Racing in his blood

Auto racing’s checkered flag has become a familiar sight for Tony Villelli.

“I am a race car driver, first and foremost,” Villelli says with a wide grin.

A third-generation professional racer, Villelli has been racing since 1998. He graduated from Bonners Ferry High School and Gonzaga University and has been a Coeur d’Alene resident since 1997.

By day Villelli makes his living as the regional property manager for the Pacific Northwest branch of Villelli Enterprises, headquartered at Hidden Lakes Golf Course in Sandpoint.

But his hope for the future is to make his living syndicating his Spokane radio talk show, the “Speed Sport Report.” Villelli has created the talk show, which airs on Fox Radio KJRB 790 AM. His local fan base tunes in every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. to listen to his “on-track” commentary.

The one-hour racing radio show covers all the major forms of auto racing, including NASCAR, the Indy Racing League, NHRA Drag Racing and Formula One, with up-to-date race news and stats.

Joining Villelli in the studio is new co-host Kenny Spatz, and new producer Joe Schneiderman. Bill Crowson joins the team via phone every week for his authentic Southern NASCAR reports.

“It is the only show of its kind in the market and gives the growing fan base a place to get more than just the one-line race updates,” Villelli says.

Villelli has made it a priority to promote local racing on the show.

“I talk about local racing, depending upon what is going on,” Villelli says. “I want to support the local racers as much as possible.”

KSPT 1400 AM in Sandpoint and KBFI 1450 AM in Bonners Ferry also broadcast the “Speed Sport Report.”

With his insider knowledge and experience, Villelli has been able to conduct interviews and conversations with some of the biggest names in auto racing. He regularly interviews drivers from local venues and national circuits, like Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves and NASCAR Cup champ Rusty Wallace.

Speaking of big names, Villelli’s very first on-air interview subject was the legendary Parnelli Jones. Jones was a friend of Villelli’s grandfather, Jasper Lopiccolo, who was also a race car driver and Villelli’s inspiration.

Jones began his career as a jalopy race driver on the West Coast. He was Rookie of the Year at the Indy 500 in 1961, when he finished twelfth. Jones also won the national sprint championship in 1961 and 1962.

“In 1963 Jones won the Indy 500, placed second in 1965, and failed to finish in 1966,” Villelli says. He basically retired after that, became a car owner, and went on to hire drivers like Al Unser and Mario Andretti.

“Parnelli was just everyday people, very personable and down-to-earth for a big star,” Villelli says.

Another big-name interview was the 2003 Indy 500 winner, Gil de Ferran, who retired from the sport last year.

“I was so scared when I interviewed him, but de Ferran blew me away – he was so kind and genuine. He boosted my confidence tremendously,” Villelli says.

Helio Castroneves, the 2001 and 2002 Indy 500 winner, who is known for his signature victory celebration of climbing the fence closest to the winner’s circle after snagging the checkered flag, is prone to unpredictable outbursts, is very loud and a real “playboy,” Villelli says.

Rusty Wallace, who won at least one Cup race each year for the past 16 years, the longest streak of any active driver at the time, was very personable during his phone interview.

Villelli has raced in some of the same events as 2004 NASCAR Rookie of the Year Kasey Kahne and Indy Series and NASCAR champ Tony Stewart.

“For the most part, all these guys are just plain folks, even though they have become celebrities,” Villelli says.

Villelli Racing, which he owns with his wife and partner, Susan, started three years ago after their first Midget race car was purchased. A Midget race car is a small, open-wheel car that typically runs on a four cylinder motor that generates about 300-plus horsepower. The car weighs a total of about 900 pounds.

Midget racing in the Northwest began in 1936, and the Washington Midget Racing Association was formed in 1946. Since then the WMRA has held sanctioned races every year.

Many of the greatest names in racing – legendary drivers like Andretti and A.J. Foyt as well as Stewart and Jeff Gordon – got their professional racing starts in Midgets.

Villelli is off to a similar professional racing start. His very first time in the race car, he finished in 13th place, and the second time he finished fifth. He was named the 2001 Washington Midget Racing Association’s Rookie of the Year.

He has driven several different race circuits, including USAC in Southern California, which has produced drivers like Stewart and Khane.

Villelli hopes the “Speed Sport Report” will become syndicated soon and is convinced that the timing is perfect now.

“The Pacific Northwest has the most growth potential in the country because right now we do not have a lot of race car drivers,” Villelli says.

Spectator interest is so high that a new multimillion-dollar race facility will be built soon – most likely on the West Side of Washington state.

“Racing is becoming one of the top spectator sports,” Villelli says.

And what exactly is the lure of racing according to Villelli?

“People are lured to racing because they like watching drivers race at breakneck speeds when they know they are prevented from doing so by law enforcement,” he said.

“NASCAR has done a very good job of marketing the sport to the everyday Joe. It has become a culture in America, and the growth potential is huge.”