car for $2,500. My dad lent me the money.”
So what is it that keeps Dortenzo racing?
“It's the rush I get, and what I love really started with those two victories,” he said. “When you are out there it is you and another guy and your cars, that's it. You have to win that round or you're done for the day.
“The speed is a big deal because that car will go from zero to 110 mph in six seconds, and zero to 60 mph in a second. I'm going zero to 135 in 9.5 seconds.”
Thomas Zuck is a freelance writer.
