In The Spotlight – John Studley
Like so many racers, John Studley was introduced to the sport as a young boy. But, his story has a few detours along the way. “I was exposed to it as a kid. My dad raced at Westboro, Norwood and Peabody and my oldest brother Arthur also raced at Westboro. But, I was just a kid of six or seven years old and was too young to work with my dad. I played hockey and football in high school and college and did not get back to racing until after college,” said the 46 year old Framingham, Massachusetts driver.
After college, all it took was attending a couple of races at Thompson and he found himself behind the wheel of a race car. “I was probably 25 or 26 years old and had seen the Pro 4 Modifieds at Thompson. My brother and I watched them at the World Series and he asked if I’d like to try my hand driving one. I had been playing hockey in the East Coast League for a while after college. But, we bought a car and pieced together an engine. We didn’t have much success early as we went through three engines. I raced a Pro 4 from 1997-1999 and then took a year off. I got to know the Savarys, George and Richard, and actually lived with Richard for a while before getting engaged. Richard introduced me to engine builder Paul Roach and we almost immediately began to have some success. Richard was the Pro 4 champion in 2002 and I won it in 2003. I ran a Pro 4 for six or seven years and won eleven races between 2001 and 2004. Those cars are so much fun to drive, he said. You barely burp them in the turns at Thompson. You’re off the gas for maybe a second. We then sold the Pro 4 and I drove a Pro Stock for about a half season at Seekonk,” he remembers.
Studley then took a break in his racing. He bought a house and was out of the driver’s seat until Gary and Brenda LaBreck approached him asking him to drive their Thompson Modified in 2008. The team “clicked” immediately and Studley became a serious contender in the Thompson Modified division. He remained in that division through the 2011 season. He collected two wins and a host of top five finishes along the way. During that same period, Studley married his long-time girl friend Lisa and they now have a two year old and another on the way. At the conclusion of the 2011 season, the Thompson Modified was sold.
When 2012 rolled around, the LaBrecks and Studley purchased an SK Lite Modified car that had been driven by Tommy Barrett, Jr. “I always wanted a Modified, said Studley. We got the car in July and went through it, made a few minor changes and brought it out in early August.” The team found victory lane in that year’s World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson. “It’s a really good car and is fun to drive. It would be nice to be able to move up in the Modified division, but we don’t have the funds,” Studley admits. “Our main objective is to win some races and have some fun.” Studley is quick to thank those who work with him and have made the car extremely competitive. “Our Crew Chief is Bobby Ulstrom. He maintains the car and the rest of us help out. My brother, Gary, Todd Henshaw, Ron Moscoffian, Neil “K” and I do all we can to help Bobby,” he says.
The sport of hockey has played a large role in the life of John Studley dating back to his high school years. He still plays a couple of time a week but gets a lot of satisfaction out of his coaching job with the Northeast Jumbos hockey team. “It’s a team made up of guys who have Autism. A friend runs the team and I kind of help out. It is pretty rewarding, let me tell you,” Studley says with pride. “I was coaching a high school team and getting paid a little for that but thought why not help out with this Autistic team. It is so much fun. The kids have something to look forward to on weekends. It is so rewarding to see these kids progress. As an example, one kid had a hard time skating backwards. I showed him the proper technique and watched him light up when he got it. That is so cool,” Studley says with a broad smile in his voice.
All in all, the racing sales consultant says that he is pretty happy with his life. He is easy going by nature and looks forward to going to the track and working on the car. He also looks forward to having fun with his wife and his two little ones. He expresses his thanks to his wife for allowing him to do what he loves to do.
Studley plans to continue to race as long as he can and as long as everyone is having fun. “I am sure my kids will get involved but I also recognize the responsibility of a dad and know my kids will require more time.”
John Studley gives freely of his time and talents to both his family and to the kids on his hockey team. He loves what he does both professionally and in every aspect of his life outside his daily job. The number 2 Lite Modified team is just that; a team. They arrive at the track every week ready to race and ready to offer a helping hand to fellow competitors if needed. Studley represents the sport with respect and with class and the sport is better because of people like John Studley.
Sources: Thompson Speedway