RPW Column: Memory Of Father & Crew Member Motivating Brad Cicio At 5 Mile Point In ’21

Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – WANTAGE, NJ – People race for a variety of reasons. Many may race because they like the competition. Some may race just for the thrill of it.

For others, it’s just what their family has done over the years and the love of the sport has been passed along in the family. But there are a number of factors that bring people back to their local short track week after week.

The atmosphere, the friendships, the sounds, the smell of the racetrack…..it all gets into your blood.

And there are racers, like Brad Cicio, who have their own motivations that spur them on.

Every time this year when Brad straps into his 602 Crate Sportsman, he will be racing in memory of his father, Wayne Cicio and close friend and crew member Joe Formica.

“My dad was always a racing fan. He grew up around the Roscoe, New York area and he loved going to 5 Mile Point,” Brad said. “He got us interested in racing and he was so thrilled when we started racing there. I talked to my dad every day. And Joe was a key guy on the crew. Last year was the first season that I’ve raced without my dad, and now Joe is gone too. They were so well liked, they had no enemies. To lose these two great people in who had such a huge influence in our racing in such a short span of time has been very difficult. But it’s the memory of those two that motivates me to go out there and do my very best this season.”

In past years, Brad’s brother, Kyle, was the racer in the family. About 6 years ago, Kyle stepped out of the car and Brad moved in from being on the crew into the driver’s seat.

“While Kyle was racing, I didn’t have much interest in racing myself, I just liked working on the car. I was always stressed when Kyle was out there. When Kyle got out of the car, our group was kind of down in the dumps about the possibility that we weren’t going to race anymore,” Brad said. “So I said lets go racing and I’ve been at it ever since. I plan on racing for the foreseeable future.”

While Kyle was racing, he liked to race at Orange County. But Brad wanted to race at the track he had heard so much about from his dad in the past, 5 Mile Point.

“Kyle was an Orange County kind of guy. But I always thought of myself as a short track kind of guy. We raced some at Accord and traveled around a little. When we went to 5 Mile Point. I was immediately impressed with Andy Harpell and how he operates there. I liked the drivers that I was racing against there and I liked the officiating.”

And Brad has thoughts of trying some events at a venue that will be new to him in 2021.

“We took a spectating trip to Bridgeport last year and I was impressed. I want to try to get there as the schedule allows this season.

After racing Teo cars the past seasons, the Cicio team is going with a Hig Fab Chassis car for 2021.

“I got a hold of Jerry Higbie and he is just an awesome guy. He found us a 2018 Hig Fab. Except for the seat, everything about our 2021 car will be new to our team. I can’t thank Jerry enough for the help that he’s given us.”

And it’s something that his dad told him that plays into the team’s 2021 preparation.

“We have poured a lot of blood and sweat into getting this car ready for 2021. It’s a great effort so far. But my dad always said, if you are going to do something, do it right.”

Racing in a division where just about all the competitors drive in with an enclosed trailer, Brad is happy to show up with an open trailer.

“We had an enclosed one, but I’ve gone back to an open trailer. Less expensive to tow, just no protection from the rain, but that’s okay. I remember as a kid how cool it was to see the cars coming in on an open trailer. I like it for kids to maybe see my car and say, ‘I saw that car racing.’ And maybe I can pick up a new fan that way. It’s important to keep the kids interested in racing and I want to help out in this way.”

Sponsors on Brad’s car include Hig Fab Chassis, Short Load Redi Mix Concrete, Sign-Up Signs, Precision Seamless Gutters, Maple Square Machine and Dave Franek Auto Sales.

Brad’s brother, Kyle has taken over his dad’s role on the crew. Others on the crew are Scott Wittrien, Jake Odee and Brad’s daughter, Jordan Cicio.

“Jordan will get right in there with the wrenches,” Brad said. “She is a big help to us.”

As the start of the 2021 season gets closer, Brad had this to say.

“Every racer wants to win every race, but we all know that’s not possible. But we want to be competitive every time out. And I’m looking forward to the Spring 602 Crate Series at 5 Mile But as I race this year, I will always be thinking about Dad and Joe.”

Good luck to the Cicio Racing Team in 2021.