D1 lost two great .90 racers yesterday

BKSG1198 · 04-20-2020, 04:35 AM

It is my sad duty to report the Northeast and D1 lost two great .90 Racer yesterday.

Martin “Marty” Ganjoin passed away at his house from natural causes on Saturday evening. Marty was a staple at Englishtown Raceway Park in the early years bracket racing before moving up to 10.90 racing. Even with a small tire car and only going 135mph+ Marty won numerous D1 Championships and the 2017 Mid Atlantic .90 Super Street Championship as well as being a Jegs All Star. Marty’s number #1 fan and wife Joanne Ganjoin passed away in January from Pancreatic Cancer. Please keep their two children Chris & Tracy in your through and prayers.

While still coming to terms with that news I received a text that D1 Super Comp & Engine Builder Steve “Hammer” Martel passed away Sunday Morning while cutting wood. Steve was a multi time winner in D1 and the 2014 NHRA Keystone Nationals winner in the 8.90 category. Steve also ran a well known engine shop and did a Multitude of engines for drag racers in D1 as well as Oval Track racers. Please keep Steve family and friends in your thoughts today.

I believe Johnny D is putting together a small tribute for them in which should be out shortly and I’m not sure when we get back to normal life if there will be a memorial service since funerals are not allowed as of right now. I will keep everyone posted as news becomes available!

Sad Day to say the least here in Division 1!

Robbie Welch · 04-20-2020, 07:06 AM

So sorry to here this. I didn't know Steve but I spoke to Marty at every race. Thoughts and prayers to both families.

TBR151J · 04-20-2020, 11:45 AM

First time I ever raced a big car (my Nova) was in Pro (then Heavy) in Englishtown way back in 2000...lined up next to me first round was Marty and his orange Camaro. I'm .516 and off the number, he is .502, 2 over whomping me while smiling and giving me a quick wave at the stripe in a little "welcome to the big leagues kid" moment. Awesome guy and man that car was CLEAN!

Ran Steve Martel in the semis at Cecil County August 2002. Remember he was stone cold serious in the lanes during the coin toss. Had a great race against him I was lucky enough to win, and one round later won the race. Came up to me in the Winner's Circle, got a slap on the back and a good job...class act and a super nice guy, but man he looked tough as nails, especially to a young 20 year old!

RIP to two guys who were apart of some formidable moments of my racing career...awesome guys and great racers both.

MR DERBY CITY · 04-20-2020, 01:41 PM

GODSPEED, and prayers to their families.....hard to believe WE can’t even have a funeral to say our goodbyes.....

Tom Goldman · 04-20-2020, 10:00 PM

Hopefully ,sometime down the road when we're allowed to gather again , All the racers who knew Marty and Steve will be able to join together and remember them with a beer or two and tell all the stories that are to be told of races won or lost by them or against them .
Rest in peace my friends , and enjoy a laugh or two when the stories are told.

Keith 944 · 04-21-2020, 08:17 AM

Very sad indeed. I can say both were Friends. Many stories for another day. Condolences to the families

BKSG1198 · 04-21-2020, 10:56 AM

I have spoken with Marty’s daughter Tracy over the past few days, most of the 10.90 and Mid Atlantic .90 Regulars knew her because she would come to hang out with her parents when they raced at Cecil County.

She told me that when we get back to the track Her and Chris will be putting something together to honor both Marty & Joanne. I’m sure Tommy D or Chris D will make it a mission to get Marty’s car there to maybe make one last pass in his honor.

I also spoke with Joe Cambria who was one of Steve’s close friends and they pretty much tagged along to every race. He said that he will also like to do something in Steves honor and have a toast in Steve’s honor at the first race.

Of course with this quarantine, we can’t do much right now but, we will keep everyone posted as far as things go. We’ll keep you all updated!!

SST159 · 04-22-2020, 11:51 AM

RIP Marty!
I did not know him real well however I did speak to him many times at D1 races. One of the nicest people you could meet and at the same time one of the fiercest competitors you could go up against.
He will be missed!

Rich Biebel · 04-24-2020, 09:38 AM

Both great guys and racers.....
I'm very sorry we lost them....
RIP Marty and Steve....

John W. 1711 · 04-25-2020, 09:18 AM

Sorry I never met Mr. Martel. I knew Marty pretty well. Both drivers will be missed. It's a shame we have to lose our friends.

04-20-2020, 07:06 AM	#2
Robbie Welch Live Reporter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Golden Beach Maryland Posts: 1,233 Likes: 55 Liked 262 Times in 124 Posts	Re: D1 lost two great .90 racers yesterday So sorry to here this. I didn't know Steve but I spoke to Marty at every race. Thoughts and prayers to both families.

04-20-2020, 11:45 AM	#3
TBR151J Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bound Brook, NJ Posts: 27 Likes: 2 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: D1 lost two great .90 racers yesterday First time I ever raced a big car (my Nova) was in Pro (then Heavy) in Englishtown way back in 2000...lined up next to me first round was Marty and his orange Camaro. I'm .516 and off the number, he is .502, 2 over whomping me while smiling and giving me a quick wave at the stripe in a little "welcome to the big leagues kid" moment. Awesome guy and man that car was CLEAN! Ran Steve Martel in the semis at Cecil County August 2002. Remember he was stone cold serious in the lanes during the coin toss. Had a great race against him I was lucky enough to win, and one round later won the race. Came up to me in the Winner's Circle, got a slap on the back and a good job...class act and a super nice guy, but man he looked tough as nails, especially to a young 20 year old! RIP to two guys who were apart of some formidable moments of my racing career...awesome guys and great racers both. __________________ Updates on the Tax Bracket Racing Team

04-20-2020, 01:41 PM	#4
MR DERBY CITY VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Derby City, USA Posts: 3,562 Likes: 1,057 Liked 7,573 Times in 1,460 Posts	Re: D1 lost two great .90 racers yesterday GODSPEED, and prayers to their families.....hard to believe WE can’t even have a funeral to say our goodbyes.....

04-20-2020, 10:00 PM	#5
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,468 Likes: 873 Liked 838 Times in 232 Posts	Re: D1 lost two great .90 racers yesterday Hopefully ,sometime down the road when we're allowed to gather again , All the racers who knew Marty and Steve will be able to join together and remember them with a beer or two and tell all the stories that are to be told of races won or lost by them or against them . Rest in peace my friends , and enjoy a laugh or two when the stories are told. __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

04-21-2020, 08:17 AM	#6
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,184 Likes: 1,143 Liked 1,854 Times in 573 Posts	Re: D1 lost two great .90 racers yesterday Very sad indeed. I can say both were Friends. Many stories for another day. Condolences to the families __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2-1/2 X somebody Still many X nobody

04-20-2020, 04:35 AM	#1
BKSG1198 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 2,602 Likes: 94 Liked 1,252 Times in 383 Posts	D1 lost two great .90 racers yesterday It is my sad duty to report the Northeast and D1 lost two great .90 Racer yesterday. Martin “Marty” Ganjoin passed away at his house from natural causes on Saturday evening. Marty was a staple at Englishtown Raceway Park in the early years bracket racing before moving up to 10.90 racing. Even with a small tire car and only going 135mph+ Marty won numerous D1 Championships and the 2017 Mid Atlantic .90 Super Street Championship as well as being a Jegs All Star. Marty’s number #1 fan and wife Joanne Ganjoin passed away in January from Pancreatic Cancer. Please keep their two children Chris & Tracy in your through and prayers. While still coming to terms with that news I received a text that D1 Super Comp & Engine Builder Steve “Hammer” Martel passed away Sunday Morning while cutting wood. Steve was a multi time winner in D1 and the 2014 NHRA Keystone Nationals winner in the 8.90 category. Steve also ran a well known engine shop and did a Multitude of engines for drag racers in D1 as well as Oval Track racers. Please keep Steve family and friends in your thoughts today. I believe Johnny D is putting together a small tribute for them in which should be out shortly and I’m not sure when we get back to normal life if there will be a memorial service since funerals are not allowed as of right now. I will keep everyone posted as news becomes available! Sad Day to say the least here in Division 1! Attached Thumbnails

04-21-2020, 10:56 AM	#7
BKSG1198 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 2,602 Likes: 94 Liked 1,252 Times in 383 Posts	Re: D1 lost two great .90 racers yesterday I have spoken with Marty’s daughter Tracy over the past few days, most of the 10.90 and Mid Atlantic .90 Regulars knew her because she would come to hang out with her parents when they raced at Cecil County. She told me that when we get back to the track Her and Chris will be putting something together to honor both Marty & Joanne. I’m sure Tommy D or Chris D will make it a mission to get Marty’s car there to maybe make one last pass in his honor. I also spoke with Joe Cambria who was one of Steve’s close friends and they pretty much tagged along to every race. He said that he will also like to do something in Steves honor and have a toast in Steve’s honor at the first race. Of course with this quarantine, we can’t do much right now but, we will keep everyone posted as far as things go. We’ll keep you all updated!!

04-22-2020, 11:51 AM	#8
SST159 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 306 Likes: 5 Liked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Re: D1 lost two great .90 racers yesterday RIP Marty! I did not know him real well however I did speak to him many times at D1 races. One of the nicest people you could meet and at the same time one of the fiercest competitors you could go up against. He will be missed! __________________ Drew Wonderly SST 159

04-24-2020, 09:38 AM	#9
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,312 Likes: 25 Liked 543 Times in 212 Posts	Re: D1 lost two great .90 racers yesterday Both great guys and racers..... I'm very sorry we lost them.... RIP Marty and Steve.... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

04-25-2020, 09:18 AM	#10
John W. 1711 Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 221 Likes: 1,599 Liked 338 Times in 108 Posts	Re: D1 lost two great .90 racers yesterday Sorry I never met Mr. Martel. I knew Marty pretty well. Both drivers will be missed. It's a shame we have to lose our friends.