Former longtime Stafford Motor Speedway (CT) official and one of the driving forces behind NEAR and The New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame, Danny Pardi, passed away unexpectedly Friday afternoon. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. They will be published here as soon as available.
Our prayers go out to his family and friends. I literally grew up at that track. Dan helped me get started in racing by coming up with his “Left and Right” racing division. And I believe he had something to do with the DARE stock division also. Although I no longer live up there, he and Stafford Speedway will always be remembered.
Calling hours for Danny Pardi will be on Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapels 30 Carter St, East Hartford, CT. Funeral services will be at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapels on Thursday at 11 AM.
Dan looked forward each year to Race-a-rama when he’d get the opportunity to come to West Springfield, Massachusetts for the show and to dine at the many great Italian restaurants in the Springfield area.
Dan loved to eat as anyone who knew him were well aware. Being of Italian ancestry his favorite was Italian food.
Being of Italian ancestry myself I knew all the great Italian restuarants and pastry shops in Springfield and when he came to town we’d hit them all. I dare say that each one of us would put on another ten pounds easily over that weekend.
I’ll never forget Dan and all the fun we’d have together. R.I.P., Dan.