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Joseph Safina

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Safina
BornDecember 8, 1967
Brooklyn, New York, United States
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Racing driver, businessman, author
Years active1987–present
Notable work24 Hours of Daytona, Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series, IMSA GT, 12 Hours of Sebring

Joseph Safina (born December 8, 1967)[1] is an American race car driver. He competed in the 24 hours of Daytona, Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series, and IMSA GT.[2] He was the first to race a Lamborghini GTR at the 12 Hours of Sebring and drove the Florida Marlins sponsored Porsche in the 2009 IMSA SportsCar Championship.[3][4]

Early life

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Safina was born in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 17, he founded a telecommunications company, followed by a classic automobile restoration business. He later transitioned into equity trading.[5][6]

Career

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Racing career

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Safina began racing cars professionally in 1987 and is the head of Safina Racing. He has competed in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the 24 Hours of Daytona, finishing in the top ten five times.[7][8] Safina also placed third at Homestead in the GT class and achieved international podium finishes, including the 24 Hours of Dubai.[9] He first raced a Lamborghini GTR at Sebring and drove a Marlins-sponsored Porsche in the 2009 IMSA Championship.[10]

Investing career

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Safina began his investment banking career in 1987, joining Gruntal & Co. in 1988 as a Senior Vice President.[11] He left in 1993 to co-found Nichols, Safina, Lerner & Co. Inc. (NSL), where he served as CEO.[12] Under his leadership, NSL grew to about 200 employees and was involved in around a billion dollars in financing.[13] His work with NSL was featured in R.J. Shook's book The Winner's Circle II.[14] In 1997, he sold his interests in the company and became the CEO of Safina Asset Management, a private equity investment firm. He later became Vice Chairman of Trimedia Entertainment Group Inc. and CEO of Financial Carrier Services, Secured Health and Life, and Loud.com.[15]

In 2013, he sold Secured Health and Life to Health Insurance Innovations.[16]

Books

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Safina has written three books; Driven, Amici Del Lago, and Deal Mode and is a Forbes contributor.[17][18]

References

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  1. ^ "Joseph Safina: Racedriver biography - career and success". www.speedsport-magazine.com.
  2. ^ "Homestead-Miami: Justin Bell, Joseph Safina preview". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  3. ^ "Driven To Success - 2011 Ford F-450 4x4 King Ranch". Motor Trend.
  4. ^ "Unprecedented Nine Aston Martins for 24 Hours of Dubai: Anamera". www.finecars.cc.
  5. ^ "VICI Racing enters Lamborghini for Sebring". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  6. ^ "Rolex 24 at Daytona entries". The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
  7. ^ "Joseph Safina (USA) - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com.
  8. ^ Pankew, Dave. "Mob Mentality: Joseph Safina's 1964 Lincoln Continental". PASMAG - Performance Auto & Sound 20th Anniversary!.
  9. ^ "Joe Safina". www.ultimateracinghistory.com.
  10. ^ "Driver: Joe Safina - Driver Database". Driver Database.
  11. ^ "Universal Music Group invests in rap competition site". The Register.
  12. ^ "SG Blocks Announces Appointments to Board of Directors | SGBX Stock News". Stocktitan. 9 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Guns, Guts, and Glory". StreetInsider.
  14. ^ Harris, William (9 June 2021). "SG Blocks Appoints Joseph Safina and David Villarreal to Board of Directors". Citybiz.
  15. ^ "Universal Music Group invests in rap competition site". The Register.
  16. ^ Chennault, Sam. "We Major". Miami New Times.
  17. ^ "Review of Amici Del Lago - reviewer Hager Salem". OnlineBookClub.org. 7 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Time Is Right for Airbnb, DoorDash IPOs, Asset Manager Says". TheStreet.