RPW Exclusive: Danny Varin’s A Racer; Will He Call Fonda Home In 2019?

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – FONDA, NY – After running a limited schedule in a Dirt Modified during 2018, I was able to catch up to Danny Varin, the driver of the T-Rex Express Magsarus Modified To see exactly what his plans will be for 2019.

Son of reigning Modified Track Champion at Fonda Speedway, Bobby Varin, Danny has been known recently more for his success in the 360 sprint car division. However, whatever he runs, Varin has picked up many victories and is looked at as one of the driver to beat whenever he’s at the track.

Last season, the Modified program was hit and miss, only making it to the good-paying shows at different tracks. It was tough to find a “Happy Place” in the seat of the Big Block.

“Things just didn’t work out for us,” Varin said. “We were way off base on our setup and car wise. We just were not running good.”

To be more consistent, Varin realized the importance of nailing down a home track and putting his nose to the grindstone, working to get the car fast. Is weekly at Fonda the answer?

“I haven’t committed to that, but we will be here quit a bit,” he said.

After a ninth place finish on opening night and another last Saturday, I asked the younger Varin if that changes his thoughts of running at Fonda each week?

“Yeah, it does,” he said. “i just don’t want to be tied down. If there’s a race paying more out there, I want to be able to go. Realistically, Brett Deyo pays great for the Modifieds at Fonda, but over a span of races, it’s better for me hitting the special purse races.”

Varin also isn’t into going after points. He’s more into wins.

“Im not into dealing with the head games and headaches that come with chasing points,” he said. I really just don’t want to get caught up in that stuff.”

The Magsarus team has the pieces they need to be successful, but still need to build their consistency.

“I feel like we have a great car and good motors, but we’re just not finishing where we should be,” he said. “We need to improve on our results.”

Car owner Ed Munger has supplied Varin with a brand-new 2019 HigFab Chassis this season.

“Jerry (Higbie) has treated us like gold,” he said. From day one, we couldn’t be any happier with a chassis builder.”

Danny also pointed out that if not for Munger, he’d probably be home sitting on the couch.

“I feel I’m a driver that needs to be in a car when at the track,” he said. I don’t think I could be a spectator, so I owe Ed a lot.”

The T-Rex Express also has great horsepower. The HigFab is powered by potent engine out of Dan Bedell’s shop.

“Dan’s great to us,” he said. He gives us a lot of power and I’m very grateful for that.”

Varin understands the importance of improving each week and sees that so far this season.

“We have a great car and team,” he said. “The car definitely felt better this week than it did last. After a lot of changes during the week, we are going in the right direction making leaps and bounds.”

What’s it like in 2019 at the “Track of Champions?”

“It’s been great since Deyo has taken over,” Varin said. It’s been all-positive. He’s done a very good job! Brett’s payout keeps us rolling from week to week. I’m definitely looking forward to the whole year with him at the track. He’s been great with our family business (Supply Wagon Rentals) and it’s great to see him supporting our local businesses.”

I then asked Danny how the racing surface has been?

“I think the track is good,” he said. “It’s getting smoother. Being early in the season, some areas needed to be worked on and they are addressing it. There’s more to do, but it takes time and work and they are continuing to make improvements each week. It’s what they have been given and Deyo’s working to make things better.”

With sprint car racing very important to Danny’s racing career, he plans on making as many as he can locally in 2019 while traveling to a few 410 events.

“I love racing both,” he said. “The next couple of years will determine what direction I go. I want to phase out of the 360 sprints and race only 410’s. It’ll be more traveling, but that’s what I really want to do.”

Which does he like better? Modifieds or Sprint Cars?

“I love driving both divisions,” he said. “They’re two different animals. It’s great when they run both divisions on the same night as it gets me more seat time. It’s all about learning every time out on the track while being as smooth as possible and making the correct adjustment to make the cars better.”

Before Danny had to get ready to go out for his heat I had to ask if Dad gives him any tips?

“No! No,” he said with a laugh. “He just sends me to the wolves pretty much, but has taught me a lot over the years so I think I’m off that hit list now.”

What does it mean to beat him?

“On a weekly basis, I just want a good handling car and where the chips fall, they fall,” he said. “It’s defiantly fun racing against him. He also makes his car wide which makes it hard to pass.”

What did Saturday bring for the T-Rex Express? Danny started sixth in his heat and brought the car home in second, right behind his father, who started on the pole.

Feature time, with a redraw of the top nine qualifier’s, Danny drew the pole and yes, Dad drew outside pole. It was a family affair up front for the 30-lapper.

Danny took the lead but was passed by David Constantino in the early stages of the race. He reeled in the leader in lap traffic but to no avail he would lose sight of the Hoyenga #34. Danny then had to contend with his father as the two battled back and forth, swapping second and third position several times.

In the end, Danny would have to settle for third as dad made the final pass on the closing lap.

“We were alright,” he said. “I just couldn’t maneuver. I was glued to the bottom, slipping and sliding. I just didn’t have what I needed. Lap traffic was tough for us as the car would not stick like we needed it to. Constantino was better then us tonight, but I certainly learned stuff and will make some changes and we will better for next week. This is a new car but we need better performance to be able to move better around on the race track.”

With that determination, Danny Varin has proven he’s striving to be the best. It won’t be long before we see the BIG T-Rex Dinosaur in victory lane!