Joe LaFlamme is a first-generation pest management professional, but he’s a second-generation racecar driver. The general manager of Troy, N.Y.-based Northeast Pest Control (NEPC) recalls how one of his favorite uncles, Hugh Johnston, would tell him stories about his stock car racing days in the 1950s. LaFlamme and his family also spent many Saturday nights in the stands, cheering for the drivers on the oval dirt track. It had been his dream to follow in Johnston’s footsteps.
On April 25, LaFlamme made his dream a reality. He took his Nick Stone-EMS fabricated Chevrolet SS onto the Lebanon Valley Speedway. The Northeast Pest Control/Northeast Home and Commercial Services #60 — the number was chosen as homage to Johnston — made its debut with LaFlamme as its driver. On the fourth turn, the car spun backward into a fence, but the only injuries were to the bumper (and LaFlamme’s pride). Both were fixed easily, and he returned to the race with an otherwise flawless performance.
“I needed that spinout, just to get it out of the way,” LaFlamme admits. “That was only my second time in the car; the first was at practice the week before.”
LaFlamme has a driving simulator in his basement for practice between weekend races. The Amateur Division offers cash prizes, but LaFlamme knows drivers spend more than they’ll ever make on the hobby.
Still, he’s happy to continue a family tradition and introduce it to his NEPC family.
“We have several employees who bring their families to the track to cheer on our team,” LaFlamme says, noting Northeast Home and Commercial Services is a division of NEPC. The extra brand exposure has been an effective marketing tool for NEPC, especially on social media.
Whether any of his staff will join the LaFlamme Motorsports team remains to be seen, but LaFlamme is optimistic: “I’m getting a few of them interested in it.”
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