Local racing legend Sam Carista dies at 90

Back in 1948, Sam Carista drove in his first local auto race at the Brewerton Speedway. His racing career continued through the years at virtually every speedway in the Central New York area.

Seventy years later in 2018, this West Monroe driver was still competing at that same Brewerton track. Sadly, Carista died on April 2 at 90 years old, ending one of the longest racing careers in local history.

Carista competed at tracks like Fulton, Weedsport, Utica-Rome, Oswego, Waterloo and Lafayette. He won his share of features and track titles on both dirt and pavement.

Sam had a 15-year career in supermodifieds at the Oswego Speedway and had numerous top 10 finishes. He qualified for the Budweiser International Classic 200 on several occasions.

Family was very important to Carista. His eight children were always with him at the track, and soon there were 43 grandchildren. 51 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren cheering him on.

Carista and his son Ed were the first father-son duo to run together in an Oswego supermodified race.

In the latter stage of his career, Sam was running a four-cylinder stock car at Brewerton and was fortunate enough to race against one of his sons, two grandsons, two great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

Carista was one of the true cornerstones of early short track racing in Central New York and was a true pioneer in local automobile racing, and he will be missed.

ALBANY-SARATOGA MODIFIED OPENER FRIDAY WORTH $5,600 TO WIN

The Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta opens its 2021 season Friday night, and the five-division program is topped off with a $5,600-to-win modified test.

Confirmed entrants for the A-S opener include Matt Sheppard, Billy Decker, Stewart Friesen, Larry Wight and Mat Williamson. Mike Mahaney of King Ferry, New York, is the defending track champion and should be a driver to watch.

OUTLAW SPEEDWAYS HOSTS MODIFIED/SPRINT DOUBLEHEADER FRIDAY NIGHT.

The Outlaw Speedway has $3,000-to-win features for both the 360 sprints and big-block modifieds Friday night.

FONDA SPEEDWAY’S 70TH OPENER SET FOR SATURDAY

Modifieds and sportsmen headline the five-division program at the Fonda Speedway’s 70th season opener Saturday night. The modified victor walks off with a $2,500 check.

TEST AND TUNE

The Can-Am Speedway has a practice night Friday, and the Land of Legends Speedway in Canandaigua has a test-and-tune session set for Saturday night.

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