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DELORENZO TAKES $9,500 WIN AT FONDA 9/25/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – In the biggest race of the year at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway, Matt DeLorenzo led the final 86 laps of the McDonald’s 100 to take home $9,500 for his efforts.

The event turned out to be a caution free race allowing DeLorenzo to pull away from the field to his third win of the 2011 season and the 31st of his career at Fonda in the final event of the 2011 season in the BBL Companies Teo car.

            “We protected our home turf tonight,” DeLorenzo said in victory lane. “This is the biggest win of my career.”

            Despite a questionable weather forecast during the week leading up to McDonald’s weekend 2011, the weather turned out to be sunny and bright with many extra activities at the track the entire weekend.

            On Saturday Jim Ellis of the Gloversville Leader Herald Newspaper presented the 2011 Most Popular Driver Awards in the different divisions with the winners being Bobby Varin (modified), Mark Mortensen (602 sportsman), Kenny Gates (pro stock), Cassidy Wilson (street stock), and Chuck Diamond (4-cylinder). Also on Saturday the Fonda Futures Kid’s Club had a bike giveaway and on Sunday the 2011 Miss Fonda Fair Queen’s were present to greet the drivers and give the command to start your engines at the start of the main event.

The Fair Queen’s that were on hand included Junior Princess Lillian Grace Lighthall, Princess Fonda Fair Alexandria Schermerhorn, Junior Miss Kelsey Gray, and Miss Fonda Fair Misty-Lynn Hilts along with the directors of the Miss Fonda Fair pageant Jackie & Jessica Lape.

During intermission Fonda Speedway starter Denny Tilison presented Brett Hearn with the checkered flag that he waved over Hearn when he captured his 800th career win which came at Fonda back on August 10.

            After a redraw settled the starting positions for the event, Ted Lamb and Saturday nights feature winner Jeff Trombley started on the front row of the modified feature with Trombley taking the lead at the drop of the green flag with A.J. Romano in tow.

Tim McCreadie started the event in the third position and after falling back early started moving back towards the front on lap three after getting by both DeLorenzo and Lamb to get back to his original starting spot.

By lap six Trombley had already built up a straightaway lead and was in lap traffic at that point while DeLorenzo made a three wide move down the middle of Romano and a lap car to take over the second position. On the inside of the backstretch on lap 15, DeLorenzo took over a lead that he would just keep building up and never looked back from that point on.

Romano and McCreadie were swapping the third position amongst each other on lap 24 at the same time that Stewart Friesen and Pat Ward were swapping the fifth position between each other with the top five at the lap 40 point in the race being DeLorenzo, Trombley, McCreadie, Friesen, and Ward.

At the halfway point DeLorenzo was lapping cars in the top 10 and without the benefit of a caution flag he just kept building up his lead to a half a track, getting through lap traffic with what seemed like ease. With 10 laps to go the race for the second position heated up as McCreadie, Friesen, and Brett Hearn all caught up to Trombley and made it a four car battle for the spot.

With five laps to go Friesen got by both McCreadie and Trombley to take over the second position while DeLorenzo went on to the win over Friesen, Trombley, McCreadie, and Hearn.

With his second place finish Friesen also captured the 2011 Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series Championship for the second year in a row.

“I had no idea how big of a lead I had but the long run definitely helped us,” DeLorenzo said. “The lap cars were brutal but the last 10 laps I just ran the bottom and protected the lead so that hopefully nobody would get by.”

“That was a heck of a race,” Friesen said afterwards. “A 100-lap event is no easy race here at Fonda especially when you have some fun the night before. The car was good at the end but I never really even knew where I was running. The Thunder Series is a great series with some great competition so it is great to win it for the second year in a row.”

“I went a little bit softer on tire than everybody else and burned them off so they were able to get by me,” Trombley said. “I ran as hard as I could and there was a lot of tough competition here today. John Grant has the motor running well and I got a message from Jack Johnson who told me to put the car away for next year and leave it alone.”

The 30-lap Best of Four Thunder on the Thruway Pro Stock Series event started with Rocky Warner leading after a redraw put him on the pole position for the event. Pete Broderson was the new second place car at the completion of lap one after starting fourth and with Warner running the inside groove on the track and Broderson the outside it made for an exciting race as they spent three laps side by side with Warner able to hang on to the lead each lap.

When the first of only two yellow flags flew in the event on lap seven, Warner was still the leader with Glenn Forward, Broderson, Kenny Gates, and Jim Normoyle the top five.

At the drop of the green flag on the restart it was a no start situation as there were cars out of line back in the field so the yellow flag was thrown. When that happened Warner slowed as he should do when the caution is thrown but other cars didn’t and piled into each other causing damage to some of the top cars including Forward, Walt Brownell, Normoyle, and Chuck Dumblewski. Most of the drivers were able to restart the event but had to go to the rear of the field.

On the restart Gates was the new second place car as Warner switched lanes to the top side while Gates challenged him for the lead on the bottom. The final caution of the event was out on lap eight and on the restart a new contender was in the hunt for the victory when Rob Yetman took over the second spot after getting by both Broderson and Gates.

On the outside of turn four on lap 10, Yetman took the lead away from Warner but the race was far from over as Yetman had both Warner and Gates to contend with for the remainder o the event. Gates moved into the second position on lap 14 after getting by Warner but the biggest mover of the race was Tom Denton who started in the 24th position and by lap 18 was in the top five.

Gates moved right up to the rear bumper of Yetman in lap traffic on lap 24 with Warner making it a three way battle over the last five laps for the lead. When the leaders raced up to the lap car of Rob Noviczski they had trouble getting by him making the last few laps even more interesting between the three drivers for the win.

At the drop of the checkered flag Yetman was the winner of the event in the Lazzaro’s Auto Body sponsored car followed by Gates, Warner, Broderson, and Denton.

The win for Yetman was his fifth of the 2011 season and the eighth of his career at Fonda.

With his third place finish Warner wrapped up the championship in the Best of Four Thunder on the Thruway Pro Stock Series.

“What a night,” Yetman said. “At the drop of the green flag I knew that we weren’t the best car as we were slipping and sliding all over the place but I still felt like I could stay with the leaders. It was a weird summer with all of the rain and flooding but it looks like things are back to normal now at Fonda.”

“I was trying to save the car to the end because 30-laps is a long race for us,” Thunder Series champion Warner said. “When Kenny Gates runs the outside you know that you have to go out there too and I tried that but it just wasn’t enough. I guess that you could say that we lost the battle but won the war by taking the Thunder Series title.”

Look for updates on the Fonda Speedway website www.fondaspeedway.com for announcements throughout the off season including an announcement on the 2011 awards banquet.

MCDONALD’S MODIFIED FEATURE – 100-LAPS – MATT DELORENZO, Stewart Friesen, Jeff Trombley, Tim McCreadie, Brett Hearn, A.J. Romano, Pat Ward, Ryan Odasz, Jim Davis, Ronnie Johnson, Alton Palmer, Bobby Varin, Ted Lamb, Craig Hanson, Josh Hohenforst, Marc Johnson, Elmo Reckner, Jeremy Wilder, Mike Mahaney, Ricky Quick, Erik Nelson, Mark Kislowski, Josh Flint, Danny Varin, Alan Barker, Alan Johnson, Tim Fuller, Billy Decker, Matt Sheppard

MCDONALD’S PRO STOCK FEATURE – 30-LAPS – ROB YETMAN, Kenny Gates, Rocky Warner, Pete Broderson, Tom Denton, Brett Beldon, Jason Herrington, Walt Brownell, Frank Twing, Dan Older, Chuck Dumblewski, Rob Noviczski, Franky Twing, D.T. Pickard, Bill Knapp, John Roese, Reuben Kennedy Jr., Jim Money, Glenn Forward, Jim Normoyle, Mylo Campbell, Kenny Martin Jr. (DNS), Ivan Joslin (DNS), Jim Grippin (DNS)

TROMBLEY TAKES BIG WIN AT FONDA 9/24/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Earlier this year after a long absence from victory lane, Jeff Trombley took a big win at the Fonda Speedway and followed that up on Saturday evening with another big win after a 40-lap $4,000 victory at the Track of Champions.

“The motor ran great, and the car went real good tonight,” Trombley said in victory lane. “We had motor problems the last time we raced and John Grant and my crew have been working real hard to get the motor and the car straightened out so this was a great win for us.”

The victory was the 34th of Trombley’s career at Fonda.

It was a great day of racing at the Track of Champions on Saturday of McDonald’s weekend 2011 with over 150 race cars in the pit area for all of the different divisions that were in competition.

Other winners on DeCrecente/Snapple Night at Fonda were Steve Poirier (Empire Super Sprints), Cassidy Wilson (street stock), Kerrie Hollenbeck (4-cylinder), and Aaron Jacobs (crate late models).

After a redraw to determine starting positions for the feature event, Trombley started on the outside pole with A.J. Romano alongside in an experimental Troyer car. At the drop of the green flag Trombley took off in the lead, leaving Romano and invader Tim McCreadie fighting for the second spot.

By lap six Trombley held a half straightaway lead and two laps later was in lap traffic making three wide moves on the track in order to keep the big lead he had built up. It took until lap 15 for the first caution flag to come out in the event and on the restart the top three of Trombley, Romano, and McCreadie stayed the same while 2011 modified track champion Ronnie Johnson and Matt DeLorenzo moved into the top five.

With only 10 laps to go the caution was out again for Romano who slowed in turn four while running second and was out of the event at that point. On the restart Trombley caught a glimpse of McCreadie who was the new second place car but didn’t loose his focus at that point.

“When I saw McCreadie under me on the restart I thought that he was going to give me a run on the bottom but my car was real good and I was able to hold on to the lead,” Trombley said.

Under the caution period all of the lap cars were sent to the rear of the field to leave the race wide open to the lead lap cars without any interference from the slower lap cars.

One final caution slowed the event on lap 31 but Trombley was up to the task and went on to the win over McCreadie, Johnson, Stewart Friesen, and Matt Sheppard.

“We have been racing in memory of my long time sponsor Frank Freihofer since his passing over a year ago and tonight I think that he was riding with us,” Trombley said. “When I came into the gate tonight and drew for my heat race starting position I thought that I was in trouble but it all worked out well for us.”

The 602 sportsman feature started with 2011 track champion Mark Mortensen and Brian Pessolano on the front row with Mortensen the early race leader. On a lap three restart Pessolano was the new race leader and stretched out his advantage over Mortensen to a comfortable margin a few laps later.

The top two cars of Pessolano and Mortensen were a half straightaway ahead of the third place car of Anthony Perrego by lap 10 in the 25-lap event. John Scarborough started the event in the 10th position and by lap 12 he was the new second place car after getting by Brian Gleason for position. At that point Scarborough was a half straightaway behind the top two of Pessolano and Mortensen.

Pessolano encountered lap traffic on lap 13 allowing Scarborough to close the gap and get up to Mortensen. On lap 18 Pessolano and Mortensen were side by side for the lead at the line to complete the lap but going into turn one Mortensen’s inside lane was blocked by a lap car allowing Pessolano to hold on to the top spot.

With only two laps to go Mortensen made a three wide move to the inside of both Pessolano and a lap car to take the lead and looked to be on the way to his fifth win of the 2011 season when the caution came out just as Mortensen was coming out of turn four on his way to the checkered flag.

The caution was for a car in turn four who spun out and came to a stop right in the middle of the turn which gave the second and third place cars of Brian Gleason and John Scarborough one last chance at the victory. On the restart Scarborough swept around the outside of both Gleason and Mortensen to take the lead and the win over Mortensen, Gleason, Ray Zemken, and Tim Hartman Jr.

For Scarborough it was his second win of the season and the seventh of his career in the division.

“This might be my last crate race here at Fonda,” Scarborough said in victory lane. “It looks like I will be moving up to the modifieds in 2012 which will be a big hurdle for us but it is time for us to make the move as I have outgrown the 602 crate division.”

The Empire Super Sprints ran their final point race of the 2011 racing season with the champion being crowned at the conclusion of the event. It all started with Jeff Cook the early race leader followed by Steve Poirier. On lap four Poirier was the new race leader with local favorite Jessica Zemken making her way to the front after starting 10th.

Zemken was third place car on lap 11 as Poirier was a straightaway ahead of Cook at that point in the event with the first of only two cautions coming out in the event on lap 12. Zemken was the new second place car on the restart and caught Poirier briefly when he was slowed by lap traffic but Poirier was the winner over Zemken, Cook, Bobby Varin, and Cory Sparks.

The win was even more special to Poirier as it came on his birthday!

“The car was super good tonight,” Poirier said. “We have been fast here at Fonda but accidents have taken us out of contention. Tonight we made some changes to the car at the last minute before the feature and it was fast.”

“Close but not close enough,” Zemken said of her second place finish. “The restarts were killing me as it took a couple of laps to get the car going. We didn’t need the cautions as we were definitely better on the long runs.”

“I should have stayed up on the top of the speedway,” Cook said after finishing third. “It is the best run that I have ever had at Fonda and points us in the right direction for next year.”

“I lost the handle on the car in the feature I think that I may have had a broken shock,” Chuck Hebing said after capturing his first career ESS point title. “Tonight was one of the worse nights that we had this year but the competition is tough and we were able to hang on.”

Randy Cosselman was the early race leader in the street stock feature until the second lap of the 20-lap event when Paul Mulrain took over the lead. Mulrain held on to the lead until lap six when 2011 track champion Cassidy Wilson took it over and he went on to his eighth win of the season and the 28th of his career over Mulrain, Frank Monroe, and Lou Cancari.

DECRESCENTE/SNAPPLE MODIFIED FEATURE – 40-LAPS – JEFF TROMBLEY, Tim McCreadie, Ronnie Johnson, Stewart Friesen, Matt Sheppard, Danny Varin, Ryan Odasz, Matt DeLorenzo, Brett Hearn, Danny Johnson, Jim Davis, Pat Ward, Bobby Varin, Billy Decker, Elmo Reckner, Darwin Greene, JaMike Sowle, Ricky Quick, Don Ronca, Josh Flint, Erik Nelson, Jeremy Wilder, A.J. Romano, Robert Perry, Josh Hohenforst, Craig Hanson, Tim Fuller, Mark Kislowski, Alan Barker

DECRESCENTE/SNAPPLE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – JOHN SCARBOROUGH, Mark Mortensen, Brian Gleason, Ray Zemken, Tim Hartman, Rocky Warner, Jeremy Pitts, Dave Constantino, Dan Santabarbara, JaMike Sowle, Jon Miller, Jason Herrington, Brian Pessolano, D.J. Brundige, Adam McAuliffe, Brian McGuire, Jim Bemiss, Chris Shaffer, Rick Lamont, Steve Akers, Cody Bleau, Anthony Perrego, Butch Wilcox, Mark Hughes, Troy Palmer, John Marsh Jr.

DECRESCENTE/SNAPPLE LUCAS OIL EMPIRE SUPER SPRINT FEATURE – 25-LAPS – STEVE PIORIER, Jessica Zemken, Jeff Cook, Bobby Varin, Cory Sparks, Kevin Ward Jr., Lance Yonge, Jason Barney, Alain Bergeron, Josh Pieniazek, Tommy Wickham, Shawn Donath, Chuck Hebing, Patrick Vigneault, Kory Gurney, Matt Tanner, Dave Wickham, Danny Ody, Russ Bennett, Paul Habeck, Mike Stelter, Dylan Swiernik, Brandan Warner (DNS)

JOHNSON CLAIMS ANOTHER WIN AT FONDA - 9/17/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – After a three week break for the Fonda Fair the Fonda Speedway staff worked night and day during the week to get the fairgrounds ready for racing action on Saturday after two floods occurred during that span of time.

At the completion of the caution filled 30-lap modified feature event 2011 Fonda Speedway Modified Track Champion Ronnie Johnson continued his season to remember as he won his sixth race of the season and the 21st of his career at the Track of Champions after a fierce battle with his car owner Alton Palmer.

            “Alton was giving it his all tonight as we were rubbing nerf bars down the backstretch side by side at 100 miles per hour,” Johnson said after the win. “It was great racing like that with him tonight and it was also nice to take the win in a car that he owns.”

            Other winners on Benjamin Moore Paints Night at Fonda included Ray Zemken (602 sportsman), Bill Knapp (pro stock), Paul Mulrain (street stock), Ben Righi (4-cylinder), and Jeff Rockefeller who won the Jack Memorial Dash for Cash for non winners in the 602 sportsman division.

            Nine caution flags slowed the modified feature with the first one coming out at the completion of lap one after Marc Johnson took the race lead at the drop of the green flag from his pole position start. Marc Johnson pulled away from the rest of the field on the restart as Palmer and Ronnie Johnson began their battle for the second position which Ronnie Johnson was able to take on lap three after a two lap side by side battle with Palmer.

            Marc Johnson pulled up on lap traffic by lap eight and when he got up to the two car duo of John Kollar and Justin Barber who were racing for position even though they were laps cars, the track was blocked in the inside lane that Marc Johnson was using allowing Ronnie Johnson to go around the outside of all three cars to take the lead.

            At the halfway point in the event Palmer was the new second place car after making his way by Marc Johnson and after a lap 12 restart Palmer was pressuring Ronnie Johnson for the lead in a battle that lasted several laps through several cautions and restarts.

            When Palmer lost an engine on lap 24 he slowed so quickly on the track that another car made contact forcing the final caution of the event on lap 24, putting Matt DeLorenzo on Ronnie Johnson’s rear bumper for the restart.

Ronnie Johnson pulled away on the restart and took the win in the Palmer’s Service Center #76A Teo car over DeLorenzo, Bobby Varin who started the event in the 14th position, Josh Hohenforst, and Ryan Odasz who started the event in the 10th position.

The win moved Ronnie Johnson into a three way tie for 14th place on the Fonda Speedway All Time Modified win list with Harry Peek and Dave Camara.

            “That felt like a marathon,” Johnson said after the win. “It must have been pretty wild back farther in the pack. Usually when I am leading the yellow flag seems to come out often but when you are looking for a caution you can never seem to get one. Every time that I would get into a rhythm the caution would come out and I would have to try and get it back.”

            The 602 sportsman feature was also an event plagued with caution flags with five of them coming out before two laps could be completed in the event. Through that period of time in the event John Scarborough was the race leader until a restart on lap two when Ray Zemken took over the race lead.

            Once Zemken took over the lead he took off along with Scarborough as the top two cars were a straightaway ahead of the third place car of Cody Bleau by lap eight. When Zemken encountered lap traffic on lap 13 it allowed Scarborough to close in as he applied pressure to Zemken over the last couple of laps but it wasn’t enough as Zemken went on to his first win of the season and the fifth of his career at Fonda.

            Scarborough, Bleau, Brian Gleason, and Dave Constantino completed the top five in the 20-lap event.

            Walt Brownell led the first 11 laps of the 20-lap pro stock feature after starting on the pole but when he slid high in turn three it allowed Utica Rome invader Bill Knapp to get by for the lead along with Jim Normoyle who also got by Brownell for the second spot.

            Knapp pulled away from the field from that point on to win his first career pro stock feature at Fonda by a straightaway over Normoyle, Brownell, Pete Broderson, and Kenny Gates.

            “We run at Utica Rome regularly but were here tonight getting ready for McDonald’s weekend,” Knapp said. “We come to Fonda occasionally but have never been right so it is great to get here to victory lane at Fonda where my uncle was a track champion in the late model division back in the 70’s.”

            Chuck McSpirit and Paul Mulrain were the only two leaders in the street stock feature event with Mulrain leading the most important one, the final lap to take his first career win in the division at Fonda. McSpirit, 2011 track champion Cassidy Wilson, John Young, and Dave Horning Sr. completed the top five in the event.

            Next weekend the final races of the 2011 racing season will be run at Fonda with the traditional McDonald’s weekend schedule of events.

            On Saturday September, 24 the Empire Super Sprints will crown their 2011 champion after the running of their feature event while the modified, 602 sportsman, street stock, 4-cylinder, and crate late models will also be in action with a starting time of 2:00 p.m.

            Then on Sunday the Thunder on the Thruway Series champions will be crowned in the modified and pro stock divisions as they will both be in action starting at 4:00 p.m. The modified event will be a 100-lap event paying $9,500 to the winner!

BENJAMIN MOORE PAINTS MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – RONNIE JOHNSON, Matt DeLorenzo, Bobby Varin, Josh Hohenforst, Ryan Odasz, Mark Kislowski, Chris Busta, Ancel Collins, Marc Johnson, Don Ronca, Ray Sitterly, Danny Varin, Alton Palmer, C.G. Morey, Craig Hanson, Josh Flint, Todd Ryan, Darwin Greene, John Kollar, A.J. Romano, Erik Nelson, Dave Lape, Justin Barber, Jim Davis, Todd Morey, Robert Perry, Jeff Trombley, Elmo Reckner

BENJAMIN MOORE PAINTS 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 20-LAPS – RAY ZEMKEN, John Scarborough, Cody Bleau, Brian Gleason, Dave Constantino, Mark Mortensen, Scot Straight, John Marsh Jr., Rocky Warner, Steve Akers, Jeff Rockefeller, Drew Fallis, Rob Langevin, Dan Santabarbara, Jason Greco, Carol Parker, Aaron Jacobs, Mike Ketchum, Craig Ritchie, Butch Wilcox, Andy Durie, Brittany Liggett, Chris Shaffer, Jon Miller, Josh Palmer, Justin Boehler

BENJAMIN MOORE PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – BILL KNAPP, Jim Normoyle, Walt Brownell, Pete Broderson, Kenny Gates, Rocky Warner, Glenn Forward, Dan Older, Rob Noviczski, Chuck Dumblewski, Jim Money, Jeff Piersall, Ivan Joslin, Mark Lighthall (DNS), Kenny Martin Jr. (DNS)

DeLORENZO WINS MODIFIED EVENT, ROCKY WARNER WINS BOTH 602 SPORTSMAN AND PRO STOCK EVENTS 8/20/11

By: Tom Coughlin

FONDA, NY – Matt DeLorenzo wasn't able to win last week when his sponsor BBL Construction was also the race sponsor, but he made up for it on Saturday when he smoked the field on W.M. Larned & Son, night.
Other winners on W.M. Larned night were Rocky Warner 602 Sportsman (his career first in the division at Fonda), Rocky Warner (Pro Stock as he pulled double duty in two divisions) Cassidy Wilson (street stock) and Cory Sparks (C.R.S.A. Sprints).
            It was also New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) Night at the Fonda Speedway with Chad King, Danny Varin, and Luke Munroe (wild card) taking home some extra cash in safety award money.
            Young gun JaMike Sowle and many time track champion Dave Lape were on the front row for the start of the 30 lap modified feature. Sowle shot to the front at the drop of the green flag with Lape and Matt DeLorenzo in hot pursuit. DeLorenzo shot to the inside of Lape and Sowle to take the lead at the lap two point in the event and opened up a big lead over the rest of the field while the others were tried to keep him in sight.
The yellow was out on lap six for a spin in turn four that involved Josh Hohenforst and Todd Ryan and on the restart the Rob Langevin wound up against the tire barrier in turn three ending his night early. When green flag racing resumed, DeLorenzo continued to lead with Lape, Elmo Reckner, Sowle and Mark Kislowski trying to reel him in.
Lap nine saw the 2011 modified track champion Ronnie Johnson move into the top five along with Danny Varin with the field getting bunched up again on lap thirteen when the caution was out again for Scott Duell, Josh Flint, and Josh Hohenforst who all came together in turn four.
On the restart the yellow was out again for Reckner who ended up against the tire barrier in turn three with heavy body damage to the car but he was able to return after a quick check in the pits. Lap sixteen saw another caution this time for the stopped car of Erik Mack who was sitting on the inside of turn one.
DeLorenzo hung on to the lead despite all of the caution flags that flew with the top five consisting of Sowle, Johnson, Kislowski, and Ryan Odasz late in the event. The last caution of the race came out on lap 27 for JaMike Sowle who came to a stop in turn one with a car that had been smoking for the previous two laps.
DeLorenzo was able to hold onto his lead on the restart and to the checkered flag with Ronnie Johnson, Ryan Odasz, Bobby Varin, and Danny Varin completing the top five.
Modified heat race winners were Odasz, A.J. Romano, Danny Varin, and Johnson.
Rocky Warner continued his winning ways, but this time it was in the 602 Sportsman division driving the Bob Jeffery owned #06.
Justin Boehler and Troy Palmer started the feature on the front row with Palmer taking the lead at the drop of the green flag. By lap two the order behind Palmer was changing as Ray Zemken was now second, Boehler third, Dave Constantino fourth, and Brian Gleason fifth.
Zemken slid in front of Palmer going through turn four on lap three to take the lead but lap six would see Zemken spin in turn four handing the lead back to Palmer. Boehler was ready to challenge Palmer at this point and on lap nine the two were side by side at the line for the race lead.
Boehler took the lead and was setting a fast pace, but at the same time Warner was moving through heavy traffic to the front. Lap fifteen saw Warner take the lead from Boehler as he went on to his first career win in the division at Fonda.
Boehler, Dave Constantino, Troy Palmer, and Cody Bleau completed the top five.
 
Heat race winners were Gleason, Zemken, and Palmer.
With a different car under him for the pro stock feature event, Rocky Warner was still able show everyone the fast way around the speedway.
Warner who started on the front row in the pro stock feature event would take the lead at the drop of the green flag with Chuck Dumblewski and Kenny Gates hot on his tail.
Lap 10 would see Gates go low to get around Warner for the lead but Warner was not about to give up that easy and continued to pressure Gates for the lead. On lap 15 Warner went to the high side of Gates as the two raced side by side for the lead for the next two laps before Warner was able to move ahead on lap eighteen for the lead.
Warner went on to the win over Gates, Pete Broderson, Dumblewski, and Ivan Joslin.
In victory lane Warner stated that he had already sold his championship winning pro stock in preparing for a move up to the 602 sportsman division in 2012.
2011 street stock track champion Cassidy Wilson took the lead on lap nine of the street stock feature and again showed everyone the fast way around the track to the checkered flag, taking his seventh win of the season.
The C.R.S.A. put on another great show for the fans during the Deborah Grisel Memorial Race. Chad King of Caroga Lake would start on the pole for the feature with J.R. Hurlburt along side. King set the pace at the start with Tyler Rice the new second place car on lap eight.
The field was brought back together on lap ten when the cars of Hurlburt and Jamie Christian came to a stop in turn two. King was the leader on the restart with Rice, Jeff VanSteenburg, Cory Sparks, and Danny Varin completing the top five.
Lap 12 would see Sparks move into the second spot behind King and on lap 13 Sparks took over the lead and stayed there to the finish. On lap nineteen the checkered flag was displayed and all competitors pulled into the infield in a show of respect to Deborah Grisel.
CRSA heat race winners were Rice, Danny Varin, and VanSteenburg.
W.M. Larned and Sons 30 Lap Modified feature - MATT DELORENZO, Ronnie Johnson, Ryan Odasz, Bobby Varin, Danny Varin, Darwin Greene, Marc Johnson, Alton Palmer, Josh Hohenforst, Mark Kislowski, Josh Flint, Craig Hanson, Elmo Reckner, Dave Lape, Todd Morey, Paul Cirincione, Matt Depew, C.G. Morey, Cass Bennett, JaMike Sowle, Justin Barber, Scott Duell, A.J. Romano, Robert Perry, Eric Mack, Todd Ryan, Rob Langevin, John Alberti (DNS)
W.M. Larned & Sons 602 Sportsman feature - ROCKY WARNER, Justin Boehler, Dave Constantino, Troy Palmer, Cody Bleau, Jeremy Pitts, Brian Pessolano, Brian Gleason, Robert Bublak, Jeremiah Munson, D.J. Brundige, Jeff Rockefeller, Brittany Liggett, Butch Wilcox, Steve Constantino, Carol Parker, Dan Santabarbara, Craig Ritchie, Fred Muhlberger, Chris Schaffer, Brian McGuire, Josh Palmer, Brad Sardelli, Dana Palombo, Bert Film, Ray Zemken, Jason Otty
W.M. Larned & Sons Pro Stock feature - ROCKY WARNER, Kenny Gates, Pete Broderson, Chuck Dumblewski, Ivan Joslin, Rob Noviczski, Walt Brownell, Dennis Joslin, Ronnie Richter, Bill Dona (DNS).
W.M. Larned & Sons C.R.S.A. Deborah Grisel Memorial feature - CORY SPARKS, Chad King, Danny Varin, Tyler Rice, Jeff VanSteenburg, Luke Munroe, Tommy Martocci, Josh Pieniazek, Tyler Charland, Brittany Tresch, John Matrafailo, Dan Henessey, John Cunningham, Brett Jaycox, Warren Alexson, Craig Rochelle, Phil Peworchik Jr., John Virgilio, Joey Allen, Jeff Taylor, Matt Tanner, Emily Vanlnwegan, J.R. Hurlburt, Jamie Christian, Jeff Fraiser, Mark Zemcik.

NIGHT OF FEATURES VICTORIES AT FONDA GO TO DANNY VARIN AND RONNIE JOHNSON – 8/13/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Fifteen years ago when Ric Lucia took over the reigns as the promoter of the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway he started something new and different to add excitement to the formula as to how the track champions were determined called the Night of Features. That format meant double features for the top three divisions bringing added pressure to the drivers but excitement to the fans.

            That format continued in 2011 with Danny Varin (modified), Mark Mortensen (602 sportsman), Rocky Warner (pro stock), and Dave Horning Sr. (street stock) winning the first feature events in their respective divisions while Ken Hollenbeck was the winner of the 4-cylinder feature event.

            Taking the 2011 track championships in their respective divisions were Ronnie Johnson (modified), Mark Mortensen (602 sportsman), Rocky Warner (pro stock), Cassidy Wilson (street stock), and Ben Righi (4-cylinders).

            The evening’s racing program sponsored by BBL Companies started off with a vintage flyover while Mimi Lazzaro sang the National Anthem.  

            The first 33-lap modified feature event was led at the drop of the green flag by Josh Hohenforst who started on the front row in the pole position. On lap two Ronnie Johnson who was going for his first ever track championship went in between A.J. Romano who was on the inside of him and defending track champion Bobby Varin who was on the outside of them.

            When the hole closed up Johnson got squeezed with contact made to both sides of his car but all were able to continue on in the event. The first yellow was out on lap seven for Darwin Greene who came to a stop in turn two and on the restart Johnson tried another bonsai move down the middle of Matt DeLorenzo and Jim Davis for the sixth position.

The yellow came out again shortly afterwards for Greene again, making the move for naught as the yellow flag came out to put the field back to their positions before the green flag flew as no laps were completed. On the next restart Bobby Varin went three wide around the outside of four cars going into turn four with the caution out again to take away the positions he just gained as no laps were completed.  Johnson and Bobby Varin were trying everything they could to gain positions to the front as going into the event Bobby Varin only held a one point lead over Johnson towards the 2011 point championship.

            Mark Kislowski started the event on the outside pole and followed Hohenforst until lap eight when he was able to take the lead on the outside of turn two. On lap nine another Varin, Bobby’s son Danny got by both Alton Palmer and Hohenforst into the second position and was right on Kislowski’s rear bumper by lap 14.

Danny Varin drove a great race, using the inside groove around the track to get to the front and continued to use that line around the track as the laps clicked off. Kislowski was able to get along side Danny Varin for the lead on lap 19 at the same time that Ryan Odasz and Matt DeLorenzo were side by side for the third position but both Danny Varin and Odasz were able to hold their positions at that point.

Kislowski got one more shot at Danny Varin on lap 26 after the final caution of the event came out but Danny Varin was up to the task and held on to take the win followed by Kislowski, DeLorenzo, Odasz, and Ronnie Johnson.

“I had a real good race going with Kislowski and to be honest with you the car wasn’t that good,” Danny Varin said after doing a donut in turn four. “The car stuck real good when I was doing the 360 degree spin to celebrate my win but not when we were racing.”

The win for Danny Varin came in the Magsarus Ignitions #93 and was his second of the 2011 season.     

            An inversion of 10 for the second modified feature event put Jeremy Wilder and Jim Davis on the front row with Davis taking the early lead. Johnson and Bobby Varin started the event in the sixth and third positions respectively as they battled for the 2011 track championship with Johnson only a few points ahead at the start of the event.

            The caution was out at the completion of lap one and on the restart the outside line got a great restart with Davis maintaining the lead and Johnson now second. On the outside at the line to complete lap three Johnson was the new race leader and by lap seven he was a straightaway ahead of his nearest competitor.

            “I knew that fifth place wasn’t going to cut it with a driver the caliber of Bobby Varin chasing me for the title,” Johnson said. “My father always had a plan to race to win and the points would take care of themselves and tonight that is what we did.”

Johnson encountered lap traffic on lap nine and used any moves that he could low, medium, high, or in between to get by those cars and maintain his lead. At the halfway point Johnson was almost a half straightaway ahead of the second place car of his nearest competitor for the track title Bobby Varin and Danny Varin who had made his way up to the third position after starting 10th.

            At the drop of the checkered flag Johnson was the winner followed in the top five by Bobby and Danny Varin, Davis, and Elmo Reckner.

            For Johnson it was fifth win of the 2011 season.

            Johnson drove the Palmer’s Service Center #2 to victory lane with a chant of “here we go Ronnie here we go” coming from the grandstand and when he got out of the race car he was joined in victory lane by his legendary father Jack Johnson with a huge ovation coming from the fans in the grandstands at that point.

            “This means everything to me,” Johnson said of the point title as he celebrated his win in victory lane. “As a kid growing up I dreamt of being Jack Johnson but I never dreamed that I could get a feature win let alone a track championship here at Fonda.”

            Johnson also had a little story to tell in victory lane.

            “There is a story behind this car that I didn’t want to tell until this was all over,” he said. “After my father’s accident Alton and Carole bought a new car for him to use the following year which sat for awhile but earlier this year they decided to put a new body on it in my colors. This car is the last 12A that was ever built and I said that we were going to make the 12A proud and we were able to do that.”

            With Ronnie’s championship he joined his father Jack Johnson as the only father and son to ever win a modified track championship in the history of the Track of Champions. Jack is an 11 time track champion in 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, & 1996.    

            “Ronnie takes racing very seriously and has done a helluva job all year long,” the legendary Jack Johnson said. “Tonight I just told him to race to win.”

            The first of two features in the 602 sportsman division began with Korey Wilder the early race leader followed by Craig Boehler. By the lap nine point in the event Wilder held a straightway lead over Boehler with current point leader Mark Mortensen in the third position after starting eighth.

            When Boehler slid up high on the backstretch on lap 12, Mortensen was able to slip by on the inside for the second position with the caution coming out at that point when Boehler slowed on the track. On the restart Mortensen got by Wilder for the lead and used an unfamiliar line on the track for him the inside groove to get to the front and take the lead.

            Mortensen went on to his fourth win of the season in the Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In of Scotia sponsored #1M and was followed by Wilder, Ray Zemken, John Scarborough, and Justin Auspelmyer.

            An inversion of nine for the second feature event put Doug Flynn and Adam McAuliffe on the front row with Flynn taking the early lead in the event. The yellow flag flew on lap four when Brittany Liggett spun coming out of turn four and under caution Mortensen was forced to the pit area with a blown out center section of his right rear wheel. The wheel/tire was changed and he was able to rejoin the rear of the 27 car field.

            Flynn maintained the lead on the restart with McAuliffe and Robert Bublak racing hard for the second position allowing Flynn to pull away which he was able to do until the final yellow flag of the event came out on lap 14 in the 20-lap event to close up the field.

            Flynn maintained the lead to the checkered flag to his first career win over Bublak, Scarborough, McAuliffe, and Cody Bleau.

            The first pro stock feature event began with Bill Smith leading lap one until Kim Duell took over the point on lap two. Rocky Warner was the new fifth place car at the completion of lap one after going three wide to get by Dean Charbonneau and Dennis Joslin for the spot.

            Warner got up to the second position by lap four and one lap later he was pressuring Duell for the lead. Coming out of turn four to complete lap six Warner was the new race leader and from that point on he drove the top side of the speedway to his sixth win of the season over Pete Broderson, Kim Duell, Kenny Gates, and Rob Yetman.

            “That was a tough race but the win sure feels good,” Warner said in victory lane. “We came into tonight going for our first track championship and taking nothing for granted. I was nervous all week long but tonight we came to do what we had to do.”

            Sheldon Martin led at the start of the second pro stock feature event but when lap one was completed Ivan Joslin was the new race leader. Rob Yetman started the event in the fifth position and by lap 11 he was in the second spot pressuring Joslin for the lead. On lap 12 Joslin and Yetman were side by side for the lead with Joslin able to hold on to the lead at that point.

            When Yetman’s progress on the outside groove was slowed by the car of Randy Brownell who was going into the pit area off of turn three, it blocked Yetman’s line and placed him back to the fifth spot allowing Joslin to pull away for his first win of the season over Warner, Broderson, Kenny Martin, and Charbonneau.

            “The car wouldn’t refire after going over the scales so we had to get pushed here to victory lane,” Joslin said. “We started the season out good but struggled mid season and tonight we wouldn’t have even been here so I have to thank Don Warner who allowed us to borrow a motor in order for us to compete here tonight.”

            Dave Horning Sr. took the lead on lap four of the first 10-lap street stock feature event and went on to his second win of the season over Cassidy Wilson, Rob VanAernam, Randy Cosselman, and McSpirit.

            In the second street stock feature event Wilson took the lead on lap seven and went on to his sixth win of the season over McSpirit, VanAernam, Randy Cosselman, and A.J. Walters.

            At the completion of the racing events the 2011 track champions celebrated in victory lane with promoter Ric Lucia joining in the celebration.

            “This feels great,” Johnson said of his first modified title. “It was great to have my father and the family here to celebrate with me. I had butterflies all week because competing against Bobby Varin is no easy task but we were able to do it. My crew went through the car with a fine tooth comb and it actually sat the last two weeks before we brought it out tonight. My father said to race the race and the points will come so that is what we did tonight.”

            “This is great it is what we come here for every week,” Mortensen said about his first ever track championship at Fonda. “The track championship is not only great for me and my family but also for the sponsors who support us all year long and for my crew as well as they all worked very hard for us to get here.”

BBL COMPANIES MODIFIED B-MAIN EVENT #1 – 8-LAPS – 5 CARS MOVE ON TO THE FIRST FEATURE EVENT – DAVE LAPE, Paul Cirincione, JaMike Sowle, Pep Corradi, Todd Morey

BBL COMPANIES MODIFIED B-MAIN EVENT #2 – Dustin Delaney, Rob Langevin, Matt Depew, Scott Duell, C.G. Morey

BBL COMPANIES 602 SPORTSMAN B-MAIN #1 – 8-LAPS – 5 CARS MOVE ON TO THE FIRST FEATURE EVENT – Dave Constantino, Doug Flynn, D.J. Brundige, Chris McCoy, Troy Palmer

BBL COMPANIES 602 SPORTSMAN B-MAIN #2 – Dan Santabarbara, Harry Shaffer, Brittany Liggett, Brian Pessolano, Carol Parker

BBL COMPANIES MODIFIED FEATURE #1 – 33-LAPS – DANNY VARIN, Mark Kislowski, Matt DeLorenzo, Ryan Odasz, Ronnie Johnson, Elmo Reckner, Alton Palmer, Bobby Varin, Jim Davis, Jeremy Wilder, Jeff Trombley, Darwin Greene, A.J. Romano, Josh Hohenforst, Pep Corradi, Paul Cirincione, C.G. Morey, Matt Depew, Dave Lape, Scott Duell, Todd Morey, Rob Langevin, Dustin Delaney, Craig Hanson, JaMike Sowle

BBL COMPANIES MODIFIED FEATURE #2 – 33-LAPS – RONNIE JOHNSON, Bobby Varin, Danny Varin, Jim Davis, Elmo Reckner, Jeremy Wilder Ryan Odasz, Alton Palmer, Matt DeLorenzo, Mark Kislowski, A.J. Romano, Darwin Greene, C.G. Morey, Dustin Delaney, Todd Morey, Craig Hanson, Paul Cirincione, Pep Corradi, Erik Mack, Josh Flint, JaMike Sowle, Matt Depew, Scott Duell, Ken McGuire, Jeff Trombley, Josh Hohenforst, Dave Lape, Rob Langevin

BBL COMPANIES 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE #1 – 20-LAPS – MARK MORTENSEN, Korey Wilder, Ray Zemken, John Scarborough, Justin Auspelmyer, Dave Constantino, Robert Bublak, Adam McAuliffe, Doug Flynn, Cody Bleau, Steve Akers, Drew Fallis, D.J. Brundige, Harry Shaffer, Brittany Liggett, Brian Pessolano, Troy Palmer, Carol Parker, Chris McCoy, Jeremiah Munson, Butch Wilcox, Brian Gleason, John McAuliffe, Dan Santabarbara, Jeremy Pitts, Justin Boehler, Ricky Quick

BBL COMPANIES 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE #2 – 20-LAPS – DOUG FLYNN, Robert Bublak, John Scarborough, Adam McAuliffe, Cody Bleau, Dave Constantino, Justin Auspelmyer, Ray Zemken, Steve Akers, Korey Wilder, D.J. Brundige, Troy Palmer, Brian Pessolano, Drew Fallis, Ricky Quick, Mark Mortensen, Jeremiah Munson, Brian Gleason, Harry Shaffer, Dan Santabarbara, Jeremy Pitts, Carol Parker, Butch Wilcox, Chris McCoy, Josh Palmer, John McAuliffe, Brittany Liggett, Justin Boehler

BBL COMPANIES PRO STOCK FEATURE #1 – 15-LAPS – ROCKY WARNER, Pete Broderson, Kim Duell, Kenny Gates, Rob Yetman, Kenny Martin Jr., Dean Charbonneau, Ivan Joslin, Sheldon Martin, Denis Joslin, Chuck Dumblewski, David Emigh, Glenn Forward, Randy Brownell, Harley Sheppard, Bill Smith, Rob Noviczski, Walt Brownell

BBL COMPANIES PRO STOCK FEATURE #2 – 15-LAPS – IVAN JOSLIN, Rocky Warner, Pete Broderson, Kenny Martin Jr., Dean Charbonneau, Kim Duell, Kenny Gates, Chuck Dumblewski, Dennis Joslin, Sheldon Martin, Walt Brownell, David Emigh, Glenn Forward, Bill Smith, Rob Yetman, Randy Brownell, Harley Sheppard, Rob Noviczski (DNS)

BBL COMPANIES STREET STOCK FEATURE #1 – 10-LAPS – DAVE HORNING SR., Cassidy Wilson, Rob VanAernam, Randy Cosselman, Chuck McSpirit, Neil Cosselman, Greg Havlichek, Don Warner, A.J. Walters, Leo Brady, Gus Hollner, Robbie Veronese, Malcum Warner

BBL COMPANIES STREET STOCK FEATURE #2 – 10-LAPS – CASSIDY WILSON, Chuck McSpirit, Rob VanAernam, Randy Cosselman, A.J. Walters, Robbie Veronese, Gus Hollner, Greg Havlichek, Malcum Warner, Leo Brady, Neil Cosselman, Dave Horning Sr.

 


HEARN HAS 800th VICTORY AT THE TRACK OF CHAMPIONS - 8/10/11

 For Fonda Speedway
 
FONDA - Fonda Speedway and Brett Hearn have both been apart of several historic events over the years.On Wednesday, Aug. 10 the Track of Champions and The Jet came together to put another page in the Northeast modified history books.The 52-year-old modified pilot out of Sussex, N.J. pulled off a last-turn pass over Alton Palmer to win the 30-lap, $3,000-to-win held over modified feature to record career victory 799.
 
Hearn did not stand on the 800-win threshold very long as he returned to the historic half-mile later in the race program. Hearn took the lead from early-race leader Stewart Friesen on lap 35 and held off a late-race charge from Matt DeLorenzo to win the 60-lap, $6,000-to-win Thunder on the Thruway Series event and put his 800th career victory in the books.
 
“We thought we could get one here tonight and then to get two is incredible,” Hearn said after his second victory of the night. “We were looking at getting 800 on Friday or Saturday, so I think I just spoiled a lot of peoples’ fun. We have had some good luck here. There was a time where we would come here and practically own the place. Then some things changed. There is a lot of history here and I am happy to be a part of it.”After a strong run in his qualifier, Hearn drew the fifth spot in the 28-car starting grid for the 60-lap feature.
 
Stewart Friesen moved from his starting spot on the outside of the front row to lead Tim Fuller and Hearn, but was kept close to the pack as the caution flew for Ronnie Johnson, who slowed in turn one with a flat tire. Johnson went pit side and returned to the action at the back of the pack. Friesen opted to restart on the outside and again took command of the race, leaving Fuller, Hearn and Billy Decker to battle for second.

Defending Fonda Speedway track champion Bobby Varin joined the top five on lap three and immediately went to work on getting past Decker.Varin’s run slowed slightly when the leaders began encountering lapped traffic on lap nine. Hearn took advantage of a break in the traffic on lap 16 to dive under Fuller entering turn one to take over second behind Friesen.A caution on lap 18 tightened the field; bring Hearn up to Friesen’s back bumper, but placing the lapped car of Mike Mahaney beside Friesen. Mahaney beat Friesen on the start, unlapping himself. Friesen could not find a quick way around Mahaney, who was fast enough to stay ahead of the leaders.

Meanwhile, Hearn was feeling pressure from Decker for the runner-up spot, as the race h it the halfway point, with Friesen, Hearn, Decker, Pat Ward and Matt DeLorenzo comprising the top five.After showing his nose under Friesen in turn one on a couple of occasions, Hearn made the move stick on lap 35 topull off the pass on the low side exiting turn two to take the lead.Friesen had to go on the defensive as Decker and DeLorenzo caught up to him. DeLorenzo secured third from Decker on lap 45 and settled into second behind Hearn with 11 laps remaining.

DeLorenzo closed the gap on the leader as they made their way through lapped traffic, but ran out of time as the checkers fell over Hearn’s hood for the milestone win.“The lapped cars kind of screwed me up because they were running on the bottom and the top,“ DeLorenzo said. “I thought I was a lot faster when I hit it right going through three and four. A few times, I hit it really good and gained a lot on him [Hearn]. Then I was rolling through the top side [turns one and two] and it seemed like he was pulling me off of two, which is where he was getting me but I was getting him through three and four. Starting 16th like that and trying to get by a few guys, I burned up my tires a little bit and was getting a little freer toward the end. If you start inside the top 10, you can save the tires a little bit. I have nothing to complain about. I think we put on a good show for everybody and I had fun.”Friesen held off Decker for third, with Ward hitting the line fifth.
 
Ronnie Johnson recovered from his first-lap flat to finish sixth, followed by Bobby Varin, Ryan Odasz, Fuller and Danny Varin.“The only close call we had was when he [Friesen] came down from the top to the bottom and I didn’t really expect him to do that and clipped me in the right front,” Hearn said. “It came close to spinning us out. The second time it was just good, hard racing when we touched, but the first one was unexpected.” 
 
Hearn’s run to victory 799 started from the 16th starting spot and on a fresh track with only warm-ups on it.  A.J. Romano and Matt Sheppard brought the 28-car field of modifieds to the green for the 30-lap modified feature held over from June 8.Romano turned back challenges from Sheppard and Josh Hohenforst in the opening laps before Sheppard took the lead on a lap nine restart.  Palmer and Hearn split around Romano to take over second and third respectively on a lap 16 restart with Palmer gaining the lead with nine laps remaining.  Hearn moved past Sheppard on lap 24 and closed on Palmer. With the two-lap signal in the air, Hearn had reduced Palmer’s lead to three car lengths. Hearn made a strong move heading into turn one that built the momentum he needed through turns three and four to set up a drag race to the finish. Palmer and Hearn touched as they raced toward the checkers, with Hearn getting the nod by a wheel over Palmer. 
 
“It was so slippery that the harder you try to run the slower you go sometimes,”  Hearn said. “I was just trying to get the thing to roll around the top to get momentum. I got good momentum on the white flag lap and was able to run higher in one and two, which enabled us to run a little bit harder into three. He pinned me up against the wall but I stayed in it and was able to carry the momentum off the corner.”  DeLorenzo hit the line third with Ronnie Johnson fourth and Sheppard fifth. Ward, Danny Varin, Romano, Bobby Varin and Friesen complete the top 10.
 
On the undercard, Mark Mortensen picked up his third win of the season in the 25-lap, 602 Limited Sportsman feature.  Starting from the pole in the 25-car feature, John Scarborough set the early pace over Robert Bublak with Mortensen moving from sixth to third.  The field went under the yellow on lap 12 when Justin Boehler made contact with the first turn wall. Boehler went to the pits to make repairs and returned to the action.  Mortensen settled into second behind Scarborough on the restart, with Rocky Warner picking his way into third.  Mortensen made a bid for the lead on lap 19 and pulled off the crossover move to take the point. Warner also got past Scarborough with four laps remaining but could not cut into Mortensen’s lead by the finish.  Ray Zemken got past Scarborough for third with Bublak taking home fifth.  Dave Constantino, Jeremiah Munson, Korey Wilder, Drew Fallis and Steve Akers round out the top 10.  Racing resumes Saturday night at Fonda Speedway with the Night of Features after which the 2011 track champions for all divisions will be crowned.

MODIFIED FEATURE (postponed from 6/8) (30 laps) — BRETT HEARN, Alton Palmer,

Matt DeLorenzo, Ronnie Johnson, Matt Sheppard, Pat Ward, Danny Varin, A.J.

Romano, Booby Varin, Stewart Friesen, Jeff Trombley, Billy Decker, Jim Davis,

Ryan Odasz, Darwin Greene, Marc Johnson, Elmo Reckner, Mark Kislowski, Dustin

Delaney, Scott Duell, Erik Nelson, Matt Depew, Josh Hohenforst, Dale Planck,

Larry Wight, Craig Hanson, Chuck Allen, Dave Lape.

602 SPORTSMAN (25 laps): MARK MORTENSEN, Rocky Warner, Ray Zemken, John

Scarborough, Robert Bublak, Dave Constantino, Jeremiah Munson, Korey Wilder,

Drew Fallis, Steve Akers, Cody Bleau, Adam McAuliffe, Jeremy Pitts, Doug Flynn,

Butch Wilcox, D.J. Brundage, Jeff Rockefeller, Craig Ritchie, Carol Parker, Kyle

Hoffman, Chris McCoy, Jon Miller, Justin Boehler, Matt Johnson, Brian Gleason.

 

THUNDER SERIES MODIFIED FEATURE (60 laps): BRETT HEARN, Matt DeLorenzo, Stewart

Friesen, Billy Decker, Pat Ward, Ronnie Johnon, Bobby Varin, Ryan Odasz, Tim

Fuller, Danny Varin, Elmo Reckner, Matt Sheppard, Marc Johnson, Dustin Delaney,

Rob Langevin, Dale Planck, Mike Mahaney, Mark Kislowski, Jim Davis, Erik Nelson,

Scott Duell, Josh Hohenforst, Alton Palmer, Jeff Trombley, Craig Hanson, JaMike

Sowle, Larry Wight, Dave Lape.

 


ODASZ RETURNS TO VICTORY LANE AT FONDA- 7/30/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Early in the evening on Saturday at the Fonda Speedway Ryan Odasz won his qualifying heat race event and an extra $100 from the night’s sponsor Palmer’s Service Center and the Keyser Family in honor of Michael Keyser.
Later on in the evening things got even bigger and better for Odasz as he went on to win his first modified feature of the 2011 season and the 11th of his career at the Track of Champions in the Adirondack Motorsports #24 Teo car collecting $2200 for his efforts.
            “That took my breath away,” Odasz said. “That was a tough race but the win means a lot to us the new father to be said as he and his wife Elizabeth are expecting their first child.”
            Other winners on Palmer’s Service Center/Keyser Family Night included Justin Auspelmyer (who won the first of his career in the 602 sportsman division), Pete Broderson (pro stock), Cassidy Wilson (street stock), and Kerrie Hollenback (4-cylinder).
            The evening’s racing card was sponsored by Palmer’s Service Center (Alton & Carole Palmer) and the Keyser Family (Ed & June) who also run the Fonda Futures Kid’s Club at the track.
An autograph session was held prior to the night’s racing activities with Palmer’s Service Center drivers Alton Palmer, Ronnie Johnson, Mark Kislowski, John Constantino, and Kenny Gates all signing autographs on the midway near the grandstand. The Keyser Family also handed out an extra $100 to the modified heat race winners with Odasz, Johnson, and Robert Perry winning the extra cash.                   
            Rob Langevin started the 30-lap modified feature event on the outside of the front row and took the early lead at the drop of the green flag with Craig Hanson in tow. The caution was out at the completion of lap one for Robert Perry who slowed on the backstretch and on the restart Langevin held on to the lead with Ryan Odasz the new third place car after starting 10th.
            Langevin had a straightaway lead built up on lap four which was all taken away as the caution flag flew again for Darwin Green who was in the wall in turn one. On this restart Hanson took over the lead as he slid in front of Langevin with a slide job pass coming out of turn four with slight contact made as the pass was completed. Fortunately Langevin was able to straighten out his car and maintain the second position over Odasz.
            For the next few laps Odasz and Ronnie Johnson swapped the third position back and forth four times before Johnson took the position over for good on lap nine with the top four cars of Hanson, Langevin, Johnson, and Odasz now a straightaway ahead of Dustin Delaney who was in the fifth spot.
            The final caution of the event came out on lap 11 just as the battle for the second position between Langevin, Johnson, and Odasz started to heat up. On the restart Odasz took over the second position from Langevin with Johnson also getting by for the third spot.
            A close call for the leader came on lap 20 when the lap car of Ron George decided to take his car into the pit area off of turn three, crossing right in front of the leader but luckily no contact was made between the two cars. Hanson had another close call two laps later when he brushed the wall in turn one but he was able to continue on and hold on to the lead.
            “Craig was running such a pace at that point and when he hit the wall I almost got into him as he came off of it,” Odasz said.
            The turning point in the event for Odasz came at that point as Johnson ducked under him and showed him the nose of his car and that was when Odasz decided that it was time to go.
            “At that point after seeing Ronnie under me I knew that if I had anything left that it was time to use it and get to the front,” Odasz said.
            With five laps to go Odasz got a run off of turn four on the bottom of the speedway to take the lead as the lap was completed with Johnson also getting by Hanson for the second position at that point.
Despite lap traffic on the final lap, Odasz went on to a very exciting and popular win over Johnson, Matt DeLorenzo who started 17th on the grid, Hanson, and Langevin.
“When RJ (Ronnie Johnson) got by me early on I thought that I blew it right there,” Odasz said. “But David (Towns) always told me that you live by running the top of the speedway or die by it and tonight I lived by it.”
            The 20-lap 602 sportsman feature began with Dan Santabarbara and Doug Flynn of the front row with Santabarbara taking the lead from the inside row. Flynn maintained the second position until lap four when he decided that it was time for him to lead a few laps and took the lead from Santabarbara on the backstretch.
            Auspelmyer started the event in the fourth position and started moving up in the field on lap five after getting by Santabarbara for the second position. One lap later Auspelmyer was the new race leader with Jeremiah Munson the new second place car after he also was able to get by Flynn.
            The yellow flag flew for the first time in the event at the halfway point after Korey Wilder hit the wall in turn one and on the single file restart defending track champion John Scarborough moved into the third position with current point leader Mark Mortensen ducking under Cody Bleau for the fourth spot after Bleau tagged the wall in turn one but was able to continue.
            One more caution flag slowed the field with only three laps remaining when Santabarbara and Brian Gleason were involved in a spin on the frontstretch but on he restart Auspelmyer pulled away to his first career win in the 602 sportsman division over Scarborough who got by Munson on the final lap for second, Munson, Mortensen, and Bleau.
            “This is awesome,” Auspelmyer said in victory lane. “After the last caution I thought that someone would get by me but the car was fast tonight and we were able to stay out front.”
            Randy Brownell led at the drop of Dennis Tillison’s green flag in the 20-lap pro stock feature with Pete Broderson and Rocky Warner in tow. The yellow flag was out early on lap three and again on the restart but after two tries the race continued on.
Under the yellow flag point leader Rocky Warner slowed in turn three and drove into the pit area. He would come back out on to the track several laps down later on in the event.
Broderson took the lead away from Brownell on lap four with Rob Yetman slicing between Kim Duell and Brownell for the second position on lap five with Kenny Gates also passing the same two cars for the third spot.
With Broderson out to a straightaway lead the race was now for the second position between Yetman and Gates with Gates getting the best of Yetman with a pass for the spot on lap eight after Yetman slid high in turns three and four.
Broderson maintained the lead to the checkered flag to take his first win of the season and the third of his career in the Lazzaro’s Auto Body sponsored car over Gates, Yetman, Ivan Joslin, and Randy Brownell.
“This is awesome,” Broderson said in victory lane. “We have been struggling all year but finally got here to victory lane. Once the green flag dropped and the car was good in and out of turn two on the first lap I knew that I had a good car tonight.”
The street stock feature event was expanded to 15-laps from its usual 12-lap distance with Chuck McSpirit leading at the start. Gus Hollner was the new second place car on lap two with defending track champion Rob VanAernam third after starting 11th. VanAernam was the new second place car one lap later with Cassidy Wilson now third after both were able to work their way past Hollner for position.
McSpirit and VanAernam were side by side for the lead for three laps with McSpirit able to hang on to it at the line to complete lap seven. On lap eight Wilson decided that it was his turn to lead the event and went in between both McSpirit and VanAernam to take a lead that he would hold to the checkered flag despite two more caution flags late in the event.
VanAernam, Randy Cosselman, McSpirit, and last week’s winner Neil Cosselman completed the top five.
Racing action continues at the Fonda Speedway on Saturday August, 6 with a regular show in all divisions. Also on the racing card will be the 10th Annual Jack Lockhart Dash for Cash for non winners in the 602 sportsman division who are currently in the top 25 in points as of July 30.
More information about the Track of Champions can be found by going to their website www.fondaspeedway.com
PALMER’S SERVICE CENTER/KEYSER FAMILY MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – RYAN ODASZ, Ronnie Johnson, Matt DeLorenzo, Craig Hanson, Rob Langevin, Jeff Trombley, Bobby Varin, Mark Kislowski, Jim Davis, Elmo Reckner, Danny Varin, Josh Hohenforst, Dustin Delaney, Marc Johnson, Pep Corradi, Jeremy Wilder, Dave Lape, Ken McGuire, Josh Flint, Vinny Sanganetti, JaMike Sowle, A.J. Romano, Ron George, Paul Cirincione, Darwin Greene, Chuck Allen, Robert Perry, Alton Palmer, Matt Depew
PALMER’S SERVICE CENTER/KEYSER FAMILY 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 20-LAPS – JUSTIN AUSPELMYER, John Scarborough, Jeremiah Munson, Mark Mortensen, Cody Bleau, Dave Constantino, Ricky Quick, Tony Farone, Adam McAuliffe, Doug Flynn, Robert Bublak, Jeremy Pitts, Steve Akers, Justin Boehler, John McAuliffe, Jack Gentile, D.J. Brundige, Brian Pessolano, Brittany Liggett, Jeff Rockefeller, Chris McCoy, Greg Pessolano, Brian Gleason, Josh Palmer, Dan Santabarbara, Derrick McGrew, Korey Wilder, Harry Shaffer
PALMER’S SERVICE CENTER/KEYSER FAMILY PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – PETE BRODERSON, Kenny Gates, Rob Yetman, Ivan Joslin, Randy Brownell, Kim Duell, Dean Charbonneau, Bill Smith, Chuck Dumblewski, Ken Hartschorn, Dennis Joslin, David Emigh, Rocky Warner, Harley Sheppard
PALMER’S SERVICE CENTER/KEYSER FAMILY STREET STOCK FEATURE – 15-LAPS – CASSIDY WILSON, Rob VanAernam, Randy Cosselman, Chuck McSpirit, Neil Cosselman, Greg Havlichek, Leo Brady, Robbie Veronese, Cliff Haslun, Malcum Warner, Dave Horning Sr.


Owens Debuts New Car in Second Straight Fonda- 7/27/11

LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL Win Wednesday Night

 FONDA, NY (July 27, 2011)- Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN debuted a new Bloomquist Race Car as he captured the $10,000 to win Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event on Wednesday Night at Fonda Speedway. Owens took the lead on lap ten from Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN and then went on to dominate most of the race. John Blankenship of Williamson, WV had his second straight series runner-up finish, followed by Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL; Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN; and Jared Landers of Batesville, AR.

"I can't thank the crew enough, we took last weekend off to get this car ready, we have worked day and night and it sure paid off! I really like this track, to come here two years in a row and win is just fantastic, there are a lot of fans who don't get to see us race much. The car was good right from the start, once we got by Scott, I knew it would be tough for him to get back by us," said the 39-year-old Owens, who regained the Lucas Oil Championship Points lead by five points over Bloomquist.

Bloomquist led the first nine laps of the race, until Owens, who had fallen back to third early on regained his momentum and blasted by Bloomquist on lap ten for the race lead. Bloomquist was unable to challenge Owens even as they battled with lapped traffic on the fast track. Owens was able to move all over the track and sailed through traffic, steadily building himself an increasing large lead over Bloomquist.

"They reworked the top before the feature, and it helped a lot, it was a little bumpy out there, but the car was just so fast and really pretty racy. I just felt good the entire race, I saw Blankenship pull up beside under caution there at the end, those guys are running real well, and it's just a matter of time before they get a win!" said Owens who's win was his fourth with the LOLMDS in 2011.

Bloomquist, who came into the race with a 60-point lead over Owens, was running second on lap 44 when his left rear wheel came off as he exited turn four. Bloomquist went spinning down the front stretch and came to a stop as several drivers avoided hitting him. Bloomquist went pit side for a new tire, he then came back out and finished in ninth.

"I have to thank Mike Reece, my car owner, Reece Monument Company, Gantte Appraisals, Red Line Oil, Ohlins, Hoosier Tire South and Cornett Racing Engines," said Owens. He recorded the 25th win of his series career, and celebrated the milestone in victory lane with his son, Nathan at his side.

Blankenship equaled the best finish of his LOLMDS career with a second in the XCoal Resources, Cornett Racing Engines, Rocket Chassis.   Blankenship was also the PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race after starting 13th. Pearson was third in the Bobby Labonte Racing, Lucas Oil Products, Longhorn Dodge. O'Neal came home fourth in the Magnaflow Exhaust, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, MasterSbilt Chevrolet.
Landers, who continues to the lead the Quarter Master Rookie of the Year chase, placed a solid fifth in the Lance Landers, Crawford Supply, Rocket Chevrolet.

Completing the top ten were: Steve Francis of Ashland, KY; Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC; Dale Planck of Cortland, NY; Bloomquist; and Bub McCool of Vicksburg, MS.

In preliminary action Jimmy Owens was the Red Buck Cigars Fast Qualifier among the 28 entrants. Heat race winners were Bloomquist, McCool, Owens, and Billy Decker. The B-mains went to D.J. Myers and Jim Bernheisel.

Coming up on Thursday Night, July 28th, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will continue their Northeast Tour with a visit to Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY for a $10,000 to win event.
 
For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log onto www.lucasdirt.com or call the series' office at (951) - 532-2503.
 
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Race Summary

Wednesday Night, July 27th, 2011

Fonda Speedway - Fonda, NY

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time:

Scott Bloomquist / 18.557 seconds (Group A)

Jimmy Owens / 18.367 seconds (Group B and Overall)

Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Steve Francis, Dale Planck, John Blankenship, DJ Myers, Brent Rhebergen, Dale Caswell

Wiles Driveshafts Second Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Bub McCool, Frank Heckenast Jr., Dylan Yoder, Earl Pearson Jr., Aaron Jacobs, David Zona, Bodie Bellinger-DNS

Sweet Manufacturing Third Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Jimmy Owens, Tyler Reddick, Ray Cook, Jared Landers, Jim Bernheisel, Larry Wight, Alan Fink

HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (10 Laps- Top 4 Advance): Billy Decker, Eric Wells, Don O'Neal, Daniel Stone, Brad Neat, Jon Rohacevich, Carey Terrance
 
JRi Shocks First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): DJ Myers, David Zona, Brent Rhebergen, Dale Caswell, Aaron Jacobs, Bodie Bellinger-DNS

Wrisco Aluminum Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Advance): Jim Bernheisel, Brad Neat, Larry Wight, Alan Fink, Jon Rohacevich, Carey Terrance-DNS

OWENS AND VARIN RACE TO VICTORY LANE - 7/27/11

By JAMES A. ELLIS
The Leader-Herald

FONDA — When the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series made its inaugural visit to Fonda Speedway in 2010, Jimmy Owens found the track to his liking as he rallied to pick up the victory.
Wednesday night, the Newport, Tenn. driver again found his way to Victory Lane at the Track of Champions. Only this time he debuted a new car and led 40 of the A-main’s 50 laps to claim his fourth series victory of the season.
“I really like this track,” Owens said. “To come here two years in a row and win is just fantastic,. There are a lot of fans who don’t get to see us race much. The car was good right from the start, once we got by Scott [Bloomquist], I knew it would be tough for him to get back by us.”
Owens was not the only driver to have success in a new car Wednesday night.
Defending Fonda Speedway modified track champion Bobby Varin christened a new Bicknell chassis with a trip to Victory Lane by capturing the $5,000-to-win, 50-lap Thunder on the Thruway series main event Wednesday.
“The car is completely brand new and we can’t complain a bit,” Varin said. “We finished it about 3 o’clock this morning.”
Billy Decker and Jimmy Davis brought the field of 25 modifieds to the green flag with Decker breaking out on top.
By the fifth lap, Decker had built a full straightaway advantage over Davis and Matt Sheppard Varin quickly pulled up on the front runners from his seventh starting spot and pulled went 3-wide between turns one and two to move into the runner-up spot on lap seven.
Decker’s straightaway advantage disappeared on lap 10 when A.J. Romano mount stopped on the track, bringing out the first caution of the night.
Decker opted to restart from the outside, a move that proved beneficial to Varin.
“The high side was where it was at,” Varin said. “I just got a good acceleration. This car had good forward traction and took off up the middle of the race track. I was able to slide up in front of him. I knew that would probably be our best bet to get the lead. I had to take his line away. He hadn’t been running the bottom and did not know what was down there. We just started beating feet from there.”
Varin used a stretch of 20 green flag laps to build a comfortable lead over Pat Ward who overtook Decker for second on lap 22.
Ward got a break he needed to reel in Varin when the caution flew on lap 30 when Danny Varin, who was running fourth, broke and came to a stop on the outside of turn two.
Varin was up to the challenge from Ward on the restart and again pulled off to a comfortable margin as the race went the final 20 laps under the green.
Ward finished second with Ronnie Johnson, Matt Sheppard and Brett Hearn completing the top five. Matt DeLorenzo, who started 21st, got up for sixth. Ryan Odasz, Stewart Friesen, Decker and Josh Hohenforst complete the top 10.
Owens set the fastest time in qualifying with an 18.367 second lap to edge Bloomquist (18.557) for the Red Buck Cigars fast time award, however, Bloomquist started the feature on the pole with Owens alongside.
Bloomquist, who entered the night leading Owens by 60 points in the series points battle, took command of the 24-car field at the drop of the green.
He was unable to pull far ahead as the caution flew with one lap in the book for D.J. Myers who stopped on the track.
Bloomquist again took the lead on the restart only this time Bub McCool settled in behind the black and green No. 0, shuffling Owens back to third.
Owens did not stay there long as he took the second spot back from McCool on lap four and dove under Bloomquist entering turn one on lap 10 to take the lead.
Owens picked his lines through the back markers often leaving Bloomquist blocked by the traffic.Lap Leaders: Scott Bloomquist (Laps 1- 9); Jimmy Owens (Laps 10 - 50)
Eric Wells brought out the caution on lap 21 when his car stopped exiting turn two bringing Bloomquist up to Owens’ back bumper, but Owens was up to the task and turned back Bloomquist’s bid for the lead.
The complexion of the top five changed on lap 44.
Billy Decker made hard contact with the third turn wall to bring out the initial caution. Bloomquist’s bid for his 513th career victory diminished on the restart when the left rear wheel came off exiting turn four, sending him spinning on the frontstretch with the field bearing down on him. Quick evasive moves by his fellow competitors left Bloomquist untouched. He was towed pitside where his crew replaced the tire and he restarted at the back of the pack.
John Blankenship, who started 13th, picked up the pursuit of Owens but could not mount a bid for the lead before Owens crossed under the checkers.
Earl Pearson Jr. finished third, with Don O’Neal fourth and Jared Landers fifth. Steve Francis, Ray Cook, Dale Planck, Bloomquist and McCool round out the top 10.
With the victory, Owens took over the lead in the series points chase and holds a five point advantage over Bloomquist, 3,880-3,875.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will make its way West for a $10,000-to-win event tonight at Utica-Rome Speedway.

TROMBLEY WINS ON A WILD NIGHT AT FONDA - 7/23/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Jeff Trombley survived a night of bad wrecks at the Fonda Speedway on Saturday evening and won his first modified feature at the Track of Champions since August 12, 2006 in his unsponsored #21J Teo car. Trombley took the lead on a lap 10 restart and survived a challenge from Ronnie Johnson to secure the feature win, the 33rd of his career at the Fonda Fairgrounds track.

            “It has been a tough struggle for us the last couple of years,” Trombley said in victory lane. “We have been behind the eight ball and I have to thank Jack and Ronnie Johnson who have helped us out a lot.”

            Other winners on 104.9 The Cat Night at Fonda were Dave Constantino (602 sportsman), Rocky Warner (pro stock), Neil Cosselman (street stock), and Ben Righi (4-cylinder) with the Skeeter Creek Band playing on the midway during intermission.

            The 30-lap modified feature began with Rob Langevin the early leader with an early yellow flag out on lap two for Matt DeLorenzo who spun in turn four with Stewart Friesen also involved. Both drivers were done for the night at that point. Langevin maintained the lead on the restart until the race was slowed again on lap eight when the red flag came out after a major wreck on the front stretch.

The melee began after Darwin Greene made a move under Dave Lape in turn four and made contact with Lape which resulted in a broken front end on Lape’s #22. Lape had no control of the car at that point and hit the wall with the car coming back across the track and coming to a stop right in the middle of the front stretch. Piling in at racing speed were Mark Kislowski, Scott Duell, Jim Davis, Pep Corradi, and Josh Hohenforst but fortunately all of the drivers involved were okay after the grinding crash.

            On this restart seventh place starter Alton Palmer was the new race leader with Trombley now in the third position behind Langevin who brought out the next caution in the event one lap later. When Langevin tried to get the lead back from Palmer on the outside of turn one Palmer drifted up in the turn while Langevin was on the outside of him resulting in Langevin running out of room and getting into the wall to bring out the yellow flag.

Trombley got by Palmer for the lead on the restart with Johnson now second after he also got by Palmer for position. With 10 laps to go Johnson caught up to Trombley and challenged for the lead on the low side of the speedway while Trombley was running the outside groove on the track but once Trombley saw the nose of Johnson’s car under him he turned up the wick and went on to the win.

Johnson, Ryan Odasz, Danny Varin who started the event in the 20th position, and defending track champion Bobby Varin completed the top five.

            “We have a John Grant small block under the hood of the car now and the car was real good tonight,” Trombley said. “Like I said it has been a tough last couple of years but we just kept plugging along and it all makes nights like this worth while.”

            Brian Pessolano led the 602 sportsman feature at the drop of the green flag with the yellow flag out with no laps complete for Pete Sisler who spun in turn two. On the original restart Pessolano led again with fourth place starter Dave Constantino the new second place car on lap two.

            Two laps later Pessolano and Constantino were side by side for the lead in turn four with Pessolano holding on to the lead after some contact was made between the two cars. Then on lap six on the inside of turn two Constantino was able to take over the lead with defending track champion John Scarborough now third behind Pessolano with current point leader Mark Mortensen and Justin Boehler completing the top five.

            Scarborough and Mortensen both made their way by Pessolano with only a few laps to go but Constantino was now a straightaway ahead and went on for the win followed by Scarborough, Mortensen, Pessolano, and Boehler. In post race inspection Pessolano was light at the scales moving Jeremy Pitts into the top five after starting 12th.

            For Constantino it was his first career win in the 602 sportsman division but not his first ever win at Fonda after winning an open sportsman feature event back on June 23, 2007.

            “It is great to be back here racing again at Fonda,” Constantino said. “I wanted to get a win with my dad’s number on the car and I have to thank him for allowing me to race his car and the rest of my family for their help too.”

            The 20-lap pro stock feature event started with Sheldon Martin and Randy Brownell on the front row with Brownell the early race leader. Chuck Dumblewski took over the second position on lap four and one lap later Rob Yetman went in between both Dean Charbonneau and Martin to take over the third spot.

Yetman brought out the caution on lap five when he lost control of his car and spun in turn two collecting Pete Broderson as well. Both drivers were able to restart the feature at the rear of the field.

Brownell continued to lead on the restart with Rocky Warner on his way to the front after starting ninth, sitting in the second position at the halfway point in the event. On lap 11 Warner was the new race leader after a pass of Brownell on the inside of the backstretch with Broderson making his way back up to the front as well.

Broderson took over the second position with one lap to go as the caution came out at that point to take away the straightaway lead that Warner had built up and give Broderson one last shot at the win. At the drop of the green flag Warner held on for the win, his fifth of the season and the 10th of his career at Fonda in the West End Towing & Recovery/Wendy’s sponsored #79.

Broderson, Charbonneau, Yetman, and Dumblewski completed the top five.

“I ended up pulling some gear out of it before the feature and there really was a lot of bite out there on the track tonight,” Warner said in victory lane.

Neil Cosselman took the lead at the drop of the green flag in the 12-lap street stock feature event and never looked back as he survived heavy pressure from Rob VanAernam for the second half of the event to take his first career win in the division. VanAernam, Cassidy Wilson, Randy Cosselman, and Jerry Cohn completed the top five.

This Wednesday evening the second ever visit of the Lucas Oil Late Model Series National Tour to the Fonda Speedway takes place along with a 50-lap $5,000 to win Modified Thunder on the Thruway Series event with a starting time of 7:00 p.m.

            Next Saturday at Fonda a regular show in all divisions is on the racing card on Palmer/Keyser Night at the Track of Champions complete with face painting, a boys and girls bicycle raffle, Frisbees for the first 200 kids, and extra monetary awards for the heat race winners in the modified division. Starting time on Saturday July, 30 will be 7:00 p.m.

104.9 THE CAT MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – JEFF TROMBLEY, Ronnie Johnson, Ryan Odasz, Danny Varin, Bobby Varin, Alton Palmer, Darwin Greene, Dustin Delaney, Elmo Reckner, Marc Johnson, Craig Hanson, Jeremy Wilder, C.G. Morey, Clinton Mills, Todd Morey, Vinny Sanganetti, Pep Corradi, Josh Flint, Josh Hohenforst, Rob Langevin, JaMike Sowle, Dave Lape, Scott Duell, Mark Kislowski, Jim Davis, Matt DeLorenzo, A.J. Romano, Stewart Friesen

104.9 THE CAT 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 20-LAPS – DAVE CONSTANTINO, John Scarborough, Mark Mortensen, Justin Boehler, Jeremy Pitts, Justin Auspelmyer, Brian Gleason, Cody Bleau, Ricky Quick, John McAuliffe, Adam McAuliffe, Jeremiah Munson, Drew Fallis, Robert Bublak, Steve Akers, Doug Flynn, Josh Palmer, Chris McCoy, Bert Film, Aaron Jacobs, Korey Wilder, Brittany Liggett, Pete Sisler, Ray Zemken (DNS), Troy Palmer (DNS), Brian Pessolano (DQ)

104.9 THE CAT PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – ROCKY WARNER, Pete Broderson, Dean Charbonneau, Rob Yetman, Chuck Dumblewski, Sheldon Martin, Randy Brownell, Bill Smith, Dennis Joslin, Ivan Joslin, Rob Noviczski, Kenny Gates, Kim Duell

104.9 THE CAT STREET STOCK FEATURE – 12-LAPS – NEIL COSSELMAN, Rob VanAernam, Cassidy Wilson, Randy Cosselman, Jerry Cohn, Dave Horning, Greg Havlichek, Gus Hollner, Robby Veronese, Malcum Warner

A.J. ROMANO CLAIMS VICTORY AT THE TRACK OF CHAMPIONS - 7/16/11

FONDA - On Saturday night A.J. Romano stood in victory lane for the first time in 2011. It had been almost a year since his last win, which was on  August 14, 2010. in the Modified division at the Track of Champions. This win was the 33rd. of his racing career at Fonda and breaks a three way tie on the all time winners list between Romano, the legendary racer Steve Danish and former track champ Jeff Trombley. Romano is now in sole possession of tenth position on the list and is only five wins behind C.D. Coville. This win makes it 15 seasons that the Johnstown racer has had a least one win here.

 Other winners for  the night were Adam McAuliffe (602 Sportsman), Rob Yetman (Pro Stock),  Rob VanAernam (Street Stock), Frank Hoard (N.V.D.M.).

JaMike Sowle and Romano led  the field of 28 modifieds  for the start of the 30 lap feature event. Sowle and Romano ran side by side for the first lap but after that Romano was in a league of his own, as he built up a lead that would never seriously see a challenge. With Romano leading Sowle, Dave Lape, Tony Pepicelli, and Darwin Greene were trying to make their way to the front. By lap 4 Romano had almost a half track lead over Sowle who was leading third place Pepicelli by about a third of a track.

 By lap 15 Darwin Greene and Ryan Odasz were starting to close in on Sowle and when lap 23 was complete Odasz had moved into third when Greene made contact with the front stretch wall. Romano held on to the end and took the caution free win over Sowle, Matt Delorenzo ( who started 14th.), Ryan Odasz, and Jim Davis. Romano was quick to thank his sponsors School Hose Pools, Washburns Ice Cream, and Sowle Hardware for their support. Romano also said that it was on nights like this that he missed racing against his older brother Mike who retired from competion a few years ago.

Heat race winners were Jeff Trombley, Alton Palmer, Tony Pepecelli, A.J. Romano, and the consi winner was Josh Hohenforst.

 In the 602 sportsman feature, Brian Pessolano and Jeff Rockefeller were the front row. When the yellow came out on lap two for a spin in turn two by John McAuliffe, Adam McAuliffe moved up into second and when the field went green again, A. McAuliffe was your new leader. A crash in turn two one lap later would see the cars of Justin Boehler., Korey Wilder, Dan Santabarbera and Rockefeller done for the evening. Jeremiah Munson was now up to second,and by lap six  last weeks winner Robert Bublak was into the top five and moving forward. McAuliffe held a big lead for most of the race, but as the feature was nearing the end Munson and Bublak were closing in on the leader. When the checkered flag fell McAuliffe was the winner followed by Munson, Bublak, Points leader Mark Mortensen ( who had made contact with the wall twice) and Ricky Quick rounding out the top five. Heat race winners were Jeff Rockefeller, Jeremiah Munson, and John McAuliffe.

 Yetman who was coming off of his big win last week in the annual Hondo classic started 7th. for the 20 lap Pro Stock feature. Ivan Joslin who started on the pole and Pete Broderson were the leaders for most of this race, until Kenny Gates moved into second to Challenge for the lead. Yetman was moving up and took over the lead when Joslin and Rocky Warner came together in the back stretch on lap 15, spinning into the wall. Yetman went on for the win with  Gates second followed by Broderson, Dean Charboneau and Joslin, for your top five.

Heat race winners were Pete Broderson and Rob Yetman.

 The Street Stock feature saw Rob VanAernam come home with his second win in a row. Ken Conroy and Robby Veronese start on the front. Van Aernam moved up very quick and was leading by lap two, with heavy pressure coming from Chuck McSpirit. With McSpirits racer breaking while challenging for the lead, Randy Cosselman moved into second and stayed there until the finish, at the end VanAernam was the winner followed by R. Cosselman, Neil Cosselman ,and Cassidy Wilson.

 The Northeastern Vintage Dirt Modified club was on hand and they didn't let the fans down as they put on a very competitive race with Farnk Hoard Jr. being the winning Modified and Frank Blanchard the winning Sportsman.

 Next Saturday at the Fonda Speedway race action includes all divisions on the racing schedule, plus Kiddie rides AND The CAT brings Skeeter Creek band.

 30 Lap -Modified feature, A.J. ROMANO, JaMike Sowle, Matt Delorenzo, Ryan Odasz, Jim Davis, Darwin Greene, Ronnie Johnson, Bobby Varin, Mark Kislowski, Alton Palmer, Danny Varin, Marc Johnson, Jeff Trombley, Jeremy Wilder, Dustin Delaney, Josh Hohenforst, Scott Duel, Elmo Reckner, Dave Lape, Matt Depew, Todd Morey, Vinny Sangenetti, Pep Corradi, Brad Rothaupt, Tony Pepicelli, Craig Hanson, C.G. Morey, Rob Langevin.

20 Lap- 602 Sportsman Feature, ADAM MCAULIFFE, Jeremiah Munson, Robert Bublak, Mark Mortensen, Ricky Quick, Dave Constantino, Jeremy Pitts, Cody Bleau, John McAuliffe, John Scarborough, Brian Pessolano, Brian Gleason, Steve Akers, Justin Auspelmyer, Drew Fallis, Brittany Liggett, Brian McGuire, Chris McCoy, Josh Palmer, Harry Shaffer, Pete Sisler, Jeff Rockefeller,Doug Flynn, Koery Wilder, Dan Santabarbera, Justin Boehler. (DNS)Troy Palmer.

YETMAN WINS HONDO CLASSIC AT FONDA - 7/9/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – The 6th Annual Hondo Classic in memory of the late Hondo Carpenter who was killed in a tragic ATV accident years ago was held at the Fonda Speedway on Saturday evening with Rob Yetman getting his first win in the prestigious event.

For Yetman it was his third win of the 2011 season and the sixth of his career at Fonda in the Lazzaro’s Auto Body sponsored #7.

            “We needed a slippery track and tonight we had that,” Yetman said. “I raced a little bit with Hondo and it was fun racing with him. This win means a lot to me.”

            Before the green flag flew to start the event the cars were brought out to the front stretch and stopped including the #92 of Sheldon Martin who had a flag outside of his car which said “#9 Hondo In Loving Memory” while Mike Mallett introduced the starting lineup. Next Mimi Lazzaro sang the National Anthem followed by racing photographer John Grady giving the command for the drivers to start their engines.

            At that point yellow and purple balloons were release by Kaitlyn Keefe who’s mom Kelley put the event together along with the Friends of Hondo Memorial Society. The starting field then lined up to do a four wide parade lap as “Thunderstruck” played over the PA system.

            The caution plagued event began with two straight yellow flags before any laps were completed but once the race stayed green for more than a lap Utica Rome Speedway invader Brett Beldon was the early race leader. Yetman started the event in the fourth row in the seventh position and by lap three he was already in the fourth spot.

            On a lap four restart, Yetman went three wide to get into the second position and started pressuring Beldon for the lead which he was able to take over on a lap six restart. Rocky Warner was the new second place car on lap seven after starting ninth and when Yetman got up so high on the backstretch that he had to back off the throttle to keep from hitting the wall Warner tapped him on the rear bumper but that was as close as Warner would get to the leader from that point on.

            Three more yellow flags slowed the event but on each of the restarts Yetman was able to pull away, winning the event by a straightaway over Warner, Beldon, Pete Broderson, and Jeff Pastorella.

            “It was tough coming up through the field,” Warner said as the top three celebrated in victory lane. “In the beginning everyone was out for blood and the four wide parade lap was definitely awesome and something that I never thought that I would be able to do.”

            “The two cars that finished ahead of me here know Fonda real well just like my uncle Dick Schoonover who used to race here did,” Beldon said. “I was committed to the bottom of the track and I wouldn’t miss this race for anything in the world.”

            Earlier in the night Warner was the winner of the nine car Hondo Classic Dash, winning a total of $309 for his efforts.

            “We made a guess on the setup for this race because we haven’t run on a track like this in a long time,” Warner said. “I used to run street stocks with Hondo and one night he stuck his head in my car and told me something that I will never forget which was that sometimes slower is faster.”

HONDO CLASSIC DASH – 9-LAPS – ROCKY WARNER, Brett Beldon, Jeff Pastorella, Dean Charbonneau, Bill Knapp, Kenny Martin Jr., Roy Fifield, Rob Yetman, Buddy Hencke

SIXTH ANNUAL HONDO CLASSIC/THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY PRO STOCK SERIES FEATURE – 25-LAPS – ROB YETMAN, Rocky Warner, Brett Beldon, Pete Broderson, Jeff Pastorella, Kenny Martin Jr., Buddy Hencke, Kenny Gates, Roy Fifield, Dean Charbonneau, Bill Smith, Randy Brownell, Rob Noviczski, Pete VanNoordt, Glenn Forward, Ivan Joslin, Bill Knapp, Frank Twing, Jody Swamp, Sheldon Martin, Kim Duell, Franky Twing, Justin Knight, Bryan VanDusen, Dennis Joslin, Chuck Dumblewski (DNS)

RECKNER WINS A THRILLER AT FONDA - 7/9/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Lap cars made it interesting in the closing laps of the 30-lap modified feature event at the Fonda Speedway on Saturday evening with Elmo Reckner making it three wide as he went through the middle of two of them to maintain the lead and take his second career win at the Track of Champions.

            “This sort of happened by mistake really,” Reckner said about getting to victory lane. “The car was awful here last week so we threw a lot at it this week and I have to thank my guys for all of their hard work. Chris Ross built me a shock for the right rear and I don’t even know what it is but I have to thank him as well.”

            Other winners on CAT 104.9 Radio Night at Fonda were Robert Bublak (602 sportsman), Rob Yetman (the 6th Hondo Classic for pro stocks), Rob VanAernam (street stock), and Kerrie Hollenback (4-cylinder). A separate press release for the Hondo Classic will spotlight that event as it was also a Thunder on the Thruway Pro Stock Series event.

Fonda Speedway legend Dave Lape led at the start of the 30-lap modified event with Alton Palmer second on lap two after starting seventh. Palmer and Reckner who started fifth on the grid pressured Lape for the lead by lap four with Reckner getting past both Palmer and Lape for the lead on lap six on the inside of turn three.

Palmer, Jeremy Wilder, Matt DeLorenzo, and defending track champion Bobby Varin all took turns getting by Lape into the top five by lap eight and two laps later Palmer and Wilder were side by side for the second position while DeLorenzo and Varin were side by side for the third spot with Wilder and DeLorenzo getting the second and third positions respectively at that point in the event.  By lap 12 Reckner was already in lap traffic, something that he was never able to get out of from that point on in the caution free event.

DeLorenzo’s outside line was blocked by Brad Rothaupt on the backstretch on lap 16 while being challenged for the third position by Varin but despite DeLorenzo making contact with the rear bumper of Rothaupt he was able to hang on to the position over Varin while both were eventually able to clear Rothaupt.  DeLorenzo and Varin both made their way past Wilder for the second and third positions by lap 24 with Reckner now a half straightaway ahead. Lap after lap Reckner used the inside groove around the speedway to get by lap traffic while DeLorenzo was working the outside line on the speedway to try and reel in the leader.  Heavy lap traffic practically blocked the track in front of Reckner with two laps to go but when Reckner made his move in between JaMike Sowle and Vinny Sanganetti on the final lap it sealed his fate and got him the win over DeLorenzo, Varin, Wilder, and Palmer.

The win for Reckner was almost a year to the day of his first win at Fonda which came on July 3, 2010 and it came in the Elmo’s Auto Body sponsored, JPM powered, #17 Bicknell car.  “Lap cars were tough and they were running in huge packs,” Reckner said. “I just wanted to stay clean and get by them so I went right down the middle of them. I’m so glad to get back here to victory lane at Fonda because Fonda is a very special place to win and I am speechless right now.”

Butch Wilcox and Troy Palmer started the 20-lap 602 sportsman feature event on the front row with Wilcox getting the jump at the drop of the green flag to take the number one spot. Ricky Quick was on the move early after starting eighth as he took over the second position on lap two with Robert Bublak just behind in third after starting seventh.  The one and only caution in the event came out on lap five for Jeremiah Munson who suffered a flat right rear tire and on the restart Bublak got past both Quick and Wilcox for the lead briefly before Quick fought back and took the number one spot away. Bublak stalked Quick for a few laps before taking the lead on the outside of the backstretch on lap nine and without the benefit of a caution flag to close up the field Bublak pulled away to a half straightaway lead by the halfway point in the event.

The battle for the fourth position heated up between current point leader Mark Mortensen and Cody Bleau for the last half of the event with Mortensen getting the spot on lap 10 after starting 10th and with five laps to go Quick started to close in on Bublak for the lead but he never got close enough as Bublak went on for the win in the M & J Construction sponsored #27 Bicknell car.  Quick, Brian Gleason, Bleau who got by Mortensen on the final lap coming out of turn four when Mortensen was blocked by a lap car, and Mortensen completed the top five.

“I just drove through all of the holes and never lifted,” Bublak said in victory lane. “If you didn’t hit the holes just right it would throw the car off and take you right out to the wall so I had to be careful doing that. I have to thank Jimmy Davis and his crew for all of their help with this car. We park right next to them and they have been helping us out a lot. Just when I started to think when was it going to be my turn to get back to victory lane we were able to do it.”

Jerry Cohn led at the drop of the green flag in the 12-lap street stock feature but at the completion of lap one Rob VanAernam was the race leader. Cassidy Wilson started the event in the 10th position and by lap two he was the new race leader after getting by VanAernam for the spot. After winning the last three feature events at Fonda Wilson’s luck ran out as he was forced to the pit area on lap four handing the lead back to VanAernam.  Chuck McSpirit started the event in the ninth position and made his way to the front in the opening laps, taking the lead away from VanAernam on the inside of the backstretch on lap six. When McSpirit started to drop fluid on the track in the closing laps he was forced to the pit area handing the lead back to VanAernam who went on to the win which was his first of the 2011 season and the 28th of his career over Cohn, Neil Cosselman, Mitchell Sequin, and Gus Hollner.

Next Saturday July 16 at Fonda a regular show in all divisions is on tap along with the Midstate Antique Club and NESCOT. Starting time will be 7:00 p.m.

Complete qualifying race results from the Saturday July, 9 racing program can be found on the Fonda Speedway website www.fondaspeedway.com by clicking on the My Laps icon on the home page.

CAT 104.9 RADIO MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – ELMO RECKNER, Matt DeLorenzo, Bobby Varin, Jeremy Wilder, Alton Palmer, Jim Davis, Mark Kislowski, Ronnie Johnson, Marc Johnson, Ryan Odasz, Darwin Greene, Josh Hohenforst, Rob Langevin, Dustin Delaney, Craig Hanson, C.G. Morey, Dave Lape, Jeff Trombley, Tony Pepicelli, JaMike Sowle, Todd Morey, Robert Perry, Brad Rothaupt, Josh Flint, Vinny Sanganetti, A.J. Romano, Korey Wilder, Danny Varin

CAT 104.9 RADIO 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 20-LAPS – ROBERT BUBLAK, Ricky Quick, Brian Gleason, Cody Bleau, Mark Mortensen, John Scarborough, Jeremy Pitts, Ray Zemken, Steve Akers, Brian McGuire, Drew Fallis, Brittany Liggett, Adam McAuliffe, D.J. Brundage, John McAuliffe, Harry Shaffer, Dave Constantino, Korey Wilder, Justin Boehler, Dan Santabarbara, Jeff Rockefeller, Chris McCoy, Rick Lamont, Butch Wilcox, Troy Palmer, Jeremiah Munson, Justin Auspelmyer, Doug Flynn, Pete Sisler, Melony Coons (DNS)

JOHNSON WINS FOURTH OF THE SEASON AT FONDA-7/2/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Ronnie Johnson celebrated the Fourth of July weekend at the Fonda Speedway Saturday evening with his fourth modified feature win of the 2011 season in the Palmer’s Service Center #2 Teo Pro car. For Johnson it was his 19th career win at the Track of Champions moving him ahead of Rene Charland into the 16th position on the all time win list.

            “I knew that I had the 00 on my tail (the 00 of defending track champion Bobby Varin who started just behind Ronnie in the 14th position) and I was telling his car owner Dave Cruickshank that when I start in front of Bobby that I feel like I have a bear chasing me,” Johnson said in victory lane. “I also want to congratulate my Morris Auto Group teammate Mark Kislowski on his second place finish. He was playing a psychology game with me at the start of the feature too as he started ahead of me in the fifth row.”

            Other winners on Morris Ford Night at Fonda on Saturday were Jeremy Pitts (first career in the 602 sportsman), Rocky Warner (pro stock), Cassidy Wilson (street stock), and Dan Krajewski (4-cylinder). The skies above the Fonda Fairgrounds and the Mohawk River were lit up by fireworks at the completion of the racing program as a spectacular fireworks display ended the holiday weekend racing card.

            It took three tries to get the 30-lap feature event started as cautions slowed the field three times before Tony Pepicelli was able to take the initial lead in the event. On laps four and five Ronnie and Marc Johnson (no relation) were side by side for a spot in the top five with Ronnie able to take the position. Jeremy Wilder started the event in the fourth position and on lap eight was the new second place car after getting by Dustin Delaney.

            Two laps later Wilder was the new race leader with Ronnie Johnson the new second place car after getting by both Jeff Trombley and Pepicelli for the spot. At the halfway point in the event the top five consisted of Wilder, Ronnie Johnson, Pepicelli, Trombley, and Delaney. The caution was out again on lap 17 for Wilder who slowed in turn four and dropped out of the event at that point handing the lead over to Ronnie Johnson.

            Kislowski started the event in the 10th position and by lap 24 he had taken the second position away from Pepicelli and set his sights on Ronnie Johnson for the lead. With four laps to go the final caution of the event flew and gave Kislowski one last shot at Ronnie Johnson for the win.

            At the drop of the green flag Ronnie Johnson pulled away to a slight lead with Kislowski running the low groove which he had been using all race long to try to reel in the leader. There wasn’t enough time left for Kislowski to get the job done as Ronnie Johnson took the win over Kislowski, Trombley, Bobby Varin, and Delaney.

            “I have to thank my sponsor Mickle’s Automotive who put up a $500 bonus if I could win tonight,” Johnson said in victory lane. “I also need to thank Alton and Carole Palmer who give me everything that I need in a race car.”

            Justin Boehler led at the drop of the green flag in the 20-lap 602 sportsman feature event but when lap one was completed it was Troy Palmer who was the race leader. On lap five Jeremy Pitts was the new third place car with Palmer getting into the frontstretch wall coming out of turn four to complete lap seven handing the lead back to Boehler at that point.

            Pitts was the new race leader on lap 11 after inching ahead of Boehler at the finish line to complete the lap with Ricky Quick the new second place car on lap 13 after also getting by Boehler for the spot. Only one yellow flag slowed the event on lap 13 but Pitts was up to the challenge as he held on to take his first career win in the 602 sportsman division over Quick, Dan Santabarbara, Brian Gleason, and Ray Zemken.

            “I really never expected this,” Pitts said in victory lane. “The car was good on the bottom of the track in the heat race but it was great in the feature. Justin (Boehler) ran a great race but we were able to get by him for the win.”

            Dean Charbonneau led lap one of the pro stock feature before Kenny Gates took over the point on lap two after starting third. The one and only yellow flag in the event was out on lap three for Ivan Joslin who spun on the frontstretch and on the restart Gates held on to the lead over Rocky Warner who moved up two spots on the restart.

            Warner kept working on Gates using the outside groove and on lap six coming out of turn four Warner was the new race leader. Just a few laps later Warner and Gates were a straightaway ahead of a great race for the third position between Charbonneau and Pete Broderson who spent most of the race up to this point side by side for the position.

With five laps to go in the 20-lap event, Rob Yetman moved past Kenny Martin Jr. for the fourth position and proceeded to break up the two car race between Charbonneau and Broderson as Yetman got by both for the third spot with four laps to go. Warner went on to his fourth win of the season and the ninth of his career at Fonda in the West End Towing & Recovery sponsored #79 over Gates, Yetman, Broderson, and Charbonneau.

“We ran side by side with Kenny (Gates) and I knew that if the top went away that I was screwed,” Warner said. “Getting used to these American Racer tires has been tough as they change so much from week to week and it makes it tough to get the stagger that I want but hopefully we will have something for them next week in the Hondo Classic.”

Chuck McSpirit led at the start of the 12-lap street stock feature event with an early caution out on lap one. McSpirit led on the restart and held it until lap nine when Dave Horning Sr. got by him for the lead on the front stretch with Cassidy Wilson also getting by McSpirit for the second spot after starting 14th.

Horning was running a smooth race in the lead until the final lap when he was slowed by the lap car of Jerry Cohn bunching up the field behind them. Coming out of turn four Horning and McSpirit made contact and ended up in the frontstretch wall with Horning then launched into a series of flips before coming to rest just short of the flag stand.

Wilson snuck underneath the wreck and ended up winning the event over McSpirit, Neil Cosselman, Randy Cosselman, and Rob VanAernam. Horning was helped out of his car by the Fonda Speedway emergency crew and he was able to walk away from the accident scene while waving to the crowd.

Next Saturday at the Fonda Speedway a regular show in all divisions is on the racing card starting at 7:00 p.m. The spotlight will be on the pro stock division as the Hondo Classic takes center stage in honor of the late Hondo Carpenter.

Complete qualifying race results from the Saturday July, 2 racing program can be found on the Fonda Speedway website www.fondaspeedway.com by clicking on the My Laps icon on the home page.

MORRIS FORD MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – RONNIE JOHNSON, Mark Kislowski, Jeff Trombley, Bobby Varin, Dustin Delaney, Danny Varin, Marc Johnson, Jim Davis, Ryan Odasz, Josh Hohenforst, A.J. Romano, Elmo Reckner, Alton Palmer, JaMike Sowle, Paul Cirincione, C.G. Morey, Dave Lape, Todd Morey, Matt Depew, Rob Langevin, Darwin Greene, Ken McGuire, Chuck Allen, Tony Pepicelli, Jeremy Wilder, Matt DeLorenzo, Chris Johnson, Craig Hanson (DQ)

MORRIS FORD 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 20-LAPS – JEREMY PITTS, Ricky Quick, Dan Santabarbara, Brian Gleason, Ray Zemken, Justin Boehler, John Scarborough, Jeremiah Munson, Korey Wilder, Mark Mortensen, Cody Bleau, Drew Fallis, Troy Palmer, Robert Bublak, Justin Auspelmyer, Doug Flynn, Derrick McGrew, Harry Shaffer, D.J. Brundige, Brittany Liggett, Chris McCoy, Steve Akers, Matt Johnson, Craig Ritchie, Brian McGuire, Jeff Rockefeller, Fred Muhlberger, Adam McAuliffe, Dave Constantino

MORRIS FORD PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – ROCKY WARNER, Kenny Gates, Rob Yetman, Pete Broderson, Dean Charbonneau, Roy Fifield, Kenny Martin Jr., Ivan Joslin, Bill Knapp, Kim Duell, Chuck Dumblewski, Bill Smith, Sheldon Martin, Harley Sheppard, Dennis Joslin, Franky Twing, Randy Brownell (DNS)

MORRIS FORD STREET STOCK FEATURE – 12-LAPS – CASSIDY WILSON, Chuck McSpirit, Neil Cosselman, Randy Cosselman, Rob VanAernam, Mitchell Sequin, Gus Hollner, Malcum Warner, Rob Veronese, Dave Horning Sr., Jerry Cohn, Bill August

DELORENZO WINS FIRST OF THE SEASON AT FONDA - 6/18/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Matt DeLorenzo has suffered through a rough season so far in 2011 at least as far as getting to victory lane goes but last Saturday evening he rectified that situation by taking home his first win of the season and the 29th of his career at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway in the BBL Companies sponsored Teo car.

            “I want to dedicate this win to my boss at BBL Donald Led Duke who we lost late last year after our last win which came on McDonald’s weekend last September,” DeLorenzo said. “This is the car that we were involved in the wreck with Brett Hearn here at Fonda last year at one of the big races so we got it fixed but it still had a little attitude problem. Tonight my brother Mike was able to fix that.”

            Other winners at Fonda on Saturday were John Scarborough (602 sportsman), Rob Yetman (pro stock), Cassidy Wilson (street stock), and Ben Righi (4-cylinder).

            It was also New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) Safety Awards Night at Fonda on Saturday with the top two finishing NYSSCA members in each of the feature events taking home some extra money from the organization.  The winners of  the NYSSCA Safety Awards in their respective divisions were Matt DeLorenzo and Ronnie Johnson (modified), Cody Bleau and Ray Zemken (602 sportsman), Rob Yetman and Chuck Dumblewski (pro stock), Cassidy Wilson and Dave Horning Sr. (street stock), Ben Righi and Keith Tessiero Sr. (4-cylinder). A wild card winner was also chosen with Darwin Greene taking home some extra cash for that.

            Dustin Delaney took the early lead in the 30-lap modified feature event from his pole position start with Robert Perry in tow. Jim Davis started the event in the sixth position and by lap two he was already up to the third spot as Delaney held a straightaway advantage by lap three.   DeLorenzo started the event in the 10th position and by lap five he made a move around both Jeremy Wilder and Marc Johnson for the fourth spot. Davis continued his move to the front taking over the second position on lap nine while defending track champion Bobby Varin moved into the top five at that point as well after starting ninth.  The first yellow flag in the event came out on lap 10 and it took three tries to get the race going again after that.

            The most serious of the wrecks that caused the caution flags to come out was when Ken McGuire got turned around by a car behind him on one of the restarts causing other cars to pile in as they raced into turn three. Fortunately nobody was injured in the multi car wreck.  It was during this caution that Davis was forced to the pit area with what looked like a broken suspension part on the right front of his car. Davis was able to go to the hot pit area to correct the problem and restarted at the rear of the field. The lead also changed hands on one of the restarts as well when Delaney slowed going into turn three and was forced pit side handing the lead over to Perry.

            DeLorenzo took advantage of all of the restarts to get his car into the second position by lap 11 and from that point on after catching the leader he pressured Perry for the lead in the event working the inside of the speedway while Perry was on the high side.  Going down the backstretch on lap 22 DeLorenzo ducked under Perry for the lead and stretched out his advantage to take the win by a comfortable margin over Ronnie Johnson who got the second spot away from Perry with one lap to go in the event. Perry, Bobby Varin, and Mark Kislowski completed the top five.

            “I had to use the bottom to get by Rob (Perry) for the lead and then I switched lanes and ran the top the rest of the way,” DeLorenzo said in victory lane after the race was completed.

            One of the most exciting feature events on race nights at Fonda in 2011 has been the 602 sportsman feature and last Saturdays event was no exception as Brian McGuire took the lead at the start of the 20-lap event. An early caution flag came out at the completion of lap one when Brittany Liggett spun her car in turn four and on the restart Ray Zemken was the new race leader.  Defending 602 sportsman track champion John Scarborough started the event in the sixth position after winning his qualifying heat race event and took over the second spot in the feature on lap two with Zemken out to a slight advantage at that point. Scarborough was able to reel Zemken in by lap six and two laps later they were side by side for the lead with Zemken able to hold on to it at that point.

            Coming down the front straightaway to complete lap 12 Scarborough took over the lead from Zemken and immediately stretched out his advantage to a comfortable margin leaving the drivers behind him to fight for the second position on back. Cody Bleau took over the second position with four laps to go in the event but it was too late to catch and mount a challenge on the leader as Scarborough won his first of the season and the sixth of his career in the division in the Original Pizza Logs sponsored #61 Teo car.  Bleau, Zemken, Rob Langevin, and current point leader Mark Mortensen completed the top five in the event after starting 20th.

            “This car was junk early this season and it was discouraging and embarrassing,” Scarborough said in victory lane. “After last weeks race we tore this car apart and put a new front clip on it. Early this season we tried some stuff that we shouldn’t have tried but tonight the handicapping put us up front and this (victory lane) at Fonda is definitely where it’s at.”

            After spending the first lap of the 20-lap pro stock feature side by side for the lead, Chuck Dumblewski led lap one of the event with Dean Charbonneau second. Ivan Joslin took the second spot away from Charbonneau on lap two while farther back in the field Rocky Warner and Rob Yetman were making their way to the front after starting side by side in row four.  Coming out of turn four on lap three Warner and Yetman made contact and were both sideways but they were able to straighten out their cars and continue on. The one and only caution flag in the event was out on lap five for Sheldon Martin who spun his car in turn four and on the restart Yetman was the new fourth place car.  On lap nine Yetman made his way past Joslin for the second position with Dumblewski out to a straightaway lead. By lap 12 Yetman closed in on Dumblewski and one lap later Yetman was the new race leader. Once he took the lead Yetman never looked back as he took the win in the Lazzaro’s Auto Body sponsored #7. For Yetman it was his second win of the season and the fifth of his career at Fonda. 

            Dumblewski, Kenny Gates, Warner, and Pete Broderson completed the top five in the event.  Yetman also collected some extra money from the NYSSCA organization in memory of the late Jim Langenback and reflected on that in his victory lane interview.

            “I raced with Jim a lot during my career and I really looked up to him,” Yetman said. “He was an incredible man. Two weeks ago I decided to park this car but my crew talked me into tackling it again and here we are. I take a lot of pride in my racing and I want to rectify the problems that we had here in tech two weeks ago. Actually I can’t wait to go through tech tonight.”

            Chuck McSpirit led at the start of the 12-lap street stock feature event with Dave Horning Sr. in second by the time lap one was completed after starting fifth. Only one yellow flag slowed the event on lap two when a tire came off of the car of John Young. The tire was run over by two other cars but nobody was injured in the wreck.  In turn four on lap four Horning was racing inside of McSpirit and leaned on him enough that McSpirit was forced up the track and Horning was able to take the lead while McSpirit fell back to fifth. Cassidy Wilson started the event in the 10th position and on lap five was the new second place car.  Wilson took the lead away from Horning on lap six and went on to his third win of the season and the 23rd of his career at Fonda over Horning, McSpirit, Randy Cosselman, and Rob VanAernam.

On Saturday June, 25 the Track of Champions will be back in action with all divisions, starting time will be 7:00 p.m. 

Complete qualifying race results can be found on the Fonda Speedway website www.fondaspeedway.com by clicking on the My Laps icon on the home page or the "results" page.

MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – MATT DELORENZO, Ronnie Johnson, Robert Perry, Bobby Varin, Mark Kislowski, Jim Davis, Jeff Trombley, Luke Munroe, Ryan Odasz, Danny Varin, Josh Hohenforst, Tony Pepicelli, Matt Depew, C.G. Morey, Todd Morey, Darwin Greene, Marc Johnson, Craig Hanson, Jeremy Wilder, Pep Corradi, Dustin Delaney, A.J. Romano, Alton Palmer, Elmo Reckner, Todd Ryan, Ken McGuire, Josh Flint, Dave Lape

602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 20-LAPS – JOHN SCARBOROUGH, Cody Bleau, Ray Zemken, Rob Langevin, Mark Mortensen, Dave Constantino, Justin Boehler, Robert Bublak, Korey Wilder, Drew Fallis, Jeremiah Munson, Justin Auspelmyer, Jeremy Pitts, Brian McGuire, Brian Gleason, Dan Santabarbara, Harry Shaffer, Adam McAuliffe, Chuck Dickinson, Doug Flynn, Chris McCoy, Brian Pessolano, John Constantino, Brittany Liggett, Ricky Quick, D.J. Brundage, Steve Akers, Melony Coons (DNS)

PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – ROB YETMAN, Chuck Dumblewski, Kenny Gates, Rocky Warner, Pete Broderson, Dean Charbonneau, Ivan Joslin, Kim Duell, Bill Smith, Dennis Joslin, Rob Noviczski, Randy Brownell, Sheldon Martin, Cliff Haslun

STREET STOCK FEATURE – 12-LAPS – CASSIDY WILSON, Dave Horning Sr., Chuck McSpirit, Randy Cosselman, Rob VanAernam, Gus Hollner, Jerry Cohn, Neil Cosselman, Robby Veronese

TIM SHAFFER WINS A THRILLER AT FONDA -  6/8/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – A special mid week racing program at the Fonda Speedway on Wednesday evening featuring the O’Reilly Auto Parts All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint cars and modifieds got off to a rough start when heavy rain struck just as warm-ups were out on the track.  Three hours after the scheduled starting time the first time trial lap for the sprint cars was turned and because of the rain that fell earlier in the evening the track was fast with Fred Rahmer setting fast time of the night at 15.110 sec which equaled an unofficial speed of 119 MPH!

The racing program was presented by the Leader Herald Newspaper and BUG Country Radio. The feature event began just prior to the midnight curfew at the speedway and when the checkered flag fell well past the midnight hour Tim Shaffer was the winner of the event after a thrilling battle with Rahmer over the final five laps of the 30-lap main event.  “We struggled early this year but now everything seems to be coming together,” the defending Knoxville National Champion said. “Of course we want to win everywhere we go and we may have actually been trying too hard early in the season but now our package is coming together again.”

The modified feature was not run because of the midnight curfew and will now be run as a part of the racing program at Fonda on Wednesday August, 10.

Dale Blaney shared the front row with Rahmer at the start of the event with Blaney taking the early lead. Rahmer got out of shape in turn three of the first lap and nearly spun the car out but somehow he was able to straighten the car out and continue on.  When Rahmer got out of shape it caused the field behind him to check up which eventually led to the first caution of the event before lap one was completed. The caution was for local favorite Jessica Zemken after she flipped over the wall in turn four, landing between the cow palace and the aluminum bleachers. She was not injured in the accident.

On the original restart Rahmer was the race leader with Greg Hodnett second and when the race leader caught lap traffic on lap six it was game on between these two great drivers for the lead.  On lap 10 Hodnett completed a slide job pass to take the lead away from Rahmer only to have the caution come out shortly afterwards for Jami Russell who slowed in turn two. On the single file restart Rahmer took the lead back with another yellow flag out on lap 16 for Blaney who came to a stop in turn four with signs of smoke coming from the engine.

The caution flag turned into an open red flag period allowing the pit crews to refuel the cars and make air pressure adjustments if they desired to because of all of the laps that had already been turned. When the green flag flew to restart the event, the top two of Rahmer and Hodnett pulled away from the field and by lap 20 they were a straightaway ahead of the third place running car of David Gravel.

Hodnett brought out the final caution of the event on lap 23 when he slowed in turn three while running second and on the restart another driver came into play for the win as Shaffer went from fourth to second when the green flag flew after starting way back in the 11th spot.

On the inside of turn four with the white flag in sight Shaffer took over the lead from Rahmer and went on for the win over Rahmer, Lance Dewease, Tyler Walker, Gravel, Justin Barger, Daryn Pittman, Sam Hefertepe Jr., Mark Smith, and Aaron Ott.

“The track came in late with all of the rain we had but we gave it everything we had,” Shaffer said in victory lane. “My guys work hard and this is amazing to get a win here at Fonda.”

“Congratulations to Tim (Shaffer),” Rahmer said after his second place run. “About halfway through the race a valve or a piston went bad in the motor and I probably should have pulled in because I really didn’t want to hurt this motor but with the points the way they are I knew that I had to try to finish the race.”

“Tim was pretty good and we were too,” Dewease said. “We just couldn’t get good starts after all of the cautions.”

On Saturday evening the Fonda Speedway will be back in action with a regular show in all divisions on Safety Night. The New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) will also be on hand to give out their

Safety Awards with money going to the top finishers in all feature events that are NYSSCA members. Racing on Saturday at Fonda will begin at 7:00 p.m.

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ALL STAR CIRCUIT OF CHAMPIONS TIME TRIALS – 24 TOTAL CARS – FRED RAHMER 15.110, Tyler Walker 15.345, Dale Blaney 15.382, Daryn Pittman 15.385, David Gravel 15.396, Greg Hodnett 15.397, Cap Henry 15.422, Sam Hefertepe Jr. 15.440, Lance Dewease 15.494, Mark Smith 15.576, Tim Shaffer 15.663, Justin Barger 15.696, Stevie Smith 15.755, Jessica Zemken 15.771, Aaron Ott 15.943, George Suprick III 16.112, Davey Sammons 16.146, Pete Miller III 16.788, Luke Munroe 16.964, Mark Zemcik 17.349, Warren Alexson 17.373, Jami Russell 17.389, Josh Pieniazek 18.186, Vern Wasson

(no time)

O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ALL STAR CIRCUIT OF CHAMPIONS HEAT RACES – 6 QUALIFY

HEAT 1 – Stevie Smith, Fred Rahmer, Cap Henry, George Suprick III, Mark Smith, Daryn Pittman

HEAT 2 – Jessica Zemken, Tim Shaffer, Sam Hefertepe Jr., Tyler Walker, David Gravel, Josh Pieniazek

HEAT 3 – Aaron Ott, Lance Dewease, Justin Barger, Greg Hodnett, Dale Blaney, Pete Miller III

NO DASH WAS RUN IN THE INTEREST OF TIME

LEADER HERALD NEWSPAPER/BUG COUNTRY RADIO O’REILLY AUTO PARTS ALL STAR CIRCUIT OF CHAMPIONS SPRINT CAR FEATURE – 30-LAPS – TIM SHAFFER, Fred Rahmer, Lance Dewease, Tyler

Walker, David Gravel, Justin Barger, Daryn Pittman, Sam Hefertepe Jr., Mark Smith, Aaron Ott, Stevie Smith, Pete Miller III, Josh Pieniazek, Luke Munroe, Greg Hodnett, Dale Blaney, George Suprick III, Jami

Russell, Cap Henry, Warren Alexson, Jessica Zemken, Davey Sammons, Mark Zemcik, Vern Wasson (DNS)

MODIFIED QUALIFYING – 30 TOTAL CARS – 5 QUALIFY

HEAT 1 – Ronnie Johnson, Dale Planck, Jeff Trombley, Josh Hohenforst, Larry Wight

HEAT 2 – Ryan Odasz, Jim Davis, Matt DeLorenzo, Matt Sheppard, Matt Depew

HEAT 3 – Pat Ward, Darwin Greene, Alton Palmer, A.J. Romano, Bobby Varin

MODIFIED FEATURE WAS CURFEW DELAYED TO WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10

DANNY VARIN WINS THE FIRST MODIFIED FEATURE OF HIS CAREER AT FONDA 6/4/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Earlier this season Danny Varin won the CRSA Sprint car feature at the Fonda Speedway and last Saturday evening he visited victory lane again after winning the first modified feature event of his career at the Track of Champions. Varin now has wins in three divisions at Fonda during his racing career as he was also a winner of a sportsman feature back on 8/18/07.

            The win for Varin came in the Ed Monger owned Magsarus Ignition sponsored #93 after a thrilling race with Craig Hanson.

            “I knew that Craig was right on me,” Varin said. “I could feel him.”

            Other winners on Jumpin’ Jack’s Pro Speed/Morris Auto Group Night at Fonda on Saturday were Jeremiah Munson (602 sportsman), Rocky Warner (pro stock), Cassidy Wilson (street stock), and Dan Krajewski (4-cylinder).

After backstretch flagger Joe Kriss sang the National Anthem, people that were on hand with race sponsors Jumpin’ Jack’s Pro Speed and the Morris Auto Group gave the command to start engines and the 30-lap modified feature was underway.

Robert Perry and Hanson shared the front row at the start with Perry grabbing the lead at the drop of the green flag. By the time lap one was completed Hanson was the new race leader with Varin in the second position by lap two after also getting by Perry.

            By lap five Hanson and Varin were a straightaway ahead of the new third place car of Josh Hohenforst with Varin taking over the race lead going into turn three on lap 11. At the halfway point in the event Varin, Hanson, Hohenforst, Mark Kislowski and Danny’s father Bobby Varin completed the top five.

            From the halfway point on Danny Varin was in heavy lap traffic and on lap 16 Hanson got alongside of him for the race lead but went up so high that he touched the wall on the backstretch scrubbing off a lot of speed and allowing Danny to get away slightly.

            Hohenforst caught the top two and made it a three way battle for the top spot on lap 17 with a serious bid for the lead by Hanson ending up being blocked by a lap car going into turn three on lap 19.

With five laps to go Danny Varin held a straightaway lead which he would hold to the checkered flag with Kislowski, Hanson, Bobby Varin, and Hohenforst completing the top five.

“That was one helluva race,” Varin said in victory lane as his father came through to congratulate him. “The car was a little bit loose at the end but after changing two rear ends in the car last weekend my crew worked very hard to get this win.”

Drew Fallis started the 602 sportsman feature event on the pole position and took the race lead at the drop of Dennis Tillison’s green flag. Back farther in the pack Justin Auspelmyer, Korey Wilder, and Robert Bublac raced three wide for a spot in the top five with Bublac getting the best of that battle for position.

On lap five Ricky Quick was the new second place car with Munson third after starting fifth. Munson made quick work of Quick after getting by him for the second position on lap eight with Bublac and current point leader Mark Mortensen racing side by side for three laps before Mortensen was able to wrestle the fourth spot away from Bublac.

Munson caught the leader on lap 11 and one lap later took the lead from Fallis on the outside of turn four. The one and only caution flag of the event came out on lap 13 when Fallis made accidental contact with the lap car of Melanie Coons going into turn three resulting in Coons spinning around to bring out the yellow. Both Fallis and Coons were able to continue on in the event.

On the restart Mortensen was the new third place car and he spent the remaining laps side by side with Quick in a great battle for the second position as Munson was able to pull away. Mortensen was able to get the second position away from Quick on the final lap but ran out of time to mount a challenge on the leader.

Munson took the win in the Prime Property Services #4, his first win of 2011 and the 12th of his career in the division. Mortensen, Quick, Bublac, and Fallis completed the top five.

“We have been struggling so far this year but now we finally have this car hooked up,” Munson said in victory lane.

Pete Broderson led the pro stock feature at the start from the pole position with Rocky Warner already in the top five on lap four after starting sixth. Lap by lap Warner picked off cars one by one and by lap six he was already in the second position after getting by Ivan Joslin.

On the inside of turn two on lap eight Warner was the new race leader and by the time Rob Yetman took over the second position from Broderson on lap 11 Warner held a straightaway lead. With no cautions to slow the event Warner went on to an easy win over Yetman, Kenny Gates, Joslin, and Broderson.

The win for Warner was his third of 2011 and the eighth of his career in the division and it came in the West End Towing & Repair #79.

After post race tech Yetman was disqualified for a motor infraction moving Kim Duell into the top five.

“As usual I have to thank my car owner Ray and my crew as we are trying something different with this car every week,” Warner said. “While I was making my way to the front I was able to watch the lines that both Ivan (Joslin) and Pete (Broderson) were racing on the track and kind of plan ahead on how I was going to get by them.”

Chuck McSpirit led lap one of the 12-lap street stock feature before Cassidy Wilson took over the point after starting eighth. Wilson was able to hang on to the lead the rest of the way to take the victory, his second of the season and the 22nd of his career at Fonda. McSpirit, Neil Cosselman, Randy Cosselman, and Rob VanAernam completed the top five.

On Wednesday June, 8 the first mid week show of the season will take place at Fonda with the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint cars on the racing card along with a 30-lap $3,000 to win modified event. Starting time on Wednesday will be 7:00 p.m.

JOHNSON WINS AGAIN AT FONDA

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – It was just like the days of old at the Fonda Speedway on Saturday evening as two last names who are a big part of the history at the Track of Champions battled for the win in the 30-lap modified feature event. The names were Johnson and Romano and in the end when the checkered flag flew it was Ronnie Johnson taking the win in the exciting feature event over A.J. Romano.

            The win marked the third time that Johnson has won at Fonda this season in the Palmer’s Service Center #2 Teo car powered by a JPM motor. With the only other two winners at Fonda this season being Johnson’s car owner Alton Palmer and defending modified track champion Bobby Varin that boils down to there being a Palmer’s Service Center car in victory lane in four out of five events or 80% of the races held so far in 2011 at Fonda.

            “The Palmer/Johnson team is doing pretty well here at Fonda this year,” Johnson said in victory lane. “I have to thank Carole and Alton for that along with all of the guys on our team.”

            Other winners on Saturday evening at Fonda included Mark Mortensen (602 sportsman), Rob Yetman (pro stock), Dave Horning Sr. (street stock), and Justin Barger (Empire Super Sprints).

            Robert Perry led the first three laps of the modified feature event until Romano took over the point after the two shared the front row to start the event. Josh Hohenforst started the event in the eighth position and by the end of lap one he was already in the top five after going between Jim Davis and Tony Pepicelli for the spot.

            Hohenforst was the new second place car on lap 13 when the first caution in the event came out and on the restart was the new race leader after he got by Perry on the outside of turn four. On the next restart in the caution plagued event one lap later Romano retook the lead and at that point it looked as though he was going to keep it to the checkered flag.

            Johnson had other ideas after starting 10th as he made his way through the field with the benefit of all of the caution flags. With five laps to go Johnson was the new second place car with the final caution of the event coming out on lap 22. On the restart Romano tried to protect the inside of the speedway forcing Johnson to the outside but Johnson was up to the task at hand and made his move for the lead with only two laps to go.

            Johnson went by Romano for the lead on the outside in turn two and held on for the victory which was the 18th of his career at Fonda tying him with Rene Charland for 16th on the all time win list. Romano ended up second followed by Varin, Elmo Reckner, and Ryan Odasz.

            “A.J. is an old pro here and has a lot of wins at this track,” Johnson said as he celebrated the win in victory lane with his wife Shelley and step daughter Nikki. “When he switched lanes it was do or die time for me on the outside.”

            Brian McGuire led at the start of the 602 sportsman feature after starting on the front row with John McAuliffe in tow. After two consecutive cautions on laps four and five McAuliffe was the new race leader with Korey Wilder now second after starting fourth.

            The car on the move at that point from his 14th place starting position was current point leader Mark Mortensen as he got by two cars into the sixth position by lap nine. One lap later three more cars were passed by Mortensen in one sweeping move on the outside of turns three and four and when the yellow flag came out on lap 11 McAuliffe, Wilder, Gleason, and Mortensen were now the top four cars in the event.

            On the restart Mortensen was on a mission and that mission was accomplished on lap 12 when he took over the lead on the outside of the backstretch. Another car on the move in the closing laps was Cody Bleau who started seventh and was battling with Gleason for the second position and while those two cars were side by side for position it allowed Mortensen to pull away for the win in the Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive In sponsored Teo car.

            Gleason, Bleau, Jeremiah Munson who started 19th, and Wilder completed the top five.

            “I don’t really appreciate it,” Mortensen said in victory lane regarding some of the contact that other cars made with him during the event. “Some of the damage done to the car from the contact actually made it better though.”

            After the feature event a protest was filed against the feature winner with the car and motor taken to an undisclosed location and impounded until tech can be performed. According to Fonda Speedway General Manager Marty Beberwyk the win stands as of right now with no money or points handed out at this point until tech is completed.

            The pro stock feature event began with Bill Smith as the early race leader with Chuck Dumblewski second after starting fourth on the grid. Two time winner in 2011 Rocky Warner started the event in the seventh position and was in the third spot by lap five with Ivan Joslin just ahead in second after both got by Dumblewski for position.

            On a lap six restart after the only caution flag in the event flew, Warner was the new race leader with a pass of Smith on the inside of turn two with Rob Yetman now second after starting eighth as he was also able to get by Smith for position. The inside of turn two seemed like the place on the track where drivers were getting the lead with Yetman using that spot to get by Warner for the lead on lap seven.

            Using his trademark late race charge on the inside of the track, Kenny Gates moved into the third position with only four laps to go as he got by Joslin with the last four laps of the event being spent side by side for the second position between Warner and Gates.

            At the checkered flag it was Yetman taking the win in the Lazzaro’s Auto Body #7 followed by Warner, Gates, Joslin, and Pete Broderson.

            “I’ve been racing at Lebanon Valley for the last three weeks and have been saying to myself it can’t be me, it can’t be me,” Yetman said after lees than favorable results at the Valley. “We went through our notes and came back to Fonda and the car was phenomenal. The biggest challenge here at Fonda is when the track gets greasy to make it so that you can still flat foot it all the way around and tonight I was able to do that.”

            The street stock feature was led start to finish by Dave Horning Sr. for his first victory of the season and the 29th of his career at Fonda tying him with Bob VanAernam for second place of the all time win list. Cassidy Wilson finished second after starting eighth while last weeks winner Randy Cosselman, Rob VanAernam, and Neil Cosselman completed the top five.

            Justin Barger led the last 11 laps of the 25-lap Empire Super Sprint (ESS) feature event to take his fifth career win at Fonda and his third consecutive win after winning both ESS features at the Track of Champions last season. Chuck Hebing, Cory Sparks, Lance Yonge, and Alain Bergeron completed the top five in the event.

            For the complete race story on the ESS feature event please go to their website www.empiresupersprints.com

            Next Saturday June, 4 at Fonda a regular show in all divisions is on the racing card along with a drivers on track meet and greet. Also in honor of meet and greet night the Fonda Futures Kids Club will hold a bicycle raffle for any kids 10 years of age and under. Tickets for the bicycle raffle are free and may be obtained at the table at the east end of the covered grandstands where Ed and June Keyser will be happy to sign you up.

PALMER GETS LONG OVERDUE WIN AT FONDA - 5/21/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Alton Palmer has been competing in the modified division at the Fonda Speedway for many years now with a total of four career wins on the all time win list at the Track of Champions. After Saturday evening you can now add one more victory to that total.

Palmer survived a challenge from Matt DeLorenzo over the final seven laps of the 30-lap main event as he went on to his first win since May 17, 2003 in the Palmer’s Service Center, JPM powered, Teo chassis #76.

“The only way that I knew where victory lane was is because Ronnie (Johnson) races my car and he has been here twice this year,” Palmer said in victory lane. “I have to thank everyone from my crew, to my wife Carole, to Carole’s parents Ed and June Keyser who bought this motor for me last year and it runs.”

Other winners on Saturday evening at the Track of Champions were Adam McAuliffe (602 sportsman), Kenny Gates (pro stock), Randy Cosselman (street stock), and Dan Krajewski (4-cylinder).

Tony Pepicelli rocketed to the lead at the drop of the green flag from his outside front row starting spot with Dave Lape in tow. Elmo Reckner, Ryan Odasz, and Danny Varin all got by Jeremy Wilder into the top five by lap three while Reckner was the first to get by Lape for the second position after a side by side battle. Odasz and Varin followed suit and put Lape back to the fifth spot by lap seven.

Pepicelli held a straightaway lead at that point and was in lap traffic by lap 10. While Pepicelli was able to clear the lap cars of Chris Johnson and Pep Corradi rather easily Reckner wasn’t allowing Pepicelli to open up some breathing room by the halfway point with the top five consisting of Reckner, Varin, Palmer who started 10th and DeLorenzo who started ninth.

Palmer used the inside of the track to get by Varin and Reckner by lap 18 when the caution was out for Darwin Greene who suffered a flat right rear tire and slowed on the frontstretch. Under the yellow flag invading driver Tim Fuller was also forced pit side with a flat tire while running sixth and on the restart it was Palmer who was the new race leader.

DeLorenzo was on the move at this point as he used the outside groove to get by Varin for the third position and then switched lanes to get Pepicelli for the second spot on lap 22. At that point Palmer held a straightaway advantage with Stewart Friesen getting by three cars with a sweeping move around the outside of them in turn two putting him into the fourth spot just before the caution flew again for Varin who spun around on the backstretch after contact by another car.

A no start situation caused another two laps to be run under caution before the green flag flew again so that Palmer and DeLorenzo could continue their torrid battle for the lead. Pepicelli challenged DeLorenzo for the second position on the restart and briefly took it away but with five laps to go DeLorenzo had second place all to himself and pressured Palmer the rest of the way to the checkered flag.

Palmer was able to keep his car on the bottom of the speedway where it was working the best while DeLorenzo tried time and time again to get around him on the outside but when the checkered flag waved it was Palmer taking the win over DeLorenzo, Friesen, Pepicelli, and Odasz.

In victory lane Jack and Ronnie Johnson were the first to congratulate their car owner on his win.

“I let Ronnie drive my car a few times last year to see what he thought of it and when we built this new car he used that setup and tweaked it just a little bit,” Palmer said. “I had a signal from someone during that last caution to stay on the bottom of the track so I did over the last few laps to protect the lead.”

Doug Flynn led the first lap of the 602 sportsman feature event before Adam McAuliffe took over the point on the outside at the finish line after starting fourth. Brian Gleason started the event in the third position and by lap four was the new second place car setting up a battle for the win that would last for the remainder of the event.

            The first caution of the event came out on lap eight for John McAuliffe who was in the wall in between turns one and two and on the restart Ray Zemken spun around on the backstretch bringing out another caution flag. Once the event was restarted Adam McAuliffe and Gleason battled side by side for the lead while farther back in the field co-point leaders Mark Mortensen and John Scarborough made their way to the front.

            Adam McAuliffe and Gleason spent two laps side by side on laps 12 and 13 with McAuliffe able to hang on to the lead each time with Korey Wilder, Mortensen, and Scarborough completing the top five. The last caution of the event came out on lap 14 for Jeremy Pitts and Zemken who wrecked on the frontstretch with Zemken getting the worse of the crash as the right front of his car was torn off.

            Adam McAuliffe pulled away on the restart to take the win in the McAuliffe Trucking sponsored car followed by Gleason, Robert Bublak, Mortensen, and Scarborough. Wilder who was running third for most of the event suffered a flat tire going down the backstretch on the final lap relegating him to a seventh place finish.

            “I don’t even know what to say,” McAuliffe said in victory lane after scoring his third career win in the division. “Brian (Gleason) was really coming and to be honest with you I never thought that I would get a win this early in the season. There was a lot of bite on top in turns one and two and through the holes in three and four and being a former motocross racer I am not afraid to drive through the holes.”

            Kim Duell led at the start of the 20-lap pro stock feature event with Sheldon Martin second after both cars started on the front row. Two time winner in 2011 Rocky Warner started the event in the 10th position and on lap three went between Tom Denton and Chuck Dumblewski for a spot in the top five.

            Pete Broderson was the new second place car at that point after getting by Martin with Warner now the new fourth place car. With Duell out to a half straightaway lead by lap eight the best race on the track was between Broderson and Martin for the second position as they swapped the spot many times.

            Kenny Gates made it a four way battle for the second position between Broderson, Martin, and Warner with Gates the new second place car on lap 14. Gates was able to reel in the leader by lap 16 with the two side by side one lap later as Gates was able to take the lead away from Duell.

            Gates went on to his first win of the season and the 46th of his career at Fonda over Duell, Warner, Martin, and Dumblewski.

            “I really didn’t know that I was leading the race,” Gates said in victory lane. “The car was good but running three year old tires like we were it took awhile for them to heat up and with the great competition that we have here this year it took me awhile to make my way to the front.”

            Gus Hollner let at the drop of the green flag in the street stock feature but when he got out of shape in turn two he made contact with the inside wall and came back out across the track. When he did that John Young made contact with Hollner sending Hollner up on his side before the car came to rest with Dave Horning Sr. and Justin Knight also involved but fortunately nobody was injured in the wreck.

            On the original restart Neil Cosselman led the event but by the time lap one was completed Randy Cosselman took over the lead and pulled away from the field. Neil Cosselman, Rob VanAernam, Cassidy Wilson, and Chuck McSpirit had a four way battle going for the second position with VanAernam getting the spot by lap seven.

            Knight who pitted after the wreck on lap one and restarted at the rear of the field made his way back up to the third position on lap nine and with two laps to go was the new second place car after getting by McSpirit. Randy Cosselman cruised to his first career win in the division followed by Knight, McSpirit, VanAernam, and Wilson.

            Next Saturday evening Fonda Speedway will celebrate the Memorial Day holiday weekend with the Empire Super Sprints along with the modifieds, 602 sportsman, pro stocks, and street stocks all in action starting at 7:00 p.m.

JOHNSON WINS SECOND OF THE SEASON AT FONDA - 5/7/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On opening day of the 2011 season at the Fonda Speedway Ronnie Johnson raced to the big win in the $4,000 to win Ice Jam event and hopes for the season started out real high. Then two weeks of rain and a week of bad luck followed afterwards after a flat tire took him out of contention in the event last week.

Racing is a sport of highs and lows and after last week’s “low” Saturday evening ended up as a “high” for Johnson as he took his second win of the season and the 17th of his career at the Track of Champions in the Palmer’s Service Center, JPM powered #2 Teo car.

 “This car was good right out of the box a couple of weeks ago and I thought that we actually had something for them last week until the flat tire took us out of contention,” Johnson said in victory lane. “But tonight proved that we have a real good race car and maybe we will have something for them by the end of the season as far as points are concerned.”

Other winners at Fonda on Saturday included Rob Langevin (602 sportsman), Rocky Warner (pro stock), Ken Conroy (street stock), and Ben Riggi (4-cylinder).

 Dustin Delaney started the event on the pole and immediately took the lead over fellow front row starter Elmo Reckner. Ryan Odasz started the event in the fourth position and was the new second place car on lap two with Johnson third after starting fifth. With Delaney in lap traffic by lap nine everybody stayed close to the leader with Odasz pressuring Delaney for the lead by lap 12.

 Three laps later Delaney and Odasz were side by side for the lead with Odasz getting the lead briefly only to have Delaney get it back before the lap was completed. On lap 16 Odasz did take over the lead with Johnson now second after also getting by Delaney. Just before the first yellow flag of the event flew on lap 19 it was Jim Davis who was on the move after getting by both Matt DeLorenzo and Delaney for the third spot.

On the restart Johnson was the new race leader with DeLorenzo now second but attrition starting to affect the field with 10 laps to go as Delaney was the first to drop out followed by DeLorenzo who dropped out four laps later after slowing on the frontstretch going into turn one to bring out another caution.

 All of the caution flags allowed two other drivers to become factors in the race, the first being invading driver Stewart Friesen who came to Fonda after his home track Five Mile Point Speedway was rained out earlier in the day and defending Fonda Speedway modified track champion Bobby Varin who started 15th while Friesen started the event just ahead of Varin in the 12th spot.

 Friesen was the new second place car on lap 26 after getting by Odasz and when Johnson bobbled in turn two on that very same lap it looked as though Friesen may have a shot at the win with the final caution of the event coming out with only three laps to go.    

“I made a small adjustment to the car under the last caution as the track was going away and the car was getting tight,” Johnson said.

 On the restart last weeks winner Bobby Varin was the new third place car but Johnson pulled away to win by almost a straightway over Varin who got by Friesen for second with only two laps remaining, Friesen, Davis, and Jeff Trombley.

“I have to thank Alton and Carole Palmer as they give me everything that I ask for in the race car,” Johnson said. “Tonight I was committed to running the top really it was live or die up there for me.”

The 602 sportsman feature began with Troy Palmer taking the lead at the drop of the green flag after starting on the inside of the front row with second row starter Rob Langevin in tow. On lap two Langevin was the new race leader and from that point on he was out for a Sunday drive on a Saturday night.

With Langevin building up a straightaway lead by lap seven the focus was now on the race for the second position between Jeremy Pitts and Justin Auspelmyer who started fourth and seventh on the grid respectively. Pitts and Auspelmyer raced side by side at times for the position with Pitts able to fend off the challenge each time.

Langevin was in lap traffic with six laps to go in the 20-lap event but nobody ever got close enough to challenge him as Langevin went on to his first career win in the 602 sportsman division in the BNC Construction #24L followed by Pitts, Auspelmyer, Ricky Quick, and defending track champion John Scarborough.

For Langevin it was his first ever win in an open wheel car at Fonda after scoring a victory in the pro stock division on 10/16/2004.

“We’ve had some tough luck to the point that I didn’t know what the checkered flag even looked like,” Langevin said in victory lane. “I love running the high side here at Fonda and if it is there I am going to be up there running it. Hopefully all of our tough luck is over and we can do it (win) more this year.”

Dean Charbonneau led at the start of the pro stock feature event from his outside front row starting position with Kim Duell in tow. After an early caution flag flew on lap three the restart got interesting as Charbonneau, Duell, and Ivan Joslin raced three wide for the lead with Charbonneau able to hang on to the lead at that point.

Another caution slowed the field on the restart and on the next attempt to get the race going again Duell took a brief lead only to have Charbonneau get it back before the next lap was completed. Last weeks winner Rocky Warner started the event in the 10th position and by lap five he was already in the second spot after getting by Duell with Joslin back up to third after losing a couple of spots.

On lap nine on the inside of turns three and four Warner was the new race leader with Joslin getting by Charbonneau for the second spot. Warner held a straightaway lead with five laps to go in the 20-lap event with Joslin dropping out of the race with only two laps to go putting Kenny Gates in the second position after starting in the eighth spot.

Warner went on for the back to back win in the West End Service Center sponsored #79 which was the seventh of his career in the division at Fonda over Gates, Charbonneau, Luke Horning, and Chuck Dumblewski.

“This is awesome,” Warner said after the win. “Last year we only had a few cars in this division but this year we have more cars and some great competition. My crew puts a lot of time in this car so I have to thank them and my car owner Ray for this win.”

Ken Conroy led the 12-lap street stock feature flag to flag to score his second career win in the division at Fonda but it was far from an easy win. Two cautions slowed the field within the first two laps after that but from that point on it was caution free to the checkered flag.

On lap three Rob VanAernam was the new second place car after starting ninth and he challenged Conroy for the victory from that point on. Joining in to make it a four car race for the lead with only one lap to go in the event were Justin Knight and Dave Horning Sr. but at the checkered flag it was Conroy taking home the victory.

VanAernam, Knight, Cassidy Wilson who came back from being involved in one of the early race cautions, and Chuck McSpirit completed the top five.

FATHER AND SON HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AT FONDA - 4/30/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Bobby Varin begin the defense of his 2010 track championship in the best way possible with a feature win at the Fonda Speedway on Saturday evening. After two straight weeks of rain beautiful weather greeted the fans and drivers at the Track of Champions along with some great racing in all divisions as the chase to the 2011 track championships began with the opening night of points.

            While Bobby was sitting in victory lane at the completion of the modified event his son Danny also sat in victory lane on Saturday after winning the CRSA sprint a-main event.

            Besides the Varin’s other winners at Fonda on Saturday evening were Mark Mortensen who won the first of his career in the 602 sportsman division, Rocky Warner (pro stock), and Cassidy Wilson (street stock).

Marc Johnson led lap one of the 30-lap modified feature event after starting on the front row alongside Josh Hohenforst in a heads up start based on heat race qualifying. Going down the backstretch on the second lap, Hohenforst took over the lead from Johnson with Alton Palmer and Varin side by side for the third spot at that point as well.

            Palmer was able to hold off the challenge by Varin until lap six when Varin was able to get by for the third position. A rash of yellow flags began on lap 13 when Ice Jam winner Ronnie Johnson slowed in turn four taking away the straightaway lead that Hohenforst had built up. Johnson slowed due to a flat right rear tire and restarted at the rear of the field.

            It took two more restarts to get the race going again as consecutive yellow flags followed, one for Elmo Reckner who had something break in the left rear of the car and the other for Jim Davis who ended up in the turn four wall. One lap was recorded in the event before another caution came out which was for Ryan Odasz who spun on the inside of turn three.

            Varin took the second spot away from Johnson when the race was finally restarted as he got around both Johnson and the lap car of Floyd Billington and began working on Hohenforst for the lead one lap later.

Going into turn four on lap 14 Varin was underneath Hohenforst and leaned on him a little bit as they were coming out of the turn but Hohenforst was able to hold on to the position at that point with momentum on the outside lane. Going into turn two on the next lap Varin made a slide job pass for the lead and stretched out his advantage to a full straightaway by the time the checkered flag waved.

            For Varin it was his 47th career win at Fonda and it came in the Dave Cruickshank owned Dover Brake #00 Bicknell car powered by a JPM motor under the hood.

            Hohenforst finished second and was followed in the top five by Johnson, Palmer, and Matt DeLorenzo.

“Josh had a very fast car and was running a good line on the track,” Varin said. “I knew that I had to get the job done and get by him on one of the restarts and I had to get it done ASAP.”

“Our car wasn’t perfect tonight as I struggled in the early laps but it came on late and the lap cars were tricky as well as you had to pick and choose your way around them. The guys on this team put in a lot of work on this car and I have to thank them and Dover Dave for everything that they do for me.”

            After four heat races, two consolation events, and a B-main qualifying was finally complete for the 38 602 sportsman cars on hand putting Cody Bleau and Robert Bublac on the front row of the 26 car starting field. Bublac took the lead at the drop of the green flag with defending track champion John Scarborough getting by both Mark Mortensen and Bleau for the second position on lap two.

            Bublac continued to lead as Scarborough and Ray Zemken mounted a charge to the front as they caught the leader by lap five with Zemken able to get by Scarborough for the second spot on lap nine. Two laps later Bublac and Zemken were side by side for the lead with Bublac able to hold on to the lead at that point.

            After starting fourth and falling back to as low as sixth, Mortensen began a march to the front on lap 13, getting by Scarborough for the third position and four laps later getting by Zemken for the second spot. That led to a race to the finish that will be remembered for a long time as Mortensen caught Bublac with two laps to go and the two raced three wide at times as they had lap traffic to deal with.

            With Bublac running the high groove Mortensen knew that he would have to use the inside to get by which is exactly what he did. Mortensen got by a lap car on the outside just after completing lap 18 and going into turn one switched lanes and dove to the inside of Bublac coming out of the turn.

Bublac was able to hold his line and the lead up until the final lap coming out of turn four when Mortensen made a move to the bottom stick and nosed ahead of Bublac, winning the event at the finish line by a mere 0.043 sec.

For Mortensen it was his first win in the 602 sportsman division in the Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In of Scotia sponsored #1M Teo car powered by a Jack Boyd GM Crate motor after spending the last eight seasons in the “open” sportsman division.

Bublak, Jeremiah Munson, Zemken, and Scarborough completed the top five.

“I didn’t see that coming,” Mortensen said after the win. “Even though we fell back early the up front start and the lap cars definitely helped. It was a great win for us.”

After winning the two pro stock qualifying events, the heads up start put Kenny Gates and Rocky Warner on the front row with Warner taking the lead in the outside lane at the completion of lap one after running side by side with Gates for the entire lap. Two early cautions on laps three and six slowed the event with Warner able to hold on to the lead on both restarts.

Just before the halfway point in the 20-lap event invaders Tom Denton and Bill Knapp were racing three wide with Fonda regular Ivan Joslin with Joslin able to hold on to the spot at that point. With Warner running high and Gates low there wasn’t much room for Joslin to advance his position but the three way battle for the lead that these three drivers put on was second to none and great for the fans to watch.

With five laps to go Joslin made his way by Gates for the second position and going down the backstretch on lap 19 Warner and Joslin split a lap car as they were three wide for the lead with Warner able to hold on and go on to the win over Joslin, Gates, Denton, and Knapp.

“This win is for my father,” Warner said in victory lane after his sixth career win in the division. “I knew that Bill (Knapp) was quick in his heat race and the 35 (Gates) would come up and challenge for a few laps after the restarts but then I wouldn’t see him again. When that lap car held his line which turned out to be the middle it worked out for us as I was able to stay on the outside and hold off Ivan for the win.”

The 12-lap street stock feature began and ended with Cassidy Wilson at the front of the field. Wilson started the event on the pole and took a lead at the drop of the green that he wouldn’t relinquish for the entire event. Two of the big movers in the event were Chuck McSpirit and Justin Knight who started 10th and 11th respectively with McSpirit in the second position by lap two and Knight in the third spot by lap seven.

Nobody had anything for Wilson however as he went on to his 21st career win in the street stock division at Fonda. McSpirit, Knight, Randy Cosselman, and defending track champion Rob VanAernam completed the top five.

The Capital Region Sprint Car Agency (CRSA) made their third ever appearance at the Track of Champions on Saturday with Jeff VanSteenburg taking the early lead in the 20-lap event after winning his heat race and starting on the pole. Alongside of him on the front row was Brett Jaycox who held on to the second position up until a lap five restart after a caution when Tyler Rice was able to take over the spot after starting third.

            Danny Varin started the event in the 11th position and steadily moved to the front, taking the third position away from Jaycox on lap eight. One lap later Varin was the new second place car after getting by Rice for the spot and with Varin being the only car racing the low groove it didn’t take him too long to catch the leader.

            On lap 11 on the inside of turn four, Varin was the new race leader after getting by VanSteenburg and from that point on despite being in lap traffic for the remainder of the event Varin built up a straightaway lead to the checkered flag as he took the victory over Rice, VanSteenburg, Jaycox, and Chad King.

            Danny’s father Bobby was the first to greet the winner in victory lane with the rest of the family joining in the celebration as well.

            “This is our first win in this new car which I think that we finally have figured out,” Varin said in victory lane. “We had trouble with the rear end in our heat race but were able to get it fixed for the feature event. The lap cars were tough tonight but I was able to get by and it made for a good race.”

            Next week on Saturday May, 7 a regular show in all divisions is on the racing card at the Track of Champions along with Kiddie Rides. Starting time will be 7:00 p.m.

JOHNSON WINS $4000 ICE JAM AT FONDA - 4/9/11

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – If you look at the records for opening day victories at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway Jack Johnson leads the way with a total of eight while his son Ronnie has never won an opening day event at Fonda. That all changed on Saturday evening as Ronnie Johnson was able to capture the $4,000 to win Ice Jam event which opened the 2011 racing season at Fonda.

            “I was just trying to race where the other guy wasn’t,” Johnson said in victory lane as some fans in the grandstands were singing here we go RJ here we go. “I got lucky when the outside slowed down late in the event as we had a good setup to run the inside of the track in this Carole and Alton Palmer owned car. Today is Carole’s birthday too so it is a special day all around.”

            In other opening day action at Fonda Kerrie Hollenbeck was the winner of the 4-cylinder feature event while Rocky Warner won a special 10-lap dash for the pro stocks which was sponsored by Mac Tools.

            Danny Varin who ran the fastest heat race of the four that were run chose 10 for an inversion to set up the starting lineup for the main event putting Matt Sheppard on the pole. Sheppard took the lead at the drop of the green flag with Alton Palmer close behind after both drivers shared the front row at the start. Josh Hohenforst and Stewart Friesen both got by Palmer for the second and third positions by the lap five point in the event with Hohenforst catching the leader and pressuring him for the position by lap 10.

Friesen made it a three way battle for the lead at that point as the top three of Sheppard, Hohenforst, and Friesen caught lap traffic. When the first caution of the event came out on lap 11 for Tony Pepicelli it set up a slew of cautions over the next three laps as Mark Kislowski, Tim Fuller, and Danny Varin all brought out the caution on consecutive laps.

            “On a couple of those restarts I was in an odd position which put me on the inside and at that point that wasn’t the place to be,” Johnson said. “On the other two restarts I was on the outside and I was able to use that to my advantage to gain positions to the front and chase the leader.”

            When the race finally stayed under the green flag for more than one lap Sheppard maintained the lead with Johnson in the fourth position on lap 14. One lap later Johnson was the new second place car after getting by both Palmer and Friesen using the inside line on the speedway to get by them and also to catch the leader.

            With 10 laps to go Johnson began pressuring Sheppard for the lead using the inside groove in the turns to run even with the leader and on lap 32 Johnson made the inside move coming out of turn four stick to take over the lead in the Palmers Service Center JPM powered Teo car.

From that point on Johnson pulled away to the victory over Sheppard, Friesen, Palmer, and Tim McCreadie.

“I was just riding around the top hoping to be able to hold everyone off,” Sheppard said. “This is my best ever finish here and once I saw Ronnie underneath me I figured that he would get by but that is okay as I would take a second place finish to him anytime.”

“I was running the bottom and that opened up the top for Ronnie to get by me,” Friesen said. “Both Ronnie and Matt are good clean racers so we’ll take this as a good start to the season where we hopefully get a lot of wins.”

Next week a regular show in all divisions will open up the 2011 points chase with a starting time of 7:00 p.m.

2010 SEASON

RECAPPING THE 2010 SEASON AT THE TRACK OF CHAMPIONS

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – 2010 was the 58th consecutive season of competition at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds race track known to all as the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway. Although seven events were rained out during the season the remaining races were run with stiff competition as the track champions in the modified, pro stock, 602 limited sportsman, and street stock divisions came right down to the wire and were not decided until the “Night of Features” events in August.
            Starting out in the modified division a total of 21 racing events were held with 10 different winners visiting victory lane for those events. Leading the way was Bobby Varin who had a total of five feature wins and was followed by Ronnie Johnson with three victories; Matt DeLorenzo, Jim Davis, Ryan Odasz, A.J. Romano, and Stewart Friesen all with two victories apiece; Craig Hanson, Elmo Reckner, and Pat Ward all with one win apiece.
            For both Friesen and Reckner it was their first career wins at Fonda with Friesen winning the season ending McDonald’s 100 event and the Modified Thunder on the Thruway Series Point Title on the same late September day taking home a total of $17,500 in the process.
            Varin and DeLorenzo ended up battling each other for the modified title right from the early point of the season to the final point’s event in August as they were tied in the point lead in mid May before Varin took control towards the end of the month of May. DeLorenzo snuck ahead once more in mid July before Varin buckled down and won the sixth title of his career (2000, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010) in the Dave Cruickshank owned, Dover Brake sponsored, JPM powered Bicknell car #00.
            David Towns took the lead in points in the sportsman division on the first of May when he won the feature event and went on a winning streak that spanned six consecutive races after that on the way to his fourth consecutive and fourth career title at Fonda in his self owned, Mell Electric sponsored, Groski powered Teo car #6.
            In all Towns won 11 feature events during the 2010 season, one of which came in a car that he had never even sat in before when he blew the motor in his own car and drove the Jim Nagle owned Teo car to the victory after Nagle went all the way home to get the car and allowed Towns to use it.
            Other winners in the division in 2010 included Luke Munroe who finished the season with a total of five wins and Ricky Quick who won the first sportsman feature of his career at Fonda on July 24.
            The second full season of the 602 limited sportsman division competed at Fonda in 2010 with nine different winners visiting victory lane in a total of 18 events. John Scarborough led the way with a total of five victories while Jeremiah Munson had four; John and Adam McAuliffe each had two; Ray Zemken, John Bellinger, Derrick McGrew, Robert Bublak, and Cody Bleau all had one win apiece.
            For Scarborough, John and Adam McAuliffe, Bellinger, McGrew, Bublak, and Bleau it was the first wins of their careers in the division.
            Scarborough was crowned the 2010 track champion in the division in his self owned, Original Pizza Logs sponsored, Teo car #61. It was the second track title of his career at Fonda after winning the open sportsman track championship back in 2006.
            The pro stock division held a total of 17 events in 2010 with Roy Fifield leading the way with seven feature wins. Rocky Warner was next in line with four wins while Kenny Gates and Pete Broderson each had two. Nick Stone and Chip Smith completed the list of six different winners in the division with one win apiece.
            For Broderson it was the first win of his career in the pro stock division at Fonda.
            Fifield was crowned the 2010 track champion for the first time in his career at Fonda as the chase for the title lasted right up until the final point’s event of the season in August.
            George Catanzano totally dominated the UMP Modified division, winning 10 out of a total 14 events held in the division including eight in a row to finish out the season. Other winners in the division included Kevin Buff who had two; Jeremy Cramer and Matt Shadic with one apiece with Shadic’s win the first of his career at Fonda.
            Catanzano was crowned the 2010 champion for the third time in his career at Fonda after winning it back in 2003, 2005, and 2010.
            The street stock division saw a total of seven different winners in a total of 18 events with Cassidy Wilson leading the way with seven feature wins in the division. Rob VanAernam was next in line with four while Chuck McSpirit and Dave Horning Sr. each had two; Dennis Joslin, Jon Miller, and Ken Conroy all had single event wins all of which were the first of their careers in the street stock division at Fonda.
            VanAernam was crowned the 2010 street stock track champion for the third time in his career after winning it back in 1998, 1999, and 2010.
            Many special events also dotted the calendar at the Track of Champions in 2010 including the Lou Lazzaro Memorial event for modifieds which was won by DeLorenzo, the Jack Lockhart Memorial Dash for sportsman which was won by Justin Auspelmyer, and the Hondo Classic for pro stocks which was named after the late Hondo Carpenter and was won by Smith.
            The sprint cars were well represented at Fonda in 2010 with Justin Barger winning both Empire Super Sprint events during the season, Daryn Pittman winning the O’Reilly All Star 410 Sprint event, and John Matrafallo the CRSA Sprint event.
            The Lucas Oil Late Model Series also competed at Fonda for the first time with Jimmy Owens taking the win in the first ever late model feature event ever held at Fonda.
            2011 will be packed with excitement as the Track of Champions celebrates their  60th consecutive season of competition.  We'll keep you posted on details as they become available.

FONDA SPEEDWAY CLOSES OUT THE 2010 SEASON WITH ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET - 11/22/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On Sunday November, 21 the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway closed out the 2010 racing season with the annual awards banquet at the Mallozi’s Italian American Club on Washington Avenue Extension in Albany, NY. Champions in all divisions were crowned and there were many special awards given out as well.

            Fonda Speedway promoter Ric Lucia began the festivities by thanking all of the sponsors, car owners, drivers, crew members, and fans for what he considered to be a very competitive season of racing at the Montgomery Fairgrounds track.

            “Even in this struggling economy drivers and teams were still able to put together quality equipment,” he said. “Many out of town people came up to me and commented about the quality of racing at Fonda and I have to thank all who were involved in the 2010 racing season.”

            Lucia also gave away two of the first awards of the evening, one to Mark Kislowski who was named the 2010 Rookie of the Year in the modified division, also thanking Kislowski for the donation of the pace car to the Fonda Speedway for the past few years through the Morris Auto Group in Burnt Hills where Kislowski is also employed.

            The next award that Lucia handed out was to the newest member of the Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame, Tribes Hill, NY racer Ken Hanson.

            “Greatness comes from commitments and Kenny raced at Fonda for 30 years which is certainly a big commitment by him so I want to thank him for that commitment to the Fonda Speedway by inducting him into the Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame,” Lucia said.

            “It takes a lot of money to get involved in this sport,” Hanson said after receiving his plaque. “Fonda is a real fast track and if I was able to I would get back into a race car and race there again.”

            Fonda Speedway announcer Mike Mallett took over as emcee of the event at that point and thanked his co-announcer Josh Phillips for all of his help this season along with Mimi Lazzaro.

            Mallett introduced the members of the Utica Rome staff who were on hand for the banquet including promoter Gene Cole. He also thanked Mike Sowle for his contribution to both the Thunder Series point fund along with the 602 Limited Sportsman division point fund.

            Winners of the 2010 Thunder Series in their respective divisions were Stewart Friesen (modified), Bill Trexler Jr. (sportsman), and Rocky Warner (pro stock). All of the Thunder Series champions were given their point fund awards at the Utica Rome Speedway banquet a few weeks ago.

            In the 2010 Modified Thunder Series final points Friesen was followed in the top five by Bobby Varin, Ronnie Johnson, Pat Ward, and Billy Decker. A.J. Filbeck and Chuck Allen were second and third in 2010 Sportsman Thunder Series points behind Trexler while Pete Broderson and Brett Beldon were second and third behind Warner in final 2010 Pro Stock Thunder Series points.

            At that point in time Lucia came back up to the microphone and thanked Gene Cole for working with him on the Thunder Series again in 2010.

            “Gene Cole had enough faith in me years ago to work with me on the Thunder Series which will be back again in 2011,” Lucia said. “He was an iatrical part of putting this series together which we came up with to spread money out a little bit to hopefully keep the race teams going.”

            Phillips then introduced the top five in UMP modified points for 2010 including champion George Catanzano who was followed by Jeremy Cramer, Matt Shadic, Kevin Buff, and Aaron Jacobs.

            “What got us here tonight to celebrate another championship was a good car and sponsors,” Catanzano said after being awarded his third title in the division (2003, 2005, and 2010). “Steve Hart gave me a great car every week and that was the key. When asked about keeping Cramer from getting his fourth title in a row Catanzano said that “Fonda Speedway is my house.”

            The top five in points in the street stock division were next to be introduced including champion Rob VanAernam who was followed by Dave Horning Sr., Cassidy Wilson, Chuck McSpirit, and Dennis Joslin. For VanAernam it was his third career title after winning it back in 1998, 1999, and 2010.

            “It feels great obviously and I have to thank my crew and sponsors,” VanAernam said of the title. “As of right now I have no plans for the 2011 racing season.”

            The top 12 602 Limited Sportsman drivers were introduced and received their hardware including first time division champion John Scarborough who was followed in points by Ray Zemken, Brian Gleason, Cody Bleau, Robert Bublak, Jeremiah Munson, Adam McAuliffe, Dan Santabarbara, Chris Reckner, Harry Shaffer, John Calcagni Jr., and John Heidrich.

            “As I look back at what it took to get here in my twenty plus years of racing it is like putting together a puzzle with the pieces of the puzzle being my crew, sponsors, equipment, setups by Frank Hoard III, my competitors, and the fans,” Scarborough said. “I wasn’t too keen on this division but now believe that it is the division of the future. All in all I wouldn’t give back anything in my 28 year racing career and we will be back to defend our title next year.”

            For Scarborough it was the second point title of his career at Fonda after winning the 358 open sportsman title back in 2006.

            The sportsman division top 10 in points were introduced next including champion David Towns who was followed by Mark Mortensen, Ricky Quick, Luke Munroe, Chuck Allen, Vinnie Sanganetti, Justin Auspelmyer, Drew Fallis, Chad Edwards, and Craig Ritchie.

            “This title is a tribute to my family, friends, crew, and sponsors,” Towns said after winning his fourth consecutive title (2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010). “The car is sold so I won’t be back in 2011 unless I get a ride with BBL or Ronnie (Johnson) Towns said jokingly. Racing has been fun over the last 30 years but all good things must come to an end. Besides my wife told me that there is a pool in back of the house that we will be using a lot more on Saturday night’s next summer.”

            Roy Fifield was honored for his first career track championship in the pro stock division at Fonda and was followed in the top 10 in points by Rocky Warner, Kenny Gates, Pete Broderson, Ivan Joslin, Chuck Dumblewski, Shane Henderson, Nick Stone, Franky Twing, and Luke Horning. 

            “It was a great year with seven wins and I have to thank the Camara family as without them we wouldn’t even be racing along with my crew and sponsors,” Fifield said. “The last couple of years we ran both Fonda and Utica Rome but this year we cut that down to only racing at Fonda because we wanted to win at least one championship there in the pro stock division.”

            Bobby Varin led the way again in the modified division as he won his third title in a row and the sixth of his career (2000, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010) and was followed in the top 10 by Matt DeLorenzo, Dave Camara, Ronnie Johnson, Jim Davis, A.J. Romano, Alton Palmer, Ryan Odasz, Jeff Trombley, Elmo Reckner, and Danny Varin.

            “This feels amazing,” Varin said when asked about the title. “My first championship came back in 2000 in my own car with some help from Dover Brake and to end the decade with another title in 2010 in a car owned by Dave Cruickshank of Dover Brake is very special. It is a distinct honor to race at Fonda against the legends who race there who are the best in the northeast in my opinion.”

            “Bones Bourcier told me at the Utica Rome banquet to mention something personal about myself if I spoke at the banquet so I will say that I was a farm boy growing up and I am very proud of that. There are two facets of racing that I learned from my parents, one being determination which I got from my mother and the spirit of competition which I got from my father so I have to thank them for my success in racing as well.”

            “You hear around the circuit that guys (drivers) that travel the series or just travel to race aren’t thrilled about coming to Fonda and when you win there it is definitely an accomplishment and it means a lot to me.”

SPECIAL AWARDS HANDED OUT

            There were also many special awards that were handed out at the banquet and they included:

Rookie of the Year Sportsman – Craig Ritchie
Rookie of the Year Pro Stock – Mike Jeske
Rookie of the Year 602 Limited Sportsman – Brian Gleason
Rookie of the Year Street Stock – Dennis Joslin
Most Improved Modified – Josh Hohenforst
Most Improved Sportsman – Ricky Quick
Most Improved Pro Stock – Rocky Warner
Most Improved 602 Limited Sportsman – Cody Bleau
Most Improved Street Stock – Randy Cosselman
Crowd Pleaser Event Presented to the BBL Family of Companies in honor of owner Donald Led Duke for BBL Night when there was a flyover and many other special events to honor our servicemen & woman making it a very special racing program for all of the competitors and fans
Pit Crew of the Year – The Ryan Odasz #24 pit crew with members including Bill & Ellen Scoons, David Busch, Joe Wagner, Dave Bogardus, Paul Zinsman, Jim Smith, and Mark Older
DIRT Car Syracuse Pro Stock Champion – Rocky Warner
Excellence in Journalism – Bobco Video

            Lucia then closed the banquet with one final special award the Dedication to Racing Commitment to Fonda Speedway award.

            “This is an award that I take very personally and this year I give it to a good friend who has been ailing as of late Jack Johnson,” a very emotional Lucia said which was followed by a standing ovation for Johnson by the  large crowd that was on hand. An emotional Ronnie Johnson accepted the award for his father in what was truly the special moment of the evening.

            “Once again someone on the internet made themselves look dumb as I will be back in 2011 for my 15th year as the promoter of the Fonda Speedway,” Lucia said. “I couldn’t have done it for the last 14 years without the support from this woman beside me, my wife Laura who I have to thank as well.”

FRIESEN TAKES HOME BIG PAYDAY AT FONDA - 9/26/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – With a lot of big money on the line the 2010 racing season came to a close on Sunday evening at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway on the final day of the annual McDonald’s weekend festivities. A great field of invaders were on hand for the race and in the end one of them ended up winning the big money.

Earlier this season Stewart Friesen took home a big win at Fonda when he won the first feature of his career at the speedway. As big as that win was it didn’t match up to the one that he took on Sunday evening when he won the McDonald’s 100, taking home $9,500 for the victory. On top of that he also won the Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series point championship which paid him another $8,000 for a $17,500 pay day.

“I don’t really know what to say,” Friesen said after the win. “The crew worked their butts off the last two nights after blowing our motor in the race here at Fonda Saturday night. The guys never got the chance to drink any of the beer that they bought but tonight will be a different story.”

Other winners on the big day of racing sponsored by McDonald’s were Luke Munroe (sportsman) and Rocky Warner (pro stock). The Best of Four Sportsman and Pro Stock Champions were also decided on Sunday with Bill Trexler and Warner crowned the champions along with Friesen.

During pre-race ceremonies the Fonda Fair Princesses and Queen’s were on hand on victory lane to greet the drivers as they were introduced to the crowd along with officials from McDonald’s.

The princesses and queen’s on hand for the day were Jessica Lape (Miss Fonda Fair), Ashley McDuffee (Junior Miss Fonda Fair), Alexys Centi (Fonda Fair Princess), and Tiffany Sargalis (Fonda Fair Junior Princess). Mimi Lazzaro sang the Canadian Anthem while Centi (the Fonda Fair Princess) sang the National Anthem before McDonald’s officials gave drivers the command to start your engines.

Elmo Reckner and Larry Wight started on the front row with Reckner leading early on but by the time lap one was completed third place starter and 2010 track champion Bobby Varin was the race leader. By lap four Varin held a straightaway lead with the first of only two caution flags in the event coming out on lap eight when Dave Constantino did a 360 degree spin on the front stretch and continued on.

On the restart Matt Sheppard was the new third place car behind Reckner with Brett Hearn fourth after starting seventh. Hearn worked his way past Reckner for the second position on lap 13 with Varin now out to a full straightaway advantage. Stewart Friesen started the event in the ninth position and on lap 16 got by Reckner for the third spot with Varin now in lap traffic.

After starting 13th and eighth respectively, Matt DeLorenzo and Pat Ward worked their way into the top five on lap 24 with Reckner falling out of the event on lap 31 while running inside the top 10. Tim McCreadie started the event in the 17th position and by lap 39 was in the fourth position after getting by both Ward and DeLorenzo at the same time.

The yellow flag was out again on lap 42 for Tony Pepicelli who spun on the front straightaway taking away the half track lead that Varin had built up and on the restart Willy Decker spun in turn four while running in the top 10 bringing out the final caution of the event.

On this restart McCreadie stepped out of line in turn three and got around the outside of both Friesen and Hearn along with a few lap cars to take over the second position. By the lap 52 point in the event Varin and McCreadie made it a two car race as they were a straightaway ahead of third place running Hearn.

McCreadie caught the leader on lap 64 in lap traffic with Varin able to get by the lap car of Darwin Greene easily while McCreadie wasn’t as lucky and got held up behind Greene while Varin pulled away. When Varin was slowed on the backstretch on lap 69 after he and the lap car of Floyd Billington made contact, McCreadie closed in and got around Varin for the lead on the inside of turn four.

Friesen stayed in touch with the leaders in the top five for the first three quarters of the event when he started making his move to the front. On lap 71 Friesen snuck by Hearn for the third position and one lap later he was the new second place car after getting by Varin.

On lap 74 it was Friesen’s turn to step out of line as all of the cars were hugging the inside of the speedway so he made a move around the outside of both the lap car of Billington and McCreadie to take the race lead. Hearn fell out of the event on lap 82 after he drove into the infield while running third but it was Friesen’s day as he led the remaining laps to take the win in the Chad Parks owned Teo car to take the win over McCreadie, Varin, Pat Ward, and Matt Sheppard.

“On the last restart I was trying to figure out what everyone else was going to do,” Friesen said. “Once the track rubbers up it is tough to pass on and everybody was hugging the inside of the track but Ric has a huge race track here and there was plenty of track out there to use. It was huge for us to get to victory lane today and it was a big team effort.”

            “This is a good finish for Vinny (car owner Vinny Salerno) and the crew but I don’t run these race cars enough to know too much about these American Racer tires and that hurt us,” McCreadie said. “I think that Friesen had a harder right rear tire on than we did so it is going to be a long ride home for me.”

            “I don’t think the tires hurt us as much as the track taking rubber did,” Varin said. “We set the car up for a dry, slick track and once it started taking rubber I started shoving the nose in the turns and after that I didn’t get a chance to breathe as the car was a handful after that.”

            Modified heat race wins went to Greene, Tim Fuller, Ronnie Johnson, and Friesen while the two consolation events were won by Jimmy Davis and Jeff Trombley. All total there were 40 modifieds on hand for the event.

            The 30-lap sportsman feature began with Brian Gleason the early race leader while back in the field Mark Mortensen and Luke Munroe were making their way to the front after starting eighth and tenth respectively. By lap three Mortensen was already up to the fifth position while Munroe was close behind. Munroe got by both Bill Trexler and Mortensen for the fourth position on lap six with Mortensen also getting by Trexler for the fifth spot one lap later.

            Munroe got by Adam McAuliffe for the second position on lap 10 with Mortensen also getting by for the third spot. Mortensen and McAuliffe swapped the third position twice before Mortensen was able to secure the third spot at the same time that Munroe was taking the lead from Gleason. While Munroe pulled away to a straightaway lead with 10 laps to go Mortensen got around both Gleason and Jeremiah Munson for the second spot.

            On the final lap going down the backstretch Mortensen suffered a flat right rear tire while running in the second position and he was forced to drive into the pit area at that point as Munroe went on to his fifth win of the season and the 12th of his career over Munson, Ricky Quick, McAuliffe, and Chuck Allen.

            “There was a little bit of track left on the outside early on but my car was good enough that I could run it anywhere from top to bottom,” Munroe said after the win. “After a bad wreck a few weeks ago this frame is still twisted and we have a body from 2008 on it but this was one of the most exciting wins that I have ever had.”

            Sportsman heat races for the 25 cars that were on hand were won by Munson, Mortensen, and John Scarborough.

            The pro stock feature began with Kenny Gates the early leader with 2010 track champion Roy Fifield second. By lap six Fifield was playing bumper tag with Gates and one lap later got around Gates on the outside of the backstretch for the lead. Tom Denton and Rocky Warner were the new third and fourth place cars on lap 10 when the first of five caution flags in the event was thrown.

            On the restart, Warner went three wide to get by both Denton and Gates for the second position and on lap 11 Warner was the new race leader after getting by Fifield on the outside on the backstretch. Fifield wasn’t about to surrender the lead that easily however as he took it back for one lap before transmission problems forced him to the sidelines.

            Warner led the remaining laps to take his fourth win of the season and the fifth of his career at Fonda over Pete Broderson, Jim Normoyle, Nick Stone, and Jeremy Pitts.

            “I really wasn’t too happy with the track today but I got forced to the outside and it all worked out anyway,” Warner said. “I was running the bottom early but there was nothing there so I had to go to the top.”

            Pro Stock heat races were won by Warner, Denton, and Pitts with a total of 24 cars on hand.

DELORENZO TAKES WIN AT FONDA - 9/25/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – The 2010 season wasn’t one of the best for Matt DeLorenzo as far as wins are concerned as he only had one during the regular season. That all changed Saturday evening on opening day of the annual McDonald’s weekend with 175 cars in the pit area as DeLorenzo got by Ronnie Johnson late in the race for his second win of the season and the 28th of his career at the Track of Champions.

“This feels great,” DeLorenzo said after winning the 40-lap $4,000 to win event in the BBL Companies sponsored Teo car. “I was just barely hanging on, on the outside of the track as my rear bumper was touching the wall between turns one and two because there wasn’t any track left.”

Jeff Trombley and Darwin Greene started the event on the front row with Trombley taking the lead at the drop of the green flag. Stewart Friesen took over the second position by the time lap one was completed with Ronnie Johnson third after starting fifth.

Friesen was the new race leader on lap 10 after getting by Trombley on the backstretch with Johnson also getting by Trombley for the second spot. Friesen kept the lead up until lap 21 when he slowed going into turn one and drove into the pit area handing the lead over to Johnson who was driving the Palmer’s Service Center #76 with Tim McCreadie now second after starting eighth.

DeLorenzo started the event in the sixth position and it took awhile for him to get going but once he did his march to the front was fun to watch. By lap 22 DeLorenzo was in the third position and on lap 29 he was in the second spot after getting by McCreadie. The only caution of the event came out on lap 32 when Greene hit the backstretch wall and came to a stop in turn four with front end damage.

It took two tries to get the event restarted with Johnson still maintaining the lead through both but on lap 36 DeLorenzo turned up the wick and started pressuring Johnson for the lead with Johnson running the inside groove on the speedway and DeLorenzo the outside.

At the line to complete lap 38 Johnson and DeLorenzo were side by side for the lead with Johnson able to hold on to it at that point. Going down the backstretch on lap 39 DeLorenzo took the lead briefly but by the time they reached the finish line to complete the lap Johnson was the race leader.

DeLorenzo made the move on the outside of the backstretch stick on the final lap as he took the lead and held it to the checkered flag for the win over Johnson, McCreadie, 2010 modified track champion Bobby Varin who started the event in the 17th position, and Matt Sheppard.

“That was a lot of fun racing with Tim (McCreadie) and Ronnie (Johnson),” DeLorenzo said. “When guys give you enough room to race it is always a lot of fun and I have to give them both a lot of credit as they gave me a lot of room out there especially Ronnie when I was racing him for the lead.”

Modified heat race wins were taken by Mark Mortensen, Ryan Odasz, Tim McCreadie, and Matt Sheppard while consolation events were won by Pat Ward and Elmo Reckner.

The 602 limited sportsman were also on the racing card on Saturday with Chad Edwards the early race leader. The caution was out early in this event on lap one after Adam McAuliffe spun in turn four. On the restart Edwards held on to the lead with Jeremiah Munson taking over the second spot after starting fifth.

Munson and Dan Santabarbara were swapping the second position lap after lap with Santabarbara back in the position for good on lap six when the caution came out once again taking away the half straightaway lead that Edwards had built up. On the restart Munson was the new second place car with Cody Bleau also getting by Santabarbara for the third spot.

The final caution in the event was out on lap 11 when 2010 track champion John Scarborough suffered a flat tire. On the restart Bleau was the new second place car with heavy lap traffic facing the leaders over the final four laps of the 25-lap event. In lap traffic on lap 22 Bleau took over the lead from Edwards and went on to his first career win.

Edwards, Santabarbara, Munson, and Ray Zemken completed the top five.

“Lap traffic was tough today especially with only the bottom groove to race on,” Bleau said in victory lane. “Chad got held up by lap cars and I was able to get by and once I got past him I knew that nobody was going to get by me on the outside because I was surrounded by lap traffic.”

602 limited sportsman heat race wins were taken by John Scarborough, Jeremiah Munson, and Cody Bleau.

The UMP modified feature began with Howard Smith the early race leader from his pole position start with Kevin Buff in tow. On lap five Buff took the lead with 2010 track champion George Catanzano now second after starting sixth on the grid.

On the inside of turn two on lap six Catanzano was the new race leader and went on to his 10th win of the season and the 52nd of his career at Fonda over Jeremy Cramer who started back in the last row in the seventh position, Buff, Matt Shadic, and Aaron Jacobs.

“There was no bottom groove to race on today so I had to run up on top,” Catanzano said. “It was a battle of who could get the most bite but this race means a lot to me because I have won it every year since I started racing.”

Jeremy Cramer was the winner of the UMP modified qualifying event.

With 40 street stocks on hand two 20-lap feature events were run and in the first John Miller led the first two laps of the event until Chuck McSpirit took over the point on lap three on the backstretch. Miller stayed with McSpirit, took the lead back on lap seven, and went on to his first career win over Dave Horning Sr., Paul Mulrain, Ed Hatch, and McSpirit.

In the second feature Randy Cosselman led the first lap with 2010 track champion Rob VanAernam taking over the race lead on a lap two restart after a caution. On lap five Ken Conroy was the new race leader and he also went on to his first career win at Fonda over Dennis Joslin, Justin Knight, VanAernam, and Cosselman.

Street stock heat races were won by John Miller, Chuck McSpirit, Randy Cosselman, and Rob VanAernam.

The Empire Super Sprints were also a part of the racing program and it was Justin Barger who led at the start with four tries needed to get lap one in the record books. Local favorite Jessica Zemken took over the race lead on lap 18 and held it until lap 24 of the 25-lap event when Barger took the lead back in lap traffic.

Zemken, Shawn Donath, Bobby Varin, and Steve Poirier completed the top five.

ESS heat races were won by Shawn Donath, Justin Barger, and David Gravel with the B-main going to Alain Bergeron and the dash win going to Lance Yonge.

Kerrie Hollenbeck was the 4-cylinder feature winner with heat race wins going to Ben Righi, Dan Krajewski, and Pat McSpirit.

During intermission the 2010 Most Popular Drivers were presented their awards on victory lane with the winners being Jack Johnson (overall most popular), Bob Savoie (modified), Mark Mortensen (sportsman), Cody Bleau (602 limited sportsman), Kenny Gates (pro stock), Danny Ballard (UMP modifieds), and Cassidy Wilson (street stock).

Barger Picks up Second Fonda Speedway Win of the Season, Poirier Earns Third Career Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint Series Title - 9/25/10

By MIKE MALLETT
 
FONDA, N.Y. – Justin Barger started the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint season with a win at the Fonda Speedway and he capped off the regular season with a win at that same Montgomery County oval this past Saturday night.

The Montrose, N.Y., native briefly gave up the lead to Jessica Zemken during the 25-lap A-Main but rebounded in the closing laps to score his fourth win of the season and his 22nd career series victory giving him $1,700 for his efforts.

“This feels good,” said Barger.  “The first couple restarts at the beginning of the race it was tough because we went with a harder tire but we were able to do what we had to do tonight.”

The win wasn’t enough as Barger came up a few points short of claiming his second consecutive series title as he finished second in the final standings to Steve Poirier.

“We were decent during the summer,” commented Barger.  “We had a lot of top fives but we didn’t have the dominant car when we needed it.  We ended up getting crashed out of Utica and we didn’t need that.”

Poirier earned his third series title after also claiming that title in 2008 and 2009.  Along with the overall title, Poirier also claimed the SUNY Canton series title on the night.

“It feels really good,” said Poirier.  “It was a long season and we tried really hard to win the championship this year.  We were really focused on winning it this year, I’m really proud of my team and this accomplishment.”

Barger started on the pole with his Dan Deming Ford powered Maxim for the feature with Shawn Donath on the outside.  Barger jumped to the lead at the initial green flag but that was negated by a caution.   After three attempts to get the race underway the field was finally successful at taking the green.

With only two laps complete in the main, Rick Wilson and Mike Goodman came together on the back straightaway after Goodman broke.  The contact caused Wilson to flip off the speedway in turn three.  He was uninjured in the accident.

The single file restart gave Barger the edge and he again pulled away.  As the laps clicked off he led with Zemken in pursuit.   Slower traffic became an issue for Barger on lap 10 and this was the break Zemken was looking for as she quickly closed the gap.

The duo remained the top two as the laps made their way up closer to the end.  They were in traffic on lap 18 when Zemken made her move.  Barger attempted to pass a lapped car on the outside and this mistake allowed Zemken to slide below him to take the lead.

As Zemken paced the field she struggled with the same issue that Barger did, slower traffic.  She wasn’t able to move through the traffic and when she attempted to go the outside on lap 24 this cost her the lead as she gave it back to Barger.

“I ended up squeezing back by there as I had just enough to get back by her,” said Barger.  “She (Zemken) ran a hell of a race but I was happy the race ended when it did.”

Barger never left the fast line on the bottom of the track in the final lap as he went on to take the checkered.

Zemken, of Sprakers, N.Y. was forced to settle for second at a track only minutes from where she grew up.  A solid finish after she’s been on the road racing at numerous places with her new crew chief Mike Woodring.

“It’s really good to come back to my home track,” stated Zemken.  “All my friends and family are here and I couldn’t do it without them and all of my sponsors.”

Zemken knew she made a mistake in traffic because if she had kept her car on the bottom of the speedway she may have been able to hang on to grab her sixth win of the season.

“So close but not close enough,” stated Zemken after the second place finish.  “The lapped car was tough.  That was the only way I got Justin (Barger).  Once I got by him (Barger) I should have been smart enough to just pull it in and stay in the rubber on the bottom.  I thought for sure he was going to be able to get by me because the rubber was widening out.  I tried to make the pass and it didn’t work.”

Donath brought Doug Emery’s No.33 home in the third spot.  A very strong showing considering Donath made hard contact with the outside wall on the front straightaway in hot laps causing him to break many parts on the front end.

“This Patterson Motorsports team surprises me every time I go out,” said Donath.  “We usually have a lot better car than what I show for it.  After the wreck in hot laps these guys all worked really hard and they gave me a great race car.”

Bobby Varin earned his second fourth place finish of the night as he was also fourth in the accompanying Modified feature event.  Poirier finished in fifth giving him enough to earn the series title.  Rounding out the top ten were, All-Star Circuit of Champions regular David Gravel, Lance Yonge, Jeff Cook, Michael Parent and 21st place starting Dylan Swiernik.
 
ESS/Fonda Notes: A stout field of 35 sprints filled the pits on day one of McDonald’s Weekend…Making first ever ESS starts were Gravel, Oklahoma’s Mike Goodman subbing for Jami Russell and Chris Seely, a 600 micro sprint driver who was aboard Bruce DeWick’s mount…With the new additions, ESS played host to a record 109 different drivers during its full point shows…The Lucas Oil Tour will now join forcers with the United Racing Company on Friday night Oct. 8th as a part of the $3,000 to win New York State Sprint Challenge at the Cayuga County Fair Speedway as a part of Super Dirt Week…Then on November 20th it’s the 28th annual awards banquet.

JOHNSON MAKES A LATE RACE PASS TO WIN AT FONDA  9/18/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY - The Track of Champions Fonda Speedway was back in action after a four week break for the annual Fonda Fair with Ronnie Johnson making a late race pass on 2010 modified track champion Bobby Varin to take the victory in the 30-lap modified feature event in the Palmer's Service #76A.

            "I have to thank Alton and Carole Palmer for letting me drive this car tonight and Ed and June Keyser who own the motor that is in this car," Johnson said after the win. "Bobby gave me one heck of a race there."

            Other winners on Hunts Machine/Schenectady Unit Parts NAPA Night at Fonda were David Towns (sportsman), Jeremiah Munson (602 limited sportsman), Pete Broderson (pro stock), Cassidy Wilson (street stock), and Dan Krajewski (4-cylinder).

            Jimmy Davis and Craig Hanson started the event on the front row with Davis jumping out to the early lead. Varin started the event in the third position and on lap two got by Hanson for the second spot with Davis just ahead. By lap five Davis and Varin were side by side for the lead at the finish line with Davis able to hold on to it at that point.

            The leaders were in lap traffic on lap eight with Varin getting blocked by a lap car allowing Davis to pull out to a few car length advantage. Just before the yellow came out on lap nine for Josh Flint who spun in turn two, Varin was able to get by Davis for the lead but when the yellow flag came out it handed the lead back to Davis as the field was lined up according to the way they ran on the last completed lap.  On the restart Varin was the new race leader with Ronnie Johnson the new second place car after starting fifth with Davis starting to drop back in the field as he was dealing with brake problems in his self owned #73. The final caution of the event came out on lap 12 when Willy Decker suffered a right front flat tire and when the green flag flew again it was a race to the checkered flag between Varin and Johnson.  On lap 14 Tony Pepicelli was the new fourth place car after starting seventh with Ryan Odasz fifth after coming from deep in the field from his 16th place starting position. Pepicelli got by Hanson for the third position at the halfway point in the event but the focus was definitely on Varin and Johnson as they pulled away from the field to make their own two car battle for the win.

            Johnson was trying everything in the book to stay with Varin as he was faster in the turns while Varin was faster on the straight-aways. Johnson nosed ahead of Varin to take the lead on lap 23 in turn two as he got by both Varin and a lap car but by the time the cars were on the backstretch Varin took back the top spot.  "I was able to get by Bobby in lap traffic but he was able to get back by me before I could even blink," Johnson said.

            Johnson concentrated on running the low line on the speedway over the last five laps of the race and going into turn four on lap 28 he knew that it was time to make his move. That is exactly what he did going into the turn as he took the lead after contact was made with Varin while making the pass which turned out to be the pass for the win.

For Johnson it was his third of the 2010 season and the 15th of his career at Fonda.  Varin finished second followed by Pepicelli, Hanson, and Odasz.

"I got into Bobby a little bit while making the pass but he gave me the thumbs up afterwards," Johnson said. "He uses a unique line here at Fonda which uses up a lot of track so I knew that if I stuck it in there I would have to make it stick as he is no dummy and could have possibly got back by me. Bobby is a great racer and there is nobody better than him at Fonda right now."

The 25-lap Best of Four Thunder Sportsman Series event began with a wreck in between turns three and four with a total of seven cars involved on the first lap of the event. The wreck began when Drew Fallis spun after making contact with Matt Janczuk with the other cars piling in afterwards. The red flag was thrown as some of the cars ended up on their roofs but fortunately nobody was injured.

On the original restart with only 14 cars left out of a 21 car starting field, A.J. Filbeck was the race leader from the pole position with 2010 sportsman track champion David Towns second at the completion of lap one after starting third. At the finish line to complete lap four Filbeck and Towns were side by side for the lead with Filbeck able to hang on to it at that point.  Going down the backstretch on lap five Towns made the pass for the lead as he went around Filbeck on the outside and never looked back from that point on as his car was on rails. Ricky Quick had a great run going as he sat in the third position on lap 10 after starting seventh but on lap 24 he slowed going into turn four and retired to the pit area.

When the checkered flag flew only Towns and Filbeck were left on the lead lap as Towns went on to his 11th win of the season and the 45th of his career at Fonda over Filbeck, Pat O'Hanlon, Bill Trexler, and Mark Mortensen.

"We were involved in a really bad wreck at Utica Rome last Friday night and had to spend a lot of money this past week to fix the car but tonight's win definitely makes up for it ," Towns said in victory lane. "I have to thank all of my sponsors for sticking with me over the last seven years, I won the first race that I ever ran and tonight I think that I may have just won my last."

The biggest surprise of the evening may have come after the 602 limited sportsman feature event when a different driver other than the car owner got out of the winning race car in victory lane.  John Calcagn was the early leader but by the time lap one was completed Jeremiah Munson was the race leader in the Scott Duso owned #20 after starting alongside Calcagn on the front row. On lap four 2010 602 limited sportsman track champion John Scarborough was the new second place car with Korey Wilder third.

At the halfway point in the 20-lap event Brian Gleason got by both Cody Bleau and Calcagn for the fourth position with Munson now out to a straightaway lead. Scarborough was in the Hayes family owned car as his car was being readied for Super DIRT Week in Syracuse which is just a couple of weeks away but Munson maintained his straightaway advantage through the remainder of the event as he went on to his fourth win of the season and the 10th of his career in the division at Fonda.  Scarborough, Wilder, Gleason, and Bleau completed the top five.

Just when everyone was expecting Duso to get out of his car to celebrate his first career win in victory lane it was Munson instead who got out of the car to celebrate his victory.  "Scott (Duso) has been struggling with this car so he asked me to drive it tonight and give him some input," Munson said. "This is a change of rides for me but I don't come to lose so I was happy to get the win tonight."

Utica Rome invader Brett Beldon started the 20-lap pro stock feature from the pole position and took the lead at the drop of the green flag with 2010 pro stock track champion Roy Fifield in tow. Tom Denton who was also visiting from Utica Rome and Pete Broderson were the new third and fourth place cars early in the event after starting fifth and seventh respectively.

            In lap traffic on lap seven Fifield took over the lead with the top four cars of Fifield, Beldon, Denton, and Broderson all racing together for the top spot on lap nine. Broderson made his move on lap 10 after first getting by Denton for the third position and then Beldon for the second spot one lap later.

            On the inside of the backstretch on lap 14 Broderson was the new race leader and would go on to his second win of the season and the second of his career at Fonda over Fifield, Beldon, Denton, and Kenny Gates.

            "This car has a brand new crate motor in it as we were breaking it in for Syracuse tonight," Broderson said. "We didn't know what to expect with the new motor in the car and worked the entire night and part of today fixing a rear end problem that we found on Friday night. We set fast time in our heat race so we knew we had a pretty good car at that point."

            Ken Conroy led lap one of the 12-lap street stock feature event with an early caution coming out at that point when a bunch of cars got out of shape on the front stretch. Ivan Joslin suffered front end damage to his car in the melee and was done for the evening at that point.

            On the restart Chuck McSpirit was the new race leader which lasted for only one lap as Rob VanAernam took over the point after starting eighth. Cassidy Wilson started the event in the 11th position and by lap six was already up to the second spot after getting by Dave Horning Sr.

            On lap eight, Wilson used the outside groove on the backstretch to take the lead away from VanAernam and went on to his seventh win of the season and the 20th of his career at Fonda. VanAernam, Horning, John Miller, and Leo Brady completed the top five in the event.

            On Saturday and Sunday September 25 & 26 the 2010 racing season comes to a close at the Track of Champions with the running of the annual McDonald's weekend. On Saturday the Empire Super Sprints will be in action with their 2010 series champion to be decided with modifieds, UMP modifieds, 602 limited sportsman, street stocks, and 4-cylinders also on the racing card. The modified (40-laps $4,000 to win) and street stock features will be open events while the 602 limited sportsman feature will pay $1,000 to win.

            Then on Sunday the final event of the Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series will be held along with the final events in both the Best of Four Sportsman and Pro Stock Thunder Series also on the racing card. The modified event will be a 100-lap race paying $9,500 to win. Starting time on both days will be 2:00 p.m.

WARD MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO FONDA- 8/21/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Years ago Pat Ward used to be a regular at the Fonda Speedway until getting the ride in the Gypsum Express car owned by John Wight and moving his regular racing program to the tracks in Western, NY two of which are now owned by Wight himself.

Saturday evening Ward was back at Fonda and showed all of the Fonda regulars that he hasn’t forgotten how to get around the Montgomery County Fairgrounds track as he led every lap of the 30-lap modified feature event in the Gypsum Express #42P Bicknell car.

The win for Ward was his first at Fonda since the Ice Jam event on April 11, 2009 and his 22nd career win at the Track of Champions.

“The car was so bad in the heat race and we made so many changes to it that I didn’t know what to expect from the car or what was going to happen going into the first turn at the start,” Ward said in victory lane. “I was just hoping that I didn’t slip up in turn one on the first lap and get into A.J. (Romano who started on the outside of the front row).”

A moment of silence was also observed before the modified feature event in memory of Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame member George Proctor’s wife Harriet who recently passed away.

Other winners on W.M. Larned & Sons Night at Fonda on Saturday were David Towns (sportsman), John Scarborough (602 limited sportsman), Roy Fifield (pro stock), Dennis Joslin (street stock), and Dan Krajewski (4-cylinder).

Twenty-four cars started the feature event with Ward taking the lead at the drop of the green flag in the caution plagued main event. The first yellow flag was out on lap three for Craig Hanson and Josh Flint who came together in turn four with another yellow on the restart for a “no start” situation.

Ward blasted into the lead again when the race restarted with 2010 track champion Bobby Varin making a move from fifth to second with Ryan Odasz now third. A pileup in turn three on lap five brought out the red flag with almost 10 cars involved. The wreck started when something broke on the front end of Elmo Reckner’s car in turn three forcing him to slow quickly. All of the other cars piled in including Jim Davis who lost a wheel and an axle out of the car but fortunately nobody was injured.

Through each of the five restarts during the event Ward and Varin would make it a two car battle for the lead as they would pull away and make it their own race with the rest of the field strung out behind them. The track was fast on Saturday evening with low 19 second laps still being turned as the race went on to the checkered flag and it was definitely a race of attrition with only seven cars completing the entire 30-lap distance.

Varin ended up second followed by Odasz, Matt DeLorenzo, and Alton Palmer.

“This hasn’t been the best of years for us and I have to thank my crew who changed bars, tire stagger, gears, and tires among other things between the heat race and feature because the car was so bad early on,” Ward said. “That was the best the car has been this year.”

 Mark Mortensen led at the drop of the green flag in the sportsman feature but in turn two of the first lap 2010 track champion David Towns made a move underneath Mortensen to take a lead that he wouldn’t relinquish again in the caution free green to checker event.   For Towns it was his 10th win of the season and the 44th of his career at Fonda.  Mortensen, Justin Auspelmyer, Chuck Allen, and Scot Straight completed the top five in the event.

“There wasn’t a lot of cars tonight and the invert to determine starting spots which allowed me to start fourth definitely helped,” Towns said. “My wife wanted to stay home and watch Bristol but here we are in victory lane again.”

Troy Palmer led the 602 limited sportsman feature at the drop of the green flag with three consecutive yellow flags out on the first three laps. On the restart after the second caution Ray Zemken was the new race leader with John Scarborough second after starting fourth.

Zemken only led one lap before Scarborough took over the point on lap four and by lap seven he held a straightaway lead over Zemken. Scarborough led the race through one more caution flag and went on to the easy win, his fifth of the season and the fifth of his career in the division at Fonda.

On the front straightaway after the win Scarborough climbed on top of his car and “took a bow” in front of the crowd just like Kyle Busch does after a win in the NASCAR series.  “We are going up to Syracuse for Super DIRT Week to represent Fonda Speedway and the reason for us being here tonight was to shake down the new 602 crate motor that we plan on racing up there,” Scarborough said. “Hopefully we can go up there and be successful.”

 The wild and competitive pro stock feature started with Nick Stone and Shane Henderson on the front row with Stone leading early on in one of Rocky Warner’s cars. Ivan Joslin started the event in the third position and on lap three got around Stone for the lead.

Five cars were competing for the lead by lap four with Joslin, Stone, Warner, Gates, and 2010 champion Roy Fifield all trying to get the top spot. Stone took the lead at the line to complete lap five with Fifield making his way up to the second spot. Fifield took his turn at leading the event on lap seven and pulled away to a half straightaway lead at the halfway point in the 20-lap event.

Warner and Gates were able to close in on Fifield by lap 12 just before Joslin slowed at the entrance to pit road to bring out the final caution of the event. Fifield held the lead on the restart but the action behind him between Warner and Gates started heating up with Warner now pressuring Fifield for the lead.   With five laps to go Fifield and Warner were side by side for the lead with Warner able to get by for the point after Fifield slid up high in turn two. Fifield came right back on the outside to retake the lead as Warner ended up spinning out in turn two on the final lap after contact in the rear by Gates.

Gates pressured Fifield on the final lap with Fifield able to nip Gates at the checkered flag to take the win over Gates, Chuck Dumblewski, Henderson, and Rick Taylor completed the top five.

 The win for Fifield was his seventh of the season and the 21st of his career at Fonda.  “It was definitely good to run as well as we did now that the point championship is wrapped up,” Fifield said in victory lane. “The car was hooked up for the feature but got tight towards the end which caused me to slide up high in turn two and lose the lead to Rocky. Fortunately I was able to get it back.”

The 15-lap street stock feature was a lead swapping affair just like the pro stock feature was with Chuck McSpirit and Cassidy Wilson swapping the lead six times at the line and many other times leading up to crossing the finish line through lap 11 when the red flag came out for Randy Cosselman who was in the back stretch wall. He was not injured in the wreck.

Dave Horning Sr. took the lead at the completion of lap 13 but one lap later spun out in turn one after contact from the car behind him as the field got bunched up going into the turn. On the restart McSpirit retook the lead but started smoking when the race went green again and slowed in turn one on the final lap.

Dennis Joslin took over the lead at that point and went on to his first career win at Fonda over Leo Brady, Horning who got all the way back up to third after his spin on lap 14 and had to restart at the rear of the field, Neil Cosselman, and McSpirit who coasted to the finish.  “It didn’t look like I was going to win but when the guys got tangled up in front of me luck came our way and I was able to do it,” Joslin said.

Dan Krajewski led every lap of the 4-cylinder feature to take the win in the 12-lap event.

The Fonda Speedway is now dark as they take their annual break for the Fonda Fair. The next racing event at Fonda will be on Saturday September, 18 at 6:00 p.m. with all divisions in action for a regular show.

ODASZ AND ROMANO TAKE NIGHT OF FEATURES VICTORIES AT FONDA - 8/14/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Fonda Speedway promoter Ric Lucia started the Night of features format at the Fonda Speedway when he took over the helm at the Track of Champions back in 1997. The format is a tough one as double features can either make or break you if you are in the hunt for the point title but it sure is an exciting evening for the fans.  Emotions also play a big part in the evening as the champions are crowned and those who have not been fortunate enough to get a feature win yet are trying to get to victory lane to make their season a success. Saturday evening at the Fonda Fairgrounds emotions were high especially in victory lane after a feature win or a championship celebration.

          Ryan Odasz was the recipient of some good luck in the first modified feature event on Saturday evening while it was just the opposite for A.J. Romano as Romano shredded a right rear tire in turn four of the final lap while leading allowing Odasz to get by for the win in the Besco Metals sponsored Teo car. In the second feature Romano redeemed himself and took home his second win of the season in the North Norwich Motors sponsored Troyer car on his son Adam’s birthday with A.J. himself set to celebrate his birthday on Sunday.

          “I had nothing for A.J. and as far as I am concerned he was the winner of this race but I’ll collect the money for him though,” Odasz said jokingly in victory lane. “I really didn’t see his right rear tire blow but I did notice that I gained a lot of ground on him in just a short amount of time so I knew that something must have happened to A.J.”

            “I was so disappointed after losing the first race, I was demoralized,” Romano said during his victory lane ceremonies. “I was totally disgusted and there was a lot of damage done to the car when the tire shredded so I have to thank my crew for all of their hard work getting the car ready for the second feature. Wins here at Fonda are so tough to get and to lose one like that was tough.”

            A 21 gun salute to honor our veterans was performed while the 109th Airlift Wing from Schenectady, NY provided a military flyover. The 104th Fighter Wing from Springfield, MA was also a part of the ceremonies with Roland Guyette singing the National Anthem. Other organizations that were a part of Military Night at Fonda were the VFW Post 2077, the American Legion Post 137, and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 122.

            BBL Construction Services sponsored the racing program and enhanced the pay off in the modified and 602 limited sportsman division features as well.

            Other winners on Saturday at Fonda were David Towns who won both sportsman features along with the 2010 track championship, Adam McAuliffe and Robert Bublak in the 602 limited sportsman division with John Scarborough taking the title, Roy Fifield and Rocky Warner in the pro stock division with Fifield the 2010 champion, George Catanzano in the UMP modifieds who also was crowned the 2010 champion, Dave Horning Sr. and Rob VanAernam in the street stock division with VanAernam taking the title.

            During the intermission racing historian Danny Ody talked about racing legend Pepper Eastman who was fatally injured at Fonda 45 years ago to the day on August 14, 1965. Many of Eastman’s family members were on hand for the Night of Features racing program.

            Dave Camara led the first 10 laps of the first 33-lap modified feature event while Jeff Trombley made a quick move to second from his fourth place starting position by the time lap one was completed with Odasz third after starting sixth. A yellow on lap 10 slowed the field and after two tries to get the race restarted Trombley was the new race leader.

            Also making a move on the restart was Romano who got up to the second position after starting eighth. Romano was able to close the gap on Trombley by lap 24 with Trombley running the high groove and Romano the low line on the speedway. On the inside of turn three on lap 27 Romano ducked under Trombley to take the lead with the final caution in the event coming out shortly afterwards.

            On the restart Romano pulled away and looked like he was on his way to another victory but it wasn’t meant to be as coming around turn four on the final lap he shredded the right rear tire allowing Odasz to get by for the win, his second of the season and the 10th of his career at Fonda. Matt DeLorenzo, Bobby Varin, and Jim Davis also got by Romano for the second through fourth place positions as Romano ended up fifth.

            It was Military Night at Fonda on Saturday with Odasz remembering our troops in victory lane and thanking them for their services to our country.  “My neighbor Steven Chandler just got home from the service and is sitting up in the grandstand tonight,” Odasz said. “Tonight I want to say thank you to him and to all of the other service men and women who serve our country which allows us to do what we enjoy.”

            In the second 33-lap modified feature event Romano started fourth as the field was inverted by eight from the first event. Camara led lap one with an early caution coming out at that point for Trombley who did a 360 degree spin in turn two. On the restart Ronnie Johnson was the new race leader with Romano getting by Camara for the second position on lap three.

            On the inside of turn four on lap seven Romano was the new race leader and got by lap traffic better than anyone for the remainder of the event as he went on to his second win of the season and the 32nd of his career at Fonda. DeLorenzo, Varin, Camara, and Odasz completed the top five.

            “I was nervous with all of the yellow flags during the race because I didn’t really know where to run on the track for the restart,” Romano said. “I kept on thinking should I go inside or outside and finally I just had to go with my gut feeling and try to hold everyone off because I knew Matty (DeLorenzo), Bobby (Varin) or someone else would be coming up behind me.”

            Varin was crowned the 2010 modified track champion for the sixth time in his career after also winning the title back in 2000, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009.

            “Relieved,” was the first thing that Varin said while in victory lane to celebrate another title at Fonda. “It was a tough battle all year long and we persevered when we needed to because some things just didn’t go our way this year. Tonight really wasn’t a whole lot of fun because you want the title so bad but you also know that anything can happen. It is definitely an honor to be a part of the history of the Fonda Speedway.”

            The first sportsman feature was action packed and got a little wild towards the end as Chuck Allen led the first three laps after starting on the pole. Towns started the event in the seventh position and by lap two was already in the third spot with Vinnie Sanganetti just ahead.

            Towns made quick work of Sanganetti and on lap four was the new race leader after making a move around Allen on the backstretch. On lap 11 Sanganetti slowed with a flat tire bringing out the only caution in the event. After two tries to restart the event without success as there were cars jumping the restarts the checkered flag was thrown on the race.  Allen finished second followed by Mark Mortensen, Aaron Jacobs, and Drew Fallis.

            The second sportsman feature got underway with a starting lineup inverted by 10 from the finish of the first event putting Justin Auspelmyer and Ricky Quick on the front row. Auspelmyer took the lead at the drop of the green flag with Mortensen third at the completion of lap one after starting sixth.

            Mortensen got by Quick for the second spot on lap six with Auspelmyer making contact with an erratic lap car on lap eight in turn three slowing his pace which allowed Mortensen to close in. On the outside of turn four on lap nine Mortensen was the new race leader with Towns getting by both Quick and Auspelmyer for the second position on lap 14.  Just as it looked as though Mortensen was going to go on to his first win of the season he too came in contact with another erratic lap car almost causing him to spin out in turn two. Mortensen recovered but was slowed enough that Towns was able to get by him and go on to the win with Mortensen, Auspelmyer, Quick, and Luke Munroe completing the top five.

            “I feel bad for Mark (Mortensen) because he had the race won,” Towns said in victory lane. “When everything goes your way like it has for us this year that is what happens so we’ll take it.”

            Towns was crowned the 2010 sportsman track champion for the fourth year in a row after winning it back in 2007, 2008, and 2009 as well.

            “This is a tribute to a great Teo car, a great motor from Groski, a great crew, family, and sponsors,” Towns said. “The night that I blew my motor and raced Jim Nagle’s car was the turning point in the season for us. Tonight the car was good in the first feature and the track was good too but in the second one I had nothing for Mark (Mortensen) but he got into the lap car and I was able to capitalize. I want to thank everyone for a great season and after this year probably a great career.”

            The first of two 20-lap feature events for the 602 limited sportsman was led at the start by outside front row starter Adam McAuliffe who took the lead at the drop of the green and never looked back as he went on to is second win of the season. The red flag was out before any laps were completed for Doug Flynn who flipped his car in turn one. He was not injured in the accident.  Jeremiah Munson moved into the second position on lap 12 after starting 10th but had nothing for McAuliffe and had to settle for second at the finish. Ray Zemken, Cody Bleau, and John Scarborough completed the top five.

            “The car was great tonight and I have to thank my crew for that,” McAuliffe said. “I have to thank my parents as well and this win is for them.”

            The second feature event wasn’t as much of a runaway by any one driver with Harry Shaffer leading lap one after the field was inverted by 10 positions from the finish of the first feature. Robert Bublak started the event on the outside pole and on lap two used the outside groove in turn two to get the race lead.  Scarborough moved past Shaffer for the second position on lap four and shortly afterwards Scarborough was the new second place car with Bublak out to a big lead. Late in the event Bublak couldn’t get by a lap car who was just as fast as him but Scarborough couldn’t capitalize on the situation as Bublak was still too far ahead.

Earlier this season Scarborough beat Bublak on the final lap for the victory but Saturday night was Bublak’s turn as he went on to his first career win at Fonda over Scarborough, McAuliffe, Brian Gleason, and Munson.

“This Bicknell car has been awesome this year,” a very emotional Bublak said. “My girlfriend stayed home tonight and she said that I was going to win tonight and I did. This win is for my dad.”

Scarborough was crowned the champion in the 602 limited sportsman division for 2010 after winning the open sportsman crown back in 2006. “A track championship at Fonda is something to cherish and I tell my guys that all of the time,” he said. “This crate division is the division of the future as long as the tech people keep everyone honest. Now we are going to get ready to run Syracuse and see what happens for next year.”

The first pro stock feature of the night saw Chuck Dumblewski leading early on with Roy Fifield second on lap three after starting sixth. On lap six on the inside of turn four Fifield was the new race leader and from that point on he and Dumblewski spent a lot of time racing side by side for the lead.

On a lap eight restart Dumblewski was the race leader but that only lasted two laps as Fifield came right back to take over the lead and go on to the win over Dumblewski, Rocky Warner, Kenny Gates, and Pete Broderson.

“The car was awesome tonight a very emotional Fifield said in victory lane with his 85 year old grandmother by his side. “Thanks to my crew and my sponsors and my grandmother as well as she always helps me out with some money to race when she can.”

Shane Henderson started on the front row of the second pro stock feature after a 10 car invert from the finish of the first event and led the first four laps of the race before Ivan Joslin took over the point at the finish line to complete lap five after starting fourth. Warner moved into the second position on lap seven and on lap 10 moved past Joslin for the lead.

Warner led the remaining laps for his third win of the season and the fourth of his career at Fonda over Fifield, Joslin, Gates, and Broderson.

“My girlfriend and I had a son on Tuesday so this is a special win for us,” Warner said. “Ivan (Joslin) was fast and he is hard to get around, kind of like a school bus and his car is yellow too.”

Fifield was crowned the track champion of the pro stock division for the first time in his career.

“I was nervous all day long about tonight and was just hoping that the car would stay together,” Fifield said. “Tonight I was trying to be consistent and we were up to the challenge. We had some motor problems mid season and Silly’s built us a new one so we’ll be back next year to try for another.”

The single UMP modified feature of the night began with Bob Banks Jr. as the early leader as he led lap one before Jeremy Cramer took over the point on lap two. With only seven cars in the field George Catanzano got to the front quickly despite starting last. 
Catanzano took the lead on lap three and led the remaining laps for his ninth win of the season, his seventh win in a row, and the 51st of his career at Fonda over Cramer, Matt Shadic, Kevin Buff, and Banks.

Catanzano was also crowned the 2010 track champion for the third time in his career at Fonda after winning it back in 2003 and 2005.

“Steve Hart gives me such a great car from week to week that it really isn’t fair,” Catanzano said. “I’m not sure what 2011 will bring I wouldn’t mind getting into a budget car but would rather stay in this division if I can.”

It took two tries to get the first street stock feature started with Randy Cosselman leading the first two laps when it finally did begin. Dave Horning Sr. started the event in the eighth position and by lap two was already in the second spot. On the inside of turn three on lap three Horning was the new race leader and held off a strong challenge from Rob VanAernam to take the win.

For Horning it was his second win of the season and the 28th of his career at Fonda. VanAernam, Randy Cosselman, Cassidy Wilson, and Neil Cosselman completed the top five.

Wilson led the first 10 laps of the second street stock feature but during a caution on lap 10 drove his car into the pit area and was done for the night handing the lead over to VanAernam. From that point on VanAernam survived a serious challenge from Horning to go on to his fourth win of the season and the 27th of his career at Fonda over Horning, Chuck McSpirit, Randy Moore, and Neil Cosselman.

VanAernam was crowned the 2010 track champion in the division for the third time in his career after also winning it back in 1998 and 1999.

“I was definitely point racing tonight and knew what I had to do to get the title,” VanAernam said. “I would like to thank my dad (Bob VanAernam who was a two time champion in the division back in 2003 and 2004) as he is the one that got me here.”

BBL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES ENHANCES THE NIGHT OF FEATURES RACING PROGRAM AT FONDA SPEEDWAY- 8/13/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On Saturday, August 14 at the Fonda Speedway, track champions in all divisions will be crowned as the 2010 point season comes to a close with the annual “Night of Features”. The BBL  - military night of features will be an exciting event full of action packed racing and celebration!

BBL Construction Services will sponsor the evenings racing program with racing set to begin at 6:00 p.m.  At 6:56 p.m. there will be a 21 gun salute to honor our veterans and the 109th Airlift Wing from Schenectady, NY will provide a military flyover while the 104th Fighter Wing from Springfield, MA will also be a part of the ceremonies with Roland Guyette singing the National Anthem. Other organizations that will be a part of this special evening at the “Track of Champions” are the VFW Post 2077, the American Legion Post 137, and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 122.

            As far as the actual racing action is concerned the laps and purses have been increased in all divisions starting out with the modified division who will run two 33-lap feature events paying $2500 each to win. The 602 limited sportsman will run two 20- lap features with each paying $500 to win. Both the modified and 602 limited sportsman purses have been increased by BBL Construction Services.

            The sportsman division will run two 16-lap feature events paying $350 to win each event while the pro stocks will run two 15-lap features paying $200 to win each and the street stocks will run two 12-lap events paying $50 to win each. The UMP modifieds will compete in one feature event only.

            As far as how the feature events will be lined up, the top 12 in points in both the modified and 602 limited sportsman will be handicapped while the top eight in points in both the sportsman, pro stock, and street stock divisions will be handicapped into their feature events. There will be a B-main event to qualify all other cars into the feature event lineups.

At the conclusion of each of the first modified, sportsman, 602 limited sportsman, pro stock, and street stock feature events the winner will draw the number of positions (1-10) that will be inverted for the start of the second feature event.

            After the racing program is completed there will be a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate the 2010 Fonda Speedway Track Champions.

            "Laura and I thank all of the military people who have volunteered to be a part of this special evening,” Fonda Speedway promoter Ric Lucia said. “We also thank BBL Construction Services for sponsoring the racing program, increasing the purses in the modified and 602 limited sportsman features and for sponsoring the firworks and pulling together all of the special military participation.”

2010 CHAMPIONS WILL BE CROWNED AT FONDA SPEEDWAY NIGHT OF FEATURES - 8/12/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On Saturday, August 14 at the Fonda Speedway, track champions in all divisions will be crowned as the 2010 point season comes to a close with the annual “Night of Features”. Fonda Speedway promoter Ric Lucia started the “Night of Features” format in his first year of promoting the speedway back in 1997.

            The Night of Features racing program will be sponsored by BBL Construction Services. It will be military night with a USAF flyover, a 21 gun salute, and fireworks with current military members receiving free admission with ID. There will also be a hot roast beef, potatoes, and corn on the cob dinner special being served with the racing action set to begin at 6:00 p.m.

Looking back over the years, here are all of the different drivers who have won feature events on the “Night of Features” in the modified, sportsman, and pro stock divisions. Over the 12 year span the “Night of Features” consisted of two feature events for each of those divisions with a total of 24 feature events being held in each of the three classes.

            In the modified division, A.J. Romano leads the way with five “Night of Features” victories including a sweep of both events back in 2002. Bobby Varin, Dave Camara, and Matt DeLorenzo are next with three wins apiece followed by Jeff Trombley, Tony Pepicelli, Mike Romano, and Dave Lape with two wins apiece; while Alton Palmer, Ronnie and Jack Johnson, and Craig Hanson all have one win apiece.

            In the sportsman division Michael Ballestero leads the way with four “Night of Features” victories followed by David Towns and John McAuliffe with three feature wins. Tim Clemons and Luke Munroe both have two wins apiece while Jim Senzio, Alton Palmer, Brian Gathen, Craig Boehler, Tony Farone, Kenny Martin Jr., Tim Dwyer, Justin House, Jeremiah Munson, John Scarborough, Danny Varin, and Mark Kislowski all have one win apiece.

            In the pro stock division (was known at the street stock division back in 1997 and 1998 before changing to pro stocks in 1999) Kenny Gates leads the way with seven “Night of Features” victories including a sweep of both events back in 2004 followed by Rob Noviczski, Nick Stone (Stone swept both events back in 2006), and Roy Fifield  with three wins apiece; while Steve Brownell, Dave Viall, Mark Sullivan, Jim Normoyle, Jim Burton, Chris Morris, Butchie Irwin, Kenny Martin Jr., Shane Henderson, and Chuck Dumblewski all have one win apiece.

            In 2010 the “Night of Features” will bring the same excitement to all of the fans in attendance as drivers in all six regular divisions look towards the 2010 Track Championship. The modified, sportsman, 602 limited sportsman, pro stock and street stock divisions will run two feature events while the UMP modified divisions will  run a single feature event.

The top 12 in Modified and 602 limited sportsman division points going into the night on August 14 will be handicapped for the first feature event with the remaining drivers qualifying through a B-Main event.

The top 8 in Sportsman and Pro Stock points will be handicapped for the first feature event with the remaining drivers qualifying through a B-Main.

At the conclusion of each of the first modified, sportsman, 602 limited sportsman, and pro stock feature events the winner will draw the number of positions (1-10) that will be inverted for the second feature event.

            The 50/50 Drivers Point Fund will also hold their annual Memorabilia Raffle with drivers in all divisions donating prizes towards the raffle.

In the event of a rain out on Saturday the rain date for the Night of Features program will be Saturday, August, 21.

            Come to Fonda Speedway this Saturday to witness history in the making and be the first to see who will be crowned the 2010 Track Champions! Racing action starts at 6:00 p.m

VARIN PICKS UP HIS FIFTH WIN OF THE SEASON AT FONDA - 8/7/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – What better way is there to thank one of your sponsors for sponsoring your race car than to get a win on the night they are sponsoring the racing program at a local race track?

That is exactly what defending Fonda Speedway modified track champion Bobby Varin did Saturday evening at the Track of Champions as he took his fifth win of the season and the 46th of his career at Fonda in the Dave Cruickshank owned Rite Aid sponsored Bicknell car.

            “I can’t thank Rite Aid enough for all of their help on this car and what better way to thank them than with a win,” Varin said in victory lane. “I want to also thank the fans who come out to watch us race because without them this wouldn’t be possible.”

            Other winners on Saturday evening at Fonda on Rite Aid Night were David Towns (sportsman), Derrick McGrew (602 limited sportsman), Roy Fifield (pro stock), George Catanzano (UMP modified), Dave Horning Sr. (street stock), Justin Auspelmyer (Jack Lockhart Memorial Dash for Cash for non winners in the sportsman division), and Ray See (Northeast Vintage cars).

            Fonda Speedway legend Dave Lape led at the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap modified feature event but his lead was short lived as Alton Palmer was the new race leader when lap one was completed after starting alongside Lape on the front row. Palmer immediately stretched out his advantage as the laps clicked off with Tony Pepicelli the new second place car on lap two after starting third.

            Lape wasn’t about to give up the second position easily however as he challenged Pepicelli for the spot for the next two laps before Pepicelli took over the spot for good. On lap eight Jeff Trombley was the new second place car after getting by Pepicelli with Palmer now out to a straightaway advantage but in heavy lap traffic. The only caution flag in the event was out just before the halfway point in the event for Ryan Odasz and A.J. Romano who were involved in a wreck in turn two.

            Cars were three and four wide when the green flag flew to restart the event with Varin one of those going three wide as he got by both Trombley and a lap car into the second position. With 10 laps to go Varin was closing in on Palmer for the lead with Trombley, Matt DeLorenzo, and Pepicelli rounding out the top five.

            On lap 24 Palmer and Varin were side by side for the lead and when the five laps to go sign came from started Denny Tilison Varin was the new race leader. With Varin pulling away after taking the lead the attention was now focused on Trombley and DeLorenzo who had a slugfest going for the third position over the final five laps as they swapped the position back and forth many times with some contact made between the two at times as well.

            When the checkered flag flew it was Varin in for the win over Palmer, DeLorenzo, Trombley, and Pepicelli.

            “Jeff (Trombley) helped me out tonight as he opened up a lane for me,” Varin said. “I actually thought that Jeff was leading but after I got by him I realized that Alton (Palmer) was leading. Alton was gone and ran a great race and it took all that I had to reel him in.”

            Vinnie Sanganetti led at the start of the sportsman feature event while defending track champion David Towns made his way up to the second position on lap two after starting fifth. On the outside of turn four on lap three Towns was the new race leader as he got around Sanganetti while Luke Munroe and Mark Mortensen both took turns getting by Chuck Allen for the third and fourth positions.

            Munroe got by Sanganetti for the second position on lap six but shortly afterwards started smoking and a few laps later was out of the event when he came to a stop in turn three to bring out the only caution of the event. On the restart Mortensen was the new second place car but when the green flag flew again Towns took off to a few car length lead.

The last half of the race Towns and Mortensen were both running almost identical lap times but the better start that Towns got sealed the win for the Mell Electric sponsored #6 as he went on to his seventh win of the season and the 41st of his career at Fonda. Mortensen, Drew Fallis, Sanganetti, and Justin Auspelmyer completed the top five.

            “Teo and Groski there are no better,” Towns said in victory lane regarding his race car chassis and motor builder. “We had a vibration in the heat race and although we pin pointed where the problem was it wasn’t something that we could fix at the track so we did what we could to make it better for the feature and will fix it at the shop this week. The new motor that we blew four weeks ago was rebuilt and back in the car tonight and I have to thank Groski along with Dan Bedell and Gary Waters who all had a part in getting the motor done so quickly.”

            Doug Flynn and Matt Johnson started the 602 limited sportsman feature on the front row with Johnson taking the early lead. Derrick McGrew started fourth and at the completion of lap one was side by side with Johnson for the lead and inched ahead as the first lap was completed. Ray Zemken started the event in the ninth position and on lap five was passing Flynn for the third position with Harry Shaffer following him through for the fourth spot.

            With McGrew now out to a straightaway lead Zemken got by Johnson for the second spot on lap 11 while Dan Santabarbara and Shaffer were challenging Johnson for the third position. Santabarbara and Shaffer swapped the third position twice on lap 14 with Shaffer taking the position for good one lap later while current point leader John Scarborough made his way into the fourth spot after starting 12th.

            McGrew cruised to the win, his first in the 602 limited sportsman division but not his first at the Fonda Speedway as he won a sportsman feature event back on May 27, 2006. Zemken, Scarborough, Shaffer, and Robert Bublak completed the top five.

            “This feels good,” McGrew said in victory lane. “I always have a tough time here, this is my toughest race track because to get a win here at Fonda the car has to be right and everything has to go your way. When asked about the switch from asphalt racing at Albany Saratoga where McGrew had a win this season back to dirt at Fonda his response was that pavement sucks.”

            Shane Henderson started the pro stock feature on the outside of the front row and took the lead when the green flag was thrown to start the event. Roy Fifield started fifth but by lap two he was already second and one lap later he was the new race leader. Henderson fell back to the fifth position on lap five as Rocky Warner, Pete Broderson, and Ivan Joslin all took turns getting by him for position.

            Fifield and Warner were running two distinctively different lines on the speedway with Fifield on the extreme outside and Warner down low but Warner was not able to close in no matter what line he ran on the speedway. With Fifield on his way to the win the best race during the closing laps was for the third position between Broderson and defending track champion Kenny Gates who were racing side by side at times for position.

            At the checkered flag it was Fifield taking his fifth win of the season and the 19th of his career at Fonda over Gates who got the second position on the final lap, Warner, Broderson, and Chuck Dumblewski.

            “It has been a tough few weeks as we have had some issues with motor problems,” Fifield said. “I really wanted to win this one.”

            UMP modified rookie Matt Shadic led the first seven laps of the UMP modified feature after a wild start that saw drivers racing three wide on the front stretch as they were all trying to win the race on the first lap. When things settled down Shadic was running a steady line on the track as George Catanzano was making his way to the front after starting fourth.

            On a lap seven restart after a caution Catanzano was the new second place car and on lap eight he was the new race leader. One more caution slowed the field but nothing was going to slow Catanzano as he went on to his eighth win of the season, his sixth in a row, and the 50th of his career at Fonda over Jeremy Cramer, Shadic, Aaron Jacobs, and Bob Banks Jr.

            An early yellow with no laps completed was the way the street stock feature began when Rob VanAernam and Neil Cosselman got together in turn two. Both continued on at the rear of the field. Chuck McSpirit took the lead on the original restart with Dave Horning Sr. second after starting ninth. The bad luck continued for VanAernam on lap two as he lost a tire and again had to pit and restart at the rear of the field but still on the lead lap.

            Horning took the lead on lap three after a one lap side by side battle with McSpirit with Dennis Joslin in the mix as well as he was battling with McSpirit for the second position. On lap 10 Joslin was the new second place car with VanAernam now fourth as he came to the front after his early race trouble. Horning went on to his first win of the season and the 27th of his career at Fonda over Joslin, McSpirit, VanAernam, and Justin Knight.

Next Saturday the annual “Night of Features” will be presented by BBL Construction Services with double features in the modified, sportsman, 602 limited sportsman, and pro stock divisions and single feature events for the UMP modifieds and street stocks. There will also be a flyover and fireworks as well with a starting time of 6:00 p.m

JUSTIN AUSPELMYER WINS 9TH ANNUAL JACK LOCKHART DASH AT FONDA - 8/7/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – In addition to a regular show in all divisions on Saturday evening at the Fonda Speedway a Dash for Cash was held in honor of John “Jack” Lockhart who passed away back in 2001. Jack as all of his friends called him was a big race fan and you could count on he and his wife Gloria being in the grandstands at both the Albany Saratoga and Fonda Speedway’s every Friday and Saturday night.

            Jack was known by all of his friends as someone who loved racing. He and Gloria would sit in the same row of seats at Fonda every week. In fact the blanket never left the grandstands as they would leave it there as a sign that they would be back to see racing action again the following week. And just like clockwork they would be back in those seats week after week.

            You could always identify Jack by the hat on his head and the pad and pen in his hands, which he used to keep records of the racing activities like nobody else could. His knowledge of the sport of stock car racing was second to none and even though he enjoyed racing in any divisions that were on the track, his favorite two divisions were the Sportsman and the Modifieds. His favorite two drivers were Gibby Fountain and Pat Ward. A Lou Lazzaro shirt was also one that he wore quite frequently to the races.

            The dash for cash was for non winners in the sportsman division at the Track of Champions with a five car field participating in the six lap event. Westley Sutliff took the lead at the drop of the green flag from his pole position start with Justin Auspelmyer getting by both Chuck Allen and John Constantino just after the green flag was thrown.

            On the inside in turn three on lap three Auspelmyer was the new race leader with Allen now in the second spot and Vinnie Sanganetti in third. Auspelmyer maintained his lead to the checkered flag for the win over Allen, Sanganetti, Sutliff, and Constantino.

            With the win Auspelmyer joined Jeff Jones, Robert Perry, Josh Hohenforst, Dave Constantino, Chad Edwards, Ricky Quick, D.T. Pickard, and Jason Memrick as winners of the event.

            Sponsors of the 9th Annual Jack Lockhart Memorial Dash for Cash in 2010 were Bill Terry, Matt Terry, Karen Twardzik, Pat Tonko, Gloria Lockhart, Mary Lockhart, Barb Tomasik, Ed Krzysko, Tim Calhoun, Ed Rury, Dave & Betty Tollner, John & Rhonda Przybycien, Christine Andrzejewski, the Mortensen Motorsports #1M Racing Team who sponsored a boys and girls bicycle and helmets which were won by Anthony Tucceri and Kaitlin Serpa, Ron and Bonnie Szczerba, Jim Szczerba, and Mark Krosky.

PRIZES FOR 9TH ANNUAL LOCKHART DASH 2010

Heat # 1 - First Place                                                              $50      Ricky Quick
Heat # 1 - Second Place                                                          $50      Luke Munroe
Heat # 1 - Third Place                                                             $50      Vinny Sanganetti
Heat # 1 - First non-feature event finisher                              $50      Vinny Sanganetti
                    
Heat # 2 - First Place                                                              $50      David Towns
Heat # 2 - Second Place                                                          $50      Mark Mortensen
Heat # 2 - Third Place                                                             $50      Aaron Jacobs
Heat # 2 – First non-feature event finisher                             $50      Aaron Jacobs
                      
Dash First Place                                                                      $200    Justin Auspelmyer
Dash Second Place                                                                 $100    Chuck Allen
Dash Third Place                                                                     $75      Vinny Sanganetti
Dash Fourth Place                                                                   $50      Wesley Sutliff
Dash Fifth Place                                                                     $50      John Constantino
Dash Lap # 2 Leader                                                              $50      Westley Sutliff
                      
Sportsman Feature Lap # 2 Leader                                         $50      Vinny Sanganetti
Sportsman Feature 1/2 Leader                                                $50      David Towns
Sportsman Feature Winner                                                     $100    David Towns
Sportsman Feature Highest Finisher (non-event winner)       $50      Vinny Sanganetti

VARIN AND DAVIS TAKE FONDA WINS- 7/31/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – A rain delayed racing program back on Saturday July, 24 meant double features for the modified, sportsman, and 602 limited sportsman divisions on Saturday evening at the Track of Champions.

When it was all said and done defending modified track champion Bobby Varin ended a frustrating stretch of un Bobby Varin like finishes while Jimmy Davis stood in victory lane after a crash almost ended his season the week prior when he almost ended up in the Mohawk River.

            “The track was good after the dust blew off but it sure is going to be slick for the second feature”  Varin said in victory lane after his fourth win of the 2010 season and the 45th of his career at Fonda.

            “I can’t describe what this win means to me, my family, and my crew,” Davis said after his win. “We raced twice this week but were still able to put this new car together so I have to thank everybody for all of their help. To be honest with you I thought after last weeks wreck we were done for the season.”

            Other winners on Besco Metals Night at the Track of Champions were Luke Munroe who won both sportsman feature events, Jeremiah Munson and  John Scarborough (602 limited sportsman), George Catanzano (UMP modified), Rocky Warner (pro stock), and Rob VanAernam (street stock).

The rain delayed modified feature from June 24 began on lap 13 with Dave Lape and Varin on the front row with Varin taking the lead at the start. In between turns three and four before any laps were completed Robert Perry spun with the pack bearing down on him as he was in the top five but miraculously nobody made any contact with his spinning race car.

            Varin took the lead again on the restart and quickly moved out to a straightaway lead over Craig Hanson who moved into the second position early on. The caution was out again on lap 19 and on the restart everyone must have realized what point the race was at because that was when drivers started to make their moves.  Once the green flag flew again drivers were passing cars in packs of two as Ronnie Johnson, Matt DeLorenzo, and Jeff Trombley all took turns passing either each other or other cars on their way to the front. DeLorenzo was the first of the trio to get to the front as he was in the second position with two laps to go with one final caution coming out on lap 29 for Hanson who ended up in the wall between turns one and two ending his great run.

            On the restart Varin pulled away to the win over DeLorenzo, Ryan Odasz who made a late race charge to third, Mark Kislowski, and Trombley.  The regular modified feature began with Rob Langevin out to the early lead from his pole position start with Trombley and Reckner second and third after starting third and fifth respectively. Jimmy Davis started seventh and by lap two was already up to fourth as his car was hooked up on the inside of the speedway.

            Trombley and Reckner had a slugfest going between each other for the second position as twice when Reckner tried to go to the outside of Trombley on both straight-aways contact was made between the two cars. Davis saw all of that going on in front of him and broke up the duo as he got byReckner for the third spot and forged ahead to try and get to the front.  On lap 11 Davis moved past both Trombley and Langevin to get the lead and stretched it out to a straightaway advantage with five laps to go. Davis went ton to his second win of the season and the eighth of his career at Fonda over Langevin, A.J. Romano, Trombley, and Reckner.

            “After the wreck last Saturday my brother in law who is married to my sister came to take a look at the car which there wasn’t a lot left of to look at,”  Davis said. “He told me to go and get what we needed to get back on track and start winning races again so we picked up a brand new car on Monday night and put it all together during the week. The track was real tricky tonight and the bottom was good early but I knew that if I got the lead I would have to get to the top. Here at Fonda you have to run every lap as if it was the last lap as you never know who is behind you.”

            The rain delayed sportsman feature from June 24 began with a crash with no laps complete when Luke Munroe turned right instead of left going into turn one and made contact with Mark Mortensen who ended up in the wall in turn one. Chad Edwards was also involved and he actually went over the wall in turn one. Fortunately neither driver was injured but both were done for the evening.

            On the restart Munroe took a lead that he wouldn’t relinquish for the remainder of the event as the race was for second from that point on. The best race on the track for the first few laps was for the second position between defending track champion David Towns and recent winner Ricky Quick with Towns getting the spot on lap three. Munroe held a straightaway lead for the remainder of the event and took the win, lapping up to the third place car in the

process.  Towns was second followed by Quick, Scot Straight, and Aaron Jacobs.  “This car was really hooked up tonight,” Munroe said in victory lane. “Usually we make changes before the feature but tonight we didn’t and ended up

in victory lane.”

            Floyd Billington started the regular sportsman feature event on the front row and led at the drop of the green flag but by the time lap one was completed Mortensen was the race leader after getting his car back together after the wreck in the first feature.

            Using the extreme outside of the speedway Mortensen was clicking off quick laps as Towns and Munroe were making their way to the front after both drivers started in the fourth row. Towns and Munroe made their way into the second and third positions by the lap four point in the event with the one and only caution in the race coming out on lap seven erasing the straightaway lead that Mortensen had built up.  Mortensen chose to restart on the outside of Towns and even though Towns took the lead briefly going into turn three at the drop of the green flag Mortensen swung back around the outside of him to retake the lead coming out of turn four. As Mortensen again pulled away Munroe and Towns were battling for the second position with Munroe the new second place car on lap 11.

            By lap 16 Munroe caught Mortensen and with both running different grooves on the speedway it set up a great race to the finish with Mortensen on the outside and Munroe on the inside as they raced side by side to the checkered flag. Coming out of turn four for the final time Munroe got by Mortensen for the lead and went on to his fourth win of the season and the 11th of his career over Mortensen, Towns, Quick, and Vinnie Sanganetti.

            “I have been trying to get back to back wins here for a long time,” Munroe said. “We raced clean and hard and were finally able to do it.”

            Chris Reckner led the first 15 laps of the rain delayed 602 limited sportsman feature from July 24 which featured three cautions along the way. Defending track champion Jeremiah Munson started the event in the 11th position and by lap 12 got by Ray Zemken for the second spot with John Scarborough also getting by for third as Zemken slowed.   With five laps to go Munson and Scarborough caught the leader which set up a great finish. On lap 16 Munson went three wide around the outside of
both Reckner in the middle and Scarborough on the inside to get the lead and went on to his third win of the season and the ninth of his career over Scarborough, Reckner, Zemken, and John Heidrich.

            “It was a tough race track but the car stuck up on top just long enough to get the lead,” Munson said.

            The regular 602 limited sportsman feature was a lead changing affair throughout with Robert Bublak leading the first two laps. On a lap three restart Adam McAuliffe was the new race leader after starting the event in the sixth position with Ray Zemken close behind in second after also getting by Bublak.  McAuliffe held the lead to lap nine when Zemken took over the point on the inside of the backstretch. Even though Bublac lost the lead early on he stayed in the hunt and retook the point at the line to complete lap 14 with Scarborough coming to the front after starting 11th.

            By lap 16 Scarborough got by Zemken for the second position and with two laps to go in the 20-lap event he was right on Bublak’s rear bumper. On the inside of turn four on lap 19 Scarborough was able to take the lead and went on to his fourth win of the season and his fourth career in the division over Bublak, Zemken, Brian Gleason, and Harry Shaffer.

            “Right now it is all about the points as I really want to win the title this year,” Scarborough said in victory lane.

            With the difficult season that Chuck Dumblewski has had so far he started on the front row of the pro stock feature event and took the lead when the green flag flew. After starting fifth Rocky Warner moved up to the second position on lap two with recent first time winner Pete Broderson third after starting seventh.

            Warner got the second position back on lap 10 when Broderson slowed on the frontstretch and drove into the infield with Roy Fifield and Kenny Gates now in the third and fourth positions respectively. Racing two by two and side by side the top four battled for position over the final five laps with Warner the new race leader on lap 16 as he got by Dumblewski at the line to complete the lap.

            Warner went on to his second win of the season and the third of his career at Fonda over Gates, Dumblewski, Fifield, and Ivan Joslin. “I got a little nervous that I jumped outside too early because I have done that before and lost positions,” Warner said. “I kept on driving the car in deeper and deeper and it started working better and better as the race went on.”

            Two yellow flags slowed the 12-lap UMP modified feature before any laps were completed but when the race finally did get going it was Matt Shadic who led the event. George Catanzano took the lead on lap two with the final caution coming out on lap eight when Shadic spun in turn two.

            On this restart defending track champion Jeremy Cramer made a strong challenge for the lead but when the checkered flag flew it was Catanzano who took his seventh win of the season, his fifth in a row, and the 49th of his career at Fonda over Cramer, Aaron Jacobs, Bob Banks Jr., and Shadic.

            “With these tiny tires and all of this horsepower there was really nothing to grab on to tonight as far as the track goes,” Catanzano said. “The car was a little bit off but Steve Hart gave me enough to get the win.”

            The most exciting race of the evening at Fonda on Saturday may have been the street stock feature with Dan Pollock the early race leader after starting on the pole. On lap two on the frontstretch Pollock had no control of what was going on behind him and when contact was made between Randy Moore and Randy Cosselman Pollock ended up the worse for wear as he ended up spinning and making contact with the inside wall in turn one. He was done for the night with the lead being handed over to Dave Horning Sr.

            Rob VanAernam moved into the second position early on after starting eighth and from that point on Horning and VanAernam were side by side for most of the remaining laps as they raced hard and clean to the checkered flag. At the finish line to complete the event VanAernam was declared the winner of the event that was almost close enough to declare a dead heat between the two drivers. Horning settled for second with John Young, Dennis Joslin, and defending track champion Cassidy Wilson completing the top five.

            “That was a lot of fun,” VanAernam said. “I stayed smooth until the last lap but fortunately was able to get him coming out of turn four.”

            On Tuesday August, 3 Fonda will be in action again with a 60-lap Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series event paying $6,000 to win along with a Best of Four Sportsman Series event. Starting time will be 7:00 p.m. Although there was a rain date of printed on the original schedule the rain date will not be used as it conflicts with other racing events on that day.

            Then on Saturday August, 7 all divisions will be in action along with the Vintage cars with a starting time of 6:00 p.m. Also on the racing card will be the 9th Annual Jack Lockhart Memorial Dash for non-winners in the sportsman division. In conjunction with the Lockhart Dash there will be a bicycle giveaway with a boys and girls bicycle along with helmets being given away. All children ages 12 and under are eligible for the bicycles which will be donated by the Mortensen Motorsports #1M Racing Team and their driver Mark Mortensen.

FRIESEN CAPTURES FIRST CAREER WIN AT FONDA - 7/27/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – History was made at the Fonda Speedway on Tuesday evening when the first ever appearance by the Lucas Oil Late Model National Series took place in front of a huge crowd at the historic fairgrounds track, adding yet another page to the record books at the track known as the Track of Champions. It was the first appearance of the late models at Fonda since 1982.

            Stewart Friesen made some history of his own as he took the first modified feature win of his career at Fonda in the Parks #1 Teo Pro Car as the modifieds were also on the racing card on Tuesday evening while Jimmy Owens was the winner of the late model event.

            “This win is huge for us,” Niagara on The Lake Ontario Canada driver Friesen said in victory lane. “I have been coming here for 10 year now and we have been close but we just kept making changes every time we came to Fonda and tonight it all paid off.”

            “It took awhile for my tires to come in but once they did I got to the outside and made up some ground,” Owens said after the victory. “I was better in turns one and two than Don (early race leader Don O’Neal) was and that allowed me to close in on him once I got into the second spot. Anytime you can beat these guys that run in this series it is special because they are the best in the country.”

            Ruby & Quiri of Johnstown, NY sponsored the evenings racing program along with many giveaways throughout the night. Mimi Lazzaro sang the Canadian Anthem while Kirsten Crewell sang the National Anthem before the late models were given the command to start your engines.

            The Thunder on the Thruway Series 50-lap Modified event began with Friesen and Matt DeLorenzo on the front row with Friesen taking the early lead at the drop of the green flag. By lap 12 Friesen was already in lap traffic where he would be for pretty much the remainder of the event as he was able to get by the lap traffic better than anyone else which was a key to his win.

            Four laps later Friesen was out to a straightway lead while defending modified track champion Bobby Varin moved into second after getting by DeLorenzo for the spot. A scary moment for the leader on lap 17 when he and the lap car of Jeff Trombley came together on the frontstretch as Friesen was trying to lap Trombley on the outside when the two came together resulting in Friesen getting into the frontstretch wall. Fortunately no damage was done to either car as they both continued on in the event.

On lap 21 the red flag was out for a wreck involving Brett Hearn, DeLorenzo, and Todd Morey with Hearn flipping his car numerous times on the backstretch coming out of turn two. Fortunately all drivers were unhurt but were done for the evening at that point.

            On the restart Varin stayed close for awhile until Friesen was able to get by the lap car of Andy Bachetti which allowed him to pull away after that. Earlier this season at Fonda Ryan Odasz got a feature win and Tuesday night it looked as though he had another great chance as he advanced up to the fifth position by lap 26 after starting 24th.

            One more yellow flag was out on lap 29 for Elmo Reckner who suffered a flat left rear tire closing up the field and giving the top five of Varin, Billy Decker, Willy Decker, and Odasz a chance at the win.

            On the restart Odasz took over the fourth position from Willy Decker while Varin was sticking right to Friesen’s rear bumper. On lap 43 Friesen pulled away to a straightaway lead but with only three laps to go Varin tried every line on the track to make up ground on the leader as he was finally able to close in on Friesen.

            When Friesen went between the lap cars of Reckner and Bob Savoie on lap 48 it sealed up the win for him as Varin and others were never able to get through traffic like Friesen did.

Varin, Billy Decker, Ryan Odasz, and Willy Decker completed the top five,

            “I am speechless right now,” Friesen said. “The lap cars were tough tonight but it was just good hard racing.”

            Owens had a little bit tougher time in the late model feature than Friesen did as he started on the outside pole but quickly dropped outside the top five early on as Don O’Neal led the event from the drop of the green flag after starting on the pole. As his tires started to come in Owens moved to the front and by lap 25 he got by Billy Decker for the second spot.

With 10 laps to go Owens was able to take the lead from O’Neal on the frontstretch as the lap was completed and from that point on he pulled away to an easy win. Vic Coffey, O’Neal, Scott Bloomquist, and Billy Decker completed the top five.

“”Fonda is one of the fastest tracks that we have been on this year,” Owens said after the win. “It was great to have a track that we could run three and four wide on.”

On Saturday July 31 the final 18 laps of the rain delayed modified feature from July 24 will be run with Dave Lape as the race leader followed by the rain delayed sportsman and 602 limited sportsman features from July 24. That will all be followed by a complete racing program in all divisions with a starting time of 6:00 p.m.

Owens Takes Seventh Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Event of the Season at Fonda - 7/27/10

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Tuesday Night, July 27th, 2010

Fonda Speedway - Fonda, NYFONDA, NY (July 27, 2010) - Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN took the lead with ten laps to go and then dominated the final laps to win the first ever LOLMDS sanctioned event at Fonda Speedway. The win marked Owens' 20th victory in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series competition ever. Vic Coffey of Caledonia, NY kept the home state fans on their feet by finishing second. Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN, finished third followed by series points' leader, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN and Billy Decker of Unadilla, NY.

"Man I didn't know at the start if we picked the right tires or not, we dropped back to sixth after starting on the front row, but I have to thank Vic Coffey for showing me that outside line," exclaimed Owens. "I was able to get the momentum I needed up there and once we caught up to O'Neal and passed him, the car was awesome," said the 38-year-old driver in Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 20th time in his career.

"I have to thank my car owner, Mike Reece, Reece Monument Company, Gantte Appraisals and Red Line Oil. I also want to thank Scott (Bloomquist) for building a great race car, Cornett Engines and everybody on the crew," said Owens.

The event was the first Late Model Race at Fonda Speedway since 1982 and did not lack any excitement.  O'Neal bolted to the lead and led the first 39 laps of the race. He held off challenges from both Decker and McDowell early on. Owens managed to make a late-race run to grab his second consecutive series win.

Coffey, started eighth in the Sweeteners Plus sponsored Rocket and put on a late charge. He passed O'Neal for second with four laps to go. O'Neal in the Superior Cleaning sponsored MasterSbilt had the strongest car for most of the race as he had to fight off a late-race charge from Bloomquist who placed a close fourth in the Miller Brothers Construction, Bloomquist Race Cars entry. Decker in the Gypsum Express Rocket gave the home state fans a thrill early on. He was constantly challenging O'Neal for the lead in the early goings, before fading to fifth at the finish.

Completing the top ten were Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL; Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA; Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC; Dan Stone of Thompson, PA; and John Blankenship of Williamson, WV.

O'Neal was the Red Buck Cigar Fast Qualifier among the 23 entries. Heat race winners were O'Neal, Owens and Decker.  Dale Caswell captured the B-Main.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series stays in the state of New York for a second-ever visit to Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY. The event will be held on Thursday Night, July 29th for a $10,000 to win main event. Ray Cook won the series' first ever event at the facility last year.  For more information, check out www.uticaromespeedway.com.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log on to www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.

QUICK WINS AS SPORTSMAN TAKE CENTER STAGE AT FONDA MODIFIED FEATURE RAIN DELAYED TO JULY 31 AFTER 12 LAPS COMPLETED 7/24/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – The last two weeks the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway has battled with the elements and won the battle but on Saturday night their luck ran out as rain delayed the finish of the Modified feature to next Saturday July, 31.

Twelve laps were completed in the event when the rain came in and cancelled the remainder of the racing program. Next week the final 18 laps of the Modified feature will be completed along with the regularly scheduled Sportsman and 602 Limited Sportsman feature events before another complete racing program takes to the track.

            In the lead at the time that the rain came in was Dave Lape as he was going for his 100th career win at Fonda and now will have to wait until next week to see if he can get the job done. Bobby Varin was second and was followed by Jeff Trombley who started 23rd, Robert Perry, Craig Hanson, Ronnie Johnson, Alton Palmer, Tony Pepicelli, current point leader Matt DeLorenzo, and Ryan Odasz.

            One of the feature events that did get in the record books on Saturday night at Fonda was the Sportsman feature which was rain delayed from Saturday July, 17 and was won by Ricky Quick for his first career Sportsman feature win at Fonda.

“This is awesome,” Quick said in victory lane. “I have been waiting to win one here at Fonda for a long time and I have to thank my parents, crew, and all of my sponsors.”

            Other winners on Saturday at Fonda were Kenny Gates (Pro Stock), George Catanzano (UMP Modified), and Cassidy Wilson (Street Stock).

            The rain delayed Sportsman feature from July 17 started the racing program with Floyd Billington in the lead at the drop of the green flag. Chuck Allen started the event in the third position and moved into the second spot on lap two with Justin Auspelmyer third.

            Allen caught up quickly to Billington and on the low side of turn two was the new race leader on lap six. Ricky Quick started the event in the seventh position and moved into the second spot on lap eight with Luke Munroe and current point leader David Towns now third and fourth after both got by Justin Auspelmyer for position.

            Quick closed in on Allen just past the halfway point in the event while Towns got by Munroe for the third position with five laps to go. The one and only yellow flag in the event was out on lap 16 and that closed everyone in on the top two of Allen and Quick.

Allen maintained the lead at the drop of the green flag but coming out of turn two on lap 17 Quick was the new race leader and from that point on he held off David Towns to go on for his first career win in the Sportsman division at Fonda in the First National Bank of Scotia sponsored Bicknell car.

Towns finished second followed by Allen, Munroe, and Mark Mortensen.

The 20-lap Pro Stock feature began with Chuck Dumblewski in the lead from his outside pole starting position with Nick Stone who started alongside on the front row in tow. On the inside of turn two on lap two Stone was the new race leader with Roy Fifield also getting by Dumblewski for the second spot.

Defending track champion Kenny Gates started the event in the sixth position and quickly moved to the front as he got by Fifield for the second spot by lap five. Gates used unfamiliar territory to gain the lead as he went to the outside of Stone to take the point on the backstretch on lap six as he usually like to run the inside of the speedway.

The latest winner in the division Pete Broderson followed Gates up through the field and took the second spot away from Stone on lap eight with the caution out on lap nine for Stone who spun in turn four after Roy Fifield made contact with the rear of Stone’s car as they raced in a tight pack for position.

Stone retaliated against the car that he thought made contact with the back of his car but actually ended up hitting the front end of the wrong car resulting in both himself and Dumblewski being done for the night at that point. As Gates pulled away on the restart the best race on the track was between Ivan Joslin and Rocky Warner who were side by side at times while battling for the third spot.

The final caution of the event was out with three laps to go and after the restart Gates pulled away from the rest of the field as he went on to the win over Broderson, Joslin, Fifield and Warner.

Victory lane ceremonies for the Pro Stock feature were cancelled by rain and will be held next Saturday.

The 15-lap UMP Modified feature was a lead swapping affair between George Catanzano and Kevin Buff who officially swapped the position four times not counting the many other times that it happened around the track before the lap was completed.

Bob Banks Jr. led the first three laps before Buff took over the point on lap four using the outside groove in turn four to take the point. Catanzano started the event in the seventh position and was the new second place car by lap five.

Catanzano took the lead for a short time on lap seven but when the lap was completed Buff took it back as the two drivers battled hard for the lead. On lap eight Catanzano took the lead for good and went on to his sixth win of the season, his fourth win in a row, and the 48th of his career at Fonda.

Buff, defending track champion Jeremy Cramer, Matt Shadic, and Banks completed the top five.

“What a drive,” Catanzano said after the win. “The track was rough and we had a great battle with Kevin (Buff) but fortunately my car was hooked up and going well. The battery went dead on us in the heat race and it acted up again in the feature but fortunately it didn’t keep us from victory lane.”

The Street Stock feature was a great race with three and four wide action all over the speedway as Dan Pollock took the lead at the drop of green flag. Dave Horning Sr. started the event in the sixth position and took over the lead on lap two after a three wide battle between himself, Pollock, and Chuck McSpirit.

Two consecutive yellow flags slowed the race on laps two and three and when the green flag flew again to restart the event defending track champion Cassidy Wilson joined in on the fun as he battled three wide with Horning and McSpirit for the lead. McSpirit took the lead after going down the middle of both Horning and Wilson on lap four with Rob VanAernam now making it a four way battle for the win after starting seventh.

Wilson got the lead from McSpirit on lap six and went on to his sixth win of the season and the 19th of his career at Fonda over Horning, McSpirit, VanAernam, and Dennis Joslin.

“We had a few weeks of bad luck but hopefully now we are back on track,” Wilson said in victory lane.

The Fonda Speedway will be back in action on Tuesday evening when the first ever appearance of the Lucas Oil Late Model Series National Tour will take place along with a 50-lap Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series event paying $5000 to win. Starting time on Tuesday will be 7:00 p.m.

ROMANO WINS AS FONDA BEATS THE WEATHER FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN A ROW - 7/17/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – For the second week in a row the Fonda Speedway was victorious over the weather as they managed to get almost their entire racing program in despite storms and lightning that surrounded the speedway in all directions.

            When the checkered flag flew on the Modified feature event it was A.J. Romano in for the victory in the N. Norwich Motors sponsored, JPM powered Troyer car as he took his 31 career Modified win and his first since August 15 of last year.

Other winners on Morris Auto Group, Palmer’s Service, and Snapple Night at the Track of Champions were John Bellinger (1st career win in the 602 Limited Sportsman division), Pete Broderson (1st career win in the Pro Stock division), George Catanzano (UMP Modified), and Cassidy Wilson (Street Stock).

            It was also Michael Keyser Memorial Night at Fonda as Ed & June Keyser along with their family remembered their son Michael awarding $100 to each of the Modified heat race winners who were Tony Pepicelli, Bob Savoie, and Craig Hanson.

            Tony Pepicelli took off at the drop of the green flag from his pole position start to take the lead in the 30-lap Modified feature event over Bob Savoie who started the event in the third position. Jeff Trombley who started the event on the outside pole lost a couple of positions at the start but by lap five he was already back into the second position after getting by Savoie.

            Romano started the event in the sixth position and by lap six was up to third after he also got by Savoie with Pepicelli now out to a straightaway lead over Trombley. By lap 10 both Trombley and Romano were able to close in on Pepicelli with Trombley’s great run coming to an end on lap 11 as he drove into the pit area while running second.

            Matt DeLorenzo started the event in the ninth position and by lap 12 he got by Danny Varin for the third spot as Romano was now challenging Pepicelli for the lead. At the halfway point in the event, Romano got a good run coming out of turn two on the bottom of the track and over took Pepicelli for the lead, a lead that he would not relinquish the rest of the way.

            DeLorenzo and Varin took turns getting by Pepicelli for positions two and three by lap 23 as did Dave Camara who was the new fourth place car after starting eighth. Jim Davis put on a great show for the fans as he came all the way up to the sixth position by lap 24 after starting 21st on the starting grid. Camara and Davis both got by Pepicelli into the top five with three laps to go but it was Romano’s night to shine as he went on for the win.

            DeLorenzo finished second followed by Danny Varin, Camara, and Davis.

            Heavy rain started to fall just as the Sportsman feature was about to start postponing that event until next Saturday July, 24. Victory lane ceremonies for the Modified, 602 Limited Sportsman, and Pro Stock divisions were also cancelled due to the heavy rain and will be held next Saturday evening as well.           
            The 602 Limited Sportsman feature was a lead swapping affair between an experienced competitor and a rookie with experience paying off at the checkered flag when the exciting event was over.

            A wreck at the start involving many cars in turns one and two slowed the field early on with Chris Reckner getting the worse of the deal as he climbed the wall and came to rest on the grassy area between the concrete barriers and the wooden fence surrounding the turn one and two area of the Fonda Fairgrounds. Reckner was not injured in the wreck.

            On the original restart Troy Palmer took the lead from his outside front row starting position with John Bellinger coming from fourth to second at the drop of the green flag with Cody Bleau third after starting sixth. The first lead change came on lap two when Bellinger got by Palmer on the inside of the backstretch but Palmer didn’t let Bellinger get too far ahead and coming out of turn four on lap nine Palmer retook the top spot.

            Palmer was fighting a loose race car and was getting out of shape in the turns allowing Bellinger to stay close and when Palmer was blocked by a lap car on lap 11 Bellinger took another turn at the front. The lead for Bellinger was short lived this time as Palmer came right back to lead laps 12-14. With five laps to go Bellinger got the lead with a caution flag slowing the field on lap 17 giving Palmer one more shot at the win.

            On the restart Bellinger pulled away while John Scarborough took over the third position after starting 11th. Bellinger went on to his first career win in the 602 Limited Sportsman division over Palmer, Scarborough, Bleau, and Dan Santabarbara.

Bellinger is no stranger to victory lane at Fonda as he also has seven career victories in the regular Sportsman division.

            After a half hour rain delay the Pro Stock feature took to the track with Chuck Dumblewski the early race leader on the fast heavy track. Pete Broderson started the event in the fourth position and at the start gained two spots to second with the caution out on lap three for Mike Jeske who spun in turn four.

            Debris on the frontstretch brought out the caution again on the restart and when the race did resume it was Pete Broderson who was the new race leader after getting by Dumblewski for the spot in turn four. Kenny Gates started the event in the sixth position and took over the second spot from Dumblewski on lap nine. Just as Gates started to apply the pressure to Broderson for the lead the yellow was out again for Jeske who this time was in the wall in turn two. Jeske wasn’t injured but was done for the night.

            Broderson pulled away on the restart and went on to his first career win at Fonda over Gates, Dumblewski, Rocky Warner, and Nick Stone who started the event in the 12th position.

            The UMP Modified feature started with defending track champion Jeremy Cramer the race leader with George Catanzano in second after starting seventh. Catanzano was the new race leader on lap three and while going for the second position Kevin Buff ended up in the turn three tire wall bringing out the caution flag. He pitted and continued on.

            It took two tries to get the race restarted as Cramer was trying to get the lead back from Catanzano on one restart when he spun in turn two while Matt Shadic had problems in turn three bringing out the yellow again on the second try at a restart. When the green flag finally did fly again it was Catanzano taking off to a half a track lead by the time the checkered flag flew as he went on to his fifth win of the season and the 47th of his career at Fonda.

            Cramer recovered from his spin to finish second followed by Bob Banks Jr., Aaron Jacobs, and Buff who came back after his early race accident for a top five finish.

            “That was some tricky track tonight,” Catanzano said in victory lane. “The car was tight at one point and then would be loose another but my crew chief Steve told me to go in deep and the car would hold and he was right.”

            Defending Street Stock Track Champion Cassidy Wilson came from sixth to first at the start of the Street Stock feature to take a lead that he wouldn’t give up for the entire 15-lap distance as the race was for second from that point on.

Dave Horning Sr. went from eighth to second by the completion of lap one with Rob VanAernam and Chuck McSpirit making it a three way battle for the second spot late in the race. With one lap to go Wilson held a comfortable lead and was on his way to another win with the only question now being who would finish second.

Wilson went on to his fifth victory of 2010 and the 18th of his career at Fonda over VanAernam, Horning, McSpirit, and Dennis Joslin.

            Next Saturday a regular show in all divisions is on the racing card along with the Wilma Smith Memorial UMP Modified dash. The rained out Sportsman feature from 7/17 will also be run with a starting time of 6:00 p.m.

RYAN ODASZ TAKES CONVINCING WIN AT FONDA - 7/10/10


By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On Saturday evening the Fonda Speedway track crew was kept busy by two rain delays but their hard work paid off as the track was very fast when it was run back in. The Modified feature was won in convincing fashion by Ryan Odasz in the Besco Metals #24 Teo car who likes nothing more than a fast race track with an outside groove to run on which is the way Fonda was on Saturday night.

            “First and foremost I have to thank the fans for being here tonight because without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I love to do every week and that is race,” Odasz said in victory lane. “Secondly I have to thank my car owner Bill Schoons for not firing me as it has been a horrible year so far.”

            Taking center stage on this race night at Fonda was the 5th Annual Hondo Classic for the Pro Stock division in honor of the late Hondo Carpenter. The Pro Stock feature field was stopped on the frontstretch while a moment of silence was observed for Hondo and the National Anthem was played.

After the Anthem Kelley and Kaitlyn Keefe gave the command to start engines while Kaitlyn released a bunch of purple and yellow balloons in honor of their dear friend. When the checkered flag flew on the Hondo Classic it was Chip Smith taking the win in the event.

A separate press release on the Hondo Classic will follow this press release.

Other winners at Fonda on Saturday night were Luke Munroe (Sportsman), Jeremiah Munson (602 Limited Sportsman), George Catanzano (UMP Modified), and Chuck McSpirit (Street Stock).     

            Dave Constantino led at the drop of the green flag to start the 30-lap Modified event with Odasz moving quickly from his fifth place starting position into the third spot on lap two after getting by Craig Hanson. Two laps later Odasz was the new second place car after getting by Bob Savoie with the yellow flag out shortly afterwards for Tony Pepicelli who spun in turn four.

            A three car wreck on the front stretch ensued on the restart with Mark Kislowski, Todd Morey, and Rob Langevin involved as the yellow was out again. Kislowski was the only driver that was unable to continue. On the restart Odasz was the new race leader and from that point on with no more cautions to slow the event the race was for the second position as Odasz just pulled away from the field.

            Another car on the move was Ronnie Johnson who started the event in the seventh position and on the restart on lap five he was already in the second spot. With Odasz running low 19 second laps it didn’t give Johnson much of a chance to catch him as he built up a straightaway lead by lap eight.

            Just past the halfway point in the event Dave Camara moved into the third position after starting eighth but he too could only watch ahead of him as Odasz and Johnson maintained the top two spots. With five laps to go the best battle on the track was between Bob Savoie, defending track champion Bobby Varin, Jim Davis, and Matt DeLorenzo as they raced for a spot just outside the top five, running side by side, and three wide at times for the position.

            When the checkered flag flew it was Odasz the race winner for the first time in 2010 and the ninth time in his career at Fonda. Johnson, Camara, Constantino, and A.J. Romano completed the top five.

            “It has been a trying year for us with the driver making mistakes but getting a win makes it a good season for us,” Odasz said. “I also have to thank RJ (Ronnie Johnson) for coming over after the heat race (RJ finished second to Ryan in heat race number two) and saying that I shouldn’t change a thing with the car and if I didn’t that he thought that I would smoke the field.”

            Chad Edwards shared the front row of the Sportsman feature with Chuck Allen with Edwards leading at the drop of the green flag. Luke Munroe started the event in the seventh position and on lap three he went between Justin Auspelmyer and Drew Fallis for the fourth position. On lap five Munroe continued his march to the front, getting by Vinnie Sanganetti for the second position.

            Munroe closed quickly on the leading car of Edwards and on lap seven was the new race leader and from that point on pulled away from the pack. Sanganetti moved past Edwards for the second position on lap nine while Mark Mortensen was coming to the front from his ninth place starting spot along with defending track champion David Towns who started 10th.

            On lap 11 Mortensen tried a move down the middle of Allen and Fallis in between turns three and four and made accidental contact with Fallis going into turn four. Both cars continued on but going into turn two Fallis intentionally got into Mortensen and spun him in retaliation for the move Mortensen made in turn four bringing out the caution. Both cars continued on at the rear of the field.

            On the restart Towns moved into the second position as Munroe pulled away for the win, his second of the season and the ninth of his career at Fonda. Towns, Sanganetti, Edwards, and Ricky Quick completed the top five.

            “It has been a real bad dry spell for us,” Munroe said. “One week we had the rear end break on the car and another week we had issues with the starter. My guys have been working real hard and this car deserves to be here in victory lane every week because of it but unfortunately that hasn’t happened.”

            Defending track champion Jeremiah Munson led the 602 Limited Sportsman feature at the drop of the green flag from his pole position start. Two early yellows slowed the field on laps two and four with Matt Johnson maintaining his second place position through both restarts while Ray Zemken moved into the third spot after starting ninth.

            Making it three wide on lap seven for positions in the top five were Harry Shaffer, Brian Gleason, and Dan Peckham with Shaffer and Gleason able to get by Peckham for the fourth and fifth place positions while Zemken moved into second after getting by Johnson. The final yellow of the event was out on lap nine taking away the big lead that Munson had over Zemken.

            Munson and Zemken ran side by side for the lead for a complete lap before Munson took it over for good as John Scarborough moved into the fourth position after starting 12th. Scarborough got by Gleason for the third position on lap 12 while Munson and Zemken kept their tight battle going for the lead with Zemken on the inside and Munson on the outside.

            Lap after lap Zemken ducked under Munson going into the turns but Munson kept his momentum up each time to maintain the lead coming out of the turns. Munson pulled away over the final five laps of the event to get the win, his second of the season and the eighth of his career at Fonda over Scarborough who got by Zemken for second coming out of turn four on the final lap, Gleason, and Shaffer completed the top five.

            “It definitely feels good to be back in victory lane,” Munson said. “It has been awhile.”

            The UMP Modified feature began with George Catanzano coming from his sixth place starting position to the lead by the time lap one was completed and from that point on he never looked back as he took his fourth win of the season and the 46th of his career at Fonda.

            Matt Shadic, defending track champion Jeremy Cramer, Kevin Buff, and Bob Banks Jr. completed the top five.

            In victory lane Catanzano introduced his crew chief Steve Hart saying “you are all probably sick of hearing from me so tonight I want you to interview Steve who has tuned my car for every win that I have here at Fonda,” Catanzano said to Mimi Lazzaro. “The car is definitely tough to setup and Thursday night we were leading at Weedsport when the car just shut off,” Hart said. “I rewired the entire car and took a look at the motor too and never did find anything.”

            Last weeks Street Stock feature winner Chuck McSpirit started this week’s feature in the third position and took the lead at the drop of the green flag after getting by the front row of Neil Cosselman and Robbie Veronese. By the lap seven point in the event Dave Horning Sr. and Rob VanAernam were the new second and third place cars with defending track champion Cassidy Wilson in fourth.

            Horning, VanAernam, and Wilson erased the straightaway lead that McSpirit had built up on lap 12 and after a one lap side by side battle VanAernam was the new race leader at the line to complete lap 13. That didn’t last long however as McSpirit retook the lead one lap later and went on for his second win of the season and seventh of his career at Fonda over Horning, Wilson, VanAernam, and Dennis Joslin.

            “I had three people over there in turn four telling me how big of a lead I had but the car was running on seven cylinders towards the end because a spark plug wire came off.”

            Next Saturday July, 17 at Fonda will be Morris Ford/Palmers Service/Snapple Night at Fonda as well as Michael Keyser Memorial Night. In memory of their son Michael his parents Ed & June Keyser will award $100 to each of the Modified heat race winners. A regular show in all divisions is on the racing program with a starting time of 6:00 p.m.

SMITH WINS HONDO CLASSIC AT FONDA - 7/10/10

By Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY - Saturday, July 10 was a special evening at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway as the Pro Stock feature was dedicated to the memory of Hondo Carpenter one of its most popular competitors who lost his life on July 4, 2005 in an ATV accident.

            The Pro Stock division took center stage on Saturday night as the feature field was stopped on the frontstretch while a moment of silence was observed for Hondo and the National Anthem was played.

After the Anthem Kelley and Kaitlyn Keefe gave the command to start engines while Kaitlyn released a bunch of purple and yellow balloons in honor of their dear friend. When the checkered flag flew on the Hondo Classic it was Chip Smith taking the win in the event.

“This is such a big deal for us,” Smith said in victory lane. “It is just like winning Syracuse.”

A bicycle raffle was also held during the racing program with a boys and girls bicycle each donated by Ed, John, and Adam McAuliffe. Kid’s 14 years of age and under were all eligible for the bike raffle.

            Utica Rome invader Brett Belden took the lead at the drop of the green flag with Pete Broderson second after starting third. The first of two yellow flags in the event was out at the completion of lap one for Tony Stone who was in the wall in turn four. On lap two Broderson was the new race leader after an inside move in turn four advanced his position.

            Roy Fifield started the event in the fifth position and on lap three moved into the second position after getting by Belden for the spot. While challenging Broderson for the lead Fifield slowed bringing out the final caution flag in the event with Fifield done for the night at that point. On the restart Broderson and Belden were side by side for the lead for an entire lap before Broderson got back out front.

            Smith started the event in the second position and fell back in the field early only to have the car start working for him again at the mid point in the event when he got by Belden for the second spot. At the halfway point in the race Broderson, Smith, Belden, Chuck Dumblewski, and Kenny Gates completed the top five. On lap 12 Broderson and Smith were side by side for the lead and one lap later on lap 13 Smith was the new race leader after passing Broderson on the inside of turn two.

            As Smith pulled away from Broderson the focus became the defending winner of the race Kenny Gates who moved into the fourth position on lap 14 after starting 11th. Gates was gaining a position every other lap as he tried hard to get to the front and challenge for the win as he got by Broderson for the second spot with only two laps to go.

Gates reeled Smith in over the final two laps but ran out of time as Smith went on to his first Hondo Classic win, his first win of the 2010 season at Fonda, and the 5th of his career at the Track of Champions.

“I remember watching Hondo race and he was a great guy,” Smith said. “I ran at Fonda the last few years but not as a regular in 2010 as I am chasing the DIRT Pro Stock Series. I was looking at the flagger and didn’t really care who was around me, I just kept my foot to the floor.”

“Chip ran a great race and I am very disappointed,” second place runner Gates said. “I thought that I had it and tried everything that I could but just couldn’t get him.”

“My car was good until after the first caution,” third place finisher Broderson said. “The car was down a cylinder after that so I just tried to maintain my position the best I could.”

HONDO CLASSIC PRO STOCK QUALIFYING – 23 total cars – 5 qualify – starting line up for the feature decided by a draw for an invert position by the fastest lap time in the heat race events

HEAT 1 – Chucky Dumblewski, Brett Belden, Bill Knapp, Bernie Companion, Luke Horning

HEAT 2 – Pete Broderson, Roy Fifield, Rocky Warner, Kenny Gates, Tom Denton

HEAT 3 – Chip Smith, Kenny Martin Jr., Jeremy Pitts, Rob Noviczski, Ricky Achzet

HONDO CLASSIC PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – CHIP SMITH, Kenny Gates, Pete Broderson, Brett Belden, Rocky Warner, Chucky Dumblewski, Jeremy Pitts, Tom Denton, Walt Brownell, Ivan Joslin, Ricky Achzet, Kim Duell, Rob Noviczski, Dean Charbonneau, Shane Henderson, Franky Twing, Bill Knapp, Kenny Martin Jr., Luke Horning, Roy Fifield, Bryan VanDeusen, Bernie Companion, Tony Stone, Andy Graves (DNS)

RECKNER WINS CAREER FIRST AT FONDA - 7/3/10


By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On Saturday evening in celebration of the Independence Day holiday there were fireworks both in the sky and out on the race track at the Fonda Speedway with two of the six feature events decided in the final two laps of the event.

Nothing was going to out stage Elmo Reckner’s command performance in the 30-lap Modified feature event however as he took the lead on lap one of the caution free event and went on to his first career Modified feature win at the Track of Champions in the Elmo’s Auto Body, JPM powered Bicknell car.

            “This is great,” Reckner said in victory lane. “A few weeks ago we had a tire go down on us on Lou Lazzaro Memorial Night and we had a good car that night too so maybe this is just a little redemption for that.”

            Other winners on Morris Auto Group Night at the Track of Champions were David Towns (Sportsman), John Scarborough (602 Limited Sportsman), Kenny Gates (Pro Stock), George Catanzano (UMP Modified), and Chuck McSpirit (Street Stock). It was also “Pink Night” in honor of “Checkers the Clown” on Saturday with pink evident all through the grandstand.

            Dave Constantino and Reckner led the field to the green flag with Constantino the early race leader. The yellow flag was out before any laps were completed for a crash in turn two involving Frank Hoard III and C.G. Morey. Both were able to continue at the rear of the field as was Ryan Odasz who ended up spinning his car in turn three in a separate incident.

            On the restart it was Reckner who was the race leader with Danny Varin in the second position on lap two after starting fifth. Ronnie Johnson was making some great moves through the field coming to the front from his eighth starting spot as he got by two cars on lap three to get into the top five.

            By lap five Varin had caught the race leader as the duo of Reckner and Varin had a race of their own going with the third place car of Todd Morey a straightaway behind the front two by lap seven. Johnson and Alton Palmer who started the event in the 11th position took turns advancing their positions as they both got by Morey for the third and fourth spots by the halfway point of the 30-lap event.

            Matt DeLorenzo who started in the 12th position was the man on the move at this point as he flew by both Morey and Palmer into the fourth spot while Johnson was reeling in the top two of Reckner and Varin. With five laps to go it was a four way battle for the lead as things started to get interesting between Johnson and DeLorenzo who were racing hard for the third spot.

            Coming out of turn four to complete lap 28 DeLorenzo had a run on Johnson on the low side of turn four and coming out of the turn must have thought that he had Johnson cleared and started to move up the track only to have Johnson still alongside of him. The two cars made contact with Johnson climbing the wall with the front end and riding the wall for a short time before the front end made contact with the track again. Somehow Johnson was able to continue on with DeLorenzo the new third place car at that point.

            Reckner never let the lap cars affect his great run as he got around them all and went on to the popular win over DeLorenzo who got by Varin for the second position on the final lap with Johnson and Palmer completing the top five.

            “We were struggling with the car so we decided to make a change and buy this new Bicknell car,” Reckner said as he celebrated in victory lane with his son Chris and his crew. “Randy (Williamson from Bicknell Racing Products) told us to set the car up this way and it was something that we had never tried before. To be honest with you I don’t even know what shocks are on the car as Randy marked them all and told us where to put them on the car.”

            Chad Edwards was the race leader at the start of the 20-lap Sportsman feature with Justin Auspelmyer in tow. After starting fifth Vinnie Sanganetti moved up quickly into the third position and on laps two and three was battling side by side with Auspelmyer for the second spot. On lap four Sanganetti was the new second place car with Luke Munroe now fourth behind Auspelmyer after starting seventh.

            Munroe and Ricky Quick both got by Auspelmyer for the third and fourth positions by the halfway point with the first of two yellows in the event coming out on lap 14 when Wayne Keys came to a stop on the frontstretch. On the restart Munroe was the new second place car after getting by Sanganetti with the final caution slowing the field on lap 18 for Floyd Billington who was in the wall in turn one. Under the caution Sanganetti was also forced into the pit area with a flat tire while running third.

            This caution changed the complexion of the event as defending track champion David Towns was making his way from the rear of the field. Towns blew the motor in his own car in his heat race and then drove the Jim Nagle #10 car in the feature event. On the restart Towns moved into the second position and with only two laps to go began pressuring Munroe for the lead.

            Coming out of turn four to the checkered flag Towns had a run on Munroe on the outside and when the checkered flag fell it was Towns who took his sixth consecutive victory of the season and the 40th of his career at Fonda, moving him into the second spot on the All Time Sportsman win list at the Track of Champions.

            Munroe ended up second and was followed by Mark Mortensen who went from eighth to third in the final laps of the event. Edwards and Auspelmyer completed the top five.

            “This win is all about Jimmy Nagle,” Towns said in victory lane. “I blew the motor in my car in the heat race and he went home and got his car for me to run in the feature event. He told me to run the car as if it were mine and that if I had a chance to get the win to go for it.”

            “I have been running this car at Utica Rome and had some trouble with the carburetor which Dave helped me fix,” Nagle said as he stood in victory lane with Towns. “When I heard that he needed a car for the feature I didn’t hesitate to go home and get my car for him to run after the help that he gave me.”

            The yellow flag was out in the 602 Limited Sportsman feature before any laps were completed for a three car wreck in turn two involving Adam McAuliffe, Jeremiah Munson, and Matt Guiffre. McAuliffe had the wind knocked out of him but was okay after the EMT crew checked him over. All three cars were done for the night at that point.

            On the original restart Matt Johnson took the lead with Robert Bublak the new second place car on lap three after starting sixth. On the outside of turn three on lap five Bublak was the new race leader with Brian Gleason now third after starting ninth and John Scarborough fourth after starting 11th.

            Gleason and Scarborough both got by Johnson for the second and third positions on lap nine with Bublak out to a straightaway lead at the halfway point. Scarborough got by Gleason on lap 11 for the second position and when Bublak was blocked by some lap cars that were racing for position with two laps to go it allowed Scarborough to close in.

            Using an inside move in turn four, Scarborough got by Bublak for the race lead and went on to his third win of the season. Bublak, Ray Zemken who pitted early in the event and had to restart at the rear of the field, Gleason, and Cody Bleau completed the top five in the event.

            “The track was great tonight and I have to thank the fans for coming out and watching us race because without them there wouldn’t be a race,” Scarborough said after celebrating the win on the roof of his car. “I had some luck go my way tonight as I missed the big wreck and with the uncertainty of what 2011 will bring for John Scarborough I am going to have some fun this year.”

            The Pro Stock feature event started out as a real barn burner with Nick Stone and Ivan Joslin racing side by side for the lead during the first five laps, swapping the position many times as they circled the speedway. Joslin was able to lead laps two through six after Stone led the first lap and while that was going on defending track champion Kenny Gates had a great view of the race in front of him and decided to make it a three way, three wide battle for the lead.

            Gates was the new race leader on lap seven and pulled away from that point on with the race now for the second position. Pete Broderson and Roy Fifield both got by Joslin for the second and third positions and had a little battle going of their own for the remainder of the event as Gates went on to his first win of the season and the 44th of his career over Fifield, Broderson, Rocky Warner, and Joslin.

            “It was a good night for me to have a good run as my wife and kids are all here with me,” Gates said. “We tried some new stuff tonight just for the Hondo Classic race next week and we finally made it to victory lane. Maybe we can make it two in a row in the Hondo race next week.”

            Defending track champion Jeremy Cramer led at the drop of the green flag in the UMP Modified feature from his pole position start with Kevin Buff going to second from fourth on lap one. Another driver who was on the move was sixth place starter George Catanzano who got by Buff for the second position by lap five after the two had swapped the spot on laps two and three.

            Catanzano was the new race leader on lap six after getting under Cramer for the lead in turn four. Catanzano cruised on to an easy win followed by Cramer, Buff, Danny Ballard, and Matt Shadic.

            “We had a good car tonight after that debacle the last time we raced where I forgot how to drive and caused an accident that took out a lot of good cars,” Catanzano said. “Tonight’s win is special because it is the first time that my son Anthony Roman has been here with me in victory lane after I won.”

            The caution plagued Street Stock feature began with Chuck McSpirit the early leader from his third place starting position with Dave Horning Sr. all the way up to the second spot by lap two after starting ninth. Cassidy Wilson started the event in the 11th position and by lap two was already up to the third spot behind McSpirit and Horning.

            Wilson moved into the second position on lap five and one lap later took over the lead from McSpirit but McSpirit came right back to retake the lead on lap seven. Rob VanAernam and Horning who fell back in the field both got by Wilson for positions two and three with the yellow flag coming out on lap 12 for Wilson who had a flat left rear tire and some other damage as well ending his night at that point.

VanAernam led for a brief time after the restart but McSpirit was not to be denied as he retook the lead and went on to his first win of the season over VanAernam, Dennis Joslin, Horning, and Randy Moore.

Next Saturday at Fonda all divisions will be in action with the Pro Stock division taking center stage for the night when the 5th Annual Hondo Classic is run. Starting time will be 6:00 p.m .

THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY SERIES UPDATE - 7/2/10

By: Ron Szczerba

            The next Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series event will be held at the Fonda Speedway on Tuesday July, 27 (50-lap $5,000 to win event) with a rain date of July 28. The series then moves to the Utica Rome Speedway on Thursday July, 29 with a 50-lap $5,000 to win event. The Lucas Oil Late Model Series will headline both events at both tracks.  So far in 2010  two Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series events between the Fonda and Utica Rome Speedways have been run, both of them at Utica Rome. The first series event of the season at Fonda which was rained out and will be re-scheduled for a later date this season.

            The two events held at Utica Rome were won by Brett Hearn and Matt Sheppard. The top five in average finishes in those two events were Bobby Varin (second and fourth place finishes for an average of three), Jimmy Phelps (fourth and third place finishes for an average of 3.5), Pat Ward (eighth and fifth place finishes for an average of 6.5), Ronnie Johnson (fifth and ninth place finishes) and Michael Storms (sixth and eighth place finishes) who both have an average finish of seventh.

            The first event of the Best of Four Thunder on the Thruway Sportsman and Pro Stock Series was to be held on May 8 at the Fonda Speedway but a rain out on that evening forced both events to be re-scheduled. The Sportsman event will now be held at the Fonda Speedway on August 3 in conjunction with a Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series event while the Pro Stock event is re-scheduled for July 10 at Fonda which will now be run as the Hondo Classic in honor of the late Hondo Carpenter.

            The Thunder Series point fund for the Modifieds will pay a total of $23,000 while the Sportsman and Pro Stock Series will each pay a $2,000 point fund.

BUSY MONTH OF JULY COMING UP AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY- 7/1/10

By: Ron Szczerba

After suffering the sixth rain out of the 2010 season last Saturday the Track of Champions now looks forward to a very busy six race schedule in the month of July. The busy month starts this Saturday July, 3 as the Fonda Speedway celebrates the Fourth of July holiday weekend with a regular racing program in all divisions along with fireworks and Kiddie rides. It will also be Student Night with students thru high school age being admitted at half price for general admission.

Two regular shows will take place in the month of July on the 17th and the 31st with three special events taking place as well during the remainder of the month. On the 10th all divisions will be on the racing program with the 5th Annual Hondo Classic for the Pro Stocks highlighting the racing card. Past winners of the Hondo Classic event honoring the late Hondo Carpenter were Jim Burton (2006), Nick Stone (2007 & 2008), and Kenny Gates (2009).

On July 24 the 7th Annual Wilma Smith Memorial UMP Modified Dash will take place along with all other regular divisions in action as part of the racing program. UMP Modified competitor Howard Smith started the dash in honor of his mother Wilma who passed away from throat cancer back in 2004. Previous winners of the Wilma Smith Memorial Dash include Jeff Crosier (2004), Dan Clemens (2005), Luke Horning (2006), Beau Ballard (2007), Dennis Vrooman (2008), and Danny Ballard (2009).
           
On July 27 the first ever visit by the Lucas Oil Late Model Series will take place at the Track of Champions along with a 50-lap Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series event paying $5,000 to win. Starting time for this mid week special will be 7:00 p.m. with a rain date of the following day July 28.
           
Starting times for all of the Saturday evening racing programs during the month of July will be 6:00 p.m.

DAVIS WINS FIRST OF THE SEASON AT FONDA 6/19/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – In the first three Modified feature events of the 2010 racing season at the Fonda Speedway, Ballston Spa, NY resident Jim Davis was the runner-up finisher before bad luck started to strike the driver of the MP Builders sponsored, Morrison powered #41 Bicknell car.

On Saturday evening all the bad luck finally turned good as Davis took his first win of the season, the seventh of his career at the Track of Champions, and his first since July 19, 2008.

            “I can’t even believe that we are here in victory lane with all of the bad luck we have had recently,” Davis said in victory lane. “I have to thank my sister and my brother in law for this great car, my crew, and my grandfather Dave Vrooman who has been a supporter of mine right from the start. My crew made a lot of changes to this ill handling car after the heat race so I hope they remember what they did.”

Other feature winners on K-Mart Night at the Fonda Speedway were David Towns (Sportsman), John McAuliffe (602 Limited Sportsman), Roy Fifield (Pro Stock), Kevin Buff (UMP Modified), and Rob VanAernam (Street Stock).

During the Fonda Speedway car show this past March at the Rotterdam Square Mall the Danny Ody Racing Team held a contest called “Create a Design” where children could do a drawing of a paint scheme that they wanted Ody to use on his race car for the 2010 season. On victory lane just after warm-ups were concluded on Saturday the winner of the contest Sheyenne Cook came across the track, received a trophy, and posed for pictures with the race car painted to her design.

            It was also NYSSCA Safety Night with $75 awarded to the highest finishing NYSSCA member in each of the feature events in all divisions and $25 to the second highest finishing member. The winning drivers also received a NYSSCA hat and yearbook.

The winners of the prizes were as follows: (first and second respectively) Jim Davis and Dave Lape (Modified), David Towns and Mark Mortensen (Sportsman), John McAuliffe and Adam McAuliffe (602 Limited Sportsman), Roy Fifield and Pete Broderson (Pro Stock), Kevin Buff and Matt Shadic (UMP Modified), Rob VanAernam and Cassidy Wilson (Street Stock). The wildcard winner of $50 was Danny Ody.

            Dave Lape started the 30-lap Modified feature on the pole and jumped to the early lead at the drop of the green flag with Dave Constantino in tow in the John Kollar owned #10%. Davis started the event in the fourth position and moved past Mark Kislowski for the third position by lap four with A.J. Romano also getting by Kislowski for the fourth spot after starting right behind Davis in the sixth position.

            Davis got by Constantino for the second position on lap seven and two laps later was right on the rear bumper of Lape who was now in lap traffic. On lap 11 on the inside of turn three Davis was the new race leader and immediately stretched out his advantage over Lape to a straightaway by lap 14.

            The best race on the track at the mid point in the event was between Constantino and Romano who raced side by side for many laps before Romano was able to get by for the third position on lap 21. Ryan Odasz was also on the move after starting ninth, getting by Constantino for the fourth position on lap 24.

            Just as it looked as the event was going to go clean and green for the entire 30-lap distance the caution was out on lap 27 for a four car wreck in turn one. The accident was triggered when Odasz was trying to get past the lap car of Paul Cirincione who caused Odasz to check up going into turn one and the field to bunch up behind them.

Odasz was tapped from behind by another car causing him to spin and head backwards towards the turn one wall, collecting Dave Camara and Ken McGuire in the process. Constantino just barely got through the wreck but retired from the event one lap later while Camara was able to continue. Odasz and McGuire were done for the night.

On the restart Davis continued to lead while defending track champion Bobby Varin moved from the seventh position to fourth before the yellow came out again on lap 28 for Robert Perry who slowed in turn one setting up a two lap shootout for the win.

Davis was able to pull away from Lape on the restart and went on to the win followed by Lape, Romano, Varin, and Alton Palmer.

“Earlier this season we finished second to some very well funded teams so we knew that if we kept working hard and kept digging that it was only a matter of time before we got here to victory lane,” Davis said. “My crew has been working their tails off and really it feels like October to us already. To race to lap 27 before any cautions come out you never know who is behind you so that makes it tough but getting this win is unbelievable.”

Chad Edwards and Ricky Quick started nose to tail on the inside row for the 20-lap Sportsman feature with Edwards leading lap one. Coming out of turn four on lap two Quick was the new race leader while some of the hot shoes were making their way to the front of the field.

Mark Mortensen started the event in the sixth position and by lap four had just gotten by both Vinnie Sanganetti and Edwards in a sweeping move around the outside of both cars. Two laps later Mortensen was the new second place car after getting by Scot Straight with Quick now out to a comfortable lead.

Current point’s leader and defending track champion started the event in the eighth position and by lap seven had already gotten by Straight for the third spot. Mortensen and Towns were side by side for the second position on lap 12 with the position going to Towns after a lap car blocked the outside path that Mortensen was using on the track.

Towns was the new race leader on lap 13 and once he took the top spot he pulled away from the field leaving Quick and Mortensen to battle for the second position. On lap 14 Mortensen was the new second place car but by that point Towns was long gone as he held a straightaway advantage by lap 16.

Towns took the win, his fifth of the season, fifth consecutive, and the 39th of his career in the Sportsman division at Fonda tying him with Tim Clemons for second spot on the All Time Sportsman win list at the Track of Champions. Mortensen, Quick, Straight, and Sanganetti completed the top five.

“We bought this car from Vinny Salerno of the 4* team and I really don’t know why he sold it,” Towns said with a laugh on victory lane. “This is a new car for us and that along with Groski power and Integra shocks is what it’s all about. I took my time coming up through the field because I hit the inside Jersey barrier once and didn’t want to do it again.”

            Possibly the best race of the evening came in the 602 Limited Sportsman feature starting with Rick Lamont taking the early lead. After winning his heat race with a very strong car, defending track champion Jeremiah Munson brought out a caution on lap one of the feature when he slowed on the backstretch. Munson was done for the evening at that point.

            On the restart John McAuliffe went from fourth to second while John Scarborough got up to the sixth position after starting 11th. At the line to complete lap three McAuliffe was the new race leader with Brian Gleason the new second place car after starting seventh. Two consecutive caution flags slowed the event on lap five and on the last restart Scarborough moved into the third position making it a three way battle for the lead.

            McAuliffe and Gleason were side by side for the lead on lap seven just before the final yellow of the event came out for Ray Zemken who was in the inside frontstretch wall. The remaining laps saw a three way battle for the lead as McAuliffe, Gleason, and Scarborough swapped positions many times per lap. On lap 17 of the 20-lap feature the trio was three wide for the lead which McAuliffe was able to hang on to as he went on for his second win of the season over Gleason, Scarborough, Adam McAuliffe, and Tony Farone.

            “That was a tough race, the toughest one I have had in awhile,” McAuliffe said. “The 14 (Gleason) ran a heck of a race, he must be getting some help from Matty (DeLorenzo). I had to run up top to keep the motor wound up and it was great to get the win. We aren’t racing for points this year so we are going to take some time off but hopefully I can get a couple more wins this year.”

            A pair of seven’s played a big role in the 20-lap Pro Stock feature with Chucky Dumblewski the early race leader at the drop of the green flag. Rob Yetman was the second car number seven to hold the lead on lap two before Dumblewski took it back on lap three as these two raced side by side most of the time.

            With Yetman back in the lead on lap five, Rocky Warner made his way past Dumblewski for the second position on lap six with Roy Fifield third after starting eighth. Warner’s car showed signs of smoke right from the start of the event but he was still fast enough to keep up with the leader. After a two lap side by side battle for position Fifield was the new second place car on lap nine after getting by Warner for the spot.

            On the inside of turn four on lap 10, Fifield was the new race leader with Warner also getting by Yetman for the second spot. As Fifield stretched his lead out to a straightaway a new challenger came into play for the second position as Pete Broderson made his way to the front after starting fifth.

            With four laps to go Broderson took over the second position from Warner but the remaining laps featured a four car battle for the second spot between Broderson, Warner, Kenny Gates, and Yetman who raced side by side and nose to tail to the checkered flag. Fifield was the race winner for the fourth time in 2010 and the 18th time in his career over Broderson, Gates, Yetman, and Warner.

            “It has definitely taken me awhile to figure out the Fonda Speedway,” Fifield said in victory lane. “The last couple of years we were breaking down which cost us points but now we are working hard to keep up our maintenance program. The top of the speedway was fast tonight and if someone was going to get around me they were going to have to do it on the inside.”

            The UMP Modified feature started with Kevin Buff leading from his outside front row starting position followed by George Catanzano who started in the second row in the fourth position. When Rob Sansone spun in turn four on lap three it erased the straightaway lead that Buff had built up and put Catanzano on his rear bumper.

            On the restart coming out of turn four Buff slid up in front of Catanzano to maintain the lead but going into turn one Catanzano got into the turn too hard on the inside and slid up the track collecting the cars of defending track champion Jeremy Cramer and Danny Ody. Cramer and Ody were done for the evening while Catanzano continued on at the rear of the field.

            Danny Ballard was the new race leader on a lap eight restart after another caution flag slowed the field, a position he held until lap 10 when something let go in the rear suspension on his car handing the lead back to Buff. Catanzano was riding around with the left side of his car waving in the breeze but was still fast enough to take over the second position from Matt Shadic with five laps to go in the event.

            Buff held his line and fought off heavy pressure from Catanzano on his way to the win, his second of the season and the 17th of his career at Fonda over Catanzano, Shadic, Aaron Jacobs, and Bob Banks Jr.

            “We have been making changes to this car every week trying to keep up with George (Catanzano) and Matt (Shadic) who have both been real quick this year,” Buff said. “My crew guys Dave and Patrick talked me into making a couple of changes tonight that I really didn’t want to make and it turned out very well.”

            Neil Cosselman led the first two laps of the Street Stock feature before Dennis Joslin took over the lead on the inside of turn four after starting ninth. Rob VanAernam started the event in the 10th position and by lap five he was already up to the second spot and challenging Joslin for the lead.

            VanAernam was the new race leader on lap 10 and two laps later he and Joslin were swapping the lead many times as the laps clicked off with Joslin able to wrestle it away from VanAernam at that point. Joslin went on for what appeared to be his first career win at Fonda but the victory was taken away after an illegal clutch was found in the car handing the win to second place finisher VanAernam.

            Cassidy Wilson, Cosselman, Randy Moore, and Dave Horning Sr. completed the top five.

            “Running second tonight proved to be pretty important,” VanAernam said. “All during the feature I was thinking to myself how do I get this car to go faster as the track was so slick tonight.”

            Next week at Fonda a regular show in all divisions will be held on Student Night with students receiving ½ price general admission through high school age. Starting time will be 6:00 p.m.

SAFETY NIGHT AT FONDA THIS SATURDAY JUNE, 12 – 6/11/10

By Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – This Saturday June, 12 at the Track of Champions the Montgomery and Fulton County Traffic Safety Boards will present “Safety Day” from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. featuring demonstrations and exhibits by area law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, local fire departments, and other community organizations. There will be a ride in the pace car given away along with many other free raffles and giveaways.

            It will also be NYSSCA Night at Fonda with the New York State Stock Car Association giving out their annual “Safety Awards” including $75 to the first NYSSCA member crossing the finish line in each of the feature events along with a NYSSCA hat and yearbook.      The second place finishing NYSSCA member across the finish line in each of the feature events will receive $25 for their efforts and there will also be a $50 wild card prize handed out.

            To receive any of the prizes from NYSSCA you must be a NYSSCA member in good standing for the 2010 racing season. NYSSCA representatives will be on hand early on Saturday to sign up anyone who hasn’t already done so in order for you to be eligible for the prizes

            The Family Day/Montgomery& Fulton County Traffic Safety Night racing program will consist of a regular show in all divisions with the green flag waving to start all of the action at 6:00 p.m.

RJ GETS HIS SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON AT FONDA WHILE PITTMAN WINS EXCITING 410 ALL STAR SPRINT FEATURE – 6/11/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – A special mid week two division racing program took place at the Fonda Speedway on Thursday evening with Ronnie Johnson winning his second Modified feature of the season while Daryn Pittman was the winner in the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint car main event in what turned out to be an unbelievable race in the closing laps. The racing program was originally scheduled for Wednesday evening but was rained out and held on Thursday.

            The start of the 30-lap, $3,000 to win Modified main event saw invader Larry Wight take the lead at the drop of Denny Tilison’s green flag with Josh Hohenforst second. Coming into turn four on the first circuit, Hohenforst got underneath Wight for the lead and the next thing you knew the yellow flag was out for Wight who spun in the turn. Wight would continue on at the rear of the field while Hohenforst shared the front row with Danny Varin on the original restart.

            Hohenforst led at the start this time with Ronnie Johnson making a great move down the backstretch to get by three cars on the inside going into turn three to take over the second position after starting fifth. The second caution of the event came out on lap three for A.J. Romano who came to a stop in turn two. Romano was able to continue at the rear of the field. Defending track champion Bobby Varin was on the move early in the Andy Romano/Marv Pedrick owned #97 as well, taking the fourth position from his son Danny on lap five.

            The battle for the lead intensified two laps later with Hohenforst running the outside groove on the speedway and Johnson pressuring him while running right down the middle of the track. On the inside of turn three Johnson made his move underneath Hohenforst and coming out of turn four to complete lap nine was the new race leader. Pat Ward was also on hand for the event and after starting fourth on the grid took over the second position from Hohenforst on lap 10.

            Johnson was in lap traffic by lap 13 of the event with Bobby Varin making his way past Hohenforst for the third position one lap later. That would be as high as Bobby Varin would climb in the field however as he suffered a flat tire and pitted two laps later. Just before the final caution of the event came out on lap 22, Jim Davis moved past Hohenforst for the third position and under the yellow Hohenforst suffered a flat right rear tire costing him a good finish in the event.

            On the restart Johnson pulled away and went on to his 14th career win at Fonda in the Palmer’s Service Center #2 Teo car followed by Ward, Davis, Michael Storms, Matt DeLorenzo who started all the way back in the 13th position, Danny Varin, Romano who made his way up to seventh after bringing out the caution on lap three, Jeff Trombley, Dave Camara, and Marc Johnson.

            “Under the caution my father was in turn four signaling me to pick up the pace so I stepped on it on the restart and ran as hard as I could the last eight laps,” Johnson said in victory lane. “This win feels real good too because it pays more than a regular Saturday night.”

            Local favorite Jessica Zemken started the 30-lap All Star 410 Sprint feature on the pole position and at the drop of the green flag was the race leader with Tyler Walker second at the completion of lap one after starting third. By lap four Zemken was a straightway ahead of Walker and already in lap traffic which created havoc for Zemken allowing Walker to close in.

            On lap six Walker made a great move in between turns one and two, going around the outside of both a lap car and Zemken to take the lead. The only caution of the event was out on lap nine for Tim Shaffer who spun on the backstretch while racing for the third position. Shaffer was able to continue on at the rear of the field.

            Daryn Pitman started the event in the fifth position and moved past Zemken for the third spot on the restart, quickly catching the leading car of Walker by lap 12. Lap traffic saved the day for Walker this time as he was able to get through lap traffic quicker than Pittman and stretch out his advantage. By lap 22 Pittman was right back on Walker’s rear bumper and this set up what turned out to be an unbelievable finish between these two great drivers.

            “Lap traffic definitely came into play and when I was in second I had an advantage because Tyler was trying some stuff and I got to see what he was doing while following him,” Pittman said.

At the line to complete lap 23 Walker and Pittman were side by side for the lead and going into turn two Pittman was the new race leader but only for a brief time as Walker made a cross over move to get the lead back going down the backstretch. In turn one with only one lap remaining in the event, Walker made a classic slide job move in between a lap car and Pittman to take the lead but lost it coming out of turn two as his momentum carried him up the track and Pittman was able to take the lead back.

            On the final lap Pittman and Walker were trying anything they could to get through the lap traffic with Pittman making it to the checkered flag first for the $5,000 win, the second 410 sprint car win of his career at Fonda after winning back on July 29, 2003. Walker, Zemken, Aaron Ott, and Fred Rahmer completed the top five.

“I looked at the lap counter and saw lap 22 and that was the last time that I saw what lap we were on as I didn’t even know the race was over but the fans were the real winners tonight as that was a heck of a race,” Pittman said as the crowd gave him a tremendous hand in victory lane. “When I am behind that #17 car it gives me extra incentive to beat it (Pittman said in victory lane after he and Walker recently switched rides.”

“I am not really disappointed with second,” Walker said. “I got beat fair and square but this team is getting it turned around and if we keep working hard the wins will come. We made some wrong guesses with the setup tonight and sometimes you come out a winner and sometimes you come out a loser but we will just keep working hard to get better.”

“I got beat by two awesome race car drivers tonight,” Zemken said. “Following them is a great way for me to learn and that is the only way that I am going to get better. That is my goal to keep running with them and just keep learning.”

            This Saturday June, 12 at the Track of Champions the Montgomery and Fulton County Traffic Safety Boards will present “Safety Day” from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. featuring demonstrations and exhibits by area law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, local fire departments, and other community organizations. There will be a ride in the pace car given away along with many other free raffles and giveaways.

            It will also be NYSSCA Night at Fonda with the New York State Stock Car Association giving out their annual “Safety Awards” including $75 to the first NYSSCA member crossing the finish line in each of the feature events along with a NYSSCA hat and yearbook. The second place finishing NYSSCA member across the finish line in each of the feature events will receive $25 for their efforts and there will also be a $50 wild card prize handed out.

FONDA SPEEDWAY RAINED OUT FOR SATURDAY JUNE 5 - ALL STAR SPRINTS TO MAKE APPEARANCE ON WEDNESDAY JUNE, 9 - 6/6/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – A heavy thunderstorm came through the Fonda, NY area early Saturday afternoon leaving standing water in turn two of the speedway. With watches and warnings out for severe thunderstorms and possible tornado’s for the remainder of the afternoon and early evening Fonda Speedway management decided to cancel the Dave Lape tribute racing program. It was the third rain out of the season and the Dave Lape tribute program will be re-scheduled for sometime in July with a date to be announced shortly.

            The attention now turns to Wednesday June, 9 when the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint cars will be at the Track of Champions along with a 30-lap $3,000 to win Modified feature event. Pit gates will open on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. with front gates opening at 5:00 p.m. and racing at 7:00 p.m. In the event of rain on Wednesday the event will be held on Thursday June, 10 at the same times listed above.

            Drivers scheduled to be at Fonda for the 410 Sprint show on Wednesday include current points leader (as of 6/4/2010) Tim Shaffer, Lance Dewease, Greg Wilson, and Tyler Walker who owns the official 410 Sprint car track record with a lap of 15.281 sec. Also on hand will be local favorite Jessica Zemken who is on a hot streak as of late with two feature wins on the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 Sprint car circuit at Utica Rome on May 30 and Autodrome Granby on June 4.

TRIBUTE TO DAVE LAPE AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY THIS SATURDAY - 6/2/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – This Saturday June, 5 at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway a tribute to one of the track’s racing legends Dave Lape will take place. The Modifieds will compete in Twin 22-lap feature events paying $2500 to win each event with $220 to take the green flag in each event as well, the significance of the 22 being Lape’s trademark car number. All other divisions will also be in action with the green flag waving to begin the special night of racing at 6:00 p.m.

            The Tribute to Dave Lape twin 22-lap feature events will also be a part of the Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series between Fonda and Utica Rome with other events in the series scheduled at Fonda on Tuesday July, 27 (50-lap $5,000 to win with a rain date of July 28); Tuesday August, 3 (60-lap $6,000 to win with a rain date of August 4); and Sunday September, 26 (100-lap $9,500 to win).

One of the Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series events was already held at Utica Rome back on April 18 with Brett Hearn the winner of that event. The remaining events at Utica Rome will be held on Thursday June, 24 (50-lap $5,000 to win); Thursday July, 29 (50-lap $5,000 to win); and Sunday August, 22 (50-lap $5,000 to win).

            Other special events that will be happening on Dave Lape Tribute Night include a couple of Lape’s former cars being on hand including the Fred Burrows owned #22 Champ Car from when the Burrows-Lape team won Fonda Speedway Modified Championships back to back in 1991 & 1992. Doug Mathewson will also be there with his red, white, and blue #22 coupe as it makes its return to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds track.

            Several of Lape’s former car owners, sponsors, family, and friends will all take part in a meet & greet autograph session in the grandstand area so that all of Lape’s fans can meet and talk racing with them. After the meet & greet Lape will drive his old coupe to the pit area for Doug Mathewson to drive to pace the field for the twin 22-lap feature events. Mimi Lazzaro will be singing the National Anthem and Lape’s good friend Lew Boyd will be there to present the “Coastal – 181 Cup” to the overall winner of the twin 22-lap events.

            The New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) will also reward the first non NYSSCA member crossing the finish line in each feature with a complimentary membership.

            Jim King will be there as well to get those who have supported Lape over the years to share some of the great old stories and memories of the 47 year career that Lape has had as a race car driver, car builder, race promoter, & friend.

            Some of the people that will be on hand this Saturday for the special event include

Bill Wimble, Dick Berggren, Andy Fusco, and Dave Delaney along with former car owners Fred & Louise Burrows, Bobby & Karol Grimm, Don Knapfel owner of the famed #44B, Andy Romano, and long time sponsors Warren and J.R. Roosevelt & Family, Pat Riley, and Mike Buanno.

            According to the latest statistics from Lape’s racing career he started racing go-kart’s in 1959 which lasted up until 1964 when he started racing stock cars in his self owned #22. His first feature win at Fonda came on May 17, 1969 with a total of 19 wins coming in his self owned race car.

            In 1977 Lape piloted the Don Knapfel owned #44B to a total of 23 feature wins at various tracks while one year later he drove the Bob Grimm owned #22 to a total of 26 wins in four racing seasons. R.C. Putman was Lape’s next car owner and together they won a total of 58 features at various tracks in a five year time span.

            Lape’s longest tenure with a car owner came between the years of 1987 and 2002 (16 years total) when Fred Burrows owned the #22 with a total of 55 wins coming during their partnership. Andy Romano was next as a car owner for Lape between 2003 and 2005 with 10 wins added to the Fonda Speedway record books in Romano’s car.

            Alton & Carole Palmer owned a car for Lape for three seasons (2006-2008) and the last two years he has piloted a car owned by himself & Pat Riley. All total Lape has 191 (small & big block combined) feature wins with 119 of them being DIRT sanctioned victories.

            Lape has won at a total of 12 different speedways including Fonda (99 wins), Albany Saratoga (25 wins), Canandaigua (3 wins), Cayuga County (Weedsport 37 wins), Rolling Wheels (9 wins), Utica Rome (8 wins), Orange County (2 wins), Ransomville (4 wins), Drummondville; Five Mile Point; New York State Fairgrounds; and Devils Bowl (1 win at each track).

            Other accomplishments include winning during 20 consecutive racing seasons between 1977 & 1996, winning in each of the past five decades (60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, & 00’s), and 11 Super DIRT Series feature wins.

            Track point titles which Lape has won include 1977 (Cayuga County, Mr. DIRT Championship), 1981 (Utica Rome), 1982 (Cayuga County, Albany Saratoga, Super DIRT Series), 1983 (Cayuga County, Fonda), 1984 (Eastern States 200), 1985 (Utica Rome, Sunoco Championship Trail, Rolling Wheels 200), 1986 (Fonda), 1987 (Fonda), 1989 (Rolling Wheels 200), 1991 (Fonda), 1992 (Fonda), 2003 (Fonda), and 2004 (Fonda).

            2010 is Lape’s 47th consecutive season competing at the Fonda Speedway with the following all time statistics: 99 wins, 97 second place finishes, 83 third place finishes, 57 fourth place finishes, and 47 fifth place finishes.

            So come out and celebrate the racing career of Fonda Speedway legend Dave Lape this Saturday at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway with racing beginning at 6:00 p.m.


VARIN CELEBRATES THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND WITH A WIN AT FONDA - 5/29/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On Saturday evening at the Fonda Speedway defending Modified Track Champion Bobby Varin started the Memorial Day weekend with a win at the Track of Champions. For Varin it was his third win of 2010 and the 44th of his career at Fonda in the Dover Brake sponsored, JPM powered Bicknell car.

            “We have a good little deal going here with this car and team,” Varin said in victory lane. “We are constantly making changes to this car to try and improve it and make it better than it already is.”

            In pre race ceremonies before the green flag flew for the Modified feature the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence was observed in celebration of the Memorial Day holiday before the Canadian and National Anthem’s were sung by Mimi Lazzaro in front of a large holiday weekend crowd.

            Other winners on Lucia Specialized Hauling Night at Fonda were David Towns (Sportsman), Adam McAuliffe (first career win in the 602 Limited Sportsman division), Rocky Warner (Pro Stock), Matt Shadic (first career win in the UMP Modified division), Cassidy Wilson (Street Stock), and Justin Barger (the Earl Halaquist Memorial event for the Empire Super Sprints).   

            Paul Cirincione was the leader of the 30-lap Modified event at the drop of the green flag but it was Ryan Odasz who caught the attention of the crowd when he moved to the third position on the backstretch after starting fifth. Todd Morey made a move to the lead on lap two with an early caution slowing the field at that point.

            On the restart Odasz was the new second place car with Jeff Trombley third and A.J. Romano fourth. It didn’t take long for Odasz to get the lead as he did so on lap four on the outside of turn two just before another caution slowed the field. This caution was for Jim Davis who slowed on the backstretch and after making a trip to the pit area he restarted at the rear of the field.

            With four caution flags waving in the first five laps of the event it allowed many of the top runners to make their way towards the front in a short period of time. Varin was one of those drivers as he was already in the seventh position on lap six after starting 14th. On lap seven Varin took the fifth position away from Ronnie Johnson using the inside groove and then he made the switch to the outside to continue his march to the front.

            One by one over the next three laps of the event Varin made his way to the second position by lap 11 with Odasz now out to a straightaway lead. Lap traffic slowed the leader on lap 14 allowing Varin to close in and two laps later he was the new race leader after getting by Odasz on the inside of turn three.

            Once he got the lead Varin stretched out his advantage to a comfortable margin with the best race on the track now for the second position between Odasz and Trombley. With three laps to go in the race Trombley took the second position away from Odasz but Varin was long gone as he went on to another win.

            Trombley, Odasz, Alton Palmer, and Dave Camara completed the top five.

            “All of the credit goes to my crew as there are a lot of very smart people working on this car,” Varin said. “They do all the work to the car and I just get the pleasure of driving it.”

            Justin Auspelmyer led at the start of the 20-lap Sportsman feature while defending track champion David Towns made a three wide move down the middle of Drew Fallis and Mark Mortensen in turn three to take over the second position on lap one after starting eighth.

            Mortensen took over the third position from Fallis on lap two just before the yellow flag came out for Chad Edwards who crashed hard into the concrete wall in turn one. Edwards was not injured in the wreck.

            On the restart Towns was the new race leader with Mortensen in the second spot after both got by Auspelmyer for position. While Towns continued to stretch out his lead and Mortensen was comfortably in the second spot the best race on the track was for the third position between Rob Langevin and Luke Munroe.

            Towns won the event in the Mell Electric sponsored, Groski powered Teo Pro car by a half track for his fourth win of the season, fourth in a row, and the 38th of his career over Mortensen, Langevin, Munroe, and Fallis.

            “This Teo car is really going right now,” Towns said in victory lane. “They were telling me on the radio that I had a big lead but I didn’t want to let up the way the track was because if I did I would have ended up in the wall just like Chad (Edwards) did.”

            Brittany Liggett led the first two laps of the 602 Limited Sportsman feature event with an early yellow out on lap two for John McAuliffe and John Scarborough who were involved in a wreck in turn four. Both were able to continue on at the rear of the field. On the second try to restart the event Rick Lamont took over the race lead with Adam McAuliffe second on lap five after starting 12th.

            Defending track champion Jeremiah Munson was also on the move at this point after starting 13th sitting in the fifth position by lap seven. Also on lap seven it was McAuliffe who took the lead on the outside of turn four just before the final caution of the event came out on lap 10.

            While running second under the caution flag period Munson came to a stop in turn two and was done for the night with Scarborough all the way up to the fifth position at the halfway point in the event. On lap 14 Scarborough got by both Cody Bleau and Lamont for the second spot and three laps later McAuliffe and Scarborough were racing side by side for the race lead.

            When Scarborough was slowed by a lap car with only two laps to go it allowed McAuliffe to get away slightly and he held on for the first win of his career in the McAuliffe Trucking #234 over Scarborough, Bleau, Ray Zemken, and Lamont.

            “I finally got the monkey off my back,” the first time winner said in victory lane. “I knew that they would be back there and during the final few laps it was either wreck it or win it.”

            The Pro Stock feature began with Pete Broderson the early leader from his outside front row starting spot with Chucky Dumblewski second after starting fourth. Rocky Warner was on the move early after starting sixth and by lap six he was the new second place car after getting by Dumblewski.

            Broderson held a half straightway lead at that point but Warner quickly closed the gap and by lap seven was trying to find a way to get by Broderson for the lead. On lap eight Warner was the new race leader and by lap 12 he stretched out his advantage to a half straightaway.

            A caution on lap 13 took away the big lead that Warner had built up but he held on for the win after the green flag flew again for his first win of the season and the second of his career in the division at Fonda. Broderson, Dumblewski, Rob Yetman, and Roy Fifield completed the top five.

            “I need to dedicate this win to my girlfriend who lost her uncle today,” an emotional Warner said in victory lane. “I have been psyching myself out every week and my son hasn’t helped matters any because he has been psyching me out as well telling me that the only way that I was going to win is if Roy (Fifield) didn’t show up.”

            The UMP Modified feature was led by Matt Shadic at the drop of the green flag from the outside pole position with George Catanzano second after starting fourth. From that point on it was a two car race for the win with only one caution flag slowing the 15-lap event with one lap to go.

            On the restart Catanzano tried every trick in the book to get by Shadic but it was Shadic who took the first win of his career in the division over Catanzano, Kevin Buff, Dan Hartgraves, and Aaron Jacobs. Just after the checkered flag flew Catanzano exploded a motor going into turn one and had to be towed into the pit area.

            “I was just trying to stay low on the track because there was more grip down there,” Shadic said. “Steve had this car set up so that it was on rails on the bottom of the track. I saw George (Catanzano) outside of me a couple of times and I was just hoping to hold him off.”                       

            Neil Cosselman led at the drop of the green flag in the Street Stock feature with Randy Moore second followed by Dave Horning Sr., and Cassidy Wilson. On lap four both Horning and Wilson got by Moore for position and one lap later Horning was the new race leader.

            Horning and Cosselman swapped the lead twice in a two lap span but on lap eight it was Wilson who took over the lead after going three wide by Cosselman and Horning on the backstretch. Wilson went on to his fourth win of the season, his third in a row, and the 17th of his career at Fonda over Horning, Rob VanAernam, Cosselman, and Dennis Joslin.

            “The track was real tricky tonight, real slippery,” Wilson said. “I was just running the bottom but you really had to try and figure where you were going to make your passes on the track.”

            By the luck of the draw Justin Barger started on the outside pole for the Earl Halaquist Memorial ESS Sprint feature with Bobby Varin who was in the Demitraszek Racing #61 Sprint car moving into the third position at the start after starting fifth. On lap six Jessica Zemken slowed on the backstretch with a flat tire and on the restart the yellow was out again for a spinning car in turn two.

            Chuck Hebing was the new third place car on the restart with Steve Poirier fourth after starting eighth. Poirier was the new second place car on lap 13 after getting by Jason Barney with the final yellow coming out with seven laps to go in the 25-lap event. Barger had two lap cars in between himself and Poirier on the restart but Barger was just too strong and pulled away to an easy win over Poirier, Hebing, Rick Wilson, and Varin completed the top 10.

            “This feels real good,” Barger said after the victory. “I raced this car in the Patriot event at Canandaigua and that track is very similar to this one. The cautions kept my tires cool and I just kept up my momentum on the top throughout the event.”

            Next Saturday at Fonda a tribute to legend Dave Lape is on the racing card with Twin 22 lap Modified features paying $2500 to win each and $220 to take the green. All other divisions are also on the racing card which begins at 6:00 p.m.

            Then on Wednesday June, 9 the O’Reilly All Star Sprints will be on hand along with a 30-lap $3000 to win Modified feature with a starting time of 7:00 p.m.

.

MODIFIEDS ADDED TO ALL STAR SPRINT RACING PROGRAM ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 9 AT FONDA – 5/27/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On Wednesday evening June 9 at the Fonda Speedway a blockbuster two division racing card is on the schedule including The O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint cars and the recently announced 30-lap, $3,000 to win Modified feature with a starting time of 7:00 p.m.

According to their website The O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint car organization is one of the premier sprint car sanctioning bodies in the United States of America and is owned by Illinois businessman Guy Webb. Now in their 29th year of operation, the All Stars take pride in their reputation of providing highly competitive, fair, exciting racing for outlaw sprint cars.

The “outlaw racer” designation goes back to the 1930's when any driver not belonging to a particular racing club was considered an “outlaw.” About 400 drivers participate in All Star races yearly in front of an average of 5,000 spectators per event.

The typical All Star race program consists of time trials, qualifying heat races, a Dash and C, B and A Main events, determined by the number of cars signed in for an event.

            Prize money adds up to $1.5 million in a season. Over $200,000 cash is paid out by point fund sponsors to those drivers and owners who finish highest in the point standings, with an additional $100,000 worth of contingency prizes provided by many supporting companies.

            There have been four 410 Sprint events held at the Fonda Speedway in the past with the winners of those events being Shane Stewart (2002), Daryn Pittman (2003), Craig Keel (2005), and Danny Lasoski (2006). Tyler Walker holds the 410 Sprint track record with a lap of 15.281 seconds.

POINT FUNDS GET INCREASED BY LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER - 5/25/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Local business owner Mike Sowle has stepped up and added $3000 to the total point fund for the Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series which is already in progress between the Fonda and Utica Rome Speedway's. Sowle Trailer Service (STS) stickers will now be seen on our local Modified race cars from this point on.

            STS provides the finest in truck and trailer repair in the Central New York area as they can do both major and minor repairs including collision work, sandblasting, painting, and service work. To get in touch with STS you can call them at (518) 725-3148.

            In addition Sowle is also stepping up to help the 602 Limited Sportsman division at Fonda by contributing $1500 to their point fund total in 2010.

            The management team of the Fonda Speedway along with promoters Ric & Laura Lucia would like to thank Mike Sowle, his family, and staff at STS for their contribution to both point funds in 2010.

            So far in the 2010 season only one Thunder on the Thruway Series has been run at the Utica Rome Speedway where Brett Hearn was the winner of the event. The first series race at the Fonda Speedway will take place on Saturday June, 5 with Twin 22-lap events paying $2500 to win each in a Tribute to Fonda Speedway legend Dave Lape.

            Other Thunder on the Thruway Series Modified events will be held at Fonda on Tuesday July, 27 (50-lap $5,000 to win with a rain date of July 28); Tuesday August, 3 (60-lap $6,000 to win with a rain date of August 4); and Sunday September, 26 (100-lap $9,500 to win) with events at Utica Rome to be held on Thursday June, 24 (50-lap $5,000 to win); Thursday July, 29 (50-lap $5,000 to win); and Sunday August, 22 (50-lap $5,000 to win).

HANSON TAKES FONDA MODIFIED WIN TOWNS AND FIFIELD BOTH WIN THEIR THIRD IN A ROW - 5/22/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – One week ago at the Fonda Speedway Craig Hanson was involved in what turned out to be a head on crash with another car with the result being two destroyed race cars. Most important was the fact that nobody was injured in the wreck.
On Saturday evening it was the complete opposite for Hanson who stood in victory lane with his family, crew, and sponsors celebrating his first win in 2010 and the third in his career at the Track of Champions with the last one coming on June 23, 2006.
            “This is the best place to be,” Hanson said in victory lane after the win. “I want to thank all of my family, crew, and sponsors especially my wife Angela who allows me to do what I love to do which is to race.”
            Other winners on Jumpin’ Jack’s Pro Speed Night at Fonda were David Towns (Sportsman), John Scarborough (602 Limited Sportsman), Roy Fifield (Pro Stock), George Catanzano (UMP Modified), and Cassidy Wilson (Street Stock).
            Bill Terlecky of the Amsterdam Mohawks Baseball Team was on hand along with his staff to hand out schedules and promote their baseball team out of Amsterdam, New York. Fonda Speedway night will be coming up at the Mohawks game at Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam on Monday June, 28.
            Ronnie Johnson’s 10 year old niece Lexi waved the green flag to start the 30-lap Modified feature event with Hanson starting on the outside of the front row after winning heat race number one with Erik Nelson alongside. At the drop of the green flag Nelson was the race leader but that only lasted for a couple of laps as Hanson took the lead on the outside of the backstretch on lap three. From that point on Hanson drove a masterful race and just pulled away from the rest of the field.
            Robert Perry, Darwin Greene, and Josh Hohenforst all took turns getting by Nelson for position and by lap seven Hanson was out to a straightaway lead with Jeff Trombley completing the top five behind Hohenforst. By lap 10 Perry and Greene were side by side for the second position with Perry able to hang on to the spot at that point.
            At the halfway point in the event Hanson continued to hold a comfortable advantage over Perry, Greene, Hohenforst, and Trombley with A.J. Romano now in the picture as he challenged Trombley for the fifth spot. With 10 laps to go Hohenforst moved past Greene for the third position with Romano also getting by Trombley for the fifth spot.
            Perry was able to close in on the leader with only a few laps to go as Hanson was trying to get by a lap car. Both Hanson and the lap car were running close to the same lap times which made it difficult for him to get by allowing the rest of the field to close in.
            “When I was trying to get by the lap car I was getting frustrated as I couldn’t run the bottom of the speedway,” Hanson said.
            The one and only caution flag in the event came out on lap 24 and on the restart Hohenforst moved one spot closer to the front as he got by Perry for the second position. Hanson quickly stretched out his advantage to a comfortable margin and went on to the win in the Morrison powered, Sampson Motor Car sponsored #20C Teo car.
            “On that restart someone ran into the side of me but I got the car straightened out and kept it smooth the rest of the way,” Hanson said.
            Hohenforst finished second followed by Perry, Romano, and defending Modified track champion Bobby Varin.
            Chuck Allen led the first two laps of the Sportsman feature event with Rob Langevin second after starting in the second row. Langevin took over the race lead on lap three at the line to complete the lap with David Towns now in the second spot after starting eighth.
            Using the inside groove in turn three, Towns was the new race leader on lap five with Luke Munroe the new second place car after starting seventh. On lap nine Towns and Munroe were side by side for the lead with Towns using the lap car of Craig Ritchie as a pick on the frontstretch to block Munroe and hold on to the lead.
            While Towns and Munroe were waging a great battle for the lead the same could be said for Langevin and Mark Mortensen who were also battling for the third position. The yellow flag was out on lap 14 for Chad Edwards who was in the wall in turn three with no injuries reported.
On the restart Towns pulled away from Munroe as the best race on the track was now between Langevin and Mortensen for the third position. For the remainder of the 20-lap feature Langevin and Mortensen were side by side for the third position, Langevin on the outside and Mortensen on the inside.
At the checkered flag it was Towns taking his third win of the season, third win in a row, and the 37th of his career over Munroe, Mortensen who nipped Langevin at the line for the third spot with Vinny Sanganetti completing the top five.
“This new 2010 Teo Pro car with Groski power is the trick and I am just the old man driving it,” Towns said after the win. “This race team is a community effort between my family, crew, and sponsors and we had to step up our program for this year by buying this new car to try and keep up and hopefully beat Luke (Munroe).”
The 20-lap 602 Limited Sportsman feature event started with Korey Wilder in the lead followed by Chip Constantino. Wilder was running a great race and pulling away from the field when the caution came out on lap seven taking away the big lead that he had built up.
            On the restart John McAuliffe made a move around the outside of four cars to take over the second position with John Scarborough now in the third spot. When Wilder slid up high in turn four on lap 11 it allowed both McAuliffe to get by for the lead and Scarborough to take over the second position.
            On the outside at the line to complete lap 14 Scarborough was the new race leader with Wilder’s great run coming to an end one lap later after he got into the wall in turn one. Scarborough maintained the lead through one additional caution to take the win, his second of the season and the second of his career in the division.
            McAuliffe, Ray Zemken who finished third on a flat left front tire, defending track champion Jeremiah Munson, and D.J. Brundige completed the top five.
            “I got bottled up in traffic until the caution came out and it seemed as though everyone else’s tires sealed up and they went backwards as I moved forward,” Scarborough said after the win. “I am having fun in this crate division and plan to finish out the season running in the class and then see what 2011 brings.”
            Pete Broderson started the Pro Stock feature in the third position and at the drop of the green flag made his way to the front of the pack to lead lap one. Rocky Warner started fifth and on lap two he took over the second position with Roy Fifield third after starting eighth. The yellow flag was out on lap five for Ivan Joslin who spun on the frontstretch with defending track champion Kenny Gates also spinning to avoid contact with Joslin. Both continued on at the rear of the field.
            On the outside at the line to complete lap six Warner was the new race leader with Fifield also getting by Broderson for the second position. One lap later Fifield took over a lead that he maintained through one more caution flag on his way to his third win of the season, his third consecutive win, and the 17th of his career at Fonda over Warner, Broderson, Joslin who came all the way back up after his spin to finish fourth, and Rob Yetman completed the top five.
            “This is the same car that we ran last year with a new motor under the hood,” Fifield said. “The car is hooked up on the top and the bottom and I can put the car anywhere on the track.”
            Dan Hartgraves led the first five laps of the UMP Modified feature with George Catanzano second on lap three after starting 11th. On lap six on the outside in turn two Catanzano was the new race leader with Kevin Buff the new second place car after also getting by Hartgraves.
            Catanzano pulled away after a lap 10 restart with Jeremy Cramer and Matt Shadic now battling for the third position. Shadic eventually took over the position and with five laps to go in the 20-lap event Buff and Shadic were side by side for the second spot with Shadic taking the position on lap 17.
            Catanzano led the remaining laps for his second victory of 2010, second in a row, and the 44th of his career in the division over Shadic, Buff, Danny Ballard, and Cramer.
            “We never made it out for our heat race so we had to start in the back of the feature,” Catanzano said. “I found some bite on the bottom before anyone else did so I used that to get to the front and them moved back up to the top after I got the lead. The car was awesome after a lot of changes by my crew chief Steve but we really didn’t know what we had for the feature until we got out there.”
            Mitch Sequin led early in the Street Stock feature before Randy Moore took over the point to lead lap one of the event. Many of the cars mid pack were out of shape at the start on the frontstretch but all gathered it up and continued on without incident. Cassidy Wilson moved into the second position on lap five after starting 12th and on the inside of turn two on lap six he was the new race leader.
            One more yellow flag slowed the field on lap 11 but Wilson was up to the challenge and took his third win of the season, second in a row, and 16th of his career at Fonda over Dave Horning Sr., Chuck McSpirit, Rob VanAernam, and Reuben Kennedy Jr.
            Come and spend Memorial Day weekend at the Track of Champions next Saturday with the Empire Super Sprints ESS, along with a regular show in all divisions starting at 6:00 p.m.

“4” IS MATT DELORENZO’S FAVORITE NUMBER AFTER WIN AT FONDA- 5/15/10

 By Ron Szczerba

 FONDA, NY – On Saturday evening the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway celebrated a special night in memory of Lou Lazzaro along with many of his family members and old friends alongside. Lou’s daughter Mimi Lazzaro and Matt Noles (Rainmaker Productions) planned the special event with Jim King back in the tower to honor his old friend, the driver that he named the “Incomparable” Lou Lazzaro.

When it was all said and done and the checkered flag flew on the 44 lap Modified main event it was Matt DeLorenzo in victory lane in the BBL Companies sponsored #3 where he received a check for $4,444.44 from Fonda Speedway promoter Ric Lucia and the winners trophy which was sponsored by Lou Boyd of Coastal 181, both who were also good friends of Lazzaro’s.

“We started way back tonight and there are probably a few people who are not real happy with me right now,” DeLorenzo said in victory lane. “I had to bump into a few people to get to the front tonight but it is a special night and I really wanted to win this race. Both of my daughters are here with me tonight too so that made it even more special.”

“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight and also thank the Lazzaro family for sharing Louie with us,” Lucia said.

“This night is a little about you and a lot about Lou Lazzaro so remember this win as one of the special ones in you’re racing career,” Boyd said to DeLorenzo after the win.

A special eight lap Dash 4 Cash was also held with Bobby Varin winning the event which was sponsored by Rainmaker Productions (Matt Noles and his wife Lindsay). The event was for former Modified Track Champions who were still active and was worth $444.44 to Varin.

Mimi Lazzaro sang the National Anthem just before the Modified feature and thanked all of the people at the track for their support for the event from the fans to the drivers. After the anthem Matt Noles said “if you look up the word incomparable in the dictionary the definition states that it is something beyond comparison and that was Lou Lazzaro so in honor of him gentleman start your engines.”

Other winners at Fonda on Lou Lazzaro Memorial Night were David Towns (Sportsman), Ray Zemken (602 Limited Sportsman), Roy Fifield (Pro Stock), George Catanzano (UMP Modified), and Cassidy Wilson (Street Stock).

The winners of the four Modified heat races were given a $400 check for their efforts from four different businesses. Heat one was won by Jeff Trombley (race sponsored by Lucia Specialized Hauling), heat two by Erik Nelson (race sponsored by Morris Auto Group), heat three by Bobby Varin (sponsored by Jumpin’ Jack’s Pro Speed), and heat four by Dave Camara (race sponsored by Mike’s Five Corners Coastal).

During the pace laps before the start of the event a replica of one of Lazzaro’s cars paced the field and when the green flag flew it was Erik Nelson taking the lead from his pole position start. After starting third Elmo Reckner quickly moved into the second position and began pressuring Nelson for the lead by the second lap. On lap three on the outside of the backstretch Reckner was the new race leader while mid pack many of the front runners were swapping positions trying to make their way to the front.

The red flag was out on lap five for a three car wreck on the frontstretch involving Craig Hanson, Alan Barker, and Robert Perry. Coming out of turn four Hanson made contact with the wall and spun around, coming to a stop facing the field. Barker had nowhere to go and made head on contact with Hanson while Perry also made contact with one of the cars. Nobody was injured in the accident.

On the restart Reckner continued to lead with Marc Johnson making a great move into the second position after restarting sixth. After starting the event in the 14th position Jim Davis who was the point leader coming into the night got by both Tony Pepicelli and Josh Hohenforst for the third spot on lap 10 and one lap later he was the new second place car after getting by Johnson.

With Reckner a half track ahead at that point Davis had his work cut out for him but unfortunately his night came to an early end on lap 14 when he slowed in turn two and drove the car into the pit area. Pepicelli got by Johnson for the second position at that point with Reckner in lap traffic by lap 15.

After starting 13th DeLorenzo made his way into the third position on lap 21 after getting by Johnson while Danny Varin also got by Johnson for the fourth spot while Alton Palmer completed the top five. Both Pepicelli and DeLorenzo were catching the leader by the lap 28 point in the event with DeLorenzo the new second place car after getting by Pepicelli for the spot. Two laps later DeLorenzo was on Reckner’s rear bumper challenging for the lead.

Coming out of turn four on the inside of the speedway on lap 31 DeLorenzo passed Reckner for the lead while Danny Varin and Bobby Varin were trying to advance their positions as well. Both Danny and Bobby got by Reckner for the second and third positions with only a few laps to go while DeLorenzo was out to a half track lead. At the checkered flag it was DeLorenzo the winner followed by Bobby Varin, Danny Varin, Pepicelli, and Dave Camara.

While DeLorenzo was going through tech after the race a replay of Lou Lazzaro’s last win was played over the sound system. Jim King called that race and the excitement in his voice as he called the race was unbelievable. At the completion of the tape a huge ovation came from the crowd just before victory lane ceremonies began.

“So far this season I have been trying to save my car for the end of the race and people have been getting away from me so tonight I raced all out from the start,” DeLorenzo said. “I think that I may have a broken torsion bar because the car was laying over on me towards the end.”

“We tried something different with the right rear on the car tonight and now we know that we need to go back to where we were,” Bobby Varin said. “I was spinning the tires the whole race as we couldn’t get a hold of the track tonight, I couldn’t really even touch the throttle. We fell one spot short but it shows what a great team that Dave Cruickshank has here with two Dover Brake sponsored cars finishing in the top three.”

“I started 11th and had a long way to go to make it through the field,” Danny Varin said. “I hit the outside wall towards the end of the race and almost lost it and my temperature was up so I think that we may have a hole in the radiator.”

            Rob Langevin led the first three laps of the 20-lap Sportsman feature while David Towns worked his way up to the third position by lap two after starting eighth. On lap four he got by Drew Fallis for the second position and shortly afterwards Towns was the new race leader after getting by Langevin for the point.

            While Towns pulled away to a comfortable lead Luke Munroe was working his way up from his seventh starting position, getting by a cluster of slower cars early on to get into the fourth position. Just before the halfway point Monroe was the new second place car after getting by Langevin with Towns now a straightaway ahead.

Munroe was never able to mount a challenge on Towns who went on to the 36th win of his career and his second consecutive victory over Munroe, Langevin, Chad Edwards, and Mark Mortensen.

“A couple of weeks ago we made a lot of changes to this new Teo Pro car and the Groski power has been awesome,” Towns said. “Groski has been with me for seven years now and this win is even sweeter because it came on Lou Lazzaro Memorial Night.”

John Heidrich who is a rookie competitor in the 602 Limited Sportsman division this year was the early race leader from the pole at the start of the feature event. After starting the race in the 12th position defending track champion Jeremiah Munson moved into the second position on lap five after getting by Adam McAuliffe. The yellow flag was out on lap six and on the restart Munson got by Heidrich for the lead.

At that point Ray Zemken was in the third position but he also continued his march to the front after starting 10th. When the final yellow of the event came out on lap 13 it closed the gap between Munson and Zemken and on lap 14 Zemken used the inside groove on the back stretch to take over the lead. Zemken went on to his first win of the season and the fourth of his career over Munson, McAuliffe, John Scarborough, and Heidrich.

The Pro Stock feature was led at the start by Pete Broderson with Shane Henderson in tow after both drivers started the event from row one. Roy Fifield started sixth and by lap two was already in the second position and looking for the lead. In his patented outside groove on lap five, Fifield was the new race leader after getting by Broderson.

Rob Yetman started the event in the eighth position and on lap eight he got by Broderson for the second spot with defending track champion Kenny Gates up to third. Gates got by Yetman for the second position with seven laps left but there was no catching Fifield who went on to his second consecutive win and the 16th of his career over Gates, Yetman, Ivan Joslin, and Broderson.

“I knew with the good jump that we got at the start that we had a good shot at winning tonight,” Fifield said in victory lane. “It is hard leading for so long though because you never know who is behind you or how close they are to you.”

The UMP Modified feature began with George Catanzano as the race leader with the yellow flag out on lap two. Catanzano led on the restart and pulled away from that point on with the best race on the track for the second spot between Kevin Buff and defending track champion Jeremy Cramer

Cramer got by Buff for the second position but never got close to Catanzano who went on to his first win of the season and the 43rd of his career over Cramer, Buff, Matt Shadic, and Howard Smith.

“We are still trying to figure this car out,” Catanzano said. “Tonight the car was good but I am not sure whether the track is that much different because I haven’t been here in awhile or if the car is that far off.”

Randy Moore led the first three laps of the Street Stock feature with Cassidy Wilson up to the second position by lap three after starting 10th. On the outside of turn two on lap four Wilson was the new race leader and from that point on he pulled away to an easy win, his second of the season and the 15th of his career at Fonda.

Dave Horning Sr., Chuck McSpirit, Rob VanAernam, and Dennis Joslin completed the top five.


LOU LAZZARO “THE LEGEND”

Ron Szczerba

This is a story that I wrote back in 1999 that was published in the June 1999 edition of the Redline Motorsports Magazine. With the Lou Lazzaro Memorial event coming up this Saturday at Fonda I dug it out of the archives and thought that I would send it out for people to read again. I contacted Mimi Lazzaro and asked if this would be okay to send out and she said that it was so please enjoy the story and use as necessary in any publications or websites.

            Lou Lazzaro started racing forty-seven years ago.  The first time that he ever raced was at a track up near Richfield Springs, N.Y.  His nickname “The Monk” came as a mistake.  “Somebody started calling me “The Monk” and I never corrected him on it so it has stuck with me ever since,” Lazzaro said.

            His car number four came about because there was originally a four-partnership deal in the car.  “Before I had even gone racing there was a number four out of the garage that I had started hanging around and when he gave up racing I took over the number,” he said.

            When he first started racing, Lazzaro used to build and do everything by himself, including the engine work, and to this day he still does the engine work himself.  “I have the machine work done and then I assemble the engine myself,” he said.  “It saves money but it never works out when I let somebody else do everything.”

            Enders did the engine that is in the car now originally and it was wrong right from the beginning.  “We ran an entire year and he kept telling us this and that and when I took it apart I found the problem,” Lazzaro said.  “And when I showed it to him he didn’t want to make good by it.”  Since that time Lazzaro has done everything himself.

            As far as the car itself, Lazzaro says that it isn’t really any more sophisticated than it was before.  “The setup is basically the same as when I ran springs in the back.”  His current car is a 1998 Teo Pro Car.

            Lou says that year after year racing is getting to be more and more about money and if you don’t get any financial help from someone you aren’t going to be able to make it on your own, even if you win a lot.  “You need help.”

            Currently helping out on the car as far as sponsors go are Dan Marrone, Mike’s Five Corners (Mike McKeon), and Peter Bianco, Jr. who is not only a sponsor but also the crew chief.  Other crewmembers include George Biancosino, Dick Bidwell, Lou’s girlfriend Tina Zappia, his daughter Mimi, and his son Peter.  Lazzaro also has two other sons (Louie and Danny), and two other daughters (Laurie and Franny).

            Dan Marrone has been a friend of Lazzaro’s for over thirty years.  Marrone is a retired Ford Motor Company worker and they have always been friends.  “He made a few bucks in the stock market and started backing me,” Lou said.  Mike McKeon backed Lazzaro for ten years under his Five Corners business but after going through some financial troubles Marrone took over and has been a real asset.

            Lazzaro admits that he needs the financial backing or he wouldn’t be able to race.  “But my physical condition is a never ending thing, trying to keep pace with the young guys,” he said.  “I don’t know if it goes along with the age or what but I am starting to feel it more and more when I race, I can’t race the way I really want to race.”

            At one time