Victor Cagnazzi's approach to building a successful NHRA Pro Stock drag racing team mirrors the same principles his business 'team' employed to drive $70+ million annually in sales at his family's New York City-based high-tech business - applying the right people, resources and technology to a clearly defined goal, then working hard to reach and exceed those goals.

After attending the New York Institute of Technology, Cagnazzi went to work for his father's Long Island, N.Y.-based business forms reselling business. His three brothers also came aboard. The four spent two decades together growing ISG into a successful computer infrastructure-and-software design and supply distribution company. One of ISG's most successful core products was its software/equipment interface for investment brokerage firms. Before it was sold to Dimension Data in 2001, ISG's annual revenue grew from $8 million in 1991 to $70+ million.

Along the way, Cagnazzi brothers Robert (President, CEO), Christopher (CFO), Stephen (Chief of Technology) and Victor (Chief of Sales) won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award; were named to KPMG and Hofstra University's Top 50 Independent Businesses on Long Island and Deloitte & Touche's Top 50 Technical Firms on Long Island; were awarded the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award; and were named as Cisco's Partners of the Year two consecutive years. The brothers also contributed to service organizations and charities, including the United Way, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, The Legal Aid Society, Molloy College, Dowling College and St. John's University. The family also endowed a scholarship at Long Island Colleges and Universities for students studying information systems management.

Cagnazzi, 47, a native of New York City, is an interesting blend of high-powered business executive and sportsman. Complementing his corporate achievements, Cagnazzi has always been a racer at heart. Cagnazzi spent much of his youth competing in amateur drag racing events around the region. As his business interests grew, so did his involvement in the sport.

In the early 1990s, Cagnazzi took steps towards a career as a professional drag racer and team owner. Since 1992, he worked his way up through several amateur and professional classes at the dragstrip, building a first-class team of engine, aerodynamic and chassis experts. His transition into the role of professional racer and team owner is almost complete.

Cagnazzi has now made the commitment to build the most competitive NHRA Pro Stock team possible, using the same business principles that brought him success at ISG - applying the best people, resources and technology to drag racing's extremely competitive environment.

Cagnazzi built a new headquarters for his racing team in Mooresville, N.C., a suburb of Charlotte, in 2003. The Charlotte area is the heart of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Cagnazzi is confident that locating the team in North Carolina will provide the proper team-support infrastructure and best central location for his team.

Cagnazzi and his wife, Brita, have made a personal commitment to this important step as well and have built a home in Mooresville. 

Business SnapShot.....

Victor Cagnazzi, owner of Cagnazzi Racing, has made a personal and professional commitment to building the most successful team of its kind in the extremely competitive NHRA POWERAde Stock Series.

The business model Cagnazzi is applying has already been forged elsewhere. The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series is dominated by leading multi-car teams such as Joe Gibbs Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Hendrick Motorsports, and Roush Racing. The key characteristics that create a winning culture for these teams and their sponsors are the same that Cagnazzi has committed to his team:

  Resources - Cagnazzi Racing will have every financial, personnel, technical and competitive resource it needs to win.

  People - The team has a core of talented engine builders, engineers and mechanics that represent the cream of the crop in the NHRA Pro Stock Series.

 Technology - Cagnazzi believes in the value of technology, when it is properly acquired, managed and applied. Cagnazzi Racing has made the commitment to having the people and resources to successfully apply technology to the task of going faster. For example, the team is breaking ground every day in the application of knowledge from the wind tunnel, CAD-CAM suspension and body design, and advanced data acquisition systems developed at Northrup Grumman. No other NHRA team - in any category - exploits and applies technology to the same extent as Cagnazzi Racing.

  Management - Owner Victor Cagnazzi and his brother, Christopher, represent the key management team of Cagnazzi Racing. Both speak the language of business, and they are committed to applying winning business principles to building Cagnazzi Racing into a winner on the race track.

  Partnership Attitude with Sponsors - Cagnazzi Racing's responsibilities to its sponsors extend far beyond the quarter-mile asphalt strip. The company's business model hinges on delivering successful, measurable results over the long term to its sponsor-partners. The company's commitment to its sponsors is that no other organization in professional motorsports will do more to help its sponsors succeed through their motorsports investment than will Cagnazzi Racing.

  Long-term Approach to Success - Cagnazzi Racing has taken the long-term approach to success, while demanding good results sooner rather than later. The company is committed to winning races and championships, but understands the commitment this requires. Any competitive endeavor has its ups and downs, and NHRA racing is the most competitive form of professional motorsports. Cagnazzi Racing has the resources, people, attitude and business plan for long-term success.

Contact Cagnazzi Racing E-mail: info@vjcr.com Phone: (704) 663-0846 
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