History of Venturini Motorsports

The Venturini name is synonymous with modern-day racing in America. The legacy was born over seven decades ago when Tony Venturini began racing stock cars in the 1950’s at historic Soldiers Field in Chicago, Illinois. Tony, considered one of the early pioneers of the sport, competed with legendary NASCAR drivers, such as ‘Tiger’ Tom Pistone and Freddy Lorenzen.

More than any other sport, automobile racing tends to breed generations of racers. Case in point, Bill Venturini, Sr., following in his father’s footsteps, dedicated his life to racing and took the family pastime to new levels. Bill’s competitiveness and passion for racing started in the 1970’s. With a dream and tireless dedication to succeed, Bill catapulted his career to the highest levels of stock-car racing.

As a former NASCAR driver and 2-time ARCA Racing Series Champion (1987, 1991 & 1983 ARCA Rookie of the year), Bill Sr. has cemented his place in motorsports history on and off the track. With countless individual racing accomplishments, Bill Sr. secures his place in racing history within the walls of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame located outside Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.

He also holds the all-time qualifying records at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway; he is also credited with forming the first ALL-female pit crew in professional motorsports. Far from a publicity stunt, the all-female pit crew led by his wife Cathy; played a major role in Bill’s first ARCA Championship in 1987.

Taking the reins from his father Bill, is his son Billy. Third-generation driver, Billy Venturini, jumped behind the wheel in 1994 competing in NASCAR and the ARCA Racing Series for over 10 years. With 162 career ARCA starts, Billy earned 28 Top-5 and 75 Top-10 finishes including a victory at historic Salem Speedway. Representing the NOW generation for Venturini Motorsports, Billy’s greatest accomplishment came in 2007 when he transformed the team’s image by shifting focus and developing one of the premier NASCAR Driver Development Programs in the country.

Venturini Motorsports is celebrating their 40th Anniversary in the ARCA Racing Series, thus making them the longest tenured team competing in the series’ illustrious 70-year history; an impressive feat accomplished by few in all of professional motorsports.

Furthermore, adding to the team’s legacy, Venturini Motorsports and Family celebrated 2012 with a stellar year of success highlighted by their induction into the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (NIASHF). This prestigious recognition is reserved for Italian American sports figures that have excelled while positively impacting and contributing to their respected sport at the highest level of competition.

The distinguished class of 2012 NIASHF inductees included Venturini Motorsports and the Venturini family as they were unanimously voted into the Hall of Fame by the NIASHF’s Nominating Committee. The NIASHF’s Nominating Committee is made up of former inductees, sports writers and members of the NIASHF’s Board of Directors.

The Venturini family members included on the list of sport figures honored at NIASHF’s induction ceremony include, the late, Tony Venturini, Bill Venturini, Cathy Venturini, Billy Venturini and Wendy Venturini for their collective contributions to the motorsports industry.