johnny pluchino
in the seat was changing.
That didn’t dampen Johnny’s desire to drive
and he got licensed in 2014 at Atco Dragway,
racing in a sportsman event just days later at
Englishtown. Johnny raced a few more IHRA Top
Sportsman events to stay busy, but because of the
2002 Cougar’s clutch set-up and 632 engine, that
class wasn’t the ultimate destination. Johnny’s
focus was still his father’s Pro Stock operation, but
his immediate opportunities were also becoming
more clear in Outlaw 632.
When John bought the Mustang before the
2016 PDRA season, he sold the Escort to Dominic
Addeo, who quickly mentioned the idea of having
Johnny convert it to the Outlaw 632 class, driving
it and make a serious run. Addeo’s help became
the only way possible for the Pluchinos to have a
two-car team and the car immediately became a
player last year, winning twice in Orlando and a
third time in Outlaw 632 at a Super Chevy race
at Palm Beach International Raceway.
“I really like this class and I kind of realized
I fit into it,” Johnny Pluchino said. “I love the
diversity of the class. There’s so many different
cars and combinations that can run the class,
and it’s good competition. It’s been a journey
that moves fast and we’re thankful for Dominic.
We wouldn’t have been able to fund two cars. But
we’re applying what we learned (in Pro Stock) to
this car and that gave us quick success.”
Johnny cracked the 4.30s at Lights Out and
then went an even quicker 4.33 in preparation
for the PDRA opener. The plan – at least for this
year – is to run between six to eight Outlaw 632
races, chasing his own PDRA championship,
while helping his father defend his PDRA Pro
Stock crown.
Of course, it’s not all rainbows and lollipops
in the pits between father and son, but both are
certain the moments they share together racing
can’t be replaced.
“It’s chaotic and we thrash and we butt heads,
but we hash it out and we’re good again,” Johnny
Pluchino said. “We’re like that because we both
love what we do and we’re both passionate about
doing well. He’s made me a better driver and he’s
prepared me in a lot of ways.”
Said John Pluchino: “It’s a great feeling hav-
ing your son with you. Having
him by your side, it’s absolutely
priceless. There’s no words to even
describe it. To see his excitement,
it’s just awesome.”
But to elicit the most excitement
out of the 26-year-old Pluchino,
just mention the prospect of some-
day driving his father’s Pro Stock
Mustang. There’s no “if,” but the
“when” is still to be determined.
John is still enjoying all that comes
with the challenges of the class and
as recent history has proven, he’s
still pretty darn good at it. But he
sees his son’s enthusiasm and gets
just as excited about the future
he sees in Johnny driving in Pro
Stock. As for his son, well, sitting
in that Pro Stock seat is the fulfill-
ment of his b