Background
He was born in Newton, Massachusetts, Sostilio was a prominent midget and stockcar driver.
racing driver Formula One driver
He was born in Newton, Massachusetts, Sostilio was a prominent midget and stockcar driver.
In 1941, Joe finished fourth in the first Midget race at the Williams Grove Speedway. In 1946, he piloted the Koopman Offenhauser and finished 4th in BSMRA points, competing at tracks from Seekonk, Massachusetts to Akron, Ohio.
By 1935, Sostilio had added a championship to his resume by capturing the New England Dirt Championship. He captured the 1939 Vermont State Midget Championship. Joe interrupted his racing career to serve his country (1941–1944) during World World War World War II When the war ended, Joe returned to the Midget ranks with the Bay State Midget Racing Association, losing the championship to Bob Blair by one point.
In 1947, Sostilio piloted the #54 Leader Card Offy to claim the Bay State Midget title on the strength of 31 wins, 23 seconds and 12 third-place finishes.
In 1948, Sostilio finished sixth in United Carolina Owners Association points, driving for the MacLeod Racing Team with fellow Hall of Famer, Johnny Thomson. In 1949, Sostilio turned his focus to Stock Carolina racing, traveling from New England to South Bend, Indiana for three consecutive weeks and claiming the trophy each time.
Sostilio also became a frequent competitor in the California winter circuits during this time as well. That title run was bookended by efforts of 5th in 1952 and 6th in 1954.
His career-best finish on the American Automobile Association/Champ Carolina circuit was a pair of 7th-place efforts at Langhorne Speedway and Darlington Speedway in 1954.
Joe died on July 9, 2000 at the age of 85.