One of the most recognisable Pro Stock cars during the 90s and 00s, the Polito Family’s Ford Probe has been in the family for three generations. Originally built by Jerry Bickel in 1989, Joe Polito successfully campaigned the Probe from 1990 through to 2004, culminating in two National Championships in ‘96 and ’97. At the peak of the car’s dominance, it was once the quickest and fastest aspirated small block in the land after a 7.71 pass at the ’97 Winternationals.
The car was purchased by Joe’s son, and current Pro Stock racer Tony, who ran it in a variety of classes, before Joe’s grandsons Nicholas and Joe Jr. took turns behind the wheel. Nicholas is eager to continue the family’s Pro Stock focus with a set goal of winning a Pro Stock Championship and will be the one to race the Probe in Nostalgia Pro Stock, paying homage to his family’s long Pro Stock pastime. Nicholas’s current personal best behind the wheel of the car is a 9.900 at 149MPH, a testament to the ongoing potential of the car and its place in the family legacy.
“Being able to race the same car my grandfather and father drove has been a surreal experience,” said Nicholas. “Competing in the Nostalgia Pro Stock class, which aims to honour the legacy of Australian Pro Stock cars and drivers, adds an entirely new layer of significance. While it’s not the modern Pro Stock we know today, it’s as close as it gets, and it’s an honour to be a part of this exciting new chapter in the sport.”
The Polito family’s journey is supported by several key sponsors, including Motorsports Parts & Services, Polito’s Automotive, LAT Racing Oils Australia, Woodpecker Premium Washed Potatoes, JTS Towing and ETS Racing Fuels, all of which help fuel the legacy of the iconic Ford Probe and its place in the Pro Stock world.
Story Courtesy of Drag News Australia
