past present future

Don Wagner. Nice guys finish last?

By Gene Ostrowski
June 2005

In 1992 Jeff Rex took the modified track championship at Evergreen (Mountain Speedway) without a single feature win. That’s not saying that Jeff never contested for the win. After all, he was hounded all season long by the division runner-up, “Mr. Outside”, Don Wagner.

It all began in ’89, when a 22-year-old veteran micro stock driver from Dover, NJ, going by the named of ‘Wagner’ added his name to the Evergreen street stock roster. Not very familiar to asphalt, Wagner’s goal for the season was to gain experience, and possibly pick up a win in his Bill Fitze owned #24 Labrador Motorsports mount. His hopes of success were in question, since he had to reckon with names such as Fey, Rodriguez, Madgna, Zajak and Gallucci.

Don started his rookie street stock season off at a steady pace, learning his car and the track. Along the way he picked up many top 10 finishes. Don’s most memorable street stock moment was his first and only win of the season in only his second start. Wagner had finally found success on asphalt. This single win propelled the team to consistent top 5 finishes, earning Don the runner-up position in the final point standings. Wagner was also named the 1989 street stock rookie of the year.

During the winter months Wagner was approached by Fitze, who asked Don if he would be interested in piloting a small block modified for the 1990 campaign. We all know the answer to this one, as Labrador Motorsports showed up to the track with a used, but fresh Troyer chassis on track tech day.

Wagner and the team were off to their modified venture in ’90. Even though it seemed the team was lacking in the horsepower department that year, Don’s previous open wheel experience, combined with his patient driving, earned the team many heat wins and top 5 feature finishes. Wagner would probably laugh if asked how much he likes finishing in third place, as the majority of his feature finishes were in the third position. Ironically, he would end the season third in points, not far behind the season champion, Russ Frantz. Don was also named Evergreen’s 1990 modified rookie of the year.

By the time 1991 rolled in, the team made the decision to gain experience at other facilities, such as Wall Stadium in NJ. Wagner did the majority of his racing there in ’91.

Armed with a new, paint scheme and chassis, Labrador Motorsports made the return to Evergreen in 1992 contending for the track championship. For many weeks Wagner held the point lead that season, but lady luck didn’t always shine on the team, as it seemed every week was ‘worst or first’. But, all his moves to first were impressive, with most of his passes made on the outside groove. Don’s competitors and the track announcer tagged him with the nickname ‘Mr. Outside’.

1992 was the season when Don picked up his first Evergreen modified victory, and followed it up with five more by the season’s end. Don's final of the 6 wins in '92 came in the final 'open comp' show (now known as the 'King of the Mountain'), where he started in 23rd position as the first alternate, due to a heat race crash and a failed steering rack in the consi race. He out raced Tony Siscone in the Dick Barney famed #14 for the win from that back row starting spot. In one of the closest modified point races at Mountain, Jeff Rex edged out Wagner for the championship by a mere 37 points.

Again in ’93, Wagner would wrap up the runner-up position in the season standings and also won the Sportsman award. He would continue the following season at Evergreen finishing fourth in points. With this driver’s success in asphalt racing, Don was offered a ride in the now defunct NASCAR Sportsman division late in ’94. At the time this elite division was very similar to today’s NASCAR Busch North Series.

1995 was a standout year for this young driver in the Sportsman division. Wagner had 14 starts, with one top 5 and eight top 10 finishes. Don’s most impressive statistic is the fact that the team did not have any DNF’s the entire season! Sadly, at the end of ’95, the NASCAR Sportsman division evaporated.


Following the extinction of the Sportsman division, Wagner moved back into the modified ranks the next few seasons, racing at tracks such as Evergreen, Mahoning Valley Speedway, Flemington Speedway and Orange County Speedway. In 1998 Wagner became his own car owner with a new number (#22) and Fitze power. Wagner also competed on occasion with the Whelen NASCAR modified tour.

During ’99 and ‘00 the team ran complete seasons on the half mile at Flemington Speedway, finishing 6th and 10th respectively in the standings. Unfortunately, Flemington Speedway was shut down at the end of 2000.

Back to Mountain Speedway (formerly Evergreen Raceway) in 2001 for a limited schedule, Wagner rattled off two wins and finished 10th in the final standings. He would better that feat in 2002 with a season record of four wins. Don finished a close third in the point’s chase, where Brian Defebo topped Shawn Carrig by a mere one tally.

Near the end of 2003, owner of the #41 NASCAR Busch North Series team, James Pritchard, approached Wagner about driving for him. Wagner accepted and the team ran two races with plans to run more in 2004.

In 2004, Wagner’s focus was on running a limited schedule in the NASCAR Busch North Series, but he did pilot his #22 modified often at Mahoning Valley Speedway. Late in the summer, Don broke the track record at the speedway for the fastest lap time in a modified. Don’s success continued throughout the season with his NASCAR efforts, as he finished a career-best 14th in the Busch North event at Waterford, CT.

If you ask any driver in the pit area, Don isn’t just taken as a great driver; he is a well-respected racer, who many call a terrific person. “If any one of us need parts or a hand, Don and his guys are always there”, said Paul Frantz, whose father Russ drove a modified at Mountain Speedway for many years.

Don credits much of his success in the modified ranks to his hard working crew: Matt Balliet, John Rackos, Barry Jones, Walt Miller, Dave Allen and D.J. Wagner. The fine sponsors for Labrador racing in ’05 are Bergelt Opticians, Balliet’s Country corner and Williams Auto Body.

Don is not only a driver, but also a crew chief. His son, D.J. has recently begun racing micro stocks, and Don, along with his wife Sharon, are always there to support D.J. 100% of the way.

The #41 James Pritchard Busch North team plans to run more NASCAR events this season. Wagner has also been competing at Mountain and Mahoning Speedways. Wagner may not be one of the names on Mountain Speedway’s modified champion list, but the ’05 season has just begun!

Who ever came up with the saying “nice guys finish last”?