• FRIESEN WINS NUMBER FIVE AT FONDA - CONSTANTINO FIRST TO DOUBLE UP IN 602 SPORTSMAN DIV - 6/15/13
  
• FRIESEN WINS AGAIN AT FONDA - 6/8/13
  
• LUCK ON FRIESEN'S SIDE AS HE TAKES ANOTHER WITH AT FONDA - 6/1/13
  
• VARIN MASTERS LAP TRAFFIC ON THE WAY TO WIN AT FONDA – 5/18/13
• KISLOWSKI TAKES CAREER FIRST INA MODIFIED AT FONDA -  5/4/13
  
• TWO IN A ROW FOR FRIESEN AT FONDA - 4/27/13
  
• MR. FREEZE WINS ON A FREEZING COLD NIGHT AT FONDA – 4/20/13
• DELORENZO OPENS 2013 FONDA SPEEDWAY SEASON WITH A WIN IN THE ANNUAL ICE JAM EVENT- 4-6-13
• MAHANEY WINS $12,000 IN 112-LAP HONORING LEGENDS MODIFIED FEATURE AT FONDA
• FONDA SPEEDWAY RETURNS TO ACTION - 9/15/12
• DELORENZO AND FRIESEN SHARE NIGHT OF FEATURES VICTORIES FRIESEN, BLEAU, AND BRODERSON FIRST TIME TRACK CHAMPIONS – 8/18/12
• FRIESEN CAPTURES SEVENTH FEATURE WIN PLUS SHOEMAKER DASH - 8/4/12
• VARIN WINS THIRD OF THE SEASON AT FONDA - 7/21/12
• SHAFFER TAKES WIN AT TRACK OF CHAMPIONS - 7/19/12
• ROMANO TAKES WIN AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY - 7/14/12
• BRODERSON WINS THE HONDO CLASSIC AS THE PRO STOCKS TAKE CENTER STAGE AT FONDA – 7/7/12
• DELORENZO WINS FIRST OF THE SEASON AT FONDA - 6/30/12
• JOHNSON WINS ON JUMPIN’ JACK’S NIGHT AT FONDA – 6/23/12
• FRIESEN BACK IN VICTORY LANE AT FONDA – 6/16/12
• SPECIAL NIGHT FOR WILDER AT FONDA - 6/9/12
• VARIN DOUBLES UP AT FONDA - ZEMKIN WINS ESS FEATURE – 5/26/12
• VARIN STOPS FRIESEN’S DOMINANCE AT FONDA – 5/19/12
• FRIESEN WINS FOURTH IN A ROW IN MODIFIEDS – 5/12/12
• FRIESEN THREE PEATS AT FONDA - 5/5/12
• MR. FREEZE VISITS VICTORY LANE AT FONDA – 4/28/12
• REGULAR SEASON OPENER GOES TO STEWART FRIESEN AT FONDA SPEEDWAY TRACK OF CHAMPIONS – 4/14/12
• MAHANEY TAKES ICE JAM WIN AT FONDA – 4/7/12
• DELORENZO TAKES $9,500 WIN AT FONDA 9/25/11
• TROMBLEY TAKES BIG WIN AT FONDA 9/24/11
• JOHNSON CLAIMS ANOTHER WIN AT FONDA - 9/17/11
• DeLORENZO WINS MODIFIED EVENT, ROCKY WARNER WINS BOTH 602 SPORTSMAN AND PRO STOCK EVENTS 8/20/11
• NIGHT OF FEATURES VICTORIES AT FONDA GO TO DANNY VARIN AND RONNIE JOHNSON – 8/13/11
• HEARN HAS 800th VICTORY AT THE TRACK OF CHAMPIONS - 8/10/11
• ODASZ RETURNS TO VICTORY LANE AT FONDA- 7/30/11
• Owens Debuts New Car in Second Straight Fonda- 7/27/11
• OWENS AND VARIN RACE TO VICTORY LANE - 7/27/11
• TROMBLEY WINS ON A WILD NIGHT AT FONDA - 7/23/11
• A.J. ROMANO CLAIMS VICTORY AT THE TRACK OF CHAMPIONS - 7/16/11
• YETMAN WINS HONDO CLASSIC AT FONDA - 7/9/11
• RECKNER WINS A THRILLER AT FONDA - 7/9/11
• JOHNSON WINS FOURTH OF THE SEASON AT FONDA-7/2/11
• DELORENZO WINS FIRST OF THE SEASON AT FONDA - 6/18/11
• TIM SHAFFER WINS A THRILLER AT FONDA -  6/8/11
• DANNY VARIN WINS THE FIRST MODIFIED FEATURE OF HIS CAREER AT FONDA 6/4/11
• JOHNSON WINS AGAIN AT FONDA
• PALMER GETS LONG OVERDUE WIN AT FONDA - 5/21/11
• JOHNSON WINS SECOND OF THE SEASON AT FONDA - 5/7/11
• FATHER AND SON HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AT FONDA - 4/30/11
• JOHNSON WINS $4000 ICE JAM AT FONDA - 4/9/11
• 2010 SEASON
• RECAPPING THE 2010 SEASON AT THE TRACK OF CHAMPIONS
• FONDA SPEEDWAY CLOSES OUT THE 2010 SEASON WITH ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET - 11/22/10
• FRIESEN TAKES HOME BIG PAYDAY AT FONDA - 9/26/10
• DELORENZO TAKES WIN AT FONDA - 9/25/10
• Barger Picks up Second Fonda Speedway Win of the Season, Poirier Earns Third Career Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint Series Title - 9/25/10
• JOHNSON MAKES A LATE RACE PASS TO WIN AT FONDA  9/18/10
• WARD MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO FONDA- 8/21/10
• ODASZ AND ROMANO TAKE NIGHT OF FEATURES VICTORIES AT FONDA - 8/14/10
• BBL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES ENHANCES THE NIGHT OF FEATURES RACING PROGRAM AT FONDA SPEEDWAY- 8/13/10
• 2010 CHAMPIONS WILL BE CROWNED AT FONDA SPEEDWAY NIGHT OF FEATURES - 8/12/10
• VARIN PICKS UP HIS FIFTH WIN OF THE SEASON AT FONDA - 8/7/10
• JUSTIN AUSPELMYER WINS 9TH ANNUAL JACK LOCKHART DASH AT FONDA - 8/7/10
• VARIN AND DAVIS TAKE FONDA WINS- 7/31/10
• FRIESEN CAPTURES FIRST CAREER WIN AT FONDA - 7/27/10
• Owens Takes Seventh Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Event of the Season at Fonda - 7/27/10
• QUICK WINS AS SPORTSMAN TAKE CENTER STAGE AT FONDA MODIFIED FEATURE RAIN DELAYED TO JULY 31 AFTER 12 LAPS COMPLETED 7/24/10
• ROMANO WINS AS FONDA BEATS THE WEATHER FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN A ROW - 7/17/10
• RYAN ODASZ TAKES CONVINCING WIN AT FONDA - 7/10/10
• SMITH WINS HONDO CLASSIC AT FONDA - 7/10/10
• RECKNER WINS CAREER FIRST AT FONDA - 7/3/10
• THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY SERIES UPDATE - 7/2/10
• BUSY MONTH OF JULY COMING UP AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY- 7/1/10
• DAVIS WINS FIRST OF THE SEASON AT FONDA 6/19/10
• SAFETY NIGHT AT FONDA THIS SATURDAY JUNE, 12 – 6/11/10
• RJ GETS HIS SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON AT FONDA WHILE PITTMAN WINS EXCITING 410 ALL STAR SPRINT FEATURE – 6/11/10
• FONDA SPEEDWAY RAINED OUT FOR SATURDAY JUNE 5 - ALL STAR SPRINTS TO MAKE APPEARANCE ON WEDNESDAY JUNE, 9 - 6/6/10
• TRIBUTE TO DAVE LAPE AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY THIS SATURDAY - 6/2/10
• VARIN CELEBRATES THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND WITH A WIN AT FONDA - 5/29/10
• MODIFIEDS ADDED TO ALL STAR SPRINT RACING PROGRAM ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 9 AT FONDA – 5/27/10
• POINT FUNDS GET INCREASED BY LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER - 5/25/10
• HANSON TAKES FONDA MODIFIED WIN TOWNS AND FIFIELD BOTH WIN THEIR THIRD IN A ROW - 5/22/10
• “4” IS MATT DELORENZO’S FAVORITE NUMBER AFTER WIN AT FONDA- 5/15/10
• LOU LAZZARO “THE LEGEND”
• FIRST ANNUAL LOU LAZZARO MEMORIAL THIS SATURDAY AT FONDA - 5/12/10
• THUNDER SERIES EVENTS FOR THE SPORTSMAN AND PRO STOCK DIVISIONS HIGHLIGHT THIS SATURDAY’S RACING PROGRAM AT FONDA - 5/3/10
• VARIN FIRST TO DOUBLE UP IN 2010 AT FONDA - 5/1/10
• RONNIE JOHNSON USES MOMENTUM TO TAKE FONDA WIN - 4/24/10
• $20,500 POINT FUND ANNOUNCED FOR 2010 THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY MODIFIED SERIES – 4/17/10
• FONDA SPEEDWAY SUFFERS FIRST RAIN OUT OF 2010 - 4/17/10
• VARIN WINS ICE JAM AT FONDA - 4/10/10
• TRADITIONAL ICE JAM EVENT TO OPEN 2010 RACING SEASON AT FONDA
• FONDA SPEEDWAY RELEASES ROBUST 2010 SCHEDULE
• FONDA SPEEDWAY STARTS 2010 RACING SEASON WITH ANNUAL CAR SHOW

MR. FREEZE WINS ON A FREEZING COLD NIGHT AT FONDA – 4/20/13

DELORENZO OPENS 2013 FONDA SPEEDWAY SEASON WITH A WIN IN THE ANNUAL ICE JAM EVENT- 4-6-13

By: Ron Szczerba

Opening day of the 2013 Fonda Speedway racing season saw a pit full of race cars and a great crowd on hand as well as the Track of Champions opened their 61^st consecutive season of racing with the running of the “Ice Jam” event.

When the checkered flag flew on the 40-lap, $4,000 to win “Ice Jam” Modified feature event the BBL Companies sponsored Teo car of Cropseyville, NY resident Matt DeLorenzo visited victory lane as the winner of the event for the second time in his career after winning the “Ice Jam” event back in 2008.

For DeLorenzo it was his 35^th career Modified win at Fonda in 10 winning seasons with his first career win coming back on 4/17/2004.

“Stewart (Friesen) was fast today but maybe that was a little payback for what he did to me down in Charlotte back in the fall,” DeLorenzo said kiddingly after Friesen suffered a flat tire on lap 28 of the Ice Jam event while leading. “We were running old faithful here today at Fonda (a 2007 Teo car) as our new car isn’t ready yet.”

Winners in other events on the “Ice Jam” opening day racing program included Rocky Warner in a very exciting 20-lap 602 Sportsman feature event and Pete Broderson who won a special 15-lap Pro Stock Dash for Cash event paying $250 to the winner.

Before the start of the Modified feature Mimi Lazzaro sang the National Anthem and dedicated it to her boyfriend Josh Flint’s cousin Kyle who was also on hand but will soon be going to Afghanistan on a tour of duty in the Marine Corp. After the National Anthem was sung Kyle gave the “Gentleman Start Your Engines” command to the starting field for the “Ice Jam” event.

Josh Hohenforst led early on after the green flag flew to start the 40-lap Modified feature but when the first lap was completed it was third place starter and defending Modified Track Champion Stewart Friesen who was the new race leader. By lap three Friesen held a straightaway lead over Hohenforst as he steadily pulled away.

DeLorenzo started the event on the outside pole and after falling back to third got back by Hohenforst for the runner-up spot on lap six while Friesen enjoyed a half track lead at that point and was in lap traffic as well.

Ronnie Johnson was in car owner Alton Palmer’s back up #76A as his new #2RJ wasn’t ready yet and after starting the event in the sixth position moved into the third spot on lap 10 after getting by Hohenforst. After Johnson pulled a slide job on Hohenforst in turn four, Hohenforst made a crossover move to get under Johnson to try and get the spot back but after slight contact between the two Johnson held on to the number three spot.

Despite holding a big lead Friesen wasn’t holding back as he was four wide in turn four to get by three lap cars just before lap 12 was completed and by the halfway point in the event the top five consisted of Friesen, DeLorenzo, Johnson, Hohenforst, and Brett Hearn who started the event in the 12^th  spot.

The yellow flag was out at the halfway point in the event which turned into a red flag when last years “Ice Jam” winner Mike Mahaney, Danny Varin, and Don Scarborough were involved in a wreck in turn one. Mahaney ended up on his roof but none of the drivers were injured in the wreck.

Six lap cars protected Friesen’s lead on the restart while Jim Davis and Bobby Varin who started the event in the 21^st spot were battling for a spot in the top five. Davis and Varin swapped the position a couple of times before the yellow came out on lap 24 when Friesen blew a right rear tire. He was able to pit and return to the field as the last car on the lead lap in the 11^th spot, handing the lead over to DeLorenzo in the process.

In the closing laps Bobby Varin moved past both Hearn and Hohenforst for a third place finish behind DeLorenzo and Johnson while Hearn and Hohenforst completed the top five with Friesen finishing the event in the sixth position.

“This is a good start to the season for us,” DeLorenzo said. “Hopefully our luck changes this year and we can give Matty “D” fans something to cheer for again this season.”

“We had a third place car today and finished second so I am happy about that,” second place finisher Ronnie Johnson said. “I have to thank Ed & June Keyser for the new right rear tire they bought for me today because it really helped. They do a lot for our race team and I want to thank them for everything.”

“That was a great race and I sure hope that the fans got their money’s worth,” third place finisher Bobby Varin said after the race. “We were able to come from the back and that was a great run for this Atlas Paving sponsored race team as we continue to learn each other as a new race team along with learning this new Troyer car as well.”

Chris Shaffer and Brian Pessolano started the 20-lap 602 Sportsman feature on the front row with Shaffer leading lap one before Pessolano was able to get by him for the lead on the second lap.

Rocky Warner started the event in the third position and by lap five he was passing Shaffer for the second position with Mark Mortensen and Floyd Billington completing the top five. The only caution flag in the event flew on lap six for defending 602 Sportsman Track Champion Cody Bleau who suffered a flat tire and slowed on the track.

On the restart Mortensen moved past Shaffer for the third position while Warner was the new race leader after getting by Pessolano on the inside of the backstretch. When Mortensen got by Pessolano for the second position on lap 12, Warner held a half straightaway advantage at that point but Mortensen was able to move in on Warner’s rear bumper rather quickly as he was running faster lap times than Warner according to timing and scoring.

The last five laps were very exciting in the event as Mortensen tried everything to get by Warner for the lead. With only two laps to go Warner was slowed by the lap car of Connor Cleveland but did manage to get by with Mortensen the next car to be held up by Cleveland allowing Warner to get away for the win.

Mortensen, Jeremy Pitts, Pessolano, and Tony Farone who started the event in the 14^th position completed the top five in the event. For Warner it was his fifth career win in the 602 Sportsman division at Fonda and came in the West End Towing sponsored #79.

Warner celebrated in victory lane with his sons Brady (aka Corky) and Tanner saying: “that was tough”. “Hats off to my guys who worked on this car all week. We were supposed to run with the Modifieds today as well until we found an issue with our Modified motor and we were up all night trying to figure it out “

Lead changes were plentiful during the 15-lap Pro Stock Dash for Cash with defending Pro Stock Track Champion Pete Broderson the first leader of the event early on before Ivan Joslin took over the lead before lap one was completed.

Fifth place starter Jim Normoyle took the lead from Joslin on lap three as the two crossed he finish line to complete the lap. Broderson never fell back any further than third and on the backstretch on lap six he went three wide on the backstretch around both Joslin and Normoyle to take the lead.

Kenny Gates started the event in the fourth position and took over the lead on lap nine before Broderson took it over for good on lap 11 and went on for the win in the Lazzaro’s Auto Body #53B over Gates, Nick Stone, Joslin, and Chuck Dumblewski.

Broderson put on the dash along with sponsorship help from Stone Motorsports, RCT Roofing, Elmo’s Auto Body, Cedar Ridge Well Drilling, Grennon Services, and KB Equipment.

“The car wasn’t setup for this type of a track and we fell back early and got bottled up,” Broderson said. “So I just had to take my time and find a line to make my way back to the front”

Next week the battle for the 2013 Track Championships will begin in all divisions with a regular racing program in all divisions with a starting time of 7:00 p.m.

For qualifying results from today’s racing program you can go to Mylaps.com

2012 PRESS

MAHANEY WINS $12,000 IN 112-LAP HONORING LEGENDS MODIFIED FEATURE AT FONDA

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Fonda Speedway closed out their 60^th season of competition on Sunday evening as a racing program honoring Jumpin’ Jack Johnson saw 12’s being the number of the day as a $12,000 purse was paid out for the Modified main event while $1,200 was paid out for both the 602 Sportsman and Pro Stock main events. To go along with that $1,200 was paid out to each of the Modified heat race winners and $120 was paid out to each of the 602 Sportsman heat race winners.

The event was sponsored by Sowle Trailer Repair, Morris Ford, Hunt’s Machine, and the local NAPA Stores in Scotia and Rotterdam.

With rain washing out the features portion of the Saturday racing program except for the 4-Cylinder event which was won by Ken Hollenback (single cam) and Ben Righi (dual cam) it meant double features for the Modified and 602 Sportsman divisions along with single feature events in the Pro Stock, Street Stock, and the Empire Super Sprints who also crowned their 2012 point champion after their feature event.

When all was said and done victories on Sunday went to Mike Mahaney who won the big $12,000 prize in the 112-lap Modified feature event, Danny Johnson who won the 40-lap $4,000 to win Modified event held over from Saturday, Rocky Warner who won the $1,200 to win 602 Sportsman feature event, Mark Mortensen who won the $500 to win 602 Sportsman feature held over from Saturday, Pete Broderson who won the $1,200 to win Pro Stock feature event, Reuben Kennedy Jr. who won the $500 to win Street Stock feature event, and Lance Yonge who won the Empire Super Sprint (ESS) feature event while Chuck Hebing was declared the 2012 ESS Point Champion.

The idea for the Honoring Legends Tribute to Jack Johnson event came from Fonda Speedway promoter Ric Lucia and General Manager Marty Beberwyk who were trying to come up with an idea to honor Johnson all season long.   “Jack consented to let us have the tribute but said not to get too fancy with it,” Beberwyk said.

On the front page of The Insider which is the official program of the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway, Lucia wrote a dedication of his own to Jack saying “I have had a lot of time to think about Jack Johnson and his career. I figured out that his book of credentials and history will prove out how truly great he really is. He dedicated his life to our sport and especially to Fonda Speedway. Throughout history and racing, I have figured out the really great people who are legendary have always contributed and put in more than they take out or away. Jack Johnson truly put in more than he took out. In the year 2012 and our 60^th anniversary, the number 12 is so significant. With this said, I would like to dedicate our 60^th anniversary season and this final 112-lap race to Jack Johnson. To the legendary Jack Johnson, my friend signed Ric Lucia.”

During intermission the 2012 Most Popular Drivers were presented with their awards by Jim Ellis from the Leader Herald Newspaper in Gloversville, NY. The 2012 Most Popular Drivers were Ryan Odasz (Modified), Mark Mortensen (602 Sportsman), Pete Broderson (Pro Stock), Greg Havlichek (Street Stock), and Ben Righi (4-Cylinder).

When Denny Tilison’s green flag flew to start the 112-lap affair Mahaney took the early lead after redrawing the pole position with Jeremy Wilder alongside of him on the front row. Jimmy Davis started the event in the fourth position and at the completion of lap one he was already in the second position after getting by both Matt DeLorenzo and Wilder for the spot as he was using the outside of the slippery race track to get to the front. At the completion of lap two Davis was the new race leader and he immediately began to put distance between himself and the new second place car of DeLorenzo by lap seven.

While Davis pulled away to a straightway advantage, 2012 Track Champion Stewart Friesen and Ronnie Johnson who started ninth and seventh respectively were making their way to the front along with Brett Hearn who started in the 11^th position. Friesen was up to the fifth position by lap nine but got together with Jeff Rockefeller on the backstretch on lap 21 forcing Friesen to the hot pit area for some work on the car. He would restart at the rear of the field.

Meanwhile Mahaney and Johnson were both able to get by DeLorenzo for the second and third positions on the restart while Hearn was now in the top five as well. Davis was in lap traffic by lap 33 allowing both Mahaney and DeLorenzo who had taken the third spot back away from Johnson to close in on the leader.

DeLorenzo took the second position away from Mahaney on lap 39 and began pressuring Davis for the lead. At the line to complete lap 50 DeLorenzo used the inside line to get by Davis for the lead but going into turn one the two made contact with the result being Davis going over the right rear tire of DeLorenzo and both of them spinning out with Davis also making hard contact with the wall in turn one ending both of their nights.

Mahaney inherited the lead at that point with Johnson the new second place car but on the restart Hearn was able to get by Johnson for the second spot with Mahaney pulling away to a half straightaway lead by lap 70. When Mahaney got stuck behind the lap car of Mike Ward for many laps it allowed Hearn to close in and challenge for the lead.

Hearn was doing everything he could to try to get by Mahaney including bumping him in the back bumper just to let him know that he was there. It took almost 10 laps for Mahaney to get by the lap car of Ward which he did on lap 80 along with Hearn and Johnson who were in hot pursuit of the leader.

The final yellow came out on lap 87 when Danny Johnson slowed on the backstretch and at the lap 100 point in the event Ronnie Johnson made his way by Hearn for the second position and began pressuring Mahaney for the lead, bumping the rear bumper of Mahaney to let him know that he was there just like Hearn did to the young driver from Kings Ferry, NY.

Mahaney was in lap traffic again on lap 104 but once he cleared the lap cars five laps later the track was clear ahead of him and Johnson who was putting heavy pressure on him for the lead as the two ran nose to tail around the track. On the final lap, Johnson bobbled going into turn two allowing Mahaney to open up a small gap between the two and go on for the win over Johnson, Hearn, A.J. Romano, and Billy Decker.

The win for Mahaney was the second of his career at Fonda after winning the opening “Ice Jam” event back in April of this year. His winners share from the two events was a whopping $16,000!

“$12,000 this is awesome,” Mahaney said after exiting the Woodside Farms sponsored #21 Troyer car in victory lane. “And to honor Jack (Johnson), WOW! RJ (Ronnie Johnson) is a class act; he came over and wished me good luck before the race. I was just trying to be smooth and not give up the bottom line and when Ronnie got into me a couple of times he was just trying to tell me that I have to go faster. What a way to cap off the season, I can’t imagine a better season than this one, I can’t believe it.”

“Yes I was trying to rattle him a little bit,” Johnson said in victory lane regarding the bumping of the rear bumper of the leader. “I raced with him all season long at Utica Rome every week and he is a heck of a race car driver. To have my father here with us every week and to honor him here today is a blessing and I am very thankful for that.”

“I gave RJ a hole and he filled it,” Hearn said of Johnson’s pass for the second position. “The track was treacherous and the lane to race on was very thin.”

Rocky Warner started the 602 Sportsman feature on the pole position and took off and hid at the drop of the green flag. The only thing that slowed him down was a caution with no laps completed and lap traffic by lap eight of the 30-lap event but otherwise it was an easy win for the West End Towing sponsored car #79 as he won by a straightaway over Robert Bublak, Ray Zemken, Mike Ketchum, and Brian Pessolano.  The win for Warner was his third of the season and the fourth of his career in the division.

“It was a long week,” Warner said in victory lane. “We went to the hospital to get checked out after getting hit by a tire last Saturday here at Fonda and tonight we ran all three races so a lot of laps were put in. I pulled it in a little early in the Modified feature to save a little for this feature and we won in a backup car tonight so that shows just how strong my team is.”

Three early caution flags slowed the 30-lap Pro Stock feature with Pete Broderson leading the first lap before Rocky Warner cam from fourth to first on a lap two restart to take the lead. Warner’s lead only lasted a couple of laps however as Kenny Martin Jr. was the new race leader on a lap four restart.

Broderson fell back in the field early on but by lap 13 he was back up to the second position and pressuring Martin for the lead. Just past the halfway point in the event, Broderson made his move going in between both a lap car and Martin to take the lead on lap 16.

One more caution flag slowed the event with three laps to go but the 2012 Fonda Pro Stock Champion was up for the task as he went on to his sixth win of the season and the ninth of his career in the division in the Lazzaro’s Auto Body #53B over Martin, Tom Denton, Jim Normoyle, and Rocky Warner.

In the rain delayed Modified feature from Saturday, Danny Johnson took the early lead in the 40-lap event from his pole position start with Matt Sheppard and Hearn racing side by side for the first few laps for the second position after starting second and third respectively. Eventually Sheppard would get the second spot and he and Johnson would pull away from the rest of the field by lap five.

Stewart Friesen started the event in the sixth position and on lap 10 he took the third position away from Hearn and a few laps later took the second spot away from Sheppard. Friesen tried to get to the inside of Johnson in turn one many times as the laps wound down but each time the “Doctor” closed the door and held on to the lead.

Sheppard got by Friesen for the second spot with four laps to go and he also tried to get to the inside of Johnson in turn one only to have Johnson close the door on him as well. At the checkered flag Johnson was the winner followed in the top five by Sheppard, Hearn, Friesen, and Alan Johnson.  For Johnson it was his first win of the season at Fonda in the Page Trucking sponsored #27J Bicknell car and the 10^th of his career at the Track of Champions.

“It has been a long time since I have been here in victory lane at Fonda,” Johnson said with his last win at Fonda coming on April 14, 2007. “It was tough to pass and I was getting stuck behind the lap cars, it was like racing on asphalt.”

In the rain delayed 602 Sportsman feature from Saturday, Mark Mortensen and John Scarborough started the event on the front row of the 25-lap event with Mortensen taking the lead into turn one after he got stuck in the middle of Ray Zemken and Scarborough at the drop of the green flag when Zemken made it three wide coming down the frontstretch.

Mortensen would pull away early but Scarborough was able to close in by lap 10 and when Mortensen tried to go to the outside of a lap car in turn four he slid up the track allowing Scarborough to get by for the lead. The first of only two cautions was out for Scarborough on lap 10 after he clipped the inside wall in turn four and was forced out across the track, making contact with a lap car and spinning out resulting in a flat tire. 

Scarborough pitted for a new tire and restarted at the rear of the field.  Mortensen regained the lead at that point but on the restart Troy Palmer made a move by Mortensen for the lead and at the halfway point in the event Palmer held a half straightaway advantage. Going into turn two on lap 16 something broke on Palmer’s car as he slowed in the turn and drove to the pit area with Mortensen again taking over the lead.

Rocky Warner started the event in the 11^th position, moved into the second position on lap 15, and began pressuring Mortensen for the lead four laps later. With one lap to go the caution came out giving Warner one more shot at the leader but despite contact with a lap car coming out of turn four late in the event Mortensen was able to hold on to the win in the Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In sponsored #1M and gave his father Bob a great birthday present in the process.

The win for Mortensen was his third of the season and the seventh of his career in the division with Warner, Brian Gleason, Kenny Martin Jr., and Mike Ketchum completing the top five in the event.

“When John got by me I said oh no here we go,” Mortensen said in victory lane. “Then he got into the wall and got the flat tire and I said okay. Then Troy got by me but had problems so I was able to get the lead back and hold on. Luck was on our side for a change. I have to thank everyone who helped get this back-up car together after we wrecked our newer car in early August and all of my sponsors.”

The 25-lap ESS feature started with Chuck Hebing in the early lead as he was looking to sew up his second consecutive ESS point title. Hebing held on to the lead until lap four when Lance Yonge took it away from him with Yonge pulling away from the field after taking the top spot.

Justin Barger took the second position away from Hebing on lap seven and began pressuring Yonge for the lead by lap 11. Lap traffic came into play at that point and when Barger was trapped behind a lap car it gave Yonge some breathing room for a couple of laps. Once Barger cleared the lap traffic he quickly caught Yonge with the caution out on the final lap setting up a double file restart.

On the restart the yellow came right back out and because it was the second caution in the same lap under ESS rules the next restart was a single file one which Yonge held on to the lead and went on to the win over Barger, Jessica Zemken, Shawn Donath, and Paul Kinney.   With his sixth place finish Hebing captured his second consecutive ESS Championship.

“That definitely wasn’t easy,” Yonge said in victory lane. “We struggled in the dash and it was a good thing that we were in the dash because we were so bad in the dash I knew that I had to change the car. They were calling us up for our feature and I was still changing shocks and torsion bars.”

“Not a bad finish,” Barger said of his second place run. “Lance was smart enough to know not to come off the bottom and we tried to do what we had to do but fell one spot short.”

“It has been a good year,” Hebing said of his championship season. “I missed the setup today because the track laid rubber and I wasn’t setup for it.”

Reuben Kennedy Jr. took the lead at the drop of the green flag in the 20-lap $500 to win Street Stock main event and the only two laps that he didn’t lead were when David Emigh got by him on lap four to lead laps four and five. On a lap six restart Kennedy retook the top spot and led the rest of the way through three more restarts for his second win of the season and the third of his career at Fonda over Emigh, William Duprey, Greg Havlichek, and Brian Cosselman.

Complete finishes from Sunday’s events at Fonda can be found by going to the Fonda Speedway website www.fondaspeedway.com and clicking on the My Laps icon.

The next event on the Fonda Speedway schedule will be the annual awards banquet Sunday, November 18^th at Mallozzi’s.

FONDA SPEEDWAY RETURNS TO ACTION - 9/15/12

FONDA, NY - The second half of the racing season at Fonda Speedway has been good to Matt DeLorenzo.

DeLorenzo picked up his first win of the season on June 30 and backed it up with a feature win on the final night of racing before the annual break for the Montgomery County Fair.

DeLorenzo continued his late-season success Saturday when Fonda Speedway returned to action after a month layoff by capturing the 30-lap modified feature.

While DeLorenzo collected his 34th career modified feature win, Kenny Gates reached a milestone in his pro stock career.

Gates took the field from green to checkers to record his 50th career feature win in the division, leaving him one shy of victory leader Todd Hoffman's 51 wins.

Joining DeLorenzo and Gates with feature wins Saturday night were Greg Havlichek (street stock), John Scarborough (602 sportsman), while Ben Righi and Shane Playford won the 4-cylinder division mains and Danny Varin picked up the victory in a wild finish in the CRSA 305 sprint car A-main.

The 20-lap CRSA 305 sprint car feature got off to an auspicious start with a caution and two red flags before the first lap was in the book.

Contact between Jordan Thomas and another car on the four-wide parade lap damaged the front suspension of Thomas' car.

On the initial green flag, Tyler Rice jumped the wheel of another car and flipped into the fourth turn catch fence, coming to rest between the wall and fencing bringing out the red.

The sprint car field attempted to get the first lap in again only to back to red flag conditions when Emily VanInwegen got out of shape and flipped along the inside front stretch wall.

All drivers involved in the accidents were walked away and Thomas was able to make repairs to his sprinter and rejoined the face without losing a lap.

CRSA officials called for a single-file restart and Brittany Tresch jumped out to a solid lead over Keith McIntrye.

The car on the move was Varin, who started 12th on the field and powered his way into the runner-up spot with six laps remaining.

Tresch held her lead over Varin as he turned laps close to a half-second faster than the leader.

Tresch appeared the have enough of an advantage heading into turn three for the final time, but got trapped behind lapped traffic. Varin caught the leader and dove to the inside, making contact with the inside wall and had a wheel up on the wall as he edged Tresch by .068 seconds for the win.

As the cars entered turn one after the checkers, the front end of Varin's sprinter dropped and contact between Tresch and the lapped car of Greg Rochelle brought the caution with the checkers for the rest of the field.

Varin went to Victory Lane minus his car to receive the winner's accolades. Tresch placed second followed by McIntyre, John Matrafailo and Dustin Purdy.

JaMike Sowle led the opening lap of the modified feature before Elmo Reckner took over the point on a lap two restart.

DeLorenzo also found his way around Reckner on the restart and cut Reckner's advantage to a car length when the caution flew on lap eight. Reckner held his advantage on the restart, pulling away from DeLorenzo. It did not take long for DeLorenzo to build momentum and pulled to within striking distance of the leader.

On lap 16, DeLorenzo switched from the low groove to the high line on the short chute between turns three and four to overtake Reckner.

DeLorenzo successfully picked his way through the back markers to score the victory. Reckner held off challenges from Ronnie Johnson to take home second. Jimmy Davis and Sowle rounded out the top five.

Gates got a good draw for starting position in the 20-lap pro stock feature and took full advantage of his outside front row starting spot. While Gates built a comfortable lead, track regulars Kenny Martin and Ivan Joslin battled with invaders Tom Denton and Dan Older for the second through fifth spots.

Joslin got past Martin for the runner-up finish, while Denton and Older were fourth and fifth respectively.

In the 15-lap street stock feature, Havlichek got to the lead early and was helped by a series of cautions that pared the field down.

Havlichek withstood late race pressure from Leo Brady to secure h is third-straight feature win and fourth of the season. Ken Conroy was third followed by Brian Cosselman and P.J. Bleau.

Scarborough found his way around early-race leader Jeff Rockefeller on the eighth circuit and picked his way through lapped traffic to record the victory. Rockefeller was second followed by Tim Hartman Jr., Brian Gleason and Brian Pessolano.

Racing resumes next Saturday as part of a two-day, season ending racing weekend.

DELORENZO AND FRIESEN SHARE NIGHT OF FEATURES VICTORIES FRIESEN, BLEAU, AND BRODERSON FIRST TIME TRACK CHAMPIONS – 8/18/12

By: Ron Szczerba

 Saturday night the tradition continued at the Fonda Speedway with the annual Night of Features to decide track champions in all divisions for 2012. After the final checkered flag flew to end the racing program Stewart Friesen (Modified), Cody Bleau (602 Sportsman), Pete Broderson (Pro Stock), Chuck McSpirit (Street Stock), Ben Righi (dual cam 4-Cylinder), and Ken Hollenback (single cam 4-Cylinder) were declared the 2012 champions.

For all drivers except for McSpirit who won the Street Stock title back in 2008 and Righi who wan the 4-Cylinder title last year it was their first ever championships at Fonda.

“This is pretty darn cool,” Friesen told Mimi Lazzaro in victory lane as all the champions celebrated on victory lane. “To be on the same list with all of the greats who have won titles here at Fonda is pretty special. This Thad Park’s owned racing team is a very competitive group, we are racing for wins not seconds and thirds.”

“This is the best day of my life,” Bleau said. “I grew up coming here and always wanted to win a track championship here. I need to thank the Rockefeller’s because they are the only reason that I am racing this year.”

“I still can’t believe it,” Broderson said. “The car has been awesome all year and I have to thank my crew, family, and sponsors including Joe Lazzaro who is a die hard Pro Stock man. I only came to Fonda about six times before I actually got into a race car and I love it here at Fonda for the speed and the side by side racing.”

“I won the title before back in 2008 but this one is better,” McSpirit said about the track title.

The night started out with B-Main events for the top three divisions with JaMike Sowle (Modified), Robert Bublak (602 Sportsman), and Jeff McPhail (Pro Stock) winning those events which qualified drivers who were out of the top positions in points.

The first 22-lap Modified feature began with Elmo Reckner leading from his outside pole starting spot. Matt DeLorenzo started the event in the third position and made his way by Jeremy Wilder for the second spot on lap four and began pressuring Reckner for the lead three laps later.

DeLorenzo got a great run coming out of turn two on lap seven and got underneath Reckner for the lead on the backstretch. By lap 12 DeLorenzo had a straightaway lead over Reckner with the caution out at that point for Wilder who suffered a flat left rear tire while running in the top five which took away the big lead that DeLorenzo had built up.

On the restart Danny Varin got up to the second position with DeLorenzo out to a half straightaway lead with five laps to go. Stewart Friesen was also on the move after starting 11^th as he sat in the third position when the red flag came out for Justin Boehler who flipped his car in turn three. Boehler wasn’t injured in the wreck.

On the restart Friesen got by Varin for the second position but it was DeLorenzo who went on to his second win of the season and the 33^rd of his career in the BBL Companies #3D over Friesen, Varin, Jim Davis, and Ronnie Johnson. With the win DeLorenzo moved past Steve Danish on the All Time win list with 33 career wins.

“This feels real good,” DeLorenzo said. “We got some bad news on the way here today about my aunt so this one is for her an emotional DeLorenzo said. This has been an up and down season with a lot of bad luck so it was great to get the win here tonight.”

Ronnie Johnson started the second feature event on the pole position after an inversion of five set the starting lineup. DeLorenzo was on the move early in the event after starting fifth as he sat third on lap three after getting by Davis for the spot. DeLorenzo was also about to make his way by Friesen for the second position until Friesen shut the door in turn four and kept the spot.

Johnson and Friesen were side by side for the lead on lap nine which Friesen was able to take over at that point. Friesen pulled away from that point on to take his eighth win of the season and the 10^th of his career at Fonda with the best race on the track once Friesen took the lead being the one for the third spot between DeLorenzo and Davis who swapped the spot many times in the closing laps.

At the finish it was Johnson, DeLorenzo, Davis, and Danny Varin completing the top five. As Friesen sat in victory lane after the win Johnson and Davis came by to offer their congratulations on his win and his track title as well.

“That was a tough race with all of the fast guys starting up front,” Friesen said. “It is fun running the high side here around Fonda and this win was a great way to end the regular season.”

The first 15-lap 602 Sportsman event was led at the start and at the finish by Brian Pessolano who went on to his first career win in the division. Pessolano started on the pole and took the lead at the drop of the green flag. Three yellow flags slowed the event in the first four laps allowing drivers to advance up through the field.

One of those drivers was defending track champion Mark Mortensen who went three wide by both Cody Bleau and Ray Zemken for the second position on lap three but with the caution coming out before the lap was completed he was forced to go back to the fourth spot on the restart.

The restart was single file after all of the caution flags prior to it and Pessolano was up to all of the restarts and the task at hand as he held the lead throughout the remainder of the event including a last lap threat by Bleau to take the win away from him. Pessolano went on to the win in the Dodson Construction #24P over Bleau, Brian Gleason, Zemken, and Mortensen.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, “Pessolano said in victory lane. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.”

The second 602 Sportsman feature saw Zemken take the early lead until lap two when Gleason was the new race leader. The red flag was out on lap 11 for Gleason who ended up flipping his car in the second turn. He was not injured and the lead was handed back to Zemken at that point.

Zemken went on to his first win of the season and the sixth of his career in the division over Bleau, Tony Farone, John Scarborough, and Jeff Rockefeller. In post race inspection Scarborough was disqualified for being light at the scales moving Pessolano into the top five.

Doug Hancock was the winner of the Rookie Sportsman feature event.

The first 15-lap Pro Stock feature was led at the start by Justin Knight with Pete Broderson third at the completion of lap one after starting eighth. On lap two Broderson made a three wide move in turn four to get by Luke Horning and Knight to take the lead with Kenny gates following him through for the second spot.

After a yellow flag on lap five, Broderson and Gates spent the next lap side by side for the lead once the race was restarted with Broderson holding on to the lead at that point and despite lap traffic during the final three laps Broderson went on to the win over Gates, Chuck Dumblewski, Kenny Martin Jr., and Knight.

Gates started the second Pro Stock feature from the pole position and led every lap on his way to an easy win over Broderson, Dumblewski, Martin, and Ivan Joslin. The win was Gates’ third of the 2012 season and the 49^th of his career at Fonda.

In victory lane Gates did his best Tim Tebow imitation and then told Mimi Lazzaro: “It has been a good year but let’s talk about the win instead of the points,” Gates said. “This win was just too little too late.”

Greg Havlichek won both of the 10-lap Street Stock feature events, taking the lead on lap three of the first event and on the final lap of the second event. The win in the final event was the third of Havlichek’s career at Fonda.

McSpirit, Rob VanAernam, Randy Miller, and Jon Young completed the top five in the first event while McSpirit, Horning, Miller, and John Bradt completed the top five in the second event.

Ken Hollenback was the first single cam 4-cyliner across the line in the feature event while Righi was the first dual cam car across the finish line.

The Fonda Speedway is now closed for the annual Fonda Fair with the next race coming on Saturday, September 15 with all divisions in action along with the CRSA Sprint cars starting at 7:00 p.m.

FRIESEN CAPTURES SEVENTH FEATURE WIN PLUS SHOEMAKER DASH - 8/4/12

By JAMES A. ELLIS

FONDA - On a night when racing at Fonda Speedway was halted by three red-flag periods, Stewart Friesen shone the brightest.  Friesen started his night by winning the inaugural Ken Shoemaker Memorial dash for cash, then backed it by passing Ronnie Johnson with four laps remaining to capture his seventh modified feature win of the season Saturday night at The Track of Champions.

Joining Friesen with victories Saturday were Justin Auspelmyer (602 sportsman), Kenny Martin (pro stock), Chuck McSpirit (street stock) and Doug Hancock (rookie sportsman). Kerrie Hallenbeck and Keith Tesiero Sr. won the dual and single cam 4-cylinder features, resepectively.  Justin Boehler and Ray Sitterly Jr. battled for the early lead in the 30-lap modified main event with Boehler leading the opening five laps. The first caution of the race flew on lap six when Matt DeLorenzo’s suspension broke while battling for third.

Boehler maintained his lead initially on the restart before a melee broke loose behind him.

Racing in tight pack from the eighth spot back, Friesen checked up to avoid contact with Elmo Reckner. Contact pushed Friesen clear of a wreck that knocked six cars out of contention and heavily damaged the rides of points contenders Josh Hohenforst and Jimmy Davis.  When the race got back under way, Jeremy Wilder powered his way to the front, bringing Johnson with him.

Wilder’s lead was short-lived as he broke down in turn four on the same lap that Davis slowed to a stop in turn one.

Johnson inherited the lead with Craig Hanson second, Danny Varin third, Friesen fourth and A.J. Romano fifth.

Johnson broke away from the pack as Hanson, Varin and Friesen hit the line in the three-car pack on lap 10 before the caution flew again when Jessica Zemken, driving Friesen’s back-up car, slowed on the back stretch.  Friesen blasted his way from fourth to second on the restart but was well behind Johnson.

With the race running under green-flag conditions, Friesen began to reel Johnson in.

Johnson used lapped traffic to hold Friesen at bay until lap 26, when the current points leader powered his way to the outside of turn two to take the lead.

Friesen maintained his advantage over the final four laps to take home his seventh feature win of the season and ninth of his career at Fonda Speedway.  Johnson was second followed by Varin, Hanson and Romano. Reckner, DeLorenzo, Mark Kislowski, Alton Palmer and Sitterly completed the top 10.  The 20-lap 602 sportsman feature was stopped twice for multiple car accidents.

John Palmer led the opening three laps of the 602 feature before sliding up on lap four, opening the door for Drew Fallis, Auspelmyer and Jeff Rockefeller to get by.

Palmer’s car got out from under him entering turn three and hooked the front bumper of John Scarborough sending the two cars spinning, collecting Troy Palmer and Robert Bublak, while Brian Gleason dove down the old drag strip to avoid the wreck.

Troy Palmer was injured in the wreck and was transported to the hospital for observation.

When racing resumed, Fallis and Auspelmyer exited turn four together with Fallis brushing the frontstretch wall giving Auspelmyer the lead. Fallis fought back on the outside of turn two but slid up the track. Cody Bleau clipped the front end of Fallis car, spinning him into the middle of the track. As the pack scrambled to avoid Fallis’ car, contact sent Mark Mortensen’s car rolling toward the third turn pit entrance. A clogged track in turn three resulted in Carol Palmer’s ride becoming airborne and Harry Shaffer rolling end over end, bring out the second red flag of the race.  Several of the drivers in the eight-car accident were shaken but remained at the track.

With 14 cars taking the green on the restart, Auspelmyer pulled away from Rockefeller in second and Bleau in third.

The final caution of the race came with two laps remaining when Scarborough, who rejoined the race after the first wreck, spun in turn four setting up a two-lap shootout.

Auspelmyer was up to the challenge as the checkers fell over his hood for his first career sportsman feature win. Rocky Warner came on late to claim the runner-up spot with Bleau third, Rockefeller fourth and John McAuliffe fifth.

The finish of the 20-lap pro stock feature could not have been much closer.  Justin Knight and Kenny Martin battled for the early-race lead with Knight holding the advantage.

Martin took the lead on a lapseven restart and battled with Pete Broderson and Kenny Gates for the second half of the feature.  The battle for the lead tightened even more when Martin got pinned behind the lapped car of Adam Warner, allowing Broderson and Gates to pull up to his bumper.

Gates dove under Broderson to take over second and made a last-lap, last-turn run at Martin that came up .001-seconds short at the line.  Broderson was third followed by Luke Horning and Knight.  The 15-lap street stock feature avoided a red flag, but a hard wreck changed the complexion of the race.

Rob Veronese led the feature for the first three laps before relinquishing the lead to Rob VanAernam. The first caution of the race flew on lap six for debris on the track and came out again on the restart for the same reason.  Another caution tightened the pack with Randy Cosselman, Dave Horning Sr., McSpirit and VanAernam running in a tight four-car pack.  Contact between Cosselman and Horning sent Horning rolling between turns three and four, collecting Jon Young.

Horning’s car landed on all fours and after a quick stop in the pits, he returned to the action with a heavily damaged car. Young also made quick repairs and rejoined the chase.

On the restart, McSpirit was first with VanAernam second and Neil Cosselman third.

The race remained under the green for the remainder but a scramble at the finish, after Randy Cosselman’s engine let go moved Neil Cosselman into second behind McSpirit, with Randy Cosselman third, VanAernam fourth and Horning getting back through the pack to finish fiffth.

VARIN WINS THIRD OF THE SEASON AT FONDA - 7/21/12

By: Ron Szczerba

 “I don’t think that I have ever worked so hard to get a win,” Danny Varin said in victory lane after taking the lead on lap 29 of the 30-lap Modified feature at the Fonda Speedway and going on to his third victory of the season and the fifth of his career in the division at the Track of Champions on Saturday evening in the T-Rex Express Magsarus sponsored #93.

Varin started the feature event in the sixth position, took the second spot away from Dave Lape on lap 11, and stalked race leader Josh Hohenforst until lap traffic slowed Hohenforst down enough that Varin was able to capitalize on the situation and took the lead with only two laps to go after going three wide under both Hohenforst and a lap car in turn four.

Other winners at the Fonda Speedway on Saturday night were Ricky Quick (602 Sportsman), Mike Jackson (Rookie Sportsman), Chuck Dumblewski (Pro Stock), Dave Horning Sr. (Street Stock), and John Kuleszo (Northeastern Vintage Modifieds).

Floyd Billington and Lape shared the front row at the start of the Modified feature event with Lape taking the lead at the drop of the green flag. Hohenforst started the event in the fifth spot right alongside Varin with Hohenforst already in the second position by the completion of lap one.

Hohenforst was the new race leader on lap two after getting by Lape on the inside of turn four and by lap four Hohenforst was out to a straightaway advantage. On lap nine Hohenforst started to lap the cars at the rear of the field and one lap later he and the lap car of Billington made contact with each other but both were able to continue on in the event.

On lap 11 Varin made a three wide move to get by both a lap car and Lape for the second position with Hohenforst now out to a half track lead. Just before the lone caution flag flew in the event on lap 13, Mark Kislowski and Stewart Friesen both got by Lape for the third and fourth place positions in the field with the caution for Jeremy Wilder who was in the borrowed car of Ray Sitterly after problems with his own #22J car.

With the lap car of Billington sitting between Hohenforst and Varin on the restart it made things interesting but Hohenforst was still able to hold on to the lead as the green flag was dropped. Making a bold move on the restart was Jim Davis who went from sixth to third only to have Friesen take the spot away as Friesen got by both Kislowski and Davis for the third spot.

On the next lap Davis got the third position back from Friesen with Matt DeLorenzo now in the fifth spot after starting 12^th. On lap 18 Hohenforst enjoyed a straightaway lead over Varin but when lap traffic came into play with 10 laps to go in the 30-lap event it was to Varin’s advantage as he was able to close in on the lead car.

With only three laps to go there was heavy lap traffic in front of the leader and after a brief side by side battle Varin was the new race leader with only two laps remaining. Varin went on for the win over Hohenforst, Davis, Friesen, and DeLorenzo.

“I felt that we had a shot even with the lap car between us on the restart,” Varin said. “We were pretty much dead even as he (Hohenforst) wasn’t pulling away and I wasn’t catching him. I never thought that we would have three wins at this point this year, I didn’t know if we could match the two win season that we had last year.”

The story of the 602 Sportsman feature was side by side racing and it started at the drop of the green flag with Brian Gleason the early race leader after starting on the outside of the front row. Ricky Quick was the new second place car on lap two after starting third with defending track champion Mark Mortensen and John McAuliffe racing side by side for the third position on laps eight and nine.

Mortensen and McAuliffe swapped the third spot many times per lap with Cody Bleau making it a three way battle for the third position at the halfway point in the 20-lap event. Quick was fast on the outside of the speedway and took the lead over Gleason on lap 11 with Mortensen and Bleau now side by side for the third position after both were able to clear McAuliffe.

With Quick out to a half straightaway lead with only five laps to go, Bleau was able to clear Mortensen for the third position and then began battling with Gleason for the second spot which Bleau was able to take over with two laps remaining.

As the checkered flag flew for Quick who took the win in the All Seasons Equipment #84 Teo, Bleau and Gleason were side by side at the line for the second position with Gleason edging Bleau for the spot. Mortensen and McAuliffe completed the top five.

The win for Quick was the first of his career in the 602 Sportsman division after having one win in the “Open” Sportsman division on 7/24/2010 in a rain delayed event held over from 7/17/2010.

“The car up top was phenomenal,” Quick said in victory lane. “That was the best the car has handled all year long. The win feels awesome; it is just what we needed after the way the season has gone so far.”

Rob Noviczski led lap one of the 20-lap Pro Stock feature event until fourth place starter Chuck Dumblewski took over the point on lap two after a three wide pass to get to the front. Justin Knight was the new second place car on lap four with the caution out at that point for Noviczski who got together with Kenny Martin Jr. on the front stretch just before lap four was completed.

On the restart 10^th place starter Pete Broderson went from fourth to second but the move was for nothing as the yellow was out again for an incident involving Knight and Andy Graves in turn four. The yellow was the result of contact that Luke Horning made with Knight who spun and collected Graves in the process. For his actions Horning was penalized and placed at the rear of the field for rough riding.

Once the race was restarted it was a two car battle to the checkered flag between Dumblewski and Broderson with Dumblewski running the outside while Broderson was running the inside groove. Dumblewski and Broderson spent most of the remainder of the event side by side putting on a great show for the fans as neither gave an inch in the hopes of making it to victory lane.

Every time Broderson ducked under Dumblewski for the lead in the turns Dumblewski was able to keep up his momentum on the outside and maintain the lead but when Dumblewski was blocked by a lap car going into turn one just before the five lap to go sign was given it made things interesting.

Dumblewski was able to hold on for the win, his first of the season and the fifth of his career in the division over Broderson, Ivan Joslin, Kenny Gates, and Horning who made it all the way back up to fifth.

“This feels great,” Dumblewski said in victory lane with his last win coming on 8/15/2009. “It has been a long time coming and I have to thank Ricky Achzet for all of his help on this car. This is a special win for me because it is only the second time that my kid’s have been here for one of my wins.”

Four caution flags slowed the 15-lap Street Stock feature with the first one coming out at the completion of lap one with Jerry Cohn in the lead. Neil and Randy Cosselman were the new second and third place cars by lap two with Neil taking over the lead on lap three on the outside of turns three and four.

Dave Horning Sr. started the event in the 12^th position and was the new second place car when the caution flag flew again on lap three. On the restart Horning was the new race leader with Neil Cosselman and Wayne Rubscha side by side for the second spot. Cosselman and Rubscha spent many laps side by side for the second position which Rubscha was able to take over on lap 12.

With two laps to go Rubscha caught Horning and the battle for the win started at that point. Horning and Rubscha spent most of the remaining laps side by side with Rubscha actually leading lap 14 after getting by Horning on the inside at the line.

Rubscha was carrying so much speed into turn one with one lap remaining after taking the lead that he slid up the track and rubbed on Horning who was on the outside of him at the time, slowing Rubscha’s speed and allowing Horning to get the lead back. Horning would go on for his eighth win of the season and the 38^th of his career over Rubscha, Neil Cosselman, Rob VanAernam, and Greg Havlichek.

SHAFFER TAKES WIN AT TRACK OF CHAMPIONS - 7/19/12

By JAMES A. ELLIS

The Leader-Herald

FONDA - A night after scoring his 48th career University of Northwester Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions victory, defending series champion Tim Shaffer was showing no signs of backing off.

The “Steel City Outlaw” led the field of 410 winged sprint cars 30 laps green-to-checkers Thursday night to record his fourth win of the season and second straight victory at Fonda Speedway.

“Definitely, you have to be lucky, it all comes into play,” Shaffer said in Victory Lane. “You have to have luck but you have to have a great car here. If you don’t have a great car here, I don’t care where you start; you end up in the back in a hurry. It is a tough track. When it gets slick you have to be patient but aggressive. It worked out for us again tonight.”

In the companion 40-lap, $4,000-to-win modified feature, Jimmy Davis broke through for his first win of the season over Stewart Friesen and Bobby Varin.

Making their third appearance at the Track of Champions, the UNOH sprinters were joined by defending Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart in his Office Depot/Mobil 1 sponsored No. 14 sprint car.

Stewart started ninth on the grid as Shaffer and Greg Hodnett brought the field to the green.

In front of a near-capacity crowd, Shaffer was challenged early by local sprint car contender Jessica Zemken before the field went under the yellow for Cap Henry’s spin off turn four.

Shaffer got a big jump on Zemken on the restart and with a clear track in front of him pulled away, leaving her to battle with Hodnett and David Gravel for the runner-up spot.

Shaffer was brought back to the pack on lap nine when Mark Coldren spun on the front stretch.

When the race restarted, the race behind Shaffer tightened up between Zemken, Gravel, Hodnett and Stewart.

Gravel found his way around Zemken for second on lap 17 and Stewart followed suit a lap later.

Gravel and Stewart got a break with seven laps remaining as Coldren spun for the second time in the race.

However, Shaffer was not to be denied with his Aaron Call/Janet Holbrook Motorsports No. 83, as he handled the restart, pulled away and claimed his 49th career UNOH Sprint Car victory.

Gravel was second followed by Stewart, Daryn Pittman and Zemken. Hodnett, Logan Schuchart, Michael Parent, Danny Smith and Bobby Varin.

After winning his heat race, Davis’s daughter convinced him to let her redraw for his starting spot in the 40-lap modified main.

It was a good decision as she pulled the pole for her father alongside Alton Palmer.

Davis made the most of the opportunity, outdragging Palmer into turn one to take the early lead. Bobby Varin followed Davis through the turn to takes second over Palmer.

Last Saturday’s feature winner A.J. Romano took over the third spot on lap four, well behind the two-car breakaway by Davis and Varin.

At the midway point, Davis was using lapped traffic to open a 10-car advantage over Varin, while Stewart Friesen was challenging Romano for third and Danny Varin was riding in fifth.

Friesen made a late-race run, chasing down Varin to take over second with five laps remaining.

Time was on Davis’ side as he hit the checkers in the caution-free event nearly two-seconds ahead of Friesen. Varin was third with Romano fourth and Matt Sheppard fifth. Danny Varin, Elmo Reckner, Pat Ward, Ronnie Johnson and Craig Hanson round out the top 10.

“Track position was important tonight,” Davis said. “The track was pretty polished up from the sprint cars. I am not quite sure if we could have come from the back tonight like we have throughout the year. I had to believe they were coming. I don’t know if the right rear [tire] was giving up on me a little bit there or if it was the track and I just needed to change my line but we were able to hold him [Friesen] off finally. We finished second to him enough this year.”

Racing returns to Fonda Speedway Saturday night with a regular race program on tap along with the Northeast Midstate Vintage Stock Cars making an appearance.

ROMANO TAKES WIN AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY - 7/14/12

By: Ron Szczerba

On an evening where three legendary names in the sport of stock car racing were inducted into the New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) Hall of Fame another legendary name showed up in victory lane at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway on Saturday evening.

The name was Romano and it was third generation driver A.J. Romano who got the victory in the 30-lap Modified feature event for his first win of the 2012 season and the 34^th of his career at Fonda in the Washburn’s Ice Cream sponsored #16 Troyer car.

“Butchie Washburn (Washburn’s Ice Cream) bought us this new Troyer car for this year and one of my crew members hit big on a horse race and bought us this new JPM small block so I really need to thank them,” Romano said as the Washburn’s Ice Cream sponsorship shined brightly on the rear quarter panel of his race car as it sat in victory lane. “My daughter was born in July and my son in August so it is always good to get a win for the little ones this time of year.”

The significance of getting a win for the little ones was that A.J.’s last win at Fonda came almost one year ago to the day on 7/16/2011.

Other winners at Fonda on Saturday were John Scarborough (602 Sportsman), Pete Broderson (Pro Stock), Dave Horning Sr. (Street Stock), Ken Hollenback (single cam 4-cylinder) and Ben Righi (dual cam 4-cylinder).

During the intermission portion of the racing program at Fonda on Saturday the New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) inducted three new members to their Hall of Fame Jumpin’ Jack Johnson, Jack Blackwood, and “Dover” Dave Cruickshank. A separate press release will follow on the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

After winning qualifying heat race number one, A.J. Romano started the Modified feature on the outside of the front row and took the lead at the drop of the green flag. After starting third on the grid Alton Palmer was the new second place car at the completion of lap one with the top two of Romano and Palmer pulling away from the rest of the field by lap four.

The Varin’s were on the move early in the event with Danny in the third position after getting by Fonda Speedway legend Dave Lape and Bobby in the fifth spot by lap seven after starting sixth and 10^th respectively.

When the caution closed up the field on lap eight when Aaron Jacobs came to a stop in turn two, the restart was a little hectic as the lap car of Modified rookie Eric Stumpf was in the fourth position on the restart right in front of a lot of fast race cars. When the green flag flew to restart the event Stumpf was not in so many words “pushed aside” by a lot of the top runners as they tried to get to the front.

After another yellow on lap eight Bobby Varin moved into the third position with other heavy hitters including defending Modified Track Champion Ronnie Johnson in the fifth spot and six time winner in 2012 Stewart Friesen in the seventh spot after starting 15^th.

On lap 16 Romano was in lap traffic with Bobby Varin now in the second position after getting by Palmer for the spot. Romano was negotiating lap traffic a little better than Bobby Varin was and stretched out his advantage to a half straightaway by lap 18 only to have Bobby close back in a couple of laps later.

At that point Varin managed to get by Romano for the lead for a short time in turn three but Romano countered the move to get the lead back in turn four with Friesen moving into the fourth position on lap 23 after getting by both Johnson and Danny Varin for the spot.

With five laps to go Romano was in lap traffic again as Bobby Varin was making bonsai moves to get by the lap cars and keep up with the leader as Bobby was three wide at times to get by the slower traffic.

As he was earlier in the event Romano was a little bit better in traffic than Varin was and with three laps to go had an open track ahead of him as he went on to the win over Bobby Varin, Palmer, Friesen, and Danny Varin.

“I honestly didn’t know where to run,” Romano said. “When Bobby got by me in turn three I had already made a decision on where to run so I had to stick with that and at that point I said to myself that if he beats me he beats me but fortunately I was able to cross up and get back under him to get the lead back. Bobby is one of if not the best here at Fonda and I am honored to beat him in a close race like this.”

Drew Fallis started the 20-lap 602 Sportsman feature event on the outside of the front row and led at the start of the event with fourth place starter Troy Palmer the new second place car on lap two. Ray Zemken was the second place car at the completion of lap one but when he and Jeff Rockefeller got crossed up in turn four it allowed Palmer to get by for the spot.

Palmer got by Fallis for the lead on lap six with Rockefeller also getting by Fallis for the second position as they swapped the position back and forth a couple of times. John Scarborough would get by both Rockefeller for the second position on lap seven and caught up to leader who was slowed by lap traffic by the lap 13 point in the event.

With Palmer caught behind a lap car with three laps to go it allowed Scarborough to look ahead and choose his lane as he chose the outside to get by both the lap car and Palmer for the lead in turn four as lap 17 was completed.

From that point on Scarborough pulled away to his fourth win of the 2012 season and the 11^th of his career in the division in the Original Pizza Logs sponsored #61S Teo car over Palmer, Zemken, Rockefeller, and defending Track Champion Mark Mortensen.

Earlier in the evening Scarborough proposed to his long time girlfriend Robin on victory lane so after the win he had two reasons to celebrate as he drove on to victory lane again after the win.

“I have to give Troy (Palmer) a lot of credit he drove a great race but got caught up with a lap car,” Scarborough said. “Our car was fast all night from warm-ups right through the feature and it is a pleasure to be in victory lane again at Fonda. This is our fourth win of the season but I’d like to have about seven right now and we aren’t where we want to be in points either but guys like Mark Mortensen, Rocky Warner, and others have had something to say about that.”

“Robin and I have been together for 13 years and she supports my racing 100% and I probably should have waited until now (after the victory) to propose but you can’t ever guarantee a win as the competition is so tough here at Fonda.”

Justin Knight led the first lap of the 20-lap Pro Stock feature after starting on the outside of the front row until lap two when third place starter Chuck Dumblewski took over the point on the inside of turn three.

The yellow flag was out on lap two and it took two tries to get the race going again after a no start situation with Luke Horning, Knight, and Kenny Gates racing three wide for the second spot which Horning was able to get as he and Gates took over the second and third spots respectively.

By lap eight Dumblewski held a half straightaway lead as Pete Broderson was making his way to the front after starting eighth on the grid moved into the third position on lap seven after getting by Horning. Gates and Broderson spent a couple of laps side by side for the second position with Broderson able to take over the spot by lap 12.

Using the inside line in turns three and four Broderson got by Dumblewski for the lead and pulled away to his second consecutive win which was his fourth of the 2012 season and the seventh of his career at Fonda in the Lazzaro’s Auto Body sponsored #53B.

“I wasn’t sure what the car was going to be like in the feature because it wasn’t too good in the heat race,” Broderson said. “The 7 car (Dumblewski) beat us in the heat race and in the feature there he was again so I new that I had to get it done. Everybody is so equal in this division and although I wanted the car to be tight at the end of the race it was a little tighter than I wanted it to be.”

Jerry Cohn was the race leader for the first three laps in the Street Stock feature event until Chuck McSpirit took over on lap four. The caution was out at that point for Cohn who lost a wheel and an axle on the front stretch while running in the lead pack. Reuben Kennedy Jr. took over the lead from McSpirit on lap five on the outside of turn three with Dave Horning Sr. also getting by McSpirit for the second position.

Kennedy and Horning were rubbing on each other down the frontstretch and into turn one at the lap six point in the event with Horning making out best in the deal as he took over the lead on the inside of turns one and two one lap later. Horning and Kennedy spent a few laps side by side until the checkered flag was thrown with Horning able to hang on for his seventh win of the season and the 37^th of his career in the division over Kennedy, Randy Cosselman, McSpirit, and Greg Havlichek.

Ken Hollenback led all 10 laps of the 4-cyliner feature event to capture the win in the single cam category while defending track champion Ben Righi captured the win in the dual cam category in the combined feature event after finishing second. Kerrie Hollenback, Shaun Ryba, and Keith Tessiero Sr. completed the top five in the event.

BRODERSON WINS THE HONDO CLASSIC AS THE PRO STOCKS TAKE CENTER STAGE AT FONDA – 7/7/12

DELORENZO WINS FIRST OF THE SEASON AT FONDA - 6/30/12

By: Ron Szczerba

There are names on the Fonda Speedway driver roster that you automatically associate with victory lane at the Track of Champions but this season so far has been a little bit “off” as far as that is concerned with many of the top drivers struggling to reach victory lane in 2012.

One of those drivers got to victory lane on Saturday evening at Fonda, that being Matt DeLorenzo of Cropseyville, NY. For DeLorenzo it was his 32^nd career win at Fonda and it came in the BBL Companies sponsored #3D Teo car.

“I always wanted to win two features in one weekend at two different race tracks,” DeLorenzo said in victory lane after also winning the feature at Albany Saratoga on Friday evening. “Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for the rest of the season.”

Other winners on Saturday evening at Fonda were Rocky Warner (602 Sportsman), Kenny Gates (Pro Stock), Dave Horning Sr. (Street Stock), Dave McCumber (Midget) and Eric Wilsey (Sprint) in a combination 10-lap feature event for the Atlantic Coast Old Timers Club.

Wm. M. Larned & Sons sponsored the racing activities at the Track of Champions on Saturday evening with Larned employee Chris Kupiec driving one of their state of the art dump trucks around the speedway during pace laps before the Modified feature event. This wasn’t just a regular dump truck however as it had a picture of Joe Johnson on the front grille of the truck as they honored their friend.

Also on the final pace lap before the start of the modified feature event the front row starters came alongside of the Wm. M. Larned truck which had two American flags attached to the rear of the truck as a salute to America for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.

It took three tries to get the 30-lap Modified feature started as on the first attempt Bobby Varin slowed in turn two bringing out the caution flag and on the second try front row starters Ray Sitterly and Alton Palmer got together in turn one resulting in both of them being done for the night at that point while Varin was able to restart at the rear of the field.

The third try was a charm however as DeLorenzo was now the outside pole sitter and took the lead at the drop of the green flag. The early top five in the event behind DeLorenzo consisted of Craig Hanson, Mark Kislowski, Danny Varin, and Stewart Friesen who started the event in the 15^th spot with DeLorenzo leading by a straightaway by lap six.

Friesen made an impressive move on lap 11 to get by both Danny Varin and Kislowski for the second position with DeLorenzo still maintaining his straightaway advantage. That all changed quickly however as DeLorenzo was in lap traffic at the halfway point in the event allowing Friesen to make up a lot of ground quickly as he was almost a full second faster than the leader.

The yellow was out again on lap 16 for Danny Varin who slowed in turn four with rear end issues on the car closing up the rest of the field with the top five now being made up of DeLorenzo, Friesen, defending track champion Ronnie Johnson, Kislowski, and Josh Hohenforst.

On the restart DeLorenzo was able to pull away slightly with Johnson and Bobby Varin both driving into the infield with problems on lap 21 while running third and in the top 10 respectively to bring out yet another caution.

On the restart Hohenforst got by Kislowski for the third position but DeLorenzo and Friesen pulled away to make it a two man race to the checkered flag. DeLorenzo held a slight advantage into turn four of the final lap when Friesen made a last ditch effort to take away the top spot but the attempted “slide job” wasn’t to be as Friesen wasn’t able to clear DeLorenzo in the turn allowing DeLorenzo to go on to the win over Friesen, Hohenforst, Kislowski, and Elmo Reckner.

“We started the season with a new car but wrecked it and just continued to struggle with it after that,” DeLorenzo said. “Tonight we brought out our old reliable 2007 Teo and it was pretty good on restarts but tightened up at the end so I was just trying to keep it straight.”

Unlike the Modified feature the 20-lap 602 Sportsman feature only had one caution flag on the initial start of the event but when it did go green Justin Auspelmyer took the lead from his outside front row starting position. Behind Auspelmyer 10^th place starter Rocky Warner was on the move and battling Jeff Rockefeller for the third position on lap five, getting the position over Rockefeller at that point.

Rockefeller regained the third position from Warner just before the halfway point in the event and also got by Brian Pessolano for the second position. With five laps to go Rockefeller and Pessolano were side by side for the third position again with Warner able to make his way by both of them into the second spot.

Warner caught up to the leading car of Auspelmyer on lap 17, made his move for the lead on the inside of turns three and four one lap later, and went on to his second win of the season and third of his career in the division in the West End Towing & Recovery #79 over Auspelmyer, Rockefeller, Pessolano, and John Scarborough.

“The Modified’s blew off the track and we put the slick track setup back in the car but the car was a little weird tonight,” Warner said in victory lane. “Justin (Auspelmyer) ran a great race and raced me clean but my car was way too tight and I had to man handle it in order to race him clean as well.”

Andy Graves was the early leader of the 20-lap Pro Stock feature event but when lap one was completed Pete Broderson was the race leader after starting the event in the seventh position.

Graves brought out the only caution flag in the event on lap four with Kenny Gates now second after starting sixth followed by Justin Knight, Luke Horning, and Kenny Martin Jr. Horning took over the third position on the restart while Chuck Dumblewski moved to the fourth spot from sixth when the green flag flew again.

Gates went around the outside of Broderson in turn four on lap six to take over a lead he wouldn’t give up as he went on to his second win of the season and the 48^th of his career at Fonda in the Palmer’s Service Center #35 over Broderson, Horning, Dumblewski, and Knight.

With the win Gates who is ranked second on the Fonda Speedway All Time Pro Stock Feature Win List with 48 is now only three away from Todd Hoffman who holds the top spot with 51 career wins in the division.

“The 53 car (Broderson) was just a whisker loose and I had just enough to get by on the outside,” Gates said in victory lane. “Victory lane here at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway is a very special place to be and there is no place that I would rather be on a Saturday night.”

Jon Miller led lap one of the 15-lap Street Stock feature event before Chuck McSpirit took over the number one spot on lap two on the inside of the backstretch. Five time winner in 2012 Dave Horning Sr. started the event in the 13^th position and on lap three he was already in the second position.

McSpirit and Horning were side by side for the lead on lap four when Reuben Kennedy Jr. decided to get in on the fun and made it a three wide battle for the top spot. Horning came out of turn four with the lead to complete lap five as he went on to his sixth win of the season and the 36^th of his career in the division over Kennedy, McSpirit, Greg Havlichek, and Rob VanAernam.

Next week at Fonda a regular show in all divisions is on the racing card with the Pro Stocks taking center stage for the 7^th Annual Hondo Classic in Memory of the late Hondo Carpenter. Starting time will be 7:00 p.m.

JOHNSON WINS ON JUMPIN’ JACK’S NIGHT AT FONDA – 6/23/12

FRIESEN BACK IN VICTORY LANE AT FONDA – 6/16/12

By: Ron Szczerba

It took Stewart Friesen five weeks to get back to victory lane at Fonda, but when he did it was in impressive fashion as he was the Modified feature winner by a half track on Saturday evening, lapping up to the 10^th place car to take his fifth win of the season and the sixth of his career at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway in the Foundation for Prader Research #1 Teo Pro car.

“Danny (Varin) and Jeremy (Wilder) winning the last few weeks made us do our homework on this race car,” Friesen said. “We worked on this car right up to race time tonight and even though the changes we made were small ones they worked.”

Other winners on New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) Safety Night were Rocky Warner (602 Sportsman), Luke Horning (Pro Stock), Dave Horning Sr. (Street Stock), Ben Righi (Dual Cam 4-Cylinder), and Keith Tessiero Sr. (Single Cam 4-Cylinder).

NYSSCA gave away their annual Safety Awards on Saturday evening at Fonda which included $75 to the first NYSSCA member across the finish line in all of the feature events along with $25 to the second NYSSCA member across the finish line in each of the feature events.

Winners of the NYSSCA awards on Saturday at Fonda were Stewart Friesen and A.J. Romano (Modified), Rocky Warner and Drew Fallis (602 Sportsman), Luke Horning and Ivan Joslin (Pro Stock), Dave Horning Sr. and Randy Cosselman (Street Stock), Ben Righi and Kerrie Hollenback (4-Cylinder). There was also a wildcard pick with all of the drivers in the pit area who are NYSSCA members included in the drawing and the winner was Pro Stock driver Alicia Garner.

During intermission the very popular Meet ‘N Greet was held with all of the race cars coming out on to the front stretch and the fans were allowed to come out and meet the drivers and see their cars up close.

NYSSCA Chaplain Pastor David Wells gave the invocation just before the National Anthem which was sung on Saturday night by Fonda Speedway backstretch flagger Joe Kriss. Following that it was Fonda Speedway legend Dave Lape who took the lead at the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap Modified feature event followed by A.J. Romano and Ryan Odasz.

On lap five Jim Davis brought out the one and only caution flag in the event when he started smoking heavily and drove to the pit area. On the restart Lape chose the outside line and drove away at the drop of the green flag while Odasz dropped out of the top five when Craig Hanson, Josh Hohenforst, and Alton Palmer all got by.

Friesen started the event in the 14^th position and on lap seven he went in between both Hohenforst and Palmer to take over the fourth spot. One lap later Friesen was the new third place car after getting by Hanson and three laps after that Friesen was side by side with Romano for the second spot which he was able to get.  

At that point Lape was a half straightaway ahead but with lap traffic in front of him to slow his pace Friesen quickly reeled in the leader. On lap 14 Friesen went in between both the lap car of Chuck Allen and Lape for the lead but with another lap car in his groove up ahead Friesen was forced to back off allowing Lape to keep the lead for another lap.

At the halfway point Friesen used the low groove coming out of turn two to take the lead away from Lape by the time they reached turn three and from that point on it was just a matter of how big of a lead Friesen was going to build up and how many cars were going to remain on the lead lap as by lap 17 he was already out to a straightaway advantage.

Romano and Hanson both got by Lape for the second and third positions on lap 19 with Hohenforst just behind also trying to make it to the front. Hohenforst made it by Hanson for the third position on lap 22 while Friesen just kept stretching out his advantage over Romano to the checkered flag.

Friesen was the winner of the event by a half track margin over Romano, Hohenforst, Hanson, and Lape.

“We had a great race car tonight,” Friesen said. “The wide slick track just seems to fit this small block.”

Ricky Quick started the 20-lap 602 Sportsman feature from the outside of the front row and took the lead at the drop of the green flag with fourth place starter Justin Auspelmyer just behind. Auspelmyer began pressuring Quick for the lead on lap seven and they spent the next three laps side by side for the lead which each time Quick was able to hang on to.

Going into turn four on lap 10, Auspelmyer was on the inside of Quick for the lead and when Auspelmyer slid up the track he made contact with Quick and took over the lead to complete lap 10. Shortly afterwards Auspelmyer slowed and drove to the pit area with the new leader being Rocky Warner after he started the event in the seventh position.

Drew Fallis spent the last half of the event in the second position which is where he finished as Warner went on to his first win of the season and the second of his career in the division at Fonda in the West End Towing & Recovery sponsored #79.

Doug Flynn finished in the third position in the event but was disqualified in post race tech with the top five after the disqualification being made up of Fallis, John Scarborough, Quick, and defending track champion Mark Mortensen.

“This is my best birthday present ever,” Warner told Mimi Lazzaro in victory lane as he was celebrating his birthday on Saturday as well as the win. “We haven’t been running that well but tonight we had a decent starting spot and when the group in front of me got squirrely I was able to get by them for the lead.”

Luke Horning started the 20-lap Pro Stock feature event in the third position and took the lead from the top two cars at the drop of the green flag. After lap one was complete the caution was out and on the restart Chuck Dumblewski went from fourth to second as he tried to get to the front and the lead car of Horning.

Another yellow came out on lap five and this time point’s leader Kenny Martin Jr. was involved but he was able to continue on at the back of the pack. Horning choose the outside on the restart and at the drop of the green flag he maintained the lead with Ivan Joslin who started eighth the new second place car on lap 12 after getting by Dumblewski.

As Joslin pressured Horning for the lead Dumblewski and Gates spent three laps side by side as they battled for the third position and at the checkered flag Horning won the first feature of his career in the division over Joslin, Gates, Dumblewski, and Pete Broderson.

“The guys in this division are so good and that was something I never anticipated after moving up from the Street Stocks,” Horning said. “We had some new parts on the car tonight and with a good starting spot things worked out for us tonight.”

The Street Stock feature began with Greg Havlichek leading lap one until Jerry Cohn took over the point on lap two. Randy Cosselman started the event in the 10^th position and on lap five he was the new race leader after making his way to the front of the field.

Dave Horning Sr. started the event in the 12^th spot and on lap six he got by both Havlichek and Cohn for the second position and two laps later was the new race leader. Horning went on to his third win in a row, his fifth of the season, and the 35^th of his career at Fonda over Cosselman, Havlichek, Reuben Kennedy Jr., and Rob VanAernam.

The 4-Cylinder feature was split into two divisions for the first time this season on Saturday with both single and dual cam engines running in the same event but two winners being declared. The single cam winner was Keith Tessiero Jr. while the dual cam winner was defending track champion Ben Righi.

SPECIAL NIGHT FOR WILDER AT FONDA - 6/9/12

By: Ron Szczerba

 The All Time Modified feature win list at the Fonda Speedway is a special place that every driver who races at the historic Montgomery County Fairgrounds wants to have their name included on.

Going into Saturday evenings racing program at the Track of Champions there were 117 different drivers who have won Modified features at Fonda in a total of 1229 feature events that have been run through the years.

Last Saturday night the number of different drivers who have won at Fonda in the Modified division increased by one when Fort Plain, NY resident Jeremy Wilder added his name to the list in impressive fashion, leading all 30-laps of the feature event through five caution periods during the race.

“This car was awesome tonight,” Wilder said during his first visit to victory lane in a Modified. “We got our big block motor back from Jack Boyd this week and it has boo coo power.”

Before moving up to the Modified division Wilder did have three feature wins at Fonda during his career in the Sportsman division, the first one coming on 7/17/2007 and the last one on 9/21/2008.

Joining Wilder in victory lane on Saturday evening at Fonda were Mark Mortensen (602 Sportsman), Kenny Martin Jr. (Pro Stock), Dave Horning Sr. (Street Stock), and Ken Hollenbeck (4-Cylinder).

The Meet ‘N Greet that was scheduled for last Saturday was postponed until Saturday, June 16 as Fonda Speedway management decided that with rain in the area it was best to wait until the following week for the Meet ‘N Greet so that fans could take their time and meet their favorite drivers without having to hurry it along due to inclement weather in the area.

Wilder needed all of the horsepower that his Jack Boyd big block could provide him as the track was very tacky and fast after a 45 minute rain delay before the Modified feature with the track crew doing a fantastic job getting the track back into shape after a quick rain shower during the Street Stock feature event.

Wilder shared the front row with Mark Kislowski at the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap Modified feature and it was Wilder that took the lead at the drop of Denny Tillison’s green flag to start the event. Before lap one was completed the yellow was out and on the original restart Wilder again was the race leader and by lap three he held a straightaway advantage over Kislowski, Ryan Odasz, Bobby Varin, and A.J. Romano.

One of if not the best moves of the race occurred on lap six when Odasz got under Kislowski for the second position and with a lap car just ahead had to make a quick decision as to what lane to use to get by the lap car and hold his position over Kislowski. Odasz did just that as once he got by Kislowski down low he moved up to the top of the track to get by the lap car but when the lap car slid up the track Odasz switched grooves to get under the lap car and continue on to try and reel in the leader.

After another caution on lap seven, Wilder continued to lead while Bobby Varin and Stewart Friesen both moved past Kislowski for the third and fourth positions respectively with the winner of the last two Modified feature events at Fonda Danny Varin already up to the seventh position by lap 11 after starting 15^th.

The straightaway lead that Wilder had built up was taken away on lap 13 by another caution and on the restart Wilder pulled away from the field again while defending track champion Ronnie Johnson was on the move after starting 12^th as he moved past Friesen into the top five at the halfway point in the event. With Wilder enjoying a straightaway lead by lap 18 Johnson, Friesen, and Danny Varin all moved past Alton Palmer for the third, fourth and fifth positions respectively.

The caution was out again on lap 24 this time for second place runner Odasz who ended up in the wall near the exit of pit road after Bobby Varin who was racing side by side with Odasz for the second position hit the berm on the inside of turn three and bounced out and into Odasz causing the accident to happen. Odasz was not injured in the wreck but his night ended too early as he had his best run of the season going when the accident occurred.

On the restart Wilder and Varin pulled away from Johnson while Elmo Reckner was lurking just outside the top five after starting way back in the 18^th spot. One final caution flag flew with three laps to go in the event and on this restart Wilder pulled away from the rest of the field and went on to the win in the JJS Trucking #22J.

Friesen finished in the second position after getting by Bobby Varin for the position on lap 28 when Varin slipped out of the groove in turn two while Johnson and Reckner completed the top five.

“We have been struggling on a slippery race track this year but tonight the up front starting position and the way the track was after the rain worked to our advantage,” Wilder said. “I need to thank my dad, my family, and my crew, I was glad that I could get this win for them.”

After winning the third qualifying heat race event on Saturday evening Justin Boehler started on the front row of the 20-lap 602 Sportsman feature event, taking the lead at the drop of the green flag with third place starter Doug Flynn in tow.

The red flag was out on lap four for Robert Bublak who crashed hard in turn four but fortunately he was not injured in the wreck. Justin Auspelmyer was the new third place car on lap five while defending track champion Mark Mortensen was just behind him in fourth after starting 11^th.

Mortensen made his way past Auspelmyer for the third position on lap 11 with the top two of Boehler and Flynn a straightaway ahead. With the top two in lap traffic by lap 14 it allowed Mortensen to reel in the top two with the final caution of the event coming out with five laps to go.

Boehler continued to lead on the restart with Mortensen making his way past Flynn for the second position on lap 16. One lap later Mortensen got past Boehler on the inside at the line to score lap 17, taking over the lead and pulling away to his second win of the season and the sixth of his career in the division in the Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In Teo car over Flynn who got by Boehler for second with one lap to go, Jeff Rockefeller, and Tony Farone.

“The car handled good in traffic tonight and the good starting position helped too,” Mortensen said in victory lane. “It was a whole different track running early like we did tonight and I have to thank my crew, all of my sponsors, my family, and all of the fans for their support.”

The Pro Stock race kept the fans on the edge of their seats as three drivers raced for the win through the second half of the 20-lap event. Three different cars took turns leading lap one of the event, the first being Jeff McFail followed by Rob Noviczski and finally Pete Broderson who was the leader when the lap was completed.

Broderson started the event in the fifth position but when outside front row starter Justin Knight got out of shape at the drop of the green flag it held up the outside line while Knight gathered it back up allowing the inside line to get the upper hand with Broderson benefitting the most by taking the lead.

Kenny Martin Jr. started the event in the sixth position and was the new second place car on lap four after getting by Noviczski for the spot with Kenny Gates also getting by for the third position after starting seventh with Broderson now out to a comfortable lead.

By lap nine Martin and Gates caught the leader and started pressuring him for the top spot and on lap 12 on the inside of the backstretch Martin was the new race leader after getting by Broderson for the spot. Lap traffic made things interesting with only four laps to go as the top three of Martin, Broderson, and Gates making it a three way battle to the checkered flag.

Gates stepped out of line and went around the outside of Broderson to take over the second position with one lap to go but Martin was able to cross the finish line first to take his third win of 2012, his second win in a row, and the 45^th win of his career at Fonda over Gates, Broderson, Chip Smith, and Noviczski.

“That was an awesome race with Kenny (Gates) and Pete (Broderson),” Martin said in victory lane. “We raced clean and didn’t have to touch to gain positions. I lost my brakes about halfway through the race and knew that I needed to get to the front where I wouldn’t have to use them as much.”

Jerry Cohn led at the start of the 15-lap Street Stock feature event but when lap one was completed Reuben Kennedy Jr. was the race leader. On lap three the cars were sent to the hot pit area as a light rain shower brought out the red flag. Approximately 45 minutes later the race was restarted with Neil Cosselman the new leader of the event.

Dave Horning Sr. started the event in the 11^th position and by lap five he was pressuring Cosselman for the lead. On lap six Horning was the new race leader after making the pass on the inside of turn four but Cosselman stayed alongside Horning and retook the lead at the line to complete lap nine.

The final pass for the lead came on lap 10 and it was Horning who made the pass and went on to his fourth win of the season and the 34^th of his career in the division over Rob VanAernam, Randy Cosselman, Chuck McSpirit, and Neil Cosselman.

“That was a tough race as I lost power steering and then broke a shock during the race as well but we were still able to make it here to victory lane,” Horning said.

Erik Rulison led the first three laps of the 4-Cylinder feature event with Dave West the second place car by lap three after starting third. Ken Hollenback started the event in the 10^th position and on lap four made his way by West for the second position and then by Rulison for the lead by the time lap four was completed.

Defending track champion Ben Righi was the new third place car on lap nine after starting ninth and one lap later was side by side with Rulison for the second position on lap 10. Rulison was able to hold on to the spot while Ken Hollenback went on to his third win of the season and the fourth of his career in the division at Fonda over Rulison, West, Righi, and Kerrie Hollenback.

VARIN DOUBLES UP AT FONDA - ZEMKIN WINS ESS FEATURE – 5/26/12

VARIN STOPS FRIESEN’S DOMINANCE AT FONDA – 5/19/12

By: Ron Szczerba

After four straight wins in the modified division everyone may have been beginning to wonder if anyone would put a stop to Stewart Friesen’s dominance at the Fonda Speedway. And if someone did who would it be?

Saturday evening young gun Danny Varin put a stop to it with a dominating performance of his own, starting the 30-lap Modified feature from the outside of the front row and leading every lap in the caution free event for his first win of 2012 and the third of his career at the Track of Champions in the Ed Monger owned, Magsarus Ignitions sponsored #93 PMC car.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Varin said after doing a doughnut on the infield and a celebratory roof dance in victory lane. “We’ve been struggling with this car but tonight the car was good and got us here to victory lane.”

Other winners at Fonda on Saturday evening included John Scarborough (602 Sportsman), Kenny Gates (Pro Stock), Chuck McSpirit (Street Stock), and Ken Hollenback (4-Cylinder).

At intermission ice cream was served free of charge to children 12 and under compliments of Pro Tech Scale Service who are the sponsors of the 50J 602 Sportsman car of Justin Boehler.

Craig Hanson and Varin shared the front row at the start of the 30-lap Modified feature with Varin taking control at the drop of the green flag in the caution free event. The caution almost flew on lap four when Dave Constantino ended up hitting the wall in between turns three and four but he was able to continue on in the event with the green flag staying out.

By lap six Varin had a straightaway lead built up with some great three and four wide racing taking place just outside the top 10 between defending track champion Ronnie Johnson, Alton Palmer, Friesen, invading driver Tim McCreadie, Matt DeLorenzo, and others who were trying to advance their positions to the front.

At the halfway point in the event Varin, Hanson, Darwin Greene who was running a great race in the third position, Josh Hohenforst, and Ryan Odasz completed the top five. Jim Davis who has had a very fast car all season long started the event in the 13^th position and just past the halfway point in the event he moved into the top five into the fourth spot.

Davis continued to advance his position lap after lap and with only nine laps remaining in the event he was the new second place car after getting by Hanson. At that point Varin was a half straightaway ahead in the lead with Friesen starting to make some noise after starting 14^th in the feature event.

On lap 23 Friesen moved into the top five and three laps later he was the new second place car after getting by Hanson but there was no catching Varin on this night as he went on for the win over Davis, Friesen, Hanson, and Bobby Varin.

“I think that everybody was getting sick of Friesen winning every week so this is a great win for us,” Varin said in victory lane after the feature event.

Justin Boehler led early in the 20-lap 602 Sportsman feature event with an early caution out before lap one was completed for Harry Shaffer and Kurtis Hohensheldt who wrecked in between turns one and two. Neither driver was injured but both were done for the evening.

On the original restart John McAuliffe was the new race leader with John Scarborough second on lap two after starting sixth. Rocky Warner started the event in the 12^th position and on lap seven he made a move around three cars to get into the top 10.

On lap eight Scarborough made his move into the lead as he got by McAuliffe in turn four to take over a lead that he would not relinquish for the remainder of the event. Also on lap eight Jeff Rockefeller moved into the third position while his teammate Cody Bleau who was just outside the top five in the sixth spot.

The only real movement in the top five during the second half of the event was by Bleau who moved into the fourth position with only two laps to go. Scarborough cruised to an easy win in the Pizza Logs sponsored #61 Teo car which was his second of the season and the ninth of his career in the division at Fonda.

McAuliffe, Rockefeller, Bleau, and Boehler completed the top five in the event.

“The 23 (John McAuliffe) was good,” Scarborough said in victory lane. “When you start in the first few rows it definitely makes it easier. Since opening night this car has been a four or five out of 10 and we have worked real hard to try and figure it out. In racing there is a group of people that make it happen it definitely just isn’t me so I have to thank everyone who helped get this car straightened out.”

Rob Noviczski led at the start of the 20-lap Pro Stock feature event but at the stripe when lap one was completed it was Luke Horning who was the race leader. Kenny Gates moved into the third position on lap two after starting seventh and took over the lead on lap three on the inside of the backstretch.

Kenny Martin Jr. moved into the second position on lap four after getting by Horning with Ivan Joslin also getting by Horning for the third spot. When Martin bobbled in turn four on lap seven it allowed Joslin to get by Martin for the second position with Gates now out to a half straightaway advantage.

With Gates out to a comfortable lead on his way to the win the race was for the second position and it was a good one between Joslin and Martin. At the halfway point in the event Joslin and Martin were side by side for the second spot with Joslin holding on to the position at that point but one lap later it was a different story.

On lap 11 Joslin and Martin were side by side coming out of turn four when contact was made between the two drivers resulting in Joslin making contact with the outside wall on the frontstretch. Martin took over the second position at that point with Joslin continuing on with damage to his car from the contact with the wall.

Gates went on to his first win of the season and the 47^th of his career at Fonda over Martin, Pete Broderson and Horning who both got by Joslin for the positions in the final laps, and Joslin completing the top five.

“The track was slick and difficult to drive tonight,” Gates said in victory lane. “Hot night, slick track, I guess that is what I like.”

The 12-lap Street Stock feature was a hotly contested event between Dave Horning Sr. and Chuck McSpirit. Horning led the first two laps of the event until McSpirit took over the point on lap three on the outside of turn three.

With McSpirit running the outside and Horning the inside it made for a great competitive race with Horning taking the lead back on lap five on the inside of turn four. The lead swapping continued on lap seven when McSpirit took the lead for good despite several side by side challenges by Horning including one with only one lap remaining when they were rubbing on each other in turn four.

McSpirit survived all challenges for his second win of the season and the ninth of his career at Fonda over Horning, Randy Cosselman, Rob VanAernam, and Neil Cosselman. Horning was disqualified for the evening for his actions following the race moving Jason Samrov into the top five.

In the 4-cylinder feature event it was the Ken Hollenback show as he took the lead at the completion of lap one from Keith Tessiero Sr. and never looked back, taking his second win of the season and the third of his career at Fonda over Todd Goldstein, Kerrie Hollenback, Keith Tessiero Jr., and T.J. Marlitt.

Hollenback survived one scary moment while leading on lap seven, when the caution came out for Harley Sheppard who blew up in turn three and left fluid on the track which Hollenback got into, causing him to slide sideways but recover and move on.

When Hollenback got into the fluid defending track champion Ben Righi was alongside of him racing for the lead and when Hollenback lost the handle of his car when he got into the fluid he accidently got into Righi who ended up in the tire wall near the pit exit. Righi was okay but done for the night at that point.

Next Saturday, May 26 the Empire Super Sprints will join the racing card at the Track of Champions along with the Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Pro Stocks, and Street Stocks with a starting time of 7:00 p.m.

FRIESEN WINS FOURTH IN A ROW IN MODIFIEDS – 5/12/12

FRIESEN THREE PEATS AT FONDA - 5/5/12

MR. FREEZE VISITS VICTORY LANE AT FONDA – 4/28/12

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On a night where freezing temperatures visited the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway the driver known as “Mr. Freeze” Stewart Friesen visited victory lane as well, taking his second consecutive win and the fourth of his career at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds speedway in the Foundation for Prader Willi Research sponsored, Thad Park’s owned Teo car.

“Restarts on the backstretch here at Fonda sure do make it exciting,” Friesen told Mimi Lazzaro in victory lane after the win. “I was holding it wide open on the backstretch going into turn three in order to get under everyone as they set up for the turns. Once I got by them I slid up in front of them and I got by a lot of cars with that move tonight.”

Other winners on Saturday evening at the Fonda Speedway were Robert Bublak (602 Sportsman), Ivan Joslin (Pro Stock), Rob VanAernam (Street Stock), and Tyler Rice (CRSA Sprint Cars).

At the drop of Denny Tilison’s green flag to start the 30-lap event, Jeremy Wilder led from his inside front row starting position early on until Jim Davis who started alongside Wilder took over the lead before lap one was completed. Friesen wasted little time in starting his march to the front as he was three wide on the backstretch to get into the top 10 with only a couple of laps in the books after starting 12^th.

Also wasting little time in moving up through the field over the first few laps of the event were Matt DeLorenzo and defending Modified Track Champion Ronnie Johnson as they were third and fourth respectively by lap six after starting fifth and sixth respectively on the grid. On lap seven while Davis was getting by lap cars with ease Johnson got by DeLorenzo for the third position while Friesen moved into the top five by lap 10 in the event.

The first caution of the event was out on lap 13 for Josh Hohenforst and Ken McGuire who were hooked together in turn one. Hohenforst was able to continue in the event while McGuire was done for the evening at that point.

On the double file restart Davis choose to restart on the outside with the yellow coming out again before any laps were completed for a four car wreck on the frontstretch involving Elmo Reckner, Dave Lape, Chuck Allen, and C.G. Morey. None of the drivers were injured in the wreck but all were done for the night at that point.

The yellow coming out again relegated the great move DeLorenzo made to get around both Wilder and Davis for the lead as well as the lineup for the restart went by the last completed lap.

On the second restart Friesen made contact with the wall in turn two, falling all the way back to the 10^th position but he was able to regroup and start to make his way back to the front.

“I clobbered the wall and I am surprised that these Valken wheels held up,” Friesen said.

When the second and final yellow of the event came out on lap 20, Friesen was already back up to the fifth position with the yellow coming out for a wreck in turn four involving Jeff Trombley, and Danny Varin with Trombley’s car having to be cradled into the infield but fortunately nobody was injured.

On the restart DeLorenzo made his way into the second position with Friesen third after getting by both Alton Palmer and Wilder on the backstretch. On lap 23 Friesen took over the second position from DeLorenzo and one lap later he was the new race leader after passing Davis for the lead.

Once he got the lead Friesen was turning laps one second faster than the rest of the field and at the checkered flag he was a straightaway ahead of Davis, DeLorenzo, Wilder, and Bobby Varin who finished fifth after starting 11^th.

“We have a good baseline setup on this car but I still can’t believe the car survived the contact with the wall early in the event,” Friesen said.

Justin Auspelmyer and Robert Bublak started the 20-lap 602 Sportsman feature on the front row with Bublak taking the lead at the drop of the green flag. From that point on the race was for the second position as Bublak took off and hid from the rest of the field, leading every lap for his first win of the season.

Behind Bublak there was plenty of action going on as Rocky Warner and defending 602 Sportsman Track Champion Mark Mortensen made their way through the field after starting ninth and 12^th respectively.

Warner moved into the top five on lap five after getting by Kory Wilder while Mortensen was making a three wide move on the backstretch to get by both Wilder and Adam McAuliffe for the seventh position. McAuliffe had a great car on Saturday as well as he was able to move back by Mortensen and into the top five a couple of laps later.

While Warner was passing cars with ease after getting by Auspelmyer for the second position on lap 11, Mortensen had to work a little harder as he and Doug Flynn had a side by side battle going on for a few laps before Mortensen took over the sixth spot from him with only six laps to go in the event.

The final lap was an exciting one as Warner was right on the rear bumper of Bublak but didn’t have enough time to make his way by as Bublak went on to his third career win in the M & J Construction sponsored #27.

Bublak was followed across the line at the checkered flag by Warner, Auspelmyer, Mortensen who got by two cars on the final lap for the fourth position, and Steve Constantino.

“We bought this Teo car off of Mark Kislowski over the winter and it is phenomenal,” Bublak said. “Thad Parks (Stewart Friesen’s car owner) gave me tires for the race and I can’t thank them enough for their help as tonight we were right where we needed to be.”

Luke Horning led at the start of the 20-lap Pro Stock feature but by the time lap one was completed Ivan Joslin was the race leader. Kenny Gates started the event in the seventh position but by lap four he was the new second place car.

Pete Broderson made it a three way battle for the lead by lap seven with Joslin running the high line on the speedway and Gates his traditional low line. The one and only caution of the event was out on lap 11 and on the restart Gates made a move to the outside of Joslin for the lead with the two spending two laps side by side before Joslin got the lead for good.

With five laps to go Broderson got by Gates for the second position but ran out of time as Joslin went on for the win in the Jamaica Millwork sponsored #49, his first of the season and the third of his career at Fonda over Broderson, Gates, Horning, and Kenny Martin Jr.

“I saw Gates alongside of me and didn’t know what to think,” Joslin said in victory lane. “Under the final yellow flag Rocky told me to stay low and I knew that I had to hit my marks which we were able to do and held them off. Usually we struggle in the beginning of the year but this year is off to a good start so far.”

Greg Havlichek led the first two laps of the Street Stock feature with Rob VanAernam moving up quickly into the second position on lap two after starting eighth. VanAernam was the new leader of the race on lap three after getting by Havlichek on the outside of the backstretch with Randy Cosselman the new second place car on lap four.

After a caution on lap nine VanAernam, Cosselman, and Chuck McSpirit waged a three way battle for the lead and on the final lap VanAernam and Cosselman were side by side at the line to the checkered flag with VanAernam able to hold him off for the victory. Cosselman, McSpirit, Dave Horning Sr., and Havlichek completed the top five.

With the win Rob VanAernam moved ahead of his late father Bob for the third position on the all time win list with 30 just behind Dave Horning Jr. and Sr. who have 51 and 31 wins respectively.

Josh Pieniazek started the 20-lap Capital Region Sprint Car Agency (CRSA) feature event on the pole position and took the lead at the drop of the green flag to start the event after a four wide salute to the fans pace lap.

Early yellow flags were out on laps one and three in the event with Tyler Rice and Danny Varin on the move early on after starting seventh and eighth respectively. On lap five Rice was already in the third position with Varin just behind him in fourth. On lap nine Varin fell off the pace and went to the pit area while Rice moved into the second spot two laps later.

At that point Pieniazek held a straightaway lead but Rice was turning laps one second faster than Pieniazek and caught the leader by lap 14. One lap later Rice pulled a slide job pass in turn two to take over the lead only to have Pieniazek come right back to retake the lead in turn three.

By the time the lap was completed Rice had the lead and from that point on he pulled away to win by a straightaway over Pieniazek, Gary Palmer, Brett Jaycox, and Tommy Martocci.  Josh is a grood friend of mine and I knew that I could get to him I had a shot at the win."Rice said.  "My car was better the more laps we ran and lived up to what I told everyone as I said that we were going to victory lane this weekend.".

REGULAR SEASON OPENER GOES TO STEWART FRIESEN AT FONDA SPEEDWAY TRACK OF CHAMPIONS – 4/14/12

FONDA, NY – The opening of the regular season at any speedway is an important one for drivers because the ones who do well can get a jump start on the season long point’s battle at their home tracks.

Getting a jump start on their quest for the 2012 point championships at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway on Saturday evening were Stewart Friesen (Modified), John Scarborough (602 Sportsman), Pete Broderson (Pro Stock), Dave Horning Sr. (Street Stock), and defending track champion Ben Riggi (4-Cylinder).

Friesen who said in victory lane that Fonda would be his Saturday night home for 2012 ran a fantastic race on Saturday evening, lapping up to the seventh place car in his Foundation for Prader Willi Research #1 Teo Pro Car.

“My buddy Erik Mack was giving me hand signals that I had a big lead but you are never really sure just how big it is,” Friesen said in victory lane. “After making some improvements from last week this new car was flawless tonight and the win gives us good momentum to start the season.”

A draw for starting positions in each division took place with Elmo Reckner and Matt DeLorenzo sharing the front row to start the 30-lap Modified feature event with Reckner the early leader. Before one lap was completed the caution was out for DeLorenzo who ended up in the turn four wall with front end damage. He would make repairs and come back out on to the speedway two laps down.

On the restart Friesen moved up to the second position after starting fourth and shortly afterwards took the lead from Reckner on the inside of turn three just before the red flag came out for Jeremy Wilder who lost a tire and flipped his car over in turn three. Wilder wasn’t injured in the wreck.

Three more restarts were necessary before any more laps were completed, one for a multi car wreck in turn four, one for a two car jingle in between turns one and two, and the other because the outside line just didn’t go when the green flag waved on the backstretch for the restart.

Under the first caution defending track champion Ronnie Johnson came to a stop on the backstretch and had to be pushed back to the pit area. With the multiple cautions happening with no laps being completed in between it allowed Johnson to pit for repairs and get back out on to the track to rejoin the rear of the field without going a lap down.

Through all of the restarts Reckner was the race leader because of no laps being completed and the race lineup going back to the last completed lap but when the race finally stayed green Friesen showed that he was the car to beat as he got the lead and took off leaving the rest of the field behind. By lap four Friesen was out to a straightaway lead and by lap seven he was already putting cars a lap down.

With Friesen continuing to stretch out his advantage the best race on the track was between Reckner, A.J. Romano, and Josh Hohenforst for the second position. Joining that threesome was Bobby Varin who moved through the field after starting eighth and on lap 18 it was Varin who got by both Hohenforst and Romano for the third spot.

Friesen was living on the edge trying to maintain his huge lead as he was going in between lap cars and at one point made slight contact with Johnson trying to put him a lap down in turn two.

On the final lap Varin got by Reckner for the second position as Friesen was now a half track ahead and went on to his third career win at Fonda over Varin, Reckner, Hohenforst, and Romano.

“Fonda is big and fast and is tough on these small blocks,” Friesen said. “We have a lot of depth in this team this year and we have a spare car and motor ready to go if needed. The 17 (Reckner) was setting such a slow pace on the restarts that it was tough to get going but once I got the lead and switched lanes I had more room to move around.”

Scarborough took the lead at the drop of the green flag in the 20-lap 602 Sportsman feature from his outside front row starting spot with Justin Boehler in tow. By lap four Scarborough held a straightaway advantage with the first of only two cautions in the event coming out on lap seven.

On the restart John McAuliffe was the new second place car with the caution out again on lap eight. Once the race was restarted it went caution free for the remaining laps with Cody Bleau the new third place car just before the halfway point in the event while defending track champion Mark Mortensen was also making his way to the front after starting back in the 15^th starting spot.

Mortensen was the new fifth place car by the lap 11 point in the event and after a side by side battle with Brian Gleason; Mortensen was the new fourth place car with only two laps to go.

There was no catching Scarborough on the night however as he went on to his eighth career win in the division in the Pizza Logs sponsored #61S Teo Pro Car over McAuliffe, Bleau, Mortensen, and Gleason.

“It makes it easier when you start up front like I did tonight but when you win here at Fonda you definitely know that you earned it because it is such a tough place to get a win,” Scarborough said in victory lane. “This is a new car for this year and last week it was horrible but after some adjustments during the week it was a lot better tonight.”

Kenny Martin Jr. led at the start of the 20-lap Pro Stock feature event with Pete Broderson in tow. After starting farther back in the field Kenny Gates went in between both Chip Smith and Walt Brownell for the third position on lap five with Martin and Broderson now a half straightaway ahead.

By lap 12 Gates caught the front duo of Martin and Broderson making it a three car battle for the lead. On the inside of the frontstretch Broderson made his move to the front and took the lead just before lap 12 was completed. With five laps to go Gates was able to get by Martin for the second position but there was no catching Broderson as he went on to his fourth career win at the Track of Champions in the Lazzaro’s Auto Body #53.

“The car was good in the heat race, a little bit loose compared to what I wanted but it was better in the feature,” Broderson said in victory lane. “I saw the 35 (Gates) on the bottom once and once I got by Kenny (Martin) I knew that I had to get to the bottom of the track.”

The Street Stock feature saw Chuck McSpirit and Randy Cosselman swap the lead twice over the first two laps before Horning took the lead and control of the event on lap three of the 15-lap event. Even yellow flags on consecutive laps six and seven couldn’t keep Horning from his 31^st career win as he went on to the victory over McSpirit, Rob VanAernam, Reuben Kennedy Jr., and Neil Cosselman.

MAHANEY TAKES ICE JAM WIN AT FONDA – 4/7/12

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – When the #21 Woodside Farms sponsored Troyer car of 22-year old Mike Mahaney came out on the track for warm-ups on Saturday afternoon at the Fonda Speedway many people may have been wondering “who in the world is Mike Mahaney”?

When the checkered flag flew to end the modified feature event everyone in the grandstand at Fonda knew him as the newest first time winner at the Track of Champions after he captured the 40-lap $4,000 to win Ice Jam event in exciting fashion over Matt DeLorenzo.

Mahaney raced at the Fonda Speedway a handful of times, if that, before taking the big win Saturday afternoon. Mike is the son of former racer Jim Mahaney and together they run the family farm called Woodside Farms in King Ferry, NY. Last season Mahaney raced at Brewerton, Fulton, and Utica Rome but this season was planning on doing a little traveling as well. After winning at Fonda will that mean a few more visits to the Montgomery Fairgrounds track as well?

“Nobody knows who I am,” Mahaney said in victory lane. “We just came here today to try out this Finger Lakes motor and I just can’t believe it, this is awesome.”

When Mimi Lazzaro asked if he planned on coming back to Fonda a little more often this season after the win he said “definitely”.

Also on the racing card on Saturday were two Dash for Cash events for the 602 Sportsman division and a single Dash for Cash for the pro stocks which were won by Brian Gleason, Jeff Rockefeller, and Kenny Gates respectively.

Children 12 years of age and under celebrated the Easter holiday with an Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Fonda Futures Kids Club with prizes awarded for that as well.

A heads up start to the Ice Jam event put Darwin Greene and Elmo Reckner on the front row with Reckner taking the lead at the drop of the green flag followed by Mahaney who started on the outside of row number two.

Reckner and Mahaney immediately pulled away from the rest of the pack and with Reckner maintaining a comfortable lead throughout the first few laps of the event the best race on the track was between defending track champion Ronnie Johnson and Jim Davis for the fifth position.

Davis pulled a slide job pass on Johnson for the fifth position on lap six and for two laps the two drivers swapped the spot back and forth before Johnson settled into the position on lap eight. While there was plenty of racing going on back in the pack Reckner was out for a Sunday drive on a Saturday afternoon as he began putting cars a lap down by the lap 11 point in the event.

Mahaney closed in on Reckner’s rear bumper when Reckner was slowed by a lap car just before the one and only caution flag in the event came out on lap 17 for Pep Corradi who spun in turn two.

Reckner choose the outside line for the restart and kept the lead at the drop of the green flag with Davis (who dropped back after his early battle with Johnson) coming back to the front as he went from the seventh position to fifth on the restart and wasn’t done yet.

Davis’ Troyer car was the fastest car on the track at times and he got all the way up to the third position at the halfway point in the event while Reckner and Mahaney were setting a quick pace as they were now a straightaway ahead of Davis at that point.

Mahaney had a car that was okay on restarts but came on after a few laps were run as he started pressuring Reckner for the lead on lap 28. After a side by side battle between the two Reckner again settled into the lead with a new player now making his way to the front as Matt DeLorenzo was the new third place car on lap 31 after getting by Davis for the spot.

Reckner and Mahaney were side by side for the lead again two laps later with Mahaney taking the lead at the line only to have Reckner regain the spot on the backstretch of the next lap. DeLorenzo was catching the leaders quickly with five laps to go and with heavy lap traffic ahead he had a chance at the win as well.

Mahaney tapped the outside wall on the frontstretch trying to maintain his position in second over DeLorenzo and trying to keep up with Reckner as well with only a few laps remaining. The move of the race came on lap 37 as Mahaney took the lead from Reckner at the line to complete the lap, using the inside groove to make the pass for what turned out to be the win.

Over the last three laps Mahaney got by lap cars without any problems while the new second place car of DeLorenzo wasn’t as lucky with Mahaney going on to the win over DeLorenzo, Davis, Reckner, and Stewart Friesen who started all the way back in the 13^th position completed the top five.

“I look like I am 16 but I am actually 22 years old,” Mahaney said after Mimi Lazzaro asked him how old he was in victory lane. “I have to hand it to Elmo (Reckner), he raced me clean and it was a great race, I was just trying to keep from burning my tires off while we were racing so hard.”

“I blew it in the corners a couple of times and fell one spot short,” DeLorenzo said. “We’ll just have to come back next week and try it again. The high side was really wide but you are running such a fine line against the wall that I just lost it a couple of times.”

“Three or four weeks ago we weren’t even sure if we would be racing this year or what we would be doing,” Davis said. “We decided to get this new Troyer car and I am really happy with it. This car turns in the corners which is something that we haven’t had in awhile and we are trying to get a setup to run the bottom of the track and be able to keep up with the guys who are fast on top.”

Next Saturday April 14 all divisions (Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Pro Stocks, Street Stocks, and 4-Cylinders) will be in action for the opening night of points as the quest to the 2012 titles begins in all divisions. Starting time next week will be 7:00 p.m.

Complete heat race qualifying results can be found by clicking on the My Laps icon.

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

TROMBLEY TAKES BIG WIN AT FONDA 9/24/11

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

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

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 10^th.

            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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – The 6^th 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

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

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

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

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

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

JOHNSON WINS AGAIN AT FONDA

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

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

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

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

2010 SEASON

RECAPPING THE 2010 SEASON AT THE TRACK OF CHAMPIONS

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

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

DELORENZO TAKES WIN AT FONDA - 9/25/10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Owens Takes Seventh Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Event of the Season at Fonda - 7/27/10

QUICK WINS AS SPORTSMAN TAKE CENTER STAGE AT FONDA MODIFIED FEATURE RAIN DELAYED TO JULY 31 AFTER 12 LAPS COMPLETED 7/24/10

ROMANO WINS AS FONDA BEATS THE WEATHER FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN A ROW - 7/17/10

RYAN ODASZ TAKES CONVINCING WIN AT FONDA - 7/10/10

SMITH WINS HONDO CLASSIC AT FONDA - 7/10/10

RECKNER WINS CAREER FIRST AT FONDA - 7/3/10

THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY SERIES UPDATE - 7/2/10

BUSY MONTH OF JULY COMING UP AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY- 7/1/10

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 39^th 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 11^th. 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 18^th 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 17^th 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 10^th 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.”

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

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 14^th 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 13^th 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 47^th 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 44^th 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 14^th. 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 38^th 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 12^th.

            Defending track champion Jeremiah Munson was also on the move at this point after starting 13^th 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 17^th 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

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

“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 14^th 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 13^th 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 11^th 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 36^th 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 12^th 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 10^th. 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 16^th 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 43^rd 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 10^th. 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 15^th 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 back in 1984, Lazzaro had Crohn’s Disease, which causes chronic inflammation of the digestive track, of the lower small intestine, and colon.  He almost died because of it.  At Fonda they had a benefit for Lou where a racecar was being raffled off and in tribute to him they did a four abreast parade lap before the feature.

                For Lazzaro it was a special win, although as he said they are all special and he felt real good about it.  “The fans at Fonda are a great bunch of fans and I like winning for them, for my crew, and for myself.”

            In the pit area after his win there were a couple of drivers who went over to congratulate Lazzaro along with a bunch of fans.  “Some of the fans I haven’t seen in quite a while so it was nice to see them again.”

            Lazzaro was also named the Driver of the Week on the This Week On DIRT television program although he was surprised by that because of the success that another driver also had that weekend when he won three feature events in the same week.  “I figured that he would be named the Driver of the Week,” Lou said.

            Lazzaro has career wins in the last five decades (50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, & 90’s) and wins at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway in the last four of them.  “So now we have to try and get one next year,” he said.

            A little bit of trivia thanks to Ed & Betty Biittig states that Lazzaro’s first ever top five finish at Fonda came in 1957.  Also, out of the 957 features run at Fonda, Lazzaro has finished in the top five 303 times.

            Winning felt real good to Lazzaro and he didn’t think that it had been that long (June 30, 1994) since he last won a feature at Fonda.  “The time went by awful fast,” he said.

STATISTICS

            Lou Lazzaro has won an estimated 250 races at twenty-four tracks in four states and Canada.  He has a total of ten track championships, four at Fonda, three at Utica Rome, two at Victoria, and one at Albany Saratoga.

            He was the New York State NASCAR point champion once in the Sportsman division in 1964 and three times in a Modified in 1969, 1971, and 1972.  He also won the All Star League title in 1968 and 1971.

            His best season was in 1969 when he had eleven wins and finished third or better in fifteen of sixteen races at Fonda.  His biggest win was the 1978 Eastern States 200 at Orange County in Middletown.  Thanks to Ed and Betty Biittig for the information above.

LAZZARO’S BIO WRITTEN BY HIS DAUGHTER MIMI

In 1952, Lou Lazzaro won his first race (a heat race) at South Columbian Speedway in Mohawk, NY. He was only 17 years old at the time and it was the first time he had ever gotten into a race car.

In 1955 he won his first feature race at the Brewerton Speedway in Brewerton, NY under the alias of his brother Nick Lazzaro as Lou was under the age of 21, NASCAR rules.

He scored his second feature win at Victoria Speedway located in Duanesburg, NY under the alias of Peter Bianco Jr., the name of his best friend, because it was a non-NASCAR track.

On May 20, 1961 Lazzaro claimed his first victory at the Fonda Speedway with his last win also coming in May on May 15th, 1999.

The colors for the #4 race cars came from Proctor High School in Utica New York where Lazzaro attended school, the #4 signifying the quartet of partners involved in the car including Lazzaro himself, Junior Bianco, George Frattasio, and Vinnie Maugeri.

Lazzaro was known as "Muggs" in the group when one day someone misunderstood the name and called him "Monks".  From then on the name stuck with him.

It is fitting that Louie, who was arguably the most successful driver in the east in the 1960s, continued racing right up until the end. It was also fitting that the end came at Fonda Speedway which he called home every Saturday evening and was victorious 113 times in just 50 years!

His records and accomplishments are far too extensive to list, but some of his greatest accomplishments were running the Permatex 300 in 1970 on the famed Daytona Motor Speedway in Daytona Beach Florida. In 1978 Lazzaro took home the prestigious victory of the Eastern States 200 at Orange County Fair Speedway in Orange County NY.

Lazzaro was also part of the elite All Star Racing League taking home many a victory in that club. In 2000 when Lazzaro passed away, he was entering his sixth decade of racing. This year in 2010 we will celebrate the career of a racing Legend while also remembering some of his competitors that deserve the recognition they have yet to receive.

MIMI’S MEMORIES OF HER DAD

            “I have been thinking about doing an event like this for dad and all last year we talked about it,” she said. “Matt took the initiative to get the ball rolling and it is going to be an enormous event. We threw a lot of things out there, spoke to the Lucia’s about it and they were very gracious to all of our ideas.”

            “Dad was a low budget guy and that is why we scheduled the event for only one feature event to make it for the regular Saturday night guys instead of running more than one event on the same night. He always looked out for the fans and took time for them every Saturday night at the track until the lights were turned out. We have lost a lot of that now.”

            “No matter how he did out on the track he always took time afterwards to see every person that came into the pit area to see him. I will always remember standing on the infield before the start of the feature and as soon as the white flag came out to signify that the race would be started the next time around he would wave to me before every single race.”

FONDA SPEEDWAY PROMOTER RIC LUCIA’S MEMORIES OF LAZZARO

            “Everyone remembers Louie as more of the local home town racer,” Lucia said. “He did travel but for the most part people remember him racing mostly at Fonda, Utica Rome, and Albany Saratoga. He was from a by gone era now and this Saturday night will be a celebration of that era.”

            “I was a little bit closer to Louie than some people thought or knew. I had a motor that I put together that he used a few times so one time he came, picked up the motor, and put it in his race car. A couple of weeks later he came by and he made me some home made spaghetti sauce like nothing that you have ever had in this world.”

            “It was things like that, that nobody ever knew about that I will always remember along with going out to Utica to see him while he was sick to spend a little bit of time with him.”

SPECIAL MOMENTS REMEMBERED BY THE RAINMAKER MATT NOLES

            “My favorite memory of Louie was when he beat Kenny Tremont Jr. in the early 90’s at Fonda along with his last win when he held off Romano for the victory,” Noles said. “He did so much with so little and when he was out of the cockpit I remember how he treated his fans. He would stop and sign autographs and he had passion for the sport which is something that I believe is lacking now.”

            “Last year when I was involved in the Hondo Classic for the late Hondo Carpenter I thought why hasn’t anyone had an event like this for Lou Lazzaro. I approached Mimi about the event and we threw the idea out there to Ric & Laura Lucia at Fonda and so far there has been an overwhelming and humbling response. This event is all for Lou’s family, the fans, and for Fonda Speedway as well. I want people to remember where the sport of racing came from as Louie was one of the founding fathers of the sport.”

            “I grew up on Main Street in Fonda and since 1983 I have been going to the races there. My fondest memories of the Fonda Speedway growing up were the drawings of the track champions on the ticket booth out front. Now I live 300 miles away in New Hampshire but the Fonda Speedway is one part of my childhood that I have left and I want to hold on to that part of my childhood for as long as I can.”

            “It took a 28 year old kid from New Hampshire to get the ball rolling on this event for Louie and although I knew how big of a fixture he was at Fonda I didn’t know how big this event would become. It is going to be an awesome event and I am really looking forward to it.”

LAZZARO’S BEST FRIEND REMEMBERS THE INCOMPERABLE ONE

            “Mimi called me about doing this event and I was honored because Louie and I were best friends,” Jim King said. “The first modified that he drove was the #71 that was owned by my father Bill King, Dick Bennett, and Bernie Myrusky. Louie made a career out of beating Bill King owned cars.”

            “I was able to read the Eulogy at Lou’s funeral and I also called his last win at Fonda. His last win stood the Fonda Speedway on its ear and that was a lot of fun. I used to call him the “Incomparable Lou Lazzaro” and there are so many memories of back when he used to race. This event is long overdue and we are going to make something special out of it.”

            So come out to the Fonda Speedway on Saturday May, 15 and be a part of history as the first annual Lou Lazzaro Memorial celebrates the racing career of the “Incomparable Lou Lazzaro”.

COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS AND FANS

            Sponsor Dan Marrone has known Lazzaro for about forty years.  “I really got to know him at the Victoria Speedway,” Marrone said.  “The way he ran, how he was careful with the other drivers, and was always a good sport really impressed me.”  When he went into the pits to see him, Lazzaro was really humble and that also impressed Marrone.  That was back in the sixties.

            Marrone started helping out Lazzaro on the lighter side at first but after awhile he got into it more and more.  When track announcer Jim King asked Marrone what he thought about the win Dan told him that “the last five laps I drove the car.”  “I was shaking, full of sweat, out of wind and tomorrow morning I an going to call my cardiologist and tell him what a great job he did because I am still here,” Marrone said.

            In victory lane, Lazzaro thanked Marrone and gave him the winning trophy.  Marrone also told me that soon you will see the law firm of Andrew Cappocia on the #4 as a sponsor.  Marrone also helps out with sponsorship on Steve Burega’s Pro Stock.

            Lazzaro’s girlfriend Tina Zappia has been a fan of his since she was nine years old.  When she was twenty, they dated a couple of times and after staying away from the races for thirteen years she came back last year.  “And we have been together ever since.”

            Fonda Speedway head starter Dick Sweet said that Lazzaro was one of the first race car drivers that he ever followed from Fonda years ago.  “Just to be the head starter at Fonda and to give him the checkered flag after his feature win was unbelievable.”

            Terri Mohrman who is the EMT Supervisor at the Fonda Speedway said “He is my all time favorite and after he won I was so excited that I couldn’t stand it.”  “I have been coming to Fonda since I was four and he was the first driver that I ever liked.”

            Kathie Traudt has always been a Lazzaro fan through thick and thin since she started coming to Fonda.  “I went to buy a video of his win and I told the person that sold me the video that the last time I bought a video was when he last won back in 1994,” Traudt said.  “They must have told announcer Jim King about that because he made a remark over the public address system that I must be a real fan if that is the only time that I buy a video is when Louie wins.”

            Eleven-year-old A.J. Filbeck thought that Lazzaro winning was alright and that the crowd standing up and cheering like they were was pretty wild.  When asked if he was one of those people that was going wild he said “yes.”

            “I came to Fonda before Lou Lazzaro came to Fonda, right after they opened,” Tony Dunadee said.  “I lived just outside of Utica and when Lazzaro started coming to Fonda I cheered for him because he was a local guy.”

            Dunadee’s family got to know Lazzaro and they have followed him around all of these years.  Dunadee also spent time in the pit area with Lazzaro but when they moved the pits from the infield to where they are now at Fonda he stopped going into the pit area.  He also traveled with Lazzaro when he could.

            “My oldest son predicted that Lazzaro was going to be a good driver and he has cheered for him ever since,” Dunadee said.  “Louie is a born racer.”  Dunadee also said, “the best show in the whole country is at Fonda Speedway.”

            Fonda Speedway track announcer Jim King said that Lou Lazzaro was one of his dad’s best friends.  “The first Modified that Lazzaro ever drove was my dad Bill King’s out of Gloversville,” King said.  “He is a special guy to us, as not only a great race driver but as a family friend.”

            King felt very privileged to be at Fonda to do that race (Lazzaro’s win on May 15), especially to call the end of the race.  King also said that he was glad that Shane (backup announcer Shane Andrews) was there because he was suffering from a bad cold.

            “I got through the first fifteen laps okay, turned it over to Shane for about ten laps, and then he gave it back to me,” King said.  “To call those last few laps was a real opportunity for me as an announcer.”

            Lazzaro’s last win at Fonda in 1994 was also one that King announced, along with many others.  “I was also involved in a lot of them when he raced at the Victoria Speedway on Wednesday nights and we used to pit next to each other,” King said.  “We have always been very close.”

FIRST ANNUAL LOU LAZZARO MEMORIAL THIS SATURDAY AT FONDA - 5/12/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – This Saturday May, 15 one of the most anticipated events of the 2010 racing season will take place at the Fonda Speedway when speedway management along with Melissa Lazzaro and Rainmaker Productions (Matt Noles) presents the first annual Lou Lazzaro Memorial event.

            As a tribute to Lazzaro on Saturday evening the Modifieds will run a 44-lap $4,444.44 to win feature event with a 26 car starting field. All other divisions will also be in action with racing starting at 6:00 p.m.

            Lazzaro was a fixture at the Track of Champions along with many other speedways in the northeast and beyond and the date of May 15 is exactly 11 years to the day since he won his final feature event at the famed Montgomery County Fairgrounds speedway on May 15, 1999.

            Lazzaro’s all time statistics at Fonda include 113 career wins with the first one coming on May 20, 1961. He had a total of 30 racing seasons where he won at least one feature event and he also won a total of four track championships back in 1964, 1969, 1977, & 1978.

Prior to the race on Saturday a Meet & Greet with drivers and fans will be held at the Checkers Out Speedway on Route 30A in Johnstown. Drivers will be on hand to sign autographs and talk with fans from noon to 4:00 p.m. Drivers and fans can race at the track for $10.00 on Saturday afternoon as Checkers Out Speedway owner Don Greco is waving the registration fee and cutting $5 from his normal prices for this special event.

A raffle of racing items will also be held at Checkers Out to help raise the remaining money for the winners share for the Lou Lazzaro Tribute Race. Some of the items available will be Dave Camara stickers, an autographed John Scarborough quarter panel, an autographed C.D. Coville panel, a Lou Lazzaro victory trophy from the 1970’s, a Metal Petals sculpture made of ¼ inch thick steel tube of an old Lazzaro #4 with many more items also available! This event should be a lot of fun and a great time to get re-acquainted with some folks you may have not seen in a while!

Jim King will return to Fonda as the evening’s announcer with Mike Mallett along side.  Jim will be reading the Eulogy that he wrote and read at Lazzaro’s funeral. A moment of silence will also be observed in order to read the names of drivers who have passed away that have given the Fonda Speedway the name it currently holds as the “Track of Champions”.

There will be vintage race cars on display from the Mid State Antique Stock Car Club and the Mid State Vintage Stock Car Club. Mr. Ken Goewey will also be bringing his vintage midget and sprint car for display. These cars will get some “non-competitive” time on the track to run a few laps as well.

There will also be a “DASH 4 CASH”. The dash for cash is a special race in memory of “The Monk” Lou Lazzaro which will feature former Fonda Speedway Track Champions that are still active. They are Jack Johnson, Dave Lape, Bobby Varin, Dave Camara, Matt DeLorenzo, and Jeff Trombley. One other driver will also make the field by a special “fan vote.” This eight lap event is a winner take all $444.44 to win event sponsored by Rainmaker Productions (Matt Noles).

THUNDER SERIES EVENTS FOR THE SPORTSMAN AND PRO STOCK DIVISIONS HIGHLIGHT THIS SATURDAY’S RACING PROGRAM AT FONDA - 5/3/10

By: Ron Szcerba

FONDA, NY – On Saturday May, 8 the first in a series of Sportsman and Pro Stock events in the Best of Four Thunder Series will take place at the Fonda Speedway. The series is a joint venture between the Fonda and Utica Rome Speedways with a separate set of points being kept for the series events with the point champion in both the Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions receiving $1,000 while the second and third place finishers will receive $600 and $400 respectively.

            Only one of the Thunder on the Thruway Series Sportsman events was run last season at Fonda with Luke Munroe the winner of the event while the second race in the series was rained out. One event was held at Utica Rome as well with Jason Rood taking home the win. In 2009 Fonda Speedway regulars David Towns and Mark Kislowski shared the Thunder Series Sportsman title after tying each other in the final point standings.

            With all of the rain outs between the two tracks last season Tom Denton was the winner of the only Thunder on the Thruway Pro Stock Series event held which was run at Utica Rome with no champion being determined in 2009.

            The 2010 Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series already got underway on Sunday April, 25 at the Utica Rome Speedway with Brett Hearn taking the $5,000 win followed by Tim Fuller, Jimmy Phelps, Bobby Varin, and Pat Ward. Fonda regulars in the field and their finishes included Ronnie Johnson (ninth), Danny Varin (11^th), Jeff Trombley (12^th), Jim Davis (14^th), and Matt DeLorenzo (17^th). The point champion in the Modified Thunder Series will receive $8,000 at seasons end.

            The remainder of the Thunder on the Thruway Series Modified events will be held at Fonda on Saturday June, 5 (50-lap $5,000 to win); 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 on Thursday June, 24 (50-lap $5,00 to win); Thursday July, 29 (50-lap $5,000 to win); and Sunday August, 22 (50-lap $5,000 to win).

            The other Thunder on the Thruway Series Sportsman event at Fonda will be held on Sunday September, 26 while the two events at Utica Rome will be held on Sunday August, 22 and Friday September, 10.

            The other Thunder on the Thruway Series Pro Stock event at Fonda will be held on Sunday September, 26 while the two events at Utica Rome will be run on Tuesday July, 13 and Friday September, 10.

VARIN FIRST TO DOUBLE UP IN 2010 AT FONDA - 5/1/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On Saturday evening at the Fonda Speedway defending Modified Track Champion Bobby Varin took his second win of the season at the Montgomery Fairgrounds ½ mile track, taking the lead just before the halfway point in the 30-lap event and going on to his 43^rd career win at the Track of Champions. It was a special victory for Varin who is now tied with the legendary Bill Wimble in the seventh spot on the All Time Modified Win List at Fonda.

            “This win is special and it feels great because the race track was a tough one again tonight,” Varin said. “The reason that it is so special is because it ties me on the All Time Win List with one of my all time heroes Bill Wimble.”

            Other winners on a special evening of racing at Fonda that saw two of the features decided on the final lap of the event were David Towns (Sportsman), John Scarborough (Limited Sportsman 602 Crate), Roy Fifield (Pro Stock), and Rob VanAernam (Street Stock).

            Ronnie Holmes and the legendary Dave Lape started the Modified feature event on the front row with Holmes grabbing the early lead while Craig Hanson bolted into the second position from his second row starting position. After starting seventh Danny Varin was the car on the move early as he took over the second position from Hanson on lap three. One lap later Danny Varin was the new race leader after getting by Holmes for the spot in turn four.

            After starting in the sixth position A.J. Romano was the new third place car on lap six with Bobby Varin fourth after starting 10^th with the yellow flag out for a wreck in turn one involving last week’s winner Ronnie Johnson, Ryan Odasz, Paul Cirincione, and Jeremy Wilder. Nobody was injured in the wreck but Cirincione and Wilder were both done for the evening while Johnson and Odasz were able to pit and continue on at the rear of the field.

            On the restart, Romano took over the second position while Bobby Varin made a three wide move in turn four to take over the third spot with Romano getting by Danny Varin for the lead on the high side of turn four on lap seven. By lap 11 Romano had built up a straightaway lead over Bobby Varin who was now in the second spot with Danny Varin third and Jim Davis fourth after starting 15^th.

            The red flag was out on lap 13 for a two car crash in turn four involving Darwin Greene and Alton Palmer. Coming out of turn four something broke on the Greene #1 slowing him down considerably with Palmer going over his front end and launching in the air, flipping over into the infield. Neither driver was injured.

            On the restart Romano chose the outside lane with Bobby Varin alongside and when the green flag flew it was Bobby Varin who was the new race leader.

            “I knew that A.J. would take the outside on the restart as he is a tough competitor and likes to run the cushion,” Varin said. “Under the caution I tried to pick spots on the track where I could run so that I could get underneath A.J. in turn four and coming out of the turn I could pull in front of him and it all worked out for me.”

            While Bobby Varin pulled away to a big lead Davis and a new challenger Matt DeLorenzo were both moving through the field. Davis took over the second position at the halfway point with DeLorenzo fourth after starting 11^th. With a few laps remaining Bobby Varin was in lap traffic but made it through okay as he took the checkered flag for the win in the Dover Brake sponsored #00 Bicknell car followed by Davis, DeLorenzo, Romano, and Danny Varin. Ronnie Johnson who was involved in the early caution made it all the way back up to sixth in the 28 car starting field.

            “A.J. got away from me at one point so I figured that I would just settle in and keep my tires cool so that I could make a run at him at the end,” Varin said. “But that caution worked out for us and was the turning point in the event.”

            Ricky Quick took the lead at the drop of the green flag in the 20-lap Sportsman feature from his outside pole starting position with Chad Edwards second after starting in the second row in the third spot. On lap two Justin Auspelmyer was the new race leader with last week’s winner Luke Munroe in the fourth position after starting eighth.

            David Towns started the event in the seventh position and on lap four used the outside of the speedway to get around both Edwards and Auspelmyer to take over the lead. While Towns was pulling away in the lead Munroe continued his march to the front, taking over the second position on lap 10 but his good run came to an end two laps later as he came to a stop in turn three to bring out the only caution of the event.

            On the restart Towns pulled out to a comfortable lead while Edwards and Quick settled in to the second and third positions. Two drivers that weren’t satisfied with their positions were John McAuliffe and Mark Mortensen who continued to pass cars right up to the checkered flag.

            Towns went on to his first win of the season in the Mell Electric sponsored Groski powered #6 Teo Pro Car and the 35^th of his career moving him up to the third spot on the All Time Sportsman Win List at Fonda. Edwards, Quick, McAuliffe, and Mortensen completed the top five.

            “Last week we struggled with this new car so along with my crew we got together and made a lot of changes to the car this week,” Towns said. “The changes definitely woke the car up as it was really hooked up on the outside of the track.”

            The Limited Sportsman 602 Crate feature event began with Chip Constantino leading early until lap two when Korey Wilder took over the point after starting third. “The Jet” John Scarborough started the event from the inside of the third row and by lap three was already in the second position after getting by Constantino. After a one lap side by side battle for the lead, Scarborough was the new race leader on lap four after getting by Wilder on the inside of turn four.

            Two consecutive yellow flags slowed the field on lap five and when the race got going again Robert Bublac took over the second position from Wilder with Tony Farone following him through for the third spot. At the halfway point of the 20-lap event Scarborough was out to a half straightaway lead but Bublac was closing in quickly and right on Scarborough’s rear bumper by lap 12.

            Using the outside groove to make up time Bublac got by Scarborough for the lead in turn two with Wilder and last week’s winner Jeremiah Munson now in the third and fourth positions. When Bublac got out of shape on the front stretch with a lap car nearby with less than five laps to go it allowed Scarborough to close in and on the final lap the yellow flag flew for Brittany Liggett who came to a stop on the front stretch.

            On the restart Scarborough took over the lead and went on to the win, his first of the season and the first of his career in this division. Bublac, Munson, Wilder, and Derrick McGrew completed the top five.

            “He (Bublac) ran a heck of a race,” Scarborough said in victory lane. “He got away from me and that yellow flag was the saving grace of the race for me. On the restart I knew that I only had one shot going into turn four and I took advantage of it. I believe that this division (602 crate) is the division of the future but I’m not sure if it is the division of the future for the Jet.”

            Chucky Dumblewski and defending track champion Kenny Gates took turns leading lap one before Dumblewski settled into the lead on lap two after a side by side battle. Roy Fifield started the event in the third row in position six and by lap four he was already in the fourth spot.

            Two laps later Fifield got by Pete Broderson for the third position while Rocky Warner and last week’s winner Nick Stone were side by side for the fourth spot. Gates was able to close in on Dumblewski who at one point had a nice lead built up and with five laps to go there was a four car race for the lead between Dumblewski, Gates, Fifield, and Warner.

            Coming out of turn four to the white flag Warner was three wide with Gates and Fifield for the second position and by the time the leaders went into turn three Dumblewski, Warner, Gates, Fifield, and Stone had a five car battle going to the checkered flag.

            Going into turn four to the checkered flag Fifield swung around the outside of Gates, Warner, and Dumblewski to take the exciting win, his first of 2010 and the 15^th of his career at Fonda. Dumblewski, Warner, Gates, and Stone completed the top five.

            “That was an awesome race,” Fifield said in victory lane. “I knew that it would be a tough race and coming down to the wire four wide I didn’t know if I could make the outside work but it did.”

            Defending Track Champion Jeremy Cramer led the 10 car UMP Modified field to the green flag taking the lead at the start of the 15-lap event. On the inside of turn four on lap two, George Catanzano was the new race leader and after a side by side battle for the lead Cramer took over the point on lap five.

            A yellow flag on the final lap for Howard Smith who came to a stop in turn three took away the straightaway lead that Cramer had built up and gave Catanzano one last shot at the win. Going into turn four after the restart Cramer and Catanzano were side by side with contact made but it was Cramer who hung on in the outside groove to take the win over Catanzano, last week’s winner Kevin Buff, Danny Ballard, and Dan Hartgraves.

            For Cramer it was his first win of the 2010 season and the 20^th of his career at Fonda.

            “I was a little bit disappointed that the yellow came out as I was already in turn three when it did,” Cramer said. “I knew that George was going to be there and anytime you can beat him it is a great accomplishment. A month ago I didn’t even know if I was going to be able to race this year and last week I didn’t know which way was up as the car just wouldn’t turn for me. I didn’t know if it was the car or if it was me that was rusty but I have to thank my family as we made a lot of changes to the car this week in order to get here to victory lane.”

            Neil Cosselman led lap one of the Street Stock feature with Dennis Joslin in the second position. Just as Joslin was taking the lead on lap two the yellow flag flew keeping Cosselman in the lead for a little while longer. On the restart Joslin was the new race leader with Dan Pollock the new second place car.

            By lap three Rob VanAernam and last week’s winner and defending track champion Cassidy Wilson were up to the second and third positions respectively with VanAernam the new race leader on lap four. Wilson followed VanAernam by Joslin for the second position and on the outside of turn four on lap nine Wilson was the new race leader after VanAernam was blocked by a lap car.

            Going into turn three on lap 10 something broke in Wilson’s car and he drove to the pit area handing the lead back to VanAernam who went on to the win, his first of the season and the 24^th of his career at Fonda over Chuck McSpirit, Reuben Kennedy Jr., Pollock, and Cosselman.

            “I wasn’t sure what to do with the lap cars,” VanAernam said. “I got so low under one of them that I ended up in the infield on the backstretch but that was when I saw Cassidy (Wilson) drive to the pit area I knew that I would be okay.”

RONNIE JOHNSON USES MOMENTUM TO TAKE FONDA WIN - 4/24/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Using momentum gained after a victory on Friday evening at the Accord Speedway, Ronnie Johnson took a very fast B-Dry sponsored #2RJ Teo Pro Car to victory lane at the Fonda Speedway on Saturday night for the 13^th time in his career at the Track of Champions.

            “My father was in turn three and during the last caution period he was giving me signals to go low on the speedway,” Johnson said in victory lane. “That was the key to the win as I was able to change my groove and stay ahead the rest of the way.”

            A busy evening at Fonda saw 145 cars in the pit area for the seven division racing program with winners in other divisions including Luke Munroe (Sportsman), Jeremiah Munson (Limited Sportsman 602 Crate), Nick Stone (Pro Stock), Kevin Buff (UMP), Cassidy Wilson (Street Stock), and John Matrafailo (CRSA Sprints).    

            Heads up starts in all divisions on the opening night of points put Dave Constantino on the front row of the Modified feature with Alan Barker alongside. Constantino took the early lead in the event while Jeff Trombley who started alongside Johnson in the second row went three wide around both Barker and Johnson to take over the second position at the start.

On lap two it was Johnson’s turn to go three wide around both Barker and Trombley to take over the second position with the outside groove working well for him at that point. Coming out of turn two on lap three, Johnson got around Constantino for the lead with Jim Davis now third after starting eighth.

Davis took over the second position on lap five from Constantino who brought out the caution at that point after making contact with the turn one wall. Constantino was not injured but was done for the evening. On the restart Johnson maintained the lead with Dave Camara now in the third position after starting sixth.

Matt DeLorenzo started out the evening in tough fashion after barely qualifying in his heat race and being taken off on a hook after going over the scales to weigh the car. The car was repaired and he started the feature event in the 18^th position, moving in to the eighth position on lap 13 after going three wide around two cars.

At the lap 16 point in the event Davis was right on Johnson’s rear bumper as the leaders were in lap traffic with the final caution of the event coming out on lap 18 when Darwin Greene shredded a right rear tire going into turn one. After the restart Davis stayed right on Johnson’s rear bumper until lap 20 when Davis slid up high in turn two allowing Johnson to get away to a slight advantage.

From there on Johnson drove a smooth race to win the feature event, his first win since McDonald’s weekend in 2008 when he swept the final two events of the season in the same weekend. Davis, Camara, DeLorenzo, and Ryan Odasz completed the top five.

Defending Modified Track Champion Bobby Varin also had a tough night, getting into the turn one wall during his heat race and not qualifying in the event. Varin won the Modified consolation to qualify for the feature event, starting 22^nd and finishing a strong sixth.

            “Jimmy (Davis) kept me on my toes as he is a great competitor,” Johnson said in victory lane. “This win feels great and I hope that 2010 is our year and we can get here a lot more this season.”

Defending Sportsman Track Champion David Towns started on the front row and took the lead at the drop of the green flag in the Sportsman feature. Starting alongside of Towns was Luke Munroe who on lap two took the lead from Towns with a pass on the inside in turn four. Towns didn’t let Munroe get too far ahead of him early in the race and almost came in contact with the wall in turn one a few times while trying to keep pace with the leader.

Munroe was in lap traffic by lap eight and with only four laps to go went three wide to get past two of the lap cars on his way to his sixth career win at Fonda. Towns, Mark Mortensen, Vinny Sanganetti, and Jason Memrick completed the top five in the event.

“This car was a rocket, it always is,” Munroe said in victory lane. “Starting on the outside pole really helped along with the dedication and hard work from my pit crew.”

Robert Bublak took the lead at the drop of the green flag in the Limited Sportsman 602 Crate feature from his pole position start. Before lap one was completed Ray Zemken was the new race leader with a pass coming out of turn four followed by John Scarborough who was the new second place car after starting third.

As Scarborough applied heavy pressure to Zemken for the lead, defending track champion Jeremiah Munson moved into the fourth position on lap six after starting eighth. Two laps later Munson was the new third place car after getting by Korey Wilder while at the same time both Zemken and Scarborough were slowed considerably on the front stretch by the lap car of Matt Johnson.

On lap 13 Zemken made it safely past the lap car of Carol Parker but Scarborough wasn’t as fortunate as the front of his car got hooked to the back of Parker’s car with the two coming to a stop against the wall in turn one as the front end of Parker’s car was heavily damaged. Wilder also ended up in the wall at the same time with heavy damage to the front end of his car as well. Parker and Wilder were done for the evening while Scarborough drove away and continued on at the rear of the field.

When the green flag flew again to restart the event Munson pressured Zemken for the lead, Munson using the outside groove while Zemken stayed in the low to middle groove on the track. Going into turn four on lap 18, Munson got alongside of Zemken with the two touching side bars together with Munson taking over the race lead at that point. Munson went on to his seventh career win at Fonda followed by Zemken, Tony Farone, Derrick McGrew, and Bublac.

“It was pretty nerve racking running the outside like that but it paid off,” Munson said. “The caution helped me as it seemed like the car got better when we went back to racing.”

The Pro Stock feature is always one of the best of the racing program at Fonda on any given night and last Saturday’s feature was no exception. Nick Stone was the leader at the drop of the green flag with Rocky Warner in tow. Warner was able to get alongside of Stone for the lead on laps three and four with Stone able to hang on to the lead during the hard fought battle.

Roy Fifield started the event in the 12^th position and by lap nine was third after getting by defending track champion Kenny Gates who slid way up high on the backstretch. On lap 12 Stone, Warner, and Fifield were three wide in turn four for the lead with Stone again able to hang on to it.

With Warner and Fifield battling side by side for the second position over the final five laps of the race it allowed Stone to pull away for the win, the 24^th of his career at Fonda. Fifield, Warner, Ivan Joslin, and Pete Broderson completed the top five in the event.

“I didn’t like all those cautions,” Stone said after the race was slowed two times by yellow flags. “I got into turn four too hard that one time allowing them (Warner and Fifield) to get underneath me but I knew that if I kept up my momentum on the outside I would be okay.”

Kevin Buff led at the drop of the green flag at the start of the UMP Modified feature event with George Catanzano and Danny Ballard side by side for the second position for most of the event. On lap 12 Catanzano was able to secure the second position away from Ballard and set his sights on Buff who was on cruise control in the lead.

On the final lap of the event Catanzano was right on Buff’s rear bumper but at the checkered flag it was Buff who took the 16^th win of his career at Fonda moving him up to the fourth position on the All Time UMP/IMCA Win List over the late Steve Bidwell who has 15 career wins. Catanzano, Ballard, defending track champion Jeremy Cramer, and Dan Hartgraves completed the top five.

“The car felt real good,” Buff said. “This is a brand new car for me this year and it was awesome. The lap traffic really worried me because I knew that George (Catanzano) had to be back there somewhere but he is great to race with and he definitely keeps you up on the wheel.”

Defending Street Stock Track Champion Cassidy Wilson started the Street Stock feature on the pole and led every lap on his way to his 14^th career win at Fonda. The race was only slowed by one caution on lap one when Neil Cosselman flipped his car into the turn three tire barrier. He was not injured in the wreck.

With Wilson out front the race was for the second position with the car on the move being Dave Horning Sr. who started the event in the ninth spot. By lap seven Horning was challenging Chuck McSpirit for the second position with the two side by side for the spot over the final few laps of the race.

Wilson who travels an hour and a half to race his Street Stock car at Fonda every Saturday evening took home the win followed by McSpirit, Horning, Reuben Kennedy Jr., and Rob VanAernam.

“After wrecking this car in the final race of the season last year we were just hoping that we got it straight over the winter,” Wilson said. “As it turns out the car may be even better now than it was before the wreck last year.”

The CRSA Sprint feature began with Billy Jaycox Jr. in the early lead with Craig Rochelle going from fourth to second by lap two. Jeff VanSteenburg started the event in the fifth position and by lap two he was in the third spot. On lap nine VanSteenburg was in the second position after getting by both a lap car and Rochelle in one quick move.

At the halfway point on lap 10 the red flag was out for VanSteenburg who went over the right rear tire of Jaycox while trying to get alongside of him in turn one. VanSteenburg flipped his car and ended up in the wall but was not injured in the accident. When the yellow flag was thrown Jaycox pitted to check his tire situation after the contact by VanSteenburg handing over the lead to Rochelle.

John Matrafailo was the new second place car on the restart after starting the event in the eighth position and on lap 13 on the inside of turn two he took the lead from Rochelle and went on to the win followed by Rochelle, Matt Tanner, Mike Stelter, and Jim McCaffrey.

“The car was definitely a lot better than the driver was,” Matrafailo said after the win. “To keep me sharp over the winter I spent a lot of time racing at the Checkers Out Speedway.”

Next Saturday at Fonda a regular show in all division is on the racing card plus Kiddie Rides with a starting time of 6:00 p.m.

$20,500 POINT FUND ANNOUNCED FOR 2010 THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY MODIFIED SERIES – 4/17/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On the eve of the first Thunder on the Thruway Modified Series event at the Utica Rome Speedway on Sunday April, 18 Fonda Speedway promoter Ric Lucia and Utica Rome Speedway promoter Gene Cole announced the point fund for the 2010 Thunder on the Thruway Series of events which will be held between the two speedways this year in the Modified, Sportsman, and Pro Stock divisions.

            The 2010 Thunder on the Thruway Series Modified Champion will receive $8,000 while positions two through six in the final point standings will receive $5,000; $3,000; $2,000; $1,500; and $1,000 respectively.

            A Best of Four Series for both the Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions will also be held this year between the two tracks with the point champions in both divisions receiving $1,000 while the second and third positions in the final point standings will receive $600 and $400 respectively.

            Separate points will be kept for the series which will determine the three Thunder on the Thruway Series Champions in the three different divisions.

             2010 will be the second season that Lucia and Cole have worked together on the Thunder on the Thruway Series with Bobby Varin claiming last years Modified championship while David Towns and Mark Kislowski tied for the Sportsman title.

            With all of the rain outs between the two tracks last season Tom Denton was the winner of the only Thunder on the Thruway Series event held which was run at Utica Rome.

            Last years Thunder on the Thruway Series Modified events at Fonda were won by Tony Pepicelli and Matt DeLorenzo while two other events were rained out with Bobby Varin and Willy Decker taking home victories in the two series events that were held at Utica Rome.

            Only one of the Thunder on the Thruway Series Sportsman events was run last season at Fonda with Luke Munroe the winner of the event while the second race in the series was rained out. One event was held at Utica Rome as well with Jason Rood taking home the win.

            This years Thunder on the Thruway Series Modified events will be held at Fonda on Saturday June, 5 (50-lap $5,000 to win); 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 on Sunday April, 18 (50-lap $5,000 to win); Thursday June, 24 (50-lap $5,00 to win); Thursday July, 29 (50-lap $5,000 to win); and Sunday August, 22 (50-lap $5,000 to win).

            2010 Thunder on the Thruway Series Sportsman events will be held at Fonda on Saturday May, 8 and Sunday September, 26 while the two events at Utica Rome will be held on Sunday August, 22 and Friday September, 10.

FONDA SPEEDWAY SUFFERS FIRST RAIN OUT OF 2010 - 4/17/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Due to cold temperatures, wind, and showers the racing program at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway was cancelled on Saturday evening for the first time in 2010.

            The season opener for points in all divisions will now have to wait one more week until Saturday April, 24 when all divisions will be in action along with the Capital Region Sprint Car Agency 305 Sprint Cars in a racing program that will begin at the regular starting time of 6:00 p.m.

            Last year Bobby Varin (Modified), Jeremiah Munson (Limited Sportsman 602 Crate), Jeremy Cramer (IMCA), and Cassidy Wilson (Street Stock) all started out their championship season of 2009 with a win on the opening night of points.

            2009 Sportsman Track Champion David Towns and 2009 Pro Stock Track Champion Kenny Gates finished second and third in their respective divisions on the opening night of points last year while Rocky Warner took his first career feature win in the Pro Stock division on that night.

            Last year the CRSA event was rained out on their original date and run one week later in early May with Dylan Swiernik winning the feature event. This year when the CRSA Sprint cars come to Fonda on Saturday April, 24 the top two finishers from the three heat race qualifying events will run in a special four lap Dash for Cash sponsored by Tom & Debbie Hall of Boice’s Fish Fry in Vail Mills, NY with the payout to the six drivers being $100, $75, $50, and $25 to the final three cars.

            On Saturday April, 24 the Fonda Future’s Kid’s Club will also hold an after Easter, Easter Egg Hunt an event that they weren’t able to hold during the traditional Easter weekend because of the early date of the holiday this year.  So come and "Feel the Thunder" at  Fonda Speedway on Saturday April 24 when racing action resumes at the regular 6:00 p.m. starting time.

VARIN WINS ICE JAM AT FONDA - 4/10/10

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Fonda Speedway opened up their 2010 racing season with the annual “Ice Jam” event on Saturday afternoon and although it was a cold and windy day there was no ice evident as 42 Modifieds attempted to qualify for the 40-lap, $4,000 to win event.  When it was all said and done defending Modified Track Champion Bobby Varin lapped up to the sixth place car as he went on to his 42^nd career win at the Track of Champions in the Dave Cruickshank owned Dover Brake sponsored #00 Bicknell car.

            “We just got this car about three weeks ago so we have been thrashing on it to get it ready,” Varin said in victory lane. “It is tough on a slow track like this to know what line to take but getting through lap traffic was key today as you never know who is behind you or how close they are to you.”

            In other action on Saturday afternoon at Fonda John McAuliffe was the winner of the Limited Sportsman 602 Crate division feature while Rob Yetman took home the victory in a special 12-lap Pro Stock Dash.

            A redraw decided the starting lineup for the “Ice Jam” event after the qualifying events putting Jim Davis and A.J. Romano on the front row. Davis led at the drop of the green flag but lost the lead to Romano before lap one was completed as the outside was the fast way around early on.

            By lap six Romano, Davis, and Varin who was already in the third position after starting sixth were running together for the lead with Varin able to get by Davis for the second spot one lap later while Romano in lap traffic by lap nine. Coming out of turn four to complete lap 10, Varin used the inside groove to take the lead from Romano, a lead that he would not relinquish in the caution free event.

            Dave Camara started the event in the 12^th position and on lap 12 he took over the fourth spot at the same time Davis took over the second position from Romano in lap traffic. At the halfway point in the event Varin held a straightaway lead over Davis, Romano, Camara, and Danny Varin with the leader now in heavy lap traffic.

            Camara made a strong move to get around Romano and two lap cars at the same time to take over the third position on lap 26 while Matt DeLorenzo moved into the top five after starting way back in the 18^th spot. Varin survived heavy lap traffic throughout the remainder of the event and took the win over Davis, Camara, Romano, and DeLorenzo.

            “I just tried to keep the car rolling on the top side of turns one and two but I almost got in the fence late in the race when the top side blew off,” Varin said.

            “The car felt good for the first time out,” Davis said after an impressive second place finish in the Tom & Jackie Sanford owned MP Matt Parenteau Builders sponsored #41. “Finishing second was great and we definitely have a great package here but we have some homework to do to be in the same league as Bobby.”

            “The car was real good and I am very happy with it,” Camara said of the Camara Slate sponsored #26 after his third place finish. “The boys made a bunch of changes to the car just before the feature and I have to thank them for all of their hard work as they get to do all the work on the car while I get to have all of the fun driving it.”

            Regular Sportsman division competitor John McAuliffe led every lap of the Limited Sportsman 602 Crate feature to take his first career win in the class which he was only running in for this week. McAuliffe started on the pole after winning the first heat race in the heads up start feature and once the green flag was thrown the race was for the second position as McAuliffe was on cruise control.

            New 602 Crate division regular John Scarborough started the event in the fifth position and moved up steadily into the second spot by the halfway point as McAuliffe was out to a straightaway lead at that point. McAuliffe fought lap traffic from the halfway point on to the checkered flag but was able to take the win over Scarborough, Ray Zemken, Derrick McGrew, and Korey Wilder.

            “We had the crate motor in the car from Syracuse last year and decided to leave it in just for this week to shake down the new car,” McAuliffe said after the win. “I lost a cylinder in the motor with a couple of laps to go and I was just waiting for someone to come and get by me.”

TRADITIONAL ICE JAM EVENT TO OPEN 2010 RACING SEASON AT FONDA

 By: Ron Szczerba

 FONDA, NY  – On Saturday, April 10 the 40-lap $4000 to win “Ice Jam” event for Modifieds will begin the 59^th year of competition at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway. This year’s event will start at 4:00 p.m. and on the racing card that day along with the Modifieds will be the Limited Sportsman 602 Crate division along with warm-ups for all divisions. The opening day Ice Jam event follows a successful car show at the Rotterdam Square Mall on March 19-21.

            Last year invader Pat Ward bested a 29 car starting field in the Ice Jam feature with Bobby Varin, Michael Storms, Tim Fuller, and Ronnie Johnson completing the top five in the event. Jeremiah Munson was the winner of the 602 Limited Sportsman feature last year, the first win of a six win season on his way to the 2009 602 Limited Sportsman Track Championship.

            In opening day events at Fonda held over the last 58 years, Jack Johnson leads the way with eight opening day victories in 1972, 1976, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1991, 1992, and 1994. Following close behind with seven opening day wins is Lou Lazzaro who won events in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1977, and 1978.

            Two drivers have taken home five opening day wins as Dave Lape (1981, 1984, 1989, 1993, and 1995) and Pete Corey (1955, 1956, 1959, 1962, and 1967) both accomplished the feat. Jeff Trombley has four opening day victories in 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2002 while Bobby Varin (2001, 2005), Jim Luke (1954, 1957), C.D. Coville (1979, 1980), Danny Johnson (1990, 2007), and Pat Ward (1996, 2009) have won two times apiece.

            Drivers who have one victory in opening day events at Fonda are Buddy Shuman (1948), Chuck Kotwica (1953), Irv Taylor (1958), Bill Wimble (1960), Tom Kotary (1961), Ken Shoemaker (1965), Don Wayman (1968), Rene Charland (1970), Maynard Forrette (1973), Dave Pelczar (1974), Pep Pepicelli (1975), Jimmy Horton (1985), Bob McCreadie (1986), Mike Romano (1987), Dave Camara (1998), Brett Hearn (2003), Tim McCreadie (2004), Mitch Gibbs (2006), and Matt DeLorenzo (2008).

FONDA SPEEDWAY RELEASES ROBUST 2010 SCHEDULE

The across-the-board schedule includes 26 events on the card at the Track of Champions.  The season revs up with the 12^th annual Ice Jam 40 lap Modified $4000 to win event on April 10, followed by the Season Points Opener for all divisions on April 17. On Tuesday, July 27, The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Tour invades the Track of Champions for the first time.    

The winged sprint cars will fly around the famous half-mile on April 24, May 29, June 9 and September 25.  We’ll all feel the thunder on Wednesday June 9 when the O’Reilly Allstar Circuit of Champions 410 Sprints land. 

Fonda Speedway and Utica Rome Speedway joined forces again and expanded the Thunder Along the Thruway Series to include eight modified races with a chance to win over $45,000.  Four sportsman Thunder Series events and four pro stock Thunder Series events are also on the card. 

Speedway fans can pay Tribute to Legend Lou Lazzaro on May 15 and Legend Dave Lape on June 5.  On August 14 BBL presents the annual Night of Features with all racers fighting for final points in double feature events. 

The vigorous season wraps up with the McDonalds championship finale weekend on September 25-26.  The ESS Sprint champion will be determined on the 25^th and following the 100 lap modified race, the Thunder Along the Thruway Series champions will be crowned on the 26^th.

Check out the Fonda Speedway 2010 racing machines March 19-21 at the Rotterdam Square Mall annual car show. 

FONDA SPEEDWAY STARTS 2010 RACING SEASON WITH ANNUAL CAR SHOW

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – On Friday, March 19 through Sunday, March 21 the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway will present their annual car show at the Rotterdam Square Mall. The car show is a great time to meet your favorite driver, get his or her autograph, and see all of the new race cars and paint schemes before they get on the race track for the 2010 racing season. Schedule cards will be available at the car show so that you can keep track of all of the exciting events coming up at Fonda for 2010.

The car show will pave the way for the annual “Ice Jam” event to open the 2010 season in early April when the 59^th consecutive season of racing begins at the Fonda Fairgrounds ½ mile track. The car show is one of the busiest weekends of the year at the Rotterdam Square Mall with the crowds at the mall for the show reminding you of the crowds that you see during the Christmas shopping season.

The 2010 schedule is currently being finalized and will be out very soon. To reserve your spot at the annual car show at the Rotterdam Square Mall you can call the Fonda Speedway office at 382-3115.

On Saturday, March 13 and Sunday, March 14 the Fonda Speedway will also be represented out at the Motorsports Expo car show in the Center of Progress Building at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY. The show is put on by the Gater Racing News publication and is one of the largest shows out in the Central New York area.