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Chubby Ciarrocchi ... A True Friend of URC
By Cher Zimmerman
He is nationally known in sprint car racing, even though few know how to pronounce his last name, and even fewer know how to spell it. "Chubby", as he is affectionately labeled, is a name that has become synonymous with sprint car racing from coast to coast. Though he is involved in both 360 and 410 sprint car racing throughout the United States, Chubby has always had a soft spot for the eastern regional sprint car series of URC.
Chubby has become the proverbial "Santa Claus" of URC. One night, he sponsors the winner of the B main, the next night may be the first non-qualifier, the next night might be a $500 bonus to the driver who wins both a heat and the feature. Some nights, he will chose a team and purchase 4 new tires, other nights he will put his hand in his pocket and hand a racer a $100 bill.
Owner of the successful CnB Mushroom Farms in Avondale, Pa., Chubby has sponsored an incredible 86 different competitors. The very first driver he sponsored was Rick Ferkel, a young man who raced with a bunch of sprint car renegades back in 1975 that eventually became the World of Outlaws. "I watched him race at the Grove, " Chubby remembers, "and then I read in National Speed Sport News that this Ohio driver named Ferkel traveled all over the country to race and did it completely on his own. I just felt the need to help this fellow".
What many people do not know about Chubby is that he didn't like sprint cars at first and was a modified stock car fan. "The second car I sponsored was with Tom Hager," he added. " I really didn't like sprint cars all that much. Then, my wife Evelyn wanted to see a sprint car race at East Bay Raceway in Florida. She was hooked on sprint cars, and needless to say, I never saw another modified race again."
Racing is such an instrumental part of Chubby's life, and during one season, attended 106 races. Inside his outdoor shed hangs a sideboard from Bobby Allen's wing adorned with the letters CnB Mushroom Farms. One of his biggest highlights was sponsoring Jeff Shepherd when he won the Championship at the East Bay Nationals.
Chubby's first involvement with URC was with car owner Joe Harz, who won several titles with the help of CnB Mushroom Farms. "I liked URC right from the start," Chubby explained. "This group draws some of the most likeable personalities and it is run very professionally. Both the drivers and the owners of URC make me feel very appreciated."
So, why does Chubby sponsor so many teams? "Sometimes, " Chubby chuckled, "I'm not really sure why I enjoy giving my money away. I do not go to ballgames, or play golf, so this is what I do and I am glad to do it. I guess I just like helping people. I look for someone who is a good person who enjoys racing, but needs a little help along the way. Last season, I gave away 13 complete sets of tire for URC drivers."
Chubby spends time in Texas with sprint car standout Travis Rilet, sponsors several teams in the highly competitive Central, Pa. Sprint Series, and no less than 20 drivers around the country are wearing a CnB Mushroom driving suit. But, it is URC, a regional sprint series nearest his hometown of Avondale, Pa. where he spends his most time. "I think URC had a very successful 2012 season and I am happy to see so many new teams in the pits, and I am always talking with someone who is looking to break into URC in the future. I do believe URC this season was better than the last, and is going to get even stronger next season," Chubby concludes.
The United Racing Company owners are very grateful for the help Chubby lends to its race teams. "There is no doubt," Cher Zimmerman adds, "that Chubby's generosity helps drivers to continue racing on the Rislone Sprint Car Tour. It is always a good feeling when you can hand a competitor an extra cash filled envelope at the end of the evening thanks to CnB Mushroom Farms."
URC members joined together at Grandview Speedway this summer to congratulate Chubby on his induction into the 2012 United Racing Company Hall of Fame. His big smile illustrated his pride in his involvement in URC; and URC could not have a better confidant and supporter than Chubby Ciarrocchi.
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Saturday, June 1st (7 days away)
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Tow Money II
The history of the URC from 1978 - 2006
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