Dedication pays off!  The Number One Hot Street Story...

By Jason Reiss
Photography by Brian Carner

March 2002

Dedication can be measured in many ways.  It can be measured by numbers, achievements, or simply the appreciation of a loved one.  In this case, however, it is the dedication of two racers from Pennsylvania that we can chronicle.  Billy Laskowsky and Chris Beningo are a team that has seen both the lows of not even qualifying, and the highs of having two, yes, TWO, cars finish number one in an event.  The Hardcore50.com staff recently had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Billy and Chris.  Read on for their story.

Billy Laskowsky got his start in drag racing like so many of us, by watching Friday night grudge racing.  He bought his first wrecked 5.0 in 1992, and resurrected it.  He raced it sporadically at 75-80 Dragway in Maryland and also his home track of Maple Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania. Working at Dominick's Auto Body in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Billy had the time and experience to make his car one of the best looking it could possibly be.   In 1998, he decided to get serious about his racing program.  He bought Bob Hanlon's 1998 head and intake combination.  He was working alone, and struggling with his preparation.  Enter Mr. Beningo.   Chris learned of Billy's struggles from another local Mustang freak, a guy by the name of Jay Fitts

Chris Beningo attended his first drag race while still in high school, at Maple Grove Raceway.  He got very interested in the NHRA Stock and Super Stock classes, and as time progressed, found himself attending track events more and more.  Chris helped out friends when he could, and gained a lot of mechanical experience.  Chris noticed that a Top Alcohol racer looked a little short on help, and went over and introduced himself.  The result of that introduction was invaluable experience gained by helping said racer on the NHRA Division 1 circuit for close to 5 years.  This experience helped to prepare Chris for the journey he was about to take with Billy Laskowsky.

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