Phil Castronovo

KEN BUGAJ · 10-18-2011, 01:26 PM

Philip R. Castronovo, age 69, of Utica, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Masonic Care Community of NY.
Gifted with a natural talent, he rapidly rose to success and fame as a funny car driver. He was an NHRA car racer on the national circuit where he was sponsored by the family concern Custom Body – Utica Flash, as well as other national sponsors. A 1971 World Champion, he was inducted into the National Racers Hall of Fame

Rest in Peace My Friend !

richie 2 · 10-18-2011, 06:35 PM

always liked him. did'nt know he was champ one year. thanks phil.

Tom Goldman · 10-18-2011, 06:50 PM

His cars were always the best looking and most of the time the best running of their day, and a real nice guy to talk to back then.
Racers like him literally are a dying breed

Lew Silverman · 10-18-2011, 09:19 PM

My condolences to the Castronovo family. Phil was a regular on the weekly match race circuit in New York/New Jersey back in 60's and 70's. Rest in Peace!

Lew

Chris DeGidio · 10-18-2011, 09:23 PM

Very sad to see this.Used to watch the "Custom Body" cars all the time at Budds Creek in the 70's.

Mike Brogniez · 10-18-2011, 11:22 PM

Very sorry to hear of his passing, always had a lot of respect for the man.
Condolences to the family.
MB

Stockerstang · 10-19-2011, 08:01 PM

I live about 15 minutes away from where the old Custom Body shop was. As a kid, they had booked in FC shows at Utica rome speedway...a 1/8 mile dragstrip in central NY. Phil would be at every show with his Custom Body Mini Charger. This car as well as the others that followed were always well turned out, gorgeous race cars. Its sad to read of his passing..... my first whiffs of nitro, sound of a fuel motor were at these shows. Phil and his beautiful cars were a big part of that. Godspeed Phil, thank you for giving me wonderful memories.

10-18-2011, 01:26 PM	#1
KEN BUGAJ Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: LEXINGTON NC. Posts: 389 Likes: 43 Liked 18 Times in 7 Posts	Phil Castronovo Philip R. Castronovo, age 69, of Utica, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Masonic Care Community of NY. Gifted with a natural talent, he rapidly rose to success and fame as a funny car driver. He was an NHRA car racer on the national circuit where he was sponsored by the family concern Custom Body – Utica Flash, as well as other national sponsors. A 1971 World Champion, he was inducted into the National Racers Hall of Fame Rest in Peace My Friend !

10-18-2011, 06:35 PM	#2
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 971 Likes: 426 Liked 205 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Phil Castronovo always liked him. did'nt know he was champ one year. thanks phil.

10-18-2011, 06:50 PM	#3
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,477 Likes: 892 Liked 883 Times in 237 Posts	Re: Phil Castronovo His cars were always the best looking and most of the time the best running of their day, and a real nice guy to talk to back then. Racers like him literally are a dying breed __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

10-18-2011, 09:19 PM	#4
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,435 Likes: 371 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Phil Castronovo My condolences to the Castronovo family. Phil was a regular on the weekly match race circuit in New York/New Jersey back in 60's and 70's. Rest in Peace! Lew __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

10-18-2011, 09:23 PM	#5
Chris DeGidio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 364 Likes: 8 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Phil Castronovo Very sad to see this.Used to watch the "Custom Body" cars all the time at Budds Creek in the 70's. __________________ Nautilus Racing

10-18-2011, 11:22 PM	#6
Mike Brogniez Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal Posts: 476 Likes: 7 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Phil Castronovo Very sorry to hear of his passing, always had a lot of respect for the man. Condolences to the family. MB

10-19-2011, 08:01 PM	#7
Stockerstang Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 210 Likes: 0 Liked 20 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Phil Castronovo I live about 15 minutes away from where the old Custom Body shop was. As a kid, they had booked in FC shows at Utica rome speedway...a 1/8 mile dragstrip in central NY. Phil would be at every show with his Custom Body Mini Charger. This car as well as the others that followed were always well turned out, gorgeous race cars. Its sad to read of his passing..... my first whiffs of nitro, sound of a fuel motor were at these shows. Phil and his beautiful cars were a big part of that. Godspeed Phil, thank you for giving me wonderful memories.