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MIDGETS: Fornoro, Jr. to Miss RCA Dome in January

24 December 1998

STROUDSBURG, Pa - Nick Fornoro Jr. is recuperating from a soft tissue back injury and a small herniated disc suffered in a fall at a construction site in New Jersey Dec. 10.

Fornoro, the six-time ARDC CARQUEST Midget Series champion who finished third in the NAMARS midget series in 1998 in addition to running selected USAC midget events, is a union ironworker by trade. He is also considered by many to be the top candidate from the Eastern short-track scene who aspires to compete in the Indy Racing League.

Fornoro plans to be back racing soon, but he does expect to miss the annual RCA Dome indoor midget race in Indianapolis at the end of January. He is a past winner of that race, and he finished third in that event in 1998.

"If this had to happen, I'm really glad it happened during the off-season," Fornoro said. "I'm also glad that I don't need an operation; the doctors tell me this is just a case of a little rest and a little out-patient physical therapy. I'll be back home in a couple of days and back in a race car before you know it."

Ted Hollingsworth, promoter of the RCA Dome race, was very understanding and told Fornoro that he'll receive another invitation to this prestigious midget event in 2000.

Since Fornoro is expected to be discharged from St. Clare's Hospital in Denville, N.J., within days, get-well cards can be sent to him at home by writing to: R.R. 3, Box 3578, Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360-9247.