Frank Rio
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For seven decades, car owner Frank Rio has led a PA-based family dirt Modified team. His signature No. R-10 (a salute to the “Rio” name) has been a mainstay in Eastern PA and New Jersey.
In the 1980s, before embarking on a Hall of Fame Sprint Car career, Frank’s son-in-law Fred Rahmer drove the R-10 Modified to many victories at PA’s Grandview Speedway and Big Diamond Speedway.
Frank and his late brother Pete originally had the No. 39 Modified driven by George Sleight, Dick Havens, Stan Ploski, Leon Manchester, Budd Olsen, Ed Pratt, Dizzy Dean and Jackie Evans.
In the 1970s, the Rio Modified became the now-familiar No. R-10 that Frank fielded with Terry Ebersole, Jerry Verona and Jack McCabe at NJ’s East Windsor and Flemington; with its new driver Glen Fitzcharles winning features and titles.
In the years since, Frank and proud son Frank Jr. fielded the No. R-10 for drivers Howie Cronce, Frank Cozze, Dave Blaney (at Syracuse), Meme DeSantis, Ricky Elliott, Darren McCaughey and Wade Hendrickson. By the way, Frank Rio is now 96-years YOUNG!
In the 1980s, before embarking on a Hall of Fame Sprint Car career, Frank’s son-in-law Fred Rahmer drove the R-10 Modified to many victories at PA’s Grandview Speedway and Big Diamond Speedway.
Frank and his late brother Pete originally had the No. 39 Modified driven by George Sleight, Dick Havens, Stan Ploski, Leon Manchester, Budd Olsen, Ed Pratt, Dizzy Dean and Jackie Evans.
In the 1970s, the Rio Modified became the now-familiar No. R-10 that Frank fielded with Terry Ebersole, Jerry Verona and Jack McCabe at NJ’s East Windsor and Flemington; with its new driver Glen Fitzcharles winning features and titles.
In the years since, Frank and proud son Frank Jr. fielded the No. R-10 for drivers Howie Cronce, Frank Cozze, Dave Blaney (at Syracuse), Meme DeSantis, Ricky Elliott, Darren McCaughey and Wade Hendrickson. By the way, Frank Rio is now 96-years YOUNG!