Last Saturday, Joey Gada became the 8th different member of the Gada family to win at the Speedbowl, and the first since Joey’s father Dennis won the last 2 SK Modified races of his career in 2009. Just how far back does the Gada family go in Speedbowl history?
Well, when we interviewed Bob Gada for our Speedbowl documentary, he told us he first went to the track during the very first season back in 1951 and he’s been attending the races ever since. When asked how many Saturday events he’s missed, he couldn’t quite remember the exact amount, but estimated it’s only been around 20 or so. I’ve been going to the Speedbowl regularly since 1998, and I’ve probably already missed over 20 events along the way. Remarkable support of the facility for over 60 years by Bob.
On the track, it was Bob’s younger brother Chris, whose nickname was Wally, yet most of his family seem to call him by his middle name Pete… Anyway, Pete was the youngest of the Gada boys and in 1964 when they started fielding cars at the ‘bowl, he was the first to be behind the wheel. By the 1970’s Bob and the oldest brother Larry would also be driving as well in the old Daredevil division, that later morphed into the Sportsmen Sedans and then the Grand American late model division by the end of the decade. In 1972, all 3 brothers won in the same year. Although Pete Gada’s multiple names did confuse reporters back then. Instead of stating Larry, Bob and Chris won features during the year, it was listed as Pete, Chris and Wally! Bob Gada became the first Gada to earn a track championship in 1971 and won his second title in 1979.
By the late 1970’s, Bob’s two oldest sons – Michael and Bobby – began driving as well, by the mid-1980’s so did the younger boys Dave & Dennis. All 4 of them won in the Super Stock (late models) and Modified divisions during their careers. By the 1990’s, the second-generation of Gadas were still adding to the family’s legacy. Dave Gada won two SK Modified titles – the first in 1990 over his brother Dennis (who won Rookie of the Year) and the second in 1994 over his brother Mike. In 1994, Dennis, Dave & Michael all won SK Modified events, tying the feat the father & uncles did over 20 years earlier. In 1996, they did it again. Bobby Gada went tour racing, most prominently on the old Busch North Series. He scored his only career win on the series in 1992 at Riverside Park, earning the pole and leading all 100 laps on his way to the victory.
By the late 1990’s, Bobby had moved down south where he still lives today. Dave and Michael were competing part time, but Dennis Gada hooked up with car owner Harry Wyant and took over the reigns of the #3 SK Modified that Jimmy Broderick drove to back-to-back titles in 1995-1996. Dennis would win a record 5 straight titles and 37 features from 1999-2003, culminating in the NASCAR Northeast Regional title in 2003 as well. Then as driver/owner won two more titles in 2006 and 2008 to become the track’s first 7-time champion.
Around this time, Dennis’ son Joey and Dave’s son Adam began racing in the Legends Cars – graduates of quarter midgets just like their fathers. And now they both compete in the SK Modifieds. Adam came awfully close to a feature win last year, but it was Joey Gada who would be the first of the Gada’s 3rd generation to visit victory lane with a dominating win in last week’s feature. When the checkered flew, he had a straightaway lead over Ted Christopher.
The rest of the Gada family’s history has yet to be written, but if last Saturday’s event was any indication, it’s far from over.
Congrats Joey