RPW Column: Mike Vigiletti Returning To A Full Season Of Street Stock Racing

Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – WASHINGTONVILLE, NY – After racing sparingly in 2019 and not at all in 2020, one of the most successful Street Stock racers in the lower Hudson Valley, Mike Vigiletti, is set for a full schedule again in 2021.

Vigiletti is returning to competition and is looking at winning races and competing for a championship.

What hasn’t been decided yet by Mike is which track he will call home in 2021.

“I’m leaning towards returning to Orange County Fair Speedway, but I haven’t ruled out racing at Bethel,” Mike said.

Racing hasn’t seen much of Vigiletti the last couple of years. But there’s a reason for that happening that many race fans may not have known about.

“I had a fall in 2019 and broke some vertebrae in my back. That ended it for 2019 and I took off in 2020 to continue to let it heal,” Vigiletti said. “But I’m ready to go back racing in 2021 and I’m looking forward to winning races and maybe run for a championship like in the past.

Mike is a 28 time feature winner in the Street Stock division at OCFS, placing him 4th in the all time list. He is a 3 time OCFS Street Stock Champion, winning the titles in 2014, 2016 and 2017. One of Vigiletti’s favorite racing memories was the 2016 championship night race.

“Jimmy Maher is a great friend and going into that final feature, we were just a couple of points apart. The winner of the feature would win the championship,” Mike said. “We got up to running 1-2 and we swapped the lead a few times. At the checkered, I won but it was so close. Jimmy was so happy for us though, he’s a great competitor.”

And Mike knows just how fierce the competition is at Middletown.

“It doesn’t matter what division it is, everyone wants to win there. Guys like Jimmy and Charlie Donald have been such tough competition over the years. And add in Emerson Cargain Sr. to that list too. I was sorry to see that Emerson had retired, He was always one that I enjoyed racing against.”

And sometimes, it takes some advice from a stranger to help turn one’s racing fortunes for the better.

“It was early in my racing career. I was racing one night and got involved in a crash,’ Vigiletti said. “I jumped out of the car and started stomping towards the other car in the crash when an older gentleman stopped me and said, ‘Just calm down out there and you will start to win some races’. I did just that and from then on, I got to be racing quite well and successful. And I still don’t know who that man was.”

Mike had his first OCFS on track experience not in a race car, but in a demolition derby.

“I was 18 and I was in a bar and I heard these two guys arguing down at the end of the bar,” Vigiletti said. “They had a demo car that neither one wanted to drive, so one of them said, ‘Hey, there’s Vig, he’ll drive it’. So I did and it was a blast. I did the demos for a couple of years. One night, there was a demo during the Orange County Fair and they had an enduro. I had never seen one, but it looked like so much fun that I started racing in them. Eventually, I worked my way up to pure stocks in 1998 and I’ve been racing ever since.”

“In my early years, I had a partner in the car. I didn’t often race a full season,” said Mike. “But eventually I got out on my own. I’ve been fortunate. I’ve won a bunch and I always had good sponsorship.”

Down in Rockland County, it’s not unusual to see Mike’s car appear at events geared towards children.

“I like to bring the car to events that the P. B. A. is involved with. Some of my fellow competitors will bring their cars also and the kids just love to see the cars, fire trucks and police cars. One event, there was a guy with a crane. He asked if he could lift up my car. He had it 20 or so feet up. It did look kind of cool up there,” Mike said.

For 2021, Mike is preparing a new Monte Carlo for competition. The car he has competed with for many years is heading for retirement.

“Jimmy Maher and I took a close look at the car and we both have decided that it is tired. It has been through a lot. One night, another car landed on my roof and almost tore the cage off. Lucky to survive that one. And it’s had it’s share of crashes and bends. After many wins and 3 championships with it, it’s time to move on.”

Sponsors on the #1 are Around The Clock Towing (Tompkins Cove) and Village Sensations (Nanuet).

“Saaf Speed has been an all my cars through the years. I appreciate all that they have done,” said Mike.

Mike is seeking additional sponsors for the team this year. In addition, he is also looking for help with the car.

“We relocated from Stony Point to Washingtonville. I’ve lost my support group from the Stony Point area. I’m also seeking additional sponsors for the car. So if anyone wants to help out with sponsorship or to assist with working on the car, please feel free to contact me. I can be reached on Facebook Messenger (Michael Vigiletti) or my phone (845) 721-8686.”

Wherever Mike Vigiletti races at this year, that track will be getting a top competitor and one of the really good people in racing. Good luck in 2021 Mike!!