Joe Amato
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For the Milwaukee mobster, see Joseph Amato.
Joe Amato (born June 13, 1944 in Exeter, Pennsylvania) is an American dragster driver, who won the NHRA Top Fuel championship a record five occasions and scored 52 event victories. He was the first driver to exceed 260 mph and 280 mph in competition.
Between 1982 and 2000, he finished in the Top 10 every year. Eye surgery forced him to retire from competitive driving at the end of the 2000 season. He then participated as a team owner until selling the business and retiring permanently in 2005.
On the National Hot Rod Association Top 50 Drivers, 1951-2000, Joe Amato was ranked No. 9.[1]
He currently resides in Lackawanna County.
[edit] Awards
- He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005.
- He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2004.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ No. 9: Joe Amato; National Hot Rod Association; written 2001
- ^ Joe Amato at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America