Tony Siscone

Tony Siscone (born March 25, 1949) was raised in the Collings Lakes section of Buena Vista Township, New Jersey. A resident of Hammonton, New Jersey, he graduated from Hammonton High School in 1967 and later went on to graduate from Rider University in 1971. Siscone was a successful high school teacher for 17 years. After receiving the "Governor's Teacher of the Year" award in 1987 Tony and his Wife started a successful racing safety equipment business, Safety Connection, for 14 years. In 1976, Siscone married Margaret "Margi" Clark, of Berlin, and they have two Children, Jaclyn (b. 1978) and A.Jay (b. 1981). Most Notably, Siscone was a very successful asphalt modified racecar driver from 1972 through 1994.

Tony Siscone began his racing career driving go-karts between 1962-1969. Siscone had 90 victories which resulted in numerous IKF State and Regional go-kart titles. Siscone and his dad competed several times in IKF National Championship go-kart events against factory backed teams finishing in the top 6 twice. On the national level it was quite amazing to see someone like Siscone almost win the IKF National Championship on 2 occasions since his motors were built by his dad, Tony Sr.

Siscone began his career in 1972 driving the Richie Terruso Brothers' T3 sportsman car to 8 victories at Atlantic City Speedway and Wall Stadium. In 1974 at the Atlantic City Speedway Tony won his first track championship driving the T4 owned by his dad Tony Sr. and Tony Ruberti. 1975-76 Siscone drove the famous #65 car, owned by Johnny Lyons and powered by a Tom Skinner/Lyons chevy racing engine which Tony drove to 12 victories and his 2nd championship. In 1978, Tony also drove the 21X owned by Edward Brown III (6 wins), and the 21 owned by Sal Debruno (4 wins) winning every race the 2 cars finished resulting in the track championship at the Atlantic City Speedway.

In 1973 Siscone felt that it was time to try to move up to the Modified stock car ranks. From 1973-1976 Siscone struggled to get his Modified career on track. The Terruso brothers gave Tony his first Modified opportunity but the team lacked the needed finances to compete with the top teams. Often Siscone was a spectator hanging around the pits willing to drive for anyone willing to give him a chance to prove himself. After 4 seasons Tony had no wins, 3-2nds and 15 top 5 finishes. Then in 1977 fellow Hammontonian Frank Ransom offered Siscone the ride in his state of the art, controversial #0 NASCAR Modified. The Ransom/Siscone Team won 3 modified events with a 355 c.i. small block against the big blocks at Wall Stadium and NASCAR's New Egypt Speedway. In April 1978, opening night at Wall Stadium, the Ransom/Siscone team make a statement by winning the modified main event. The following Wednesday Frank Ransom died at the age of 44. It was a difficult time for Tony Siscone since he and Frank Ransom had become very close friends and both had hopes of becoming a dominant team in NASCAR modified racing. For Siscone it was back to roaming the pits.

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