Dan started his racing career in 1968 when he was 15 at Atco Raceway. Dan's first race car was a '57 Chevy. He bracket raced with this car until the early 1970's. At that point he went into a partnership with a friend who had a '68 Camaro and continued bracket racing.

In the late 70's, Dan bought out the partner and campaigned the car in Modified Eliminator, then Super Gas from the class's inception. After a successful career in Super Gas, Dan sold the car at the end of 1991. The family took some time off from racing due to school, a move, and work demands.

Dan returned to drag racing in 2004 with a Top Alcohol Funny Car. With a push from the family, this was a life long dream realized. Dan earned his license in just six passes (the minimum required) and qualified at his second competition. He made his competitive debut with a perfect .000 reaction time. He finished his first year racing Top Alcohol Funny Car at #5 in NHRA's Northeast Division 1. Dan has consistently placed in the top 10 in the division his entire racing career.

The Pomponio Racing Team is truly a family affair. Dan and his wife's, Beth, first date was to a drag race. Now, the team includes son, Danny as crew chief, daughter, Maureen, son-in-law, Ted, and their two children. Dan's brother, John, has been part of the team since he was 10 years old. His son, Johnny, continues the family love of drag racing as a team member, also. Rounding out the team is long time friend and Super Gas racer, Pete "Lucky" Luciano, and his daughter, Leanne.

Dan has talked to kids at local high school's driver education classes for a safety program to stop illegal street racing. He and other area racers display the cars and try to impress on the students the dangers of street racing and the joys of drag racing.