RPW Column: If ’21 Is Indeed His Final Season, Dan Malley Wants It To Be A Good One
Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MONTGOMERY, NY – Dan Malley has been a familiar sight at both Accord Speedway and New Egypt Speedway in recent years, racing his good looking #H2O 602 North East Wingless Sprint (NEWS)
It’s possible that the 2021 season could his last behind the wheel.
“I’ve had some injuries the past few years and I have some other things that I want to do. I have my young grandchildren that I want to do things with, but I’ll still be around the sport,” Dan said.
If it indeed does turn out to be his last season in competition, Dan is working hard to make it as successful as he can.
“I will have a brand new car for this season. I am tired of running 4th and 5th, so I wanted to get something better to race with this season.”
Dan’s plan is to split time between Accord and New Egypt this season.
“I plan on racing all of the Accord races, It’s closest to home. And I will be racing at New Egypt as much as I can. I really have the goal of winning the championship at Accord and placing as high as I can at New Egypt. I really enjoy racing at both tracks.”
Dan is also planning on racing with the USAC Wingless Sprints when they race at Orange County in early July.
Malley got his start racing about 35 years at Oakland Valley racing on both the asphalt and dirt. When he got busy with his business, Malley Pool Water of Montgomery NY, he didn’t race for years. But Dan stayed in the sport by sponsoring several drivers including John Ferrier, Danny Johnson and Johnny Illanovsky. His son-in-law, Jordan Lawrence, was instrumental in getting him back behind the wheel.
“Jordan got me back into racing myself. I had a slingshot that I raced for 3 years, then Jordan and I each built ourselves a sprint car. Jordan decided to move to sportsman, but I liked racing the sprints.”
One of the things that Dan likes about racing is how racers will always help out another racer at the track.
“I love the camaraderie and the race community. It’s one of the reasons that I race.”
And Malley is appreciative of the help he gets from that racing community.
“Jerry Higbie is my cousin and he is always helpful with things with the car. Danny Creeden is another great friend. And one of my competitors, Jeremy Quick is a great guy, always willing to help. And the guys on the crew at the track, Jimmy Padila Sr, Jimmy Padila Jr, Stan Henry, ray Parada and Jordan Lawrence are all ready to help.”
Sponsors on the H2O are Malley Pool Water, Butler Construction, Toland Construction and Rapid Tire.
If it turns out to be his final season of racing, hopefully it will be an enjoyable one for Dan Malley and possibly reach his goals for 2021. Good luck to Dan and his team this season.
