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Twice a Riverside Park modified champion (1963 & 1966), "Dangerous
Dan" Galullo was one of the brightest stars of United Stock Car
Racing Club. Along with the late Tony Mordino and Jap Membrino, he
was a charter member of the "Waterbury Gang" that invaded the West
Haven Speedway in the early 1950s to do battle with the track's
established stars, drivers like Billy Greco, Johnny "King" Cambino,
Bobby Black, and Tommy Sutcliffe.
While it may have seemed like simply a track promoter's hype, the
"cross-town rivalry" was very-real resulting in some of the most
intense competition ever witnessed at the small ballpark-turned
1/5-mile raceway. Having conquered West Haven, it was on to
Riverside Park in Agawam, Massachusetts, then the crown jewel of
United. Galullo scored a total of 20 modified feature victories at
Riverside, and simply dominated the Tuesday night sportsman
programs. Also included in his accomplishments is the 1962 United
Stock Car Racing Club Grand Championship, a feat he recorded by
winning at the many UNITED-sanctioned tracks that once dotted
Northeast. He was also a winner at the big Modified shows once held
on the big 5/8-miler on the grounds of the Springfield Exposition.
During his career he also notched features at Plainville Stadium,
Waterford Speedbowl, and Cherry Park in Avon, Connecticut among
others. He competed in at-least one documented NASCAR Grand National
(now know as the Sprint Cup Series) event at New Jersey's Old Bridge
Stadium in 1956. Following a serious heart-attack, Galullo retired
from driving while still in his prime. He passed-away in 1974, but
not before witnessing the racing accomplishments of his sons, Richie
and Danny Jr. |