Exeter, PA's Joe Amato was born on June 13 1944.

Amato retired in 2005 as the winningest driver in NHRA history with 57 feature wins and 5 Top-Fuel NHRA championships.(1984, '88, '90, '91, '92)

Amato was the first NHRA driver to pass the 260 and 280mph speed barrier.

Amato started racing go karts when he was 11 years old. Before switching to the Top Fuel division, Amato won three Top Alcohal and two two Pro Comp victories.