Special from Pavement Pounders | David Sink - February 26, 2025 – Inverness, Florida - For Joe Liguori he would like nothing more than to go back-to-back with a win in this weekend’s Children’s Dream Fund event at Citrus County Speedway in Inverness, Florida.
As the defending champion of the event, a win would go a long way in his quest to prove he is one of the best winged pavement sprint car drivers in the country. Despite his win in last year’s event, and his recent 2024 Must See Racing championship, Liguori doesn’t feel he has earned the respect of fellow drivers and team members. Liguori’s name doesn’t come to mind when there is talk of who might win one of the two nights of racing action this weekend.
“I don’t care so much for me as far as going unnoticed. It’s more for my team” explained Liguori. “For George (Rudolph) that was his biggest winged win last year in the Children’s Dream Fund 50 as a car owner. We won the biggest winged pavement race in the state of Florida, and nothing has been mentioned about the number 68 car, which is fine. I guess we’ll just fly under the radar and be the underdog again.
Liguori quicky indicated that going unnoticed gives him even more motivation for success in this year’s event.
“It gives us a little motivation. If we go there and knock out another win then maybe people will realize we’re not just a squirrel that found a nut.”
If nobody else believes in Ligouri outside of himself and his team it’s just as well. Liguori has enjoyed remarkable success during the past two seasons. He claimed his first indoor midget win at the Rumble in Ft. Wayne to close out the 2023 season. It was a win that had eluded him so many times prior.
Ligouri then proceeded to capture the 2024 Must See Racing championship and claimed another Rumble in Ft. Wayne indoor midget win to close out 2024, proving his first triumph was no fluke. If anybody believes in Joe Liguori right now, it’s Liguori himself.
The Tampa born driver who now calls Lebanon, Indiana home returns to his birth state this weekend. Twin 50 lap features each paying $10,000 will be on the line. He will have to face off against some of the best pavement sprint ca drivers in the country. This will be no easy task for Liguori.
“Realistically a podium finish both nights would really be good. Obviously, we wanna win both races but that’s gonna be pretty tough. The competition level is just as tough as last year. They’ve added Kody Swanson, Jimmy McCune, and Jeff Montgomery. Adding those three adds a little more perspective to it. We all put our helmet on the same way. It doesn’t bother me who’s gonna be there. I still gotta race them for the win” concluded Liguori.
The 2nd annual Children’s Dream Fund Weekend officially kicks off Thursday night February 27 with an open practice followed by two full nights of racing action Friday and Saturday. A special two-day ticket is being offered to fans for only $30.