THE FONDA SPEEDWAY CAR SHOW IS ONLY THREE WEEKS AWAY

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – After a successful banquet at the Turning Stone Casino & Resort in Verona, NY honoring the 2022 Fonda Speedway Track Champions, the focus turns to the 2023 season which begins with the Fonda Speedway Car Show at the Viaport Rotterdam on Thursday, March 23 through Sunday, March 26.

The car show is a great time to show off your cars and paint schemes for the 2023 racing season and is great exposure for all of the sponsors on your race car as well.

If you are interested in displaying your car at the show, please contact Jamie Page at (607) 760-0671 or by email jpage15@stny.rr.com Move in time is Thursday, March 23 after 7:00 p.m. while move out time is Sunday, March 26 after 5:00 p.m.

Everyone that plans on attending the Fonda Speedway Car Show at the Viaport Rotterdam needs to print and fill out the form at the link https://www.thefondaspeedway.com/…/2023-Fonda-Speedway… Please turn in the form when you arrive at the show.

Attention Fonda Speedway Teams: Have you applied for your NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series license yet?

Who needs to apply? Amsterdam Truck Center Modified, Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman and Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock drivers ONLY are required to have a NASCAR license. Licenses can be purchased at the following link https://license.nascar.com/

Modified Drivers – NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series – Full Season – Feature Division Driver License.

Crate 602 Sportsman and Pro Stock Drivers – NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series – Full Season – Charger Division Driver License.

Crew and Owner NASCAR Licenses are optional. All NASCAR license holders will receive $5 off at the pit gate.

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman, Fonda Fair Four Cylinders and touring divisions will not be required to possess a NASCAR license.

Five for Four Pit Area Season Pass Special is Winding Down

Every off-season, BD Motorsports Media LLC at Fonda Speedway and Utica-Rome Speedway offer a “Five-for-Four” special for Pit Area Season Passes. Purchase four pit area season passes, receive one free of charge for the 2023 campaign.

This promotion will continue through the Fonda Speedway Race Car Show at the Viaport Rotterdam March 24-26, only.

These passes can be purchased online (complete four names) at the following link https://shopstss.com/…/2023-fonda-speedway-season-pit-pass then send an e-mail to fondaspdwy@gmail.com with the fifth name.

All NASCAR licenses, pit area, and grandstand passes will be available at the Fonda Speedway car show, Thursday, March 23 through Sunday, March 26 at Viaport Rotterdam.

All divisions at the Fonda Speedway for the 2023 season will be eligible to attend the car show with division sponsors for the 2023 season including the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman, the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, and the Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.

Also attending the Fonda Speedway car show will be the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS) with their “Vintage Alley”. The thirteen drivers who will be showing off their cars at the Fonda Speedway car show as they represent the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS) are:

Mike Francisco #78M from Fort Hunter, NY

John Wood #76 from Delanson, NY

Chris Cross #07 from Delanson, NY

Wayde Seaburg #44 from Glenville, NY

Pete Nowicki Jr. #33X from Norwich, NY

Cory Briggs #8 from Cobleskill, NY

John Roese #28 from Middleburgh, NY

Cliff Haslun #58 from Esperance, NY

Phil Beaver #36 from Canajoharie, NY

Ed Docskalik #03 from Richmondville, NY

Dan Karl #722 from Lower Rotterdam Junction, NY

Doug Mathewson #33M from Broadalbin, NY

Joe Rando #22 from Johnstown, NY

Since 1953, the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Under the management of BD Motorsports Media LLC, the speedway will operate weekly on Saturday nights from April through August plus several special events. Fonda Speedway is located on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds off New York State Thruway Exit No. 28 at 21 S. Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068.

Fonda Speedway is on the web at www.thefondaspeedway.com. To learn more, call the office at 518.915.4395, like Fonda Speedway on Facebook www.facebook.com/thefondaspeedwy or follow the speedway on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

Fonda & Utica-Rome Speedways Close Curtain on 2022 Season with Awards Banquet

Written by Chris Moore

VERONA, NY – Fonda and Utica-Rome speedways officially put the lid on the 2022 season with the season ending Awards Banquet.

The event took place at the luxurious Turning Stone Casino & Resort in Verona, N.Y.

More than $114,000 in point fund money was distributed by BD Motorsports Media LLC.

Competitors at both speedways who finished in the top-10 in their respective divisions were awarded trophies and photographed as a group.

The Utica-Rome Speedway Slingshot competitors were honored first as Blake Banek ($250) was the champion of the D&S Landscaping Junior Slingshots and Brett Putnam ($500) was the champion of the Senior Services Inc. All-Star Slingshots.

The Fonda Fair Four Cylinder divisions at each track were honored next. Matt Bukovan (Dual Cam) and Hunter Tarbania (Single Cam) represented Utica-Rome Speedway while the brothers Ken Hollenbeck (Single Cam) and Kerrie Hollenbeck (Dual Cam) were the champions of Fonda Speedway. All four champions received $400.

Following presentations to the Slingshot and Four Cylinder competitors the promoter of both speedways, Brett Deyo, stepped to the podium for his annual speech.

“We’re here for the long haul, we’re in this together for an extended period of time,” Deyo said. “I appreciate you guys working with us through some of the shortages we had this year, it sucked but we made it work.”

Deyo also announced a target date of this summer to officially purchase Utica-Rome Speedway from the Cole family.

Following Deyo’s speech, the award ceremony resumed.

Seth Martin took home $500 as the champion of the Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman at Utica-Rome Speedway. Zach Dufel followed as the champion of the Montgomery County Office of the Aging Limited Sportsman at Fonda Speedway and received a $500 payout.

The Pro Stocks were up next and Grand Gorge, N.Y.’s Beau Ballard received his second consecutive Next Generation Graphix Pro Stock championship at Utica-Rome Speedway and a $1,000 top prize.

Nick Stone, of Schenectady, N.Y., was honored for another impressive Fonda Speedway season with a $1,500 payout as the champion of the Algonkin Motel Pro Stock division.

Durhamville, N.Y.’s Matt Janczuk added another Utica-Rome Speedway championship to his name, claiming $1,500 as he topped the Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman division.

Janczuk was also touted as the American Racer Cup Sportsman champion for the second consecutive season, claiming another $2,000 title.

“We’ve got a good field at Utica, everybody stepped their game up to get better,” Janczuk proclaimed. “It just motivates me to keep getting better.”

South New Berlin, N.Y. native Payton Talbot nabbed his first career track championship in the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman division at Fonda Speedway. Talbot’s efforts awarded him with a $2,000 payday of his own.

“We had some luck on our side, I remember early in the season being crashed into the wall thinking we were done. We made it back out and got sixth that night,” Talbot said of his incredible consistency. “The goal is to come back next year and be even better.”

Following the Crate 602 Sportsman awards presentation, attention turned to honor the top 10 in the F.X. Caprara Car Companies Thunder on the Thruway standings for the Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman, and Pro Stocks.

Nick Stone grabbed another payday, taking home $1,000 as the Thunder on the Thruway Pro Stock champion.

Payton Talbot joined Stone in being honored twice, claiming the Thunder on the Thruway Crate 602 Sportsman title and the $1,000 to boot.

Alex Yankowski of Covington Township, Pa., claimed a $4,000 paycheck for his first career Thunder on the Thruway Sunoco Modified championship.

“Utica is awesome. I love Fonda too, but I just don’t think it loves me that much,” Yankowski said of his Thunder on the Thruway title. “Fortunately, it was kind enough for us to win this championship.”

Following the F.X. Caprara Car Companies Thunder on the Thruway presentations, Jackie Lape and the rest of the Lape Family presented a special Dave Lape Memorial award to Bobby Varin.

“This is an honor. I never feel like I belong with the names on the win list, and now to receive this award is very special to me,” Varin said of receiving the first-ever Dave Lape Memorial Award.

The Sunoco Modified champions at each track were crowned following the Dave Lape Memorial award presentation.

Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard garnered $6,000 for his second consecutive and sixth overall Utica-Rome Speedway track championship on the strength of his 11-win campaign.

“We hit on something pretty good early in the year and that carried us to a lot of wins. My team just worked really hard, and it was truly a dream season,” Sheppard said of his season.

Sheppard also thanked Brett and Heather Deyo for their contributions at Utica-Rome Speedway.

“Thanks to Brett and Heather and the whole Utica staff. It’s awesome to see a track that was almost closed opened back up and thriving like it is.”

On the Fonda side, Cropseyville, N.Y.’s Matt DeLorenzo received $10,000 for his first track championship at Fonda since 2007.

“I wasn’t planning on racing every week, but that went down the drain after I ran so well early in the season,” DeLorenzo explained. “Thanks to my wife and kids for putting up with me racing so much, but it worked out for the best. It means a lot to be back here as a champion.”

Fonda and Utica-Rome Speedways open the 2023 racing season with open practices on April 14 (Utica-Rome) and April 15 (Fonda) before racing begins the following weekend.

Utica-Rome Speedway is located at 5591 NY-5 (Seneca Turnpike) Vernon, NY 13476. The official website is www.uticaromespeedway.com and the speedway can be reached by phone at 315.953.4097.  Like Utica-Rome Speedway on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @UR_Speedway.

Since 1953, the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Under the management of BD Motorsports Media LLC, the speedway will operate weekly on Saturday nights from April through August plus several special events. Fonda Speedway is located on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds off New York State Thruway Exit No. 28 at 21 S. Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068.

Fonda Speedway is on the web at www.thefondaspeedway.com. To learn more, call the office at 518.915.4395, like Fonda Speedway on Facebook www.facebook.com/thefondaspeedwy or follow the speedway on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

2022 FONDA SPEEDWAY-UTICA ROME SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONS TO BE HONORED AT THE ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET THIS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – On Friday February 24, BD Motorsports Media LLC will celebrate the 2022 racing season as they honor the 2022 Fonda Speedway-Utica Rome Speedway Track Champions at the annual awards banquet. The Fonda Speedway-Utica Rome Speedway “Night of Champions” festivities will be held for the first time ever at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.

The Champions of the six race 2022 Thunder on the Thruway Series between the two tracks will also be honored at the banquet on Friday evening. Tickets are $60 per person and can be purchased at the following link: https://shopstss.com/store-1/fonda-speedway-utica-rome-speedway-thunder-on-the-thruway-series-awards-banquet-1 Due to limited space, divisional and Thunder on the Thruway Series champions will be permitted a total of four (4) guests. All others will be limited to the driver plus a guest.

Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. and the awards ceremonies to follow.

2022 FONDA SPEEDWAY TRACK CHAMPIONS

MATT DELORENZO will be crowned as the 2022 Sunoco Modified Track Champion at the banquet after a five-win season led him to the crown. DeLorenzo was also crowned as the Big Block Modified Track Champion at Fonda back in 2007 along with two Track Championships in the 358-Modified division back in 2004 and 2006.

PAYTON TALBOT will be crowned as the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman champion for the first time in his career at Fonda after a three-win season with two sixth place finishes being his worst finishes of the entire season!

NICK STONE will be crowned as the Algonkin Motel Pro Stock Track Champion for the fourth time in his career in the division at Fonda after a ten-win season in 2022. His other championship years were back in 2014, 2020, and 2021.

ZACH DUFEL will be crowned as a first time Track Champion in the Montgomery County Office of the Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman division after a five-win season in 2022.

Two brothers will be crowned as the 2022 Fonda Fair Four Cylinder Track Champions at Fonda with KEN HOLLENBACK winning the SOHC Championship while KERRIE HOLLENBACK was the DOHC Champion. Ken was a 16-time race winner in 2022 with previous Track Championships in the division coming back in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Kerrie was a 13-time race winner in 2022 with a previous championship in the division coming back in 2013 in the DOHC class.

2022 UTICA ROME SPEEDWAY TRACK CHAMPIONS

MATT SHEPPARD won 11 times in 2022 at Utica Rome and will be crowned the 2022 Sunoco Modified Track Champion after previous championships at the track back in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2021 in the Big Block Modified class along with a 358-Modified Track Championship back in 2002.

MATT JANCZUK was also an 11-time feature winner in 2022 at Utica Rome in the Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman division and will be crowned champion after previous championships in the division back in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. He was also crowned the Utica Rome Track Champion in the Open Sportsman division back in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

BEAU BALLARD will be crowned as the Next Generation Graphix Pro Stock Track Champion for the second time in his career after winning the title back in 2021. Ballard was a five-time winner at Utica Rome in 2022.

SETH MARTIN will be crowned as a first-time champion in the Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman division after a six-win season in 2022.

MATT BUKOVAN (DOHC) & HUNTER TARBANIA (SOHC) are the Fonda Fair Four Cylinder Track Champions for 2022 at Utica Rome as both drivers celebrate their first career titles. Bukovan was a three-time feature winner during the 2022 season at Utica Rome while Tarbania was a four-time winner.

BRETT PUTNAM will be crowned the 2022 Senior Services Inc. All-Star Slingshot Champion after a four-win season. He was also the champion in the division back in 2021.

BLAKE BANEK is a first time Track Champion in the D&S Landscaping Junior Slingshot division after a three-win season in 2022.

2022 F.X. CAPRARA CAR COMPANIES THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY SERIES CHAMPIONS

ALEX YANKOWSKI will be crowned as a first time Thunder Series Champion in the Modified division with consistent finishes without a series victory.

PAYTON TALBOT will be crowned as a first time Thunder Series Campion in the Crate 602 Sportsman division after one win in the six-race series.

NICK STONE will be crowned as a two-time Thunder Series Champion in the Pro Stock division after four series wins in 2022.

The following evening Saturday, February 25 the Turning Stone Resort Casino will host the 2022 Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco “Night of Champions”.

Fonda Speedway is located at 21 Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068 and is on the web at www.thefondaspeedway.com

Utica-Rome Speedway is located at 5591 NY-5 (Seneca Turnpike) Vernon, NY 13476 and is on the web at www.uticaromespeedway.com

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com

Locked In: NASCAR Weekly Series Sanctioning set for BD Motorsports Media LLC Facilities

MILLSBORO, DE – Locked in.

All four BD Motorsports Media LLC facilities – Fonda and Utica-Rome speedways in New York, Delaware International and Georgetown speedways in Delaware – will operate under NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series sanctioning for 2023.

BD Motorsports Media LLC owner Brett Deyo “made it official” with NASCAR’s Brett Tisdale, Senior Manager Weekly Racing Operations, during a NASCAR Home Tracks meeting at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., last Wednesday.

“We’re very proud to have each of our historic facilities integrated into NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season,” Deyo said. “The benefits for our racers, the excitement of our drivers competing on a national stage for our fans, and the support from NASCAR for our facilities is taking all four tracks to a higher level.”

Competitors in sanctioned divisions at the four facilities will now be eligible for additional point fund money via National, Regional, State and Track avenues.

Sanctioned divisions at each speedway are as follows:

  • Delaware International Speedway – Modified (Division I) & Crate 602 Sportsman (Division II)
  • Fonda Speedway – Amsterdam Truck Center Modified (Division I), Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman (Division II) & Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock (Division III)
  • Georgetown Speedway – Modified (Division I) & Blue Hen Dispose-All Crate 602 Sportsman (Division II)
  • Utica-Rome Speedway – Sunoco Modified (Division I), Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman (Division II) & Next Generation GraphiX Pro Stocks (Division III)

Drivers in NASCAR-sanctioned divisions are required to possess a current NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series license to compete.

Licenses are on sale now at: https://license.nascar.com/ with a price break for those purchasing online.

Regular Modified (Division I) drivers must purchase a NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series – Full Season – Feature Division Driver License.

Regular Crate 602 Sportsman (Division II) and Pro Stock (Division III) must purchase a NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series – Full Season Charger Division Driver License.

Only the driver is required to possess a NASCAR license. However, team owners and crew members may purchase a NASCAR license for additional insurance benefits.

All NASCAR license holders will receive a $5 discount on pit admission at each venue.

Drivers are not required to possess more than one NASCAR license. Licenses are valid at all sanctioned speedways.

Drivers purchasing a NASCAR license will not be required to buy a Fonda/Utica-Rome license to receive point fund money.

For drivers making only one-off starts at each of the tracks in sanctioned divisions, 15-day and single-event licenses will be available at reduced rates.

Only drivers in the divisions listed above will be required to possess a NASCAR license.

2023 Season Opener dates are as follows:

  • Delaware International – Friday, March 31, Jake Marine Memorial Modified event paying Modifieds $8,500 to win plus Crate 602 Sportsman, Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars, Little Lincolns, Delaware Super Trucks and Delmarva Chargers
  • Fonda Speedway – Saturday, April 22, Jack Johnson Memorial Montgomery County Open paying Amsterdam Truck Modifieds $12,000 to win plus Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders
  • Georgetown Speedway – Friday, April 7, Modifieds $3,000 to win plus Rapid Tire USAC East Coast Sprint Cars, Blue Hen Dispose-All Crate 602 Sportsman, Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars, Little Lincolns, Delaware Super Trucks and Delmarva Chargers
  • Utica-Rome Speedway – Friday, April 21, Alex Friesen Remembered Modifieds $6,800 to win plus Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman, Next Generation GraphiX Pro Stocks, Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders

Delaware International Speedway is located at 37854 Sussex Highway Delmar, DE 19940. Like “Delaware International Speedway” on Facebook while a new website is constructed.

Fonda Speedway is located at 21 Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068 and is on the web at www.thefondaspeedway.com.

Georgetown Speedway is located at 22206 Speedway Road Georgetown, DE 19947 and is on the web at www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com.

Utica-Rome Speedway is located at 5591 NY-5 (Seneca Turnpike) Vernon, NY 13476 and is on the web at www.uticaromespeedway.com.

WHAT DOES THE NASCAR SANCTIONING IN 2023 MEAN FOR THE DRIVERS AT THE BD MOTORSPORTS PROMOTED TRACKS

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – Recently announced by BD Motorsports Media LLC, a trio of historic dirt tracks in the Northeast will join the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series (NAAPWS) for the upcoming 2023 season. Delaware’s Georgetown Speedway and New York’s Utica-Rome and Fonda Speedways, which are operated by promoter Brett Deyo, are the latest facilities to become NASCAR sanctioned.

Benefits are insurance for NASCAR license holders and additional point money.

“I’ve been looking at the option (to sanction with NASCAR) for the past couple of years,” said Deyo in a recent release. “For Fonda and Utica-Rome, we have the same core racers that run both nights, Friday night at Utica-Rome and Saturday night at Fonda. It gives them an opportunity to run for a state championship, the regional championship, and the national championship.”

“From the Georgetown perspective, there is more growth here,” Deyo continued. “We have a more ambitious schedule than we’ve run (recently). We’ve been a part-time track since 2016. We’re still not weekly at Georgetown, but we are racing more than we have in the past.”

Georgetown Speedway, located in Georgetown, Delaware, was constructed in 1949 by businessman Melvin L. Joseph. The track will host races on Thursday and Friday nights this year in addition to special events.

Utica-Rome Speedway, located in Vernon, New York, was built in 1961 by Joe Lesik as a quarter-mile asphalt oval before being transformed into a dirt track in 1979. Known as the “Home of Heroes”, Utica-Rome will host weekly racing on Fridays throughout the upcoming season.

Fonda Speedway, located in Fonda, New York, opened in 1953 and continues to operate today as a half-mile dirt oval. Dubbed “The Track of Champions”, Fonda played host to four NASCAR Cup Series races in the 1950s and 1960s. Those events, known as the Fonda 200, were won by Junior Johnson in 1955, David Pearson in 1966, and Richard Petty in 1967 & 1968.

For the 2023 season at the Fonda Speedway, the Amsterdam Truck Center Modified, Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman and Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock divisions will be sanctioned by NASCAR as part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series (NAAPWS).

The Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds at Fonda will be listed as Division I and competitors will be eligible for National, Regional, State/Provincial and Track Championships, Rookie of the Year Honors, and ranking nationally in the Top-100 drivers. 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 only will be required to obtain a NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Feature Division license.

Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman at Fonda will be listed as Division II and will be eligible for National, Regional, and Track championships and ranking nationally in the Top-100 drivers. 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 only will be required to obtain a NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Charger Division license.

Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks at Fonda will be listed as Division III and will be eligible for National, Regional, and Track championships and ranking nationally in the Top-100 drivers. 𝙋𝙧𝙤 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 only will be required to obtain a NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Charger Division license.

All other divisions competing at Fonda will not be required to purchase a NASCAR license.

Licenses are available now at the following link: https://license.nascar.com/

A single NASCAR license can be utilized for both the Fonda Speedway and the Utica-Rome Speedway.

NASCAR Owner and Crew Member licenses are available online for those wishing to purchase a license.

NASCAR license holders will receive additional insurance benefits and $5 off pit admission at every Fonda Speedway event.

Fonda Speedway licenses remain available and offer $5 off pit admission at every Fonda Speedway event.

NASCAR license holders will not be required to hold a Fonda Speedway license to receive point fund money.

ABOUT THE SERIES

For more than 40 years, racing at short tracks throughout the country have provided the foundation for NASCAR. The NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series (NAAPWS) is NASCAR’s National Championship program for short-track racing. Each year, nearly 10,000 people compete at NASCAR-sanctioned short-tracks throughout the U.S. and Canada. The NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series crowns champions at a track, state, and provincial, regional, and national level.

The NAAPWS includes nearly 50 different and unique tracks that provide the stage for local hometown drivers to gain popularity among the community. These tracks spread across 25 states and 4 provinces, with drivers able to gain competition points at any of the NASCAR-sanctioned tracks within them. The inclusion of both asphalt and dirt tracks allows for a variety of cars to be raced weekly.

SERIES BREAKDOWN

The NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series program is comprised of multiple divisions of competing classes, enabling competitors to move up the ladder as they progress for the opportunity to compete for the title.

DIVISION I (Modifieds) – As the feature division of the series, drivers compete for National, Regional, State/Provincial, and Track Championships, Rookie of the Year honors, and ranking nationally in the Top 100 drivers.

DIVISION II (Crate 602 Sportsman) and DIVISION III (Pro Stocks) – Drivers in these divisions compete for National, Regional, and Track Championships, and ranking nationally in the Top 100 drivers.

POINT FUNDS

DIVISION I CHAMPION: $25,000

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: $35,000 Payout

LOCAL TRACK CHAMPIONS: $15,000 Payout/Track (across all divisions)

CHAMPIONSHIP LEVELS

NATIONAL (DIVISION I ONLY) Champion determined by a driver’s best 18 finishes; Champion awarded National Championship Trophy

REGIONAL Champion determined by a driver’s best 14 finishes; Champions awarded trophy with payout to top-10 in each region (West, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast)

STATE/PROVINCIAL Champions determined by a driver’s best 14 finishes within State/Province; For Division I competitors only; Champions awarded champion driver’s suit and trophy

TRACK Champions determined by track’s point system; Champions in DIVISION I are awarded commemorative helmet and includes $15,000 track payout

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

NATIONAL Determined by a driver’s best 18 finishes from any NASCAR-sanctioned track in North America, receiving a $2,000 reward. All first time Division I license holders are automatically eligible for the national rookie award.

REGIONAL Determined by a driver’s best 14 finishes, there is a top-10 payout for each of the four regions, totaling $4,500.

STATE Determined by a driver’s best 14 finishes within the state, province, region or nation. Recipients receive a trophy.

The NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series sanctions weekly short tracks across the United States and Canada. Layne Riggs is the defending NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division I National Champion.

For Deyo, giving competitors at his three tracks the chance to earn more money and the chance to race for state, regional and national championships made joining the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series a much easier decision.

“It opens up a whole other earning potential for our racers and that really got me excited because we’re always trying to give them the most opportunities to make money as we can,” said Deyo. “I felt like the NASCAR program gives them that opportunity without having to do anything different than they were already doing.

“It’s a great opportunity. We pride ourselves on paying well at our tracks. Anytime you can give them an opportunity to race for more money, it’s a good thing. Not to mention the exposure that comes with it, the honor of being a NASCAR champion. Especially during the 75th season of NASCAR, there is just a lot of hype that goes along with it.”

Fonda Speedway Joins NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series

FONDA, NY – A trio of historic dirt tracks in the Northeast will join the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series for the upcoming 2023 season.

Delaware’s Georgetown Speedway and New York’s Utica-Rome and Fonda Speedways, which are operated by promoter Brett Deyo, are the latest facilities to become NASCAR sanctioned.

“I’ve been looking at the option (to sanction with NASCAR) for the past couple of years,” said Deyo. “For Fonda and Utica-Rome, we have the same core racers that run both nights, Friday night at Utica-Rome and Saturday night at Fonda. It gives them an opportunity to run for a state championship, the regional championship and the national championship.

“From the Georgetown perspective, there is more growth here. We have a more ambitious schedule then we’ve run (recently). We’ve been a part-time track since 2016. We’re still not weekly at Georgetown, but we are racing more than we have in the past.”

Georgetown Speedway, located in Georgetown, Delaware, was constructed in 1949 by businessman Melvin L. Joseph. The track will host races on Thursday and Friday nights this year in addition to special events.

Major events on the 2023 calendar at Georgetown include the 12k for 12k Gary Simpson Memorial (July 21) and the Mid-Atlantic Championship (Oct. 27-28). Georgetown will open its season April 7.

Visit www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com for more information.

Utica-Rome Speedway, located in Vernon, New York, was built in 1961 by Joe Lesik as a quarter-mile asphalt oval before being transformed into a dirt track in 1979. Known as the ‘Home of Heroes,’ Utica-Rome will host weekly racing on Fridays throughout the upcoming season.

Some of auto racing’s best have won track championships at Utica-Rome. They include Richie Evans, who won four titles during Utica-Rome’s asphalt era, and current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competitor Stewart Friesen, who is a seven-time track champion.

Major events at the half-mile dirt oval in 2023 include the Richie Evans Remembered 61 (July 20) and the New Yorker (Sept. 3). The season opener at Utica-Rome is scheduled for April 21.

Visit www.uticaromespeedway.com for more information.

Fonda Speedway, located in Fonda, New York, opened in 1953 and continues to operate today as a half-mile dirt oval. Dubbed ‘The Track of Champions,’ Fonda played host to four NASCAR Cup Series races in the 1950s and 1960s. Those events, known as the Fonda 200, were won by Junior Johnson, David Pearson and Richard Petty. NASCAR last sanctioned Utica-Rome Speedway in 2016.

The track will host weekly racing on Saturdays throughout the summer. Major events include the season opening Jack Johnson Memorial Montgomery County Open (April 22) as well as the $53,000-to-win Fonda 200 (Sept. 14-16).

Visit www.thefondaspeedway.com for more information.

Modifieds will be the headlining class at the trio of tracks in 2023. Ryan Godown (Georgetown), Matt Sheppard (Utica-Rome) and Matt DeLorenzo (Fonda) are the defending Modified track champions at each venue.

The NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series sanctions weekly short tracks across the United States and Canada. Layne Riggs is the defending NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division I national champion.

For Deyo, giving competitors at his three tracks the chance to earn more money and the chance to race for state, regional and national championships made joining the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series a much easier decision.

“It opens up a whole other earning potential for our racers and that really got me excited because we’re always trying to give them the most opportunities to make money as we can,” said Deyo. “I felt like the NASCAR program gives them that opportunity without having to do anything different than they were already doing.

“It’s a great opportunity. We pride ourselves on paying well at our tracks. Anytime you can give them an opportunity to race for more money, it’s a good thing. Not to mention the exposure that comes with it, the honor of being a NASCAR champion. Especially during the 75th season, there is just a lot of hype that goes along with it.”

BD MOTORSPORTS MEDIA PREPARES FOR THE 2023 SEASON AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – With the turn of the calendar to 2023, the excitement of the 72nd consecutive season of racing at the Fonda Speedway is in the air with the schedule for 2023 recently released. This will be the fifth season that Brett Deyo and his staff at BD Motorsports Media LLC have promoted motorsports events at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds track so be sure to mark your calendars now for a huge season at the “Track of Champions”.

WEEKLY DIVISIONS

Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman, Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, and the Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.

MEMORIAL EVENTS

The 72nd season of racing at Fonda will start on “Opening Night” 2023 Saturday, April 22 with the Jack Johnson Memorial Montgomery County Open featuring the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds with sail panels competing in a 40-lap $12,000 to win event. All other regular divisions will also be in action with points beginning in all classes. Previous winners of Jack Johnson Tribute/Memorial events at Fonda include Mike Mahaney (2012, 2017), Stewart Friesen (2015, 2022), Matt Sheppard (2016), and Rocky Warner (2021).

On Saturday, May 27 the first ever Dave Lape Memorial event will take place with the event also being the first of three “Thunder on the Thruway Series” events at Fonda for the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, and the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks. All other regular divisions will also be in action along with the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS).

Saturday, July 8 will feature the Eighth Annual “Bill Ag Memorial” Modified Elimination races along with all other regular divisions in action. Previous winners of the event honoring the late Bill Anagnostopoulos include Ronnie Johnson (2016, 2017, 2021), Bobby Varin (2014), Tim Fuller (2018), Stewart Friesen (2019), and Demetrious Drellos (2022).

The 18th Annual “Hondo Classic” honoring the late Hondo Carpenter will be run for the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks on Saturday, July 22 along with all other regular divisions. Previous winners of the “Hondo Classic” include Nick Stone (2007, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2020), Kenny Gates (2009, 2015, 2018), Pete Broderson (2012, 2014), Jim Burton (2006), Chip Smith (2010), Rob Yetman (2011), Kenny Martin Jr. (2013), Josh Coonradt (2019), Luke Horning (2021), and Beau Ballard (2022).

The 19th Annual “Earl Halaquist Memorial” Sprint Car event will be held under the Empire Super Sprint (ESS) banner on Saturday, August 5 with all other regular divisions also in action. This event was held at different tracks over the years but the 2023 event will be the 13th time the event was held at Fonda. Previous winners of the “Earl Halaquist Memorial” event include Justin Barger (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011), Danny Varin (2017, 2018, 2022), Chuck Hebing (2006, 2014), Blake Breen (2004), George Suprick (2005), Doug Emery (2009), Jessica Zemken-Friesen (2012), Jeff Cook (2013), Matt Tanner (2015), Steve Poirier (2016), Jordan Poirier (2019), and Paulie Colagiovanni (2021).

SERIES EVENTS

The Short Track Super Series (STSS) will celebrate their 10th Anniversary in 2023 with Bob Hilbert Sportswear as the title sponsor with two series events this season at Fonda. The first will be the $10,000 to win “Firecracker 50” for the STSS Modifieds along with a $2,000 to win 25-lap STSS Crate 602 Sportsman event on Sunday, July 2. The second STSS event at Fonda in 2023 will be the prestigious $53,000 to win “Fonda 200” for the STSS Modifieds along with an event for the STSS Sportsman on Saturday, September 16.

The previous four “Firecracker 50” events for the STSS Modifieds at Fonda have all been won by Stewart Friesen while Friesen also has a victory in in the “Fonda 200” in 2021 while Matt Sheppard was the winner of the 2022 edition of the 200-lap event. In STSS 602 Sportsman competition at Fonda during the last four years, Chad Edwards and Cody Clark both have two wins apiece while Rocky Warner and Tim Hartman Jr. each have one win apiece.

The 2023 “Thunder on the Thruway Series” for the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, and the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks will have three events at Fonda this season on Saturday May 27, Saturday July 1, and Saturday July 15. The “Thunder on the Thruway Series is a six-race series between Fonda and the “Home of Heroes” Utica Rome Speedway with three events set to be held at Utica Rome on Friday June 16, Thursday June 29, and Saturday August 19.

SPRINT CARS

There will be three different groups of Sprint Cars competing at Fonda this season including the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) on Saturday May 6 and Saturday August 5, the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) on Saturday, May 20, and the CRSA Sprint Cars on Saturday June 3, Saturday July 29, and Friday September 15.

The visit by the ASCoC marks the ninth time in Fonda Speedway history that 410 Sprint Cars have competed at the “Track of Champions”, with each of the previous four events falling under ASCoC sanctioning.

Shane Stewart (7/28/2002 World of Outlaw Gumout Series), Daryn Pitman (7/29/2003 410-Sprint Open), Craig Keel (7/14/2005 410-Sprint Open), and Danny Lasoski (7/18/2006 National Sprint Tour 410-Sprints) won the first four 410-Sprint events ever held at Fonda while the last four events, all sanctioned by the All-Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC), were won by Daryn Pittman (2010), Tim Shaffer (2011 & 2012), and Danny Dietrich (2013).

The Empire Super Sprints (ESS) have competed at Fonda a total of 25 times from 1987 to 2022 with a total of 14 different winning drivers. Local favorite Danny Varin leads the way with six ESS wins at Fonda followed by Justin Barger with five, Lance Yonge and Steve Poirier both with two wins apiece. Ten different drivers have one single ESS feature win at Fonda including John Brutcher, Bobby Parrow, Tom Taber, Craig Lane, Doug Emery, Jessica Zemken-Friesen, Jeff Cook, Chuck Hebing, Stewart Friesen, and Davie Franek.

There are 13 different winning drivers in a total of 27 CRSA Sprint events at Fonda from 2009 to 2022. Mike Kiser leads the way with five feature wins while Danny Varin has four. Josh Pieniazek and Cory Sparks are next with three wins apiece while Kyle Smith, Jeff Trombley, and Jordan Hutton have two wins apiece. Dylan Swiernik, John Matrafailo, Tyler Rice, Jordan Thomas, Brett Jaycox, and Josh Flint complete the list with one win apiece.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Other special events to take note of at Fonda for 2023 include “Dollar Night” with $1 grandstand admission on Saturday May 13, “Twin 20’s” for the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds on Saturday June 17, “Fan Appreciation Night” with $5 grandstand admission on Saturday June 24 which includes a pre-race Meet & Greet, “Hall of Fame Night” on Saturday July 1, “Autism Awareness Night” on Saturday July 15, and “Benjamin Moore Paints Championship Night” on Saturday August 12 when all of the 2023 Track Champions in their respective divisions will be crowned.

The “Fonda 200 Weekend” closes out the 2023 season on Thursday September 14 through Saturday September 16 with all regular Fonda Speedway divisions in action during the three-day event.

VINTAGE

For the vintage racing fan there will be five appearances by the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS) at Fonda in 2023 on Saturday April 29, Saturday May 27, Saturday June 10, Saturday July 1, and Saturday August 12.

Weekly grandstand admission is $13 (Adults), $11 for Seniors (ages 65-plus) and Kids 11 and under are admitted FREE. There are increases for special events.

Pit admission is $35 (Members) and $40 (Non-Members). Kids (ages 6-12) pay $10 and Children five and under pay $2. Increases for special events are noted on the schedule.

All race events will again be broadcast LIVE on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) with an annual subscription. Dirt Track Digest TV will handle the production.

Since 1953, the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Under the management of BD Motorsports Media LLC, the speedway will operate weekly on Saturday nights from April through August plus several special events. Fonda Speedway is located on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds off New York State Thruway Exit No. 28 at 21 S. Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068.

Fonda Speedway is on the web at www.thefondaspeedway.com. To learn more, call the office at 518.915.4395, like Fonda Speedway on Facebook www.facebook.com/thefondaspeedwy or follow the speedway on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

Fonda Speedway 2023 Schedule of Events

Weekly Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors ages 65 & Up) – Kids 11 and under FREE – Increases for special events as noted with * 

Weekly Pit Admission: $35 (Fonda Members) – $40 (Non-Members) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 – Increases for special events as noted with*

Gates Open: 4 p.m. – Hot Laps: 6 p.m. – Racing: 7 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)

Weekly Divisions: Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman, Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks & Fonda Fair Four Cylinders

Saturday, April 15 – Open Practice (Rain Date: Wednesday, April 19)

Pit Gates Open: 2 p.m. – Practice 4-7 p.m.

Grandstand Admission: FREE – Pit Admission: $30 (Members) or $35 (Non-Members)

Saturday, April 22 – 72nd Season Opener: Jack Johnson Memorial Montgomery County Open: Modifieds with sail panels 40 laps, $12,000 to win (25 show-up points) – All divisions (points begin)*

Gates Open 2:30 p.m. – Hot Laps: 5:30 p.m. – Racing: 6:30 p.m.

Grandstand Admission: $25 (Adults) – $23 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $40 (Member) or $45 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, April 29 – All divisions plus Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Series

Gates Open: 3:30 p.m. – Hot Laps: 5:30 p.m. – Racing: 6:30 p.m.

Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, May 6 – Supply Wagon Rental Night: Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 Sprint Cars – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $20 (Adults) – $18 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, May 13 – Dollar Night – $1 Grandstand Admission – All divisions

Grandstand Admission: $1 (Adults & Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, May 20 – Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Cars plus Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Limited Sportsman (feature only) and Four Cylinder (feature only) – Crate 602 Sportsman off*

Grandstand Admission: $30 (Adults) – $28 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $40 (Member) or $45 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, May 27 – Dave Lape Memorial Night – Thunder on the Thruway Series Modifieds ($4,000 minimum to win), Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500 to win) & Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win) – All divisions plus Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Series*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, June 3 – CRSA Sprint Cars – all divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, June 10 – All divisions plus Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series

Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, June 17 – Ferris Mowers presents Modified Twin 20s – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, June 24 – Bill Lake Modular Homes Fan Appreciation Night – $5 Grandstand Admission – Pre-Race Meet & Greet – All divisions

Grandstand Admission: $5 (Adults & Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, July 1 – Hall of Fame Night – Thunder on the Thruway Series Modifieds ($4,000 to win), Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500 to win) & Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win) – All divisions plus Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Series*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Sunday, July 2 – Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco ‘Firecracker 50’ – STSS Modifieds 50 laps, $10,000 to win & STSS Crate 602 Sportsman 25 laps, $2,000 to win (25 show-up points both divisions)*

Grandstand Admission: $28 (Adults) – $26 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $40 (Member) or $45 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, July 8 – Dirt Track Digest Night: Bill Ag Memorial Modified Elimination Races – All divisions

Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, July 15 – One Zee Tees/AIM Autism present Autism Awareness Night – Thunder on the Thruway Series Modifieds ($4,000 to win), Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500 to win) & Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win) – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, July 22 – Pro Stock Hondo Classic (draw, 25 show-up points) plus all divisions

Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, July 29 – Parks Companies Night: CRSA Sprint Cars – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, August 5 – Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 Sprint Cars Earl Halaquist Memorial – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $20 (Adults) – $18 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, August 12 – Benjamin Moore Paints Championship Night: All divisions plus Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series

Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Thursday, September 14-Saturday, September 16 – $53,000-to-win Fonda 200 Weekend 

Thursday, September 14 – Amsterdam Truck Center Modified “Ultimate Underdog 33” plus Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman & Open Practice All Divisions*

Reserved Seating: $15 (all seats)
General Admission: $12 – Kids 11 and under FREE

Pit Admission: $35 (Non-Member) or $30 (Fonda Member) – $10 Kids (ages 6-12) – $2 Children (ages 5 and under) 

Friday, September 15 – Short Track Super Series Amsterdam Truck Center Modified Qualifying Races plus CRSA Sprint Cars, Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, Street Stocks & Fonda Fair Four Cylinders*

Reserved Seating: $25 (all seats)
General Admission: $22 – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $45 (Non-Member) or $40 (Member) – $10 Kids (ages 6-12) – $2 Children (ages 5 and under) 

Saturday, September 16 – STSS Modified B-Mains & Fonda 200 plus Swagger Factory Apparel STSS Crate 602 Sportsman*
Reserved Seating: $40 (all seats)
General Admission: $35 – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $50 (Non-Member) or $45 (Member) – $10 Kids (ages 6-12) – $2 Children (ages 5 and under)

Friday, September 29-Sunday, October 1 – Garden Motorsports Inc. presents “Monster Truckz” – Visit www.monstertruckz.com to learn more (Season Passes not valid at this event)

Must-See: Fonda Speedway Sets Schedule for Huge 2023 Season

Written by Andrew Reigel

FONDA, NY – 2023 will mark the fifth season for BD Motorsports Media LLC at Fonda Speedway. The historic ‘Track of Champions’ celebrates its 72nd year of weekly action in ’23 along the Mohawk River.

The 2023 ‘Track of Champions’ schedule features 21 events with the featured weekly divisions including the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, Montgomery County Office of the Aging Limited Sportsman and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.

There are numerous must-see events:

  • The ‘Jack Johnson Memorial Montgomery County Open’ for the Modifieds opens the season on Saturday, April 22 with a $12,000 payday on the line in honor of legendary racer Jack Johnson
  • A pair of visits from the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco: $10,000-to-win, $500-to-start ‘Firecracker 50’ Sunday, July 2 & the ‘Fonda 200’ Thursday-Saturday Sept. 14-16, paying $53,000 to win and $1,000 to start
  • The Tezos All-Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Cars return for the first time in over ten years on Saturday, May 20 chasing a $10,000 top prize
  • The ‘Dave Lape Memorial Night’ will kick off the Thunder on The Thruway six-race mini-series on Saturday, May 27.
  • The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 Sprint Cars will visit the ‘Track of Champions’ on two occasions (May 6 & Aug. 5)

Other events to highlight:

The ‘Thunder on the Thruway’ six-race mini-series between Fonda Speedway and neighboring Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, N.Y., returns in the ’23 season for the Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman and Pro Stocks. The three Fonda ‘Thunder on the Thruway’ events take place on May 27, July 1, and July 15.

Fonda welcomes three different groups of Sprint Cars (ESS, CRSA and All Stars) to the Montgomery County oval on six occasions in the ’23 season: May 6 (ESS), May 20 (All Stars), June 3 (CRSA), July 29 (CRSA), Aug. 5 (ESS) and Sept. 15 (CRSA).

A “fan favorite” returns to the half-mile as the Modifieds take part in twin 20-lap events on June 17.

Speaking of fans, “Dollar Night” with $1 grandstand admission is scheduled for May 13 and Fan Appreciation Night featuring $5 grandstand admission is set for June 24.

The annual ‘Bill Ag’ Modified Elimination event is set for July 8.

The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series makes five visits to Fonda in ‘23: April 29, May 27, June 10, July 1 and Aug. 12.

Benjamin Moore Paints Championship Night is set for Saturday, Aug. 12, before teams gear up for the most lucrative event of them all: Fonda 200 weekend Sept. 14-16.

An Open Practice session will precede the racing season on Saturday, April 15, allowing competitors a chance to shake off the cobwebs for the 2023 campaign.

Weekly grandstand admission is $13 (Adults), $11 for Seniors (ages 65-plus) and Kids 11 and under are admitted FREE. There are increases for special events.

Pit admission is $35 (Members) and $40 (Non-Members). Kids (ages 6-12) pay $10 and Children five and under pay $2. Increases for special events are noted on the schedule.

All race events will again be broadcast LIVE on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) with an annual subscription. Dirt Track Digest TV will handle the production.

Since 1953, the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Under the management of BD Motorsports Media LLC, the speedway will operate weekly on Saturday nights from April through August plus several special events. Fonda Speedway is located on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds off New York State Thruway Exit No. 28 at 21 S. Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068.

Fonda Speedway is on the web at www.thefondaspeedway.com. To learn more, call the office at 518.915.4395, like Fonda Speedway on Facebook www.facebook.com/thefondaspeedwy or follow the speedway on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.


Fonda Speedway 2023 Schedule of Events

Weekly Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors ages 65 & Up) – Kids 11 and under FREE – Increases for special events as noted with * 

Weekly Pit Admission: $35 (Fonda Members) – $40 (Non-Members) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 – Increases for special events as noted with*

Gates Open: 4 p.m. – Hot Laps: 6 p.m. – Racing: 7 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)

Weekly Divisions: Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman, Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks & Fonda Fair Four Cylinders


Saturday, April 15 –
Open Practice (Rain Date: Wednesday, April 19)

Pit Gates Open: 2 p.m. – Practice 4-7 p.m.

Grandstand Admission: FREE – Pit Admission: $30 (Members) or $35 (Non-Members)

Saturday, April 22 – 72nd Season Opener: Jack Johnson Memorial Montgomery County Open: Modifieds with sail panels 40 laps, $12,000 to win (25 show-up points) – All divisions (points begin)*

Gates Open 2:30 p.m. – Hot Laps: 5:30 p.m. – Racing: 6:30 p.m.

Grandstand Admission: $25 (Adults) – $23 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $40 (Member) or $45 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, April 29 – All divisions plus Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Series

Gates Open: 3:30 p.m. – Hot Laps: 5:30 p.m. – Racing: 6:30 p.m.

Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, May 6 – Supply Wagon Rental Night: Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 Sprint Cars – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $20 (Adults) – $18 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, May 13 – Dollar Night – $1 Grandstand Admission – All divisions

Grandstand Admission: $1 (Adults & Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, May 20 – Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Cars plus Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Limited Sportsman (feature only) and Four Cylinder (feature only) – Crate 602 Sportsman off*

Grandstand Admission: $30 (Adults) – $28 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $40 (Member) or $45 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, May 27 – Dave Lape Memorial Night – Thunder on the Thruway Series Modifieds ($4,000 minimum to win), Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500 to win) & Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win) – All divisions plus Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Series*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, June 3 – CRSA Sprint Cars – all divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, June 10 – All divisions plus Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series

Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, June 17 – Ferris Mowers presents Modified Twin 20s – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, June 24 – Bill Lake Modular Homes Fan Appreciation Night – $5 Grandstand Admission – Pre-Race Meet & Greet – All divisions

Grandstand Admission: $5 (Adults & Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, July 1 – Hall of Fame Night – Thunder on the Thruway Series Modifieds ($4,000 to win), Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500 to win) & Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win) – All divisions plus Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Series*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Sunday, July 2 – Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco ‘Firecracker 50’ – STSS Modifieds 50 laps, $10,000 to win & STSS Crate 602 Sportsman 25 laps, $2,000 to win (25 show-up points both divisions)*

Grandstand Admission: $28 (Adults) – $26 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $40 (Member) or $45 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, July 8 – Dirt Track Digest Night: Bill Ag Memorial Modified Elimination Races – All divisions

Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, July 15 – One Zee Tees/AIM Autism present Autism Awareness Night – Thunder on the Thruway Series Modifieds ($4,000 to win), Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500 to win) & Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win) – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, July 22 – Pro Stock Hondo Classic (draw, 25 show-up points) plus all divisions

Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, July 29 – Parks Companies Night: CRSA Sprint Cars – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, August 5 – Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 Sprint Cars Earl Halaquist Memorial – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $20 (Adults) – $18 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, August 12 – Benjamin Moore Paints Championship Night: All divisions plus Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series

Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

 

Thursday, September 14-Saturday, September 16 – $53,000-to-win Fonda 200 Weekend 

Thursday, September 14 – Amsterdam Truck Center Modified “Ultimate Underdog 33” plus Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman & Open Practice All Divisions*

Reserved Seating: $15 (all seats)
General Admission:
$12 – Kids 11 and under FREE

Pit Admission: $35 (Non-Member) or $30 (Fonda Member) – $10 Kids (ages 6-12) – $2 Children (ages 5 and under) 

Friday, September 15 – Short Track Super Series Amsterdam Truck Center Modified Qualifying Races plus CRSA Sprint Cars, Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, Street Stocks & Fonda Fair Four Cylinders*

Reserved Seating: $25 (all seats)
General Admission:
$22 – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission:
$45 (Non-Member) or $40 (Member) – $10 Kids (ages 6-12) – $2 Children (ages 5 and under) 

Saturday, September 16 – STSS Modified B-Mains & Fonda 200 plus Swagger Factory Apparel STSS Crate 602 Sportsman*
Reserved Seating:
$40 (all seats)
General Admission:
$35 – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission:
$50 (Non-Member) or $45 (Member) – $10 Kids (ages 6-12) – $2 Children (ages 5 and under)

 

Friday, September 29-Sunday, October 1 – Garden Motorsports Inc. presents “Monster Truckz” – Visit www.monstertruckz.com to learn more (Season Passes not valid at this event)

2022 FONDA SPEEDWAY SEASON REVIEW

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – After opening day 2022 at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway was cancelled two Saturdays in a row due to weeklong rains, BD Motorsports Media LLC management decided to try something a little different and hold opening day on a Sunday. They were successful in doing so with the official opening day for the 2022 racing season coming on Sunday, April 24.

From that day on, every racing program that was scheduled for the 2022 season was run rain free every Saturday through the Fonda 200 weekend in September with a four week break mid-August through mid-September for the annual Fonda Fair. When the final checkered flag flew in August to complete the regular season there were two first time Track Champions at Fonda and four repeat champions in their respective divisions.

THE 2022 CHAMPIONS

The 2022 Fonda Speedway Track Champion in the Sunoco Modified division was Matt DeLorenzo who was crowned a Fonda Speedway Track Champion for the fourth time in his career after championships back in 2004 and 2006 (358-Modified) and 2007 in the Modified division.

Payton Talbot was crowned the 2022 Fonda Speedway Track Champion in the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman division for the first time in his career

Nick Stone was crowned the 2022 Fonda Speedway Track Champion in the Algonkin Motel Pro Stock division for the fourth time in his career with the other championships coming back in 2014, 2020, and 2021.

Zach Dufel was crowned the 2022 Fonda Speedway Track Champion in the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman division for the first time in his career.

Fonda Fair Four Cylinder Division Track Champions for the 2022 season were Kerrie Hollenback in the DOHC class who was crowned a Track Champion once before in the division at Fonda back in 2013 and his brother Ken Hollenback who was the Track Champion in the SOHC class for the ninth time after also winning the title back in 2012 (SOHC), 2013 (SOHC), 2014 (Overall), 2015 (Overall), 2017 (Overall), 2019 (Overall), 2020 (SOHC), and 2021 (SOHC).

CHAMPIONS STATS

Matt DeLorenzo competed in a total of 20 events in the Sunoco Modified division during the 2022 season at Fonda, finishing the season with five wins, nine top five finishes, and 15 top ten finishes. His five wins moved him up to the 10th position on the Fonda Speedway Modified All-Time win list with a total of 42 wins in 11 winning seasons, his first career win coming on 4/17/2004 and his last on 7/9/2022. In two separate categories, DeLorenzo also has two wins in the 358-Modified division at Fonda and one win in the Open Sportsman division back on 8/7/1999.

Payton Talbot competed in a total of 19 events in the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman division in 2022 with two sixth place finishes being his worse finishes of the season! Talbot had a total of three wins in 2022 to go along with 17 top five and 19 top ten finishes. His three victories places him in a tie for ninth on the All-Time Win List in the division with a total of four, his first career win coming on 8/14/2021 and his last on 7/23/2022.

Zach Dufel competed in a total of 18 races at Fonda in 2022 with five wins, 13 top five and 15 top ten finishes. His five wins placed him in a tie for fourth on the All-Time Win List in the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman division with his first career win coming on 5/14/2022 and his last on 8/6/2022.

Ten wins in a total of 17 events propelled Nick Stone to the Track Championship in the Algonkin Motel Pro Stock division along with 16 top five and 16 top ten finishes. Stone now sits second on the All-Time Win List in the division with 69, his first career win in the division coming on 6/8/2002 and his last win coming on 8/13/2022.

Ken Hollenback won 17 out of 18 races during the 2022 racing season in the Fonda Fair SOHC Four Cylinder division raising his win total to 85 (First on the All-Time Win List in the division) with his first career win in the division coming on 5/5/2007 and his last on 9/16/2022.

Kerrie Hollenback won 13 out of 18 races during the 2022 racing season in the Fonda Fair DOHC Four Cylinder division raising his win total in the division to 33 which is second on the All-Time Win List behind his brother Ken. Kerrie’s first career win in the division came back on 6/16/2007 and his last on 8/13/2022.

2022 TRACK CHAMPIONS THOUGHTS IN THEIR OWN WORDS ON CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT

2022 SUNOCO MODIFIED TRACK CHAMPION MATT DELORENZO

“It wasn’t our plan to be here at Fonda every week, but we started running real well at the beginning of the year so we kind of worked things out that I could race here every Saturday,” DeLorenzo told Mimi Lazzaro during the championship celebration. “The track kind of threw me a curve ball the last month being choppy and stuff, and the car just really wasn’t comfortable. We also had motor problems, but it all worked out. This is the first time we’ve run a big block here all year, I always had a small block here, but everybody went to a small block back then.”

“Back then Bobby Varin I know ran a big block and we always battled back in the day, so it’s been a while hasn’t it. Now everybody has the open small block with Brett’s rules, but it shows that the big block can be competitive. I’ve been sleeping at the shop a lot, I have to thank my wife for letting me do that and my kids they are pretty busy in their lives too so I’m glad they are all here tonight, my mother is here too so it’s pretty cool.”

“The kids were putting the pressure on me saying dad you better win tonight, so I said to them it is just like you being up at home plate with a full count on you and the bases are loaded and the score is tied. A lot of pressure tonight for sure and I just wanted to do good for everybody and finish. My brother Mike is the brains behind the operation and Brian (teammate Brian Gleason) both of them really work hard every week to try and figure out these coil cars.”

“My dad Tom runs around to get parts for us, and we have a great bunch of people along with a lot of extra people tonight to help out which is cool so hats off to my brother Mike he does a phenomenal job. I have to thank BBL Companies who have been with me since I started racing, REO Welding, Collette Mechanical, Recovery Sports Grill, Carey Electric, MCD Metals, Kevin Enders, Dan Bedell whose motor was in the car tonight, Bicknell Racing Products, and Dennis from Integra Shocks. We have been running the same car at both Albany Saratoga and Fonda all season long and tonight this is actually my teammate Brian’s car.”

2022 SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN TRACK CHAMPION PAYTON TALBOT

“Yeah, this is awesome,” Talbot said during the championship celebration. “I didn’t really expect it coming into tonight, I knew that Chad (Edwards) was going to be tough. I didn’t know if the top or bottom was gonna be better, but we got lucky there when Chad pulled the slide job on us, we had enough momentum to get back by him on the bottom. I ran the top for a while, Troy (Palmer) and Chad were checking out, so I was just following them. You know the car didn’t feel bad and I think the tires got a little more heat in them on exit.”

“At the end there I was just trying to run the bottom and keep the 10% behind me. We’ve had a wicked year here, I can’t ask for anymore, I’ve got an awesome crew behind me and trying keep up on maintenance on this thing week in and week out, it paid off. You’ve gotta check everything you can’t have mistakes. We’ve just had a fantastic year; I don’t think that we’ve broken down yet knock-on wood.”

“I have to thank Travis at Ted’s Body Shop, Mike Walton at Fastline Performance, Joe from Precision Hydraulic Oil, Parker at Parker Excavating, Hig Fab Chassis, Jeff at JK Signworks, Brian at Donath Motorworks, Brandon at DIG Race Products, MIR, CC, Northeast Forestry, and Tom Moore at Training Tails.”

2022 ALGONKIN MOTEL PRO STOCK TRACK CHAMPION NICK STONE

“Preparation is everything,” Stone said. “I guarantee we have the most prepped out race car. The body looks a little rough, but you take this body off and the car looks brand new underneath it. We got the tires that we needed and didn’t have to be conservative, everything was always prepped out perfect.”

“On Tuesday we all go up to the garage to work on the car and luckily, we never wrecked, all of our stuff was very minor. We noticed things before something happened and that’s how you do it. Every time I go out there, I’m focused, and it’s been both ways for me during my racing career, I’ve had very little help at times, to doing it all yourself, so you come to the track and have some good nights, and you have some rough nights because you’re always working on the car.”

“Some of the guys that I see struggling I know exactly what they are going through because I know how it is, I’ve been there. I finally caught a nice ride with Todd, and I know he enjoys it, so it is kind of a perfect combination. I have to thank Todd, Melissa, Gus, Matt, Scott, Jamie, and my dad. Todd had these sponsors over the years, and some have followed me over, so our teams merged together real well.”

2022 MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR AGING INC. LIMITED SPORTSMAN TRACK CHAMPION ZACH DUFEL

“I honestly have no words, I’ve dreamt of being here just as a crew member and being here as a driver is so special to me,” Dufel said. “Obviously with Mike (car owner Michael Jackson) and his long road to recovery I can’t thank him enough, Harry Shaffer, the whole Shaffer family, Harry has been there for me since day one. He’s been there all season telling me what to do, I’m taking his and Mikey’s tips and it worked out. It’s insane, I literally have no words, it’s awesome.”

“If my dad was here (the late Jay Dufel who was a long time crew member for Jack Johnson) he would have been telling me to move up mid-season but Chad (Edwards) is a friend of mine and he will be a good mentor when I move up next year so hopefully we’ll run well, we’ll see what we have for them at the end of the season and how we match up with them so I’m excited.”

2022 FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER SOHC TRACK CHAMPION KEN HOLLENBACK

“This is a new car for us this year,” Ken Hollenback said. “Everybody else has my old junk cars now.”

2022 FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER DOHC TRACK CHAMPION KERRIE HOLLENBACK

“I thought they were gonna give us championship belts,” Kerrie Hollenback said. “I was gonna do a back flip off the top of the car. But anyways I am a champion and God bless my brother Kenny who is the overall champion.”

DIFFERENT WINNERS IN DIFFERENT DIVISIONS

There were 11 different winning drivers in 2022 in the Sunoco Modified division led by Stewart Friesen with six including the $12,000 to win Jack Johnson Memorial event in April and the $10,000 to win Firecracker 50 in July. Track Champion Matt DeLorenzo was next with five feature wins followed by Craig Hanson with two.

Eight drivers took one win apiece including Danny Varin, Dave Constantino, Brian Gleason, Nick Heywood, David Schilling, Demetrious Drellos, Jack Lehner, and Matt Sheppard who won the prestigious $53,000 to win “Fonda 200” in September. For Gleason, Heywood, and Schilling it was their first career Modified wins at Fonda.

Chad Edwards led the way with six wins in the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman division in 2022. In all there were nine different winning drivers in the division with Cody Clark winning four times and Payton Talbot three times to fall next in line behind Edwards. There were six drivers who won single events including Brian Calabrese, Mark Mortensen, Rocky Warner, Clayton DuMond, Brett Mortensen, and Troy Zilles. For DuMond, Brett Mortensen, and Zilles it was their first career wins in the division.

Zach Dufel led the way with five feature wins in the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman division followed by Kyle Dingman with four wins, Connor Prokop with three wins, and Josh Kane with two wins. Completing the list of eight different drivers who won features in the division were Lance Hill, Harold Robitaille, Bob Rowback, and Wesley Sutliff who were all single event winners. For Hill, Kane, Dufel, Robitaille, Prokop, Rowback, and Sutliff it was their first career wins in the division.

There were seven different winners in the Algonkin Motel Pro Stock division led by Nick Stone with ten. Beau Ballard and Ivan Joslin were next in line with two wins apiece, one of the wins for Ballard was the prestigious Hondo Classic held in Memory of the late Hondo Carpenter. Single event winners in the division were Luke Horning, Jason Morrison, Josh Coonradt, and Kenny Gates with the win for Morrison being a career first.

There were six different winners in the Fonda Fair Four Cylinder division led by Ken Hollenback with 17 wins in the SOHC class. The only other SOHC feature held was won by Todd Morey who celebrated his first career win in the division. Kerrie Hollenback led the way in the DOHC class with a total of 13 wins followed by John Napoli with three, Dale VanAllen and Brandon Ely with one win apiece. For VanAllen and Ely it was the first career wins in the division.

CLOSING THOUGHTS ON THE 2022 REGULAR SEASON FROM FONDA SPEEDWAY PROMOTER BRETT DEYO

“Pretty amazing season really,” Fonda Speedway promoter Brett Deyo said. “We survived through a lot of factors, tire shortages, inflation, and no rain outs. Who would have thought that when we moved the first race to a Sunday to get it in that we would get every other race in. We were struggling with a wet spring, but everybody stuck with us. It was an awesome season, great car counts, fan counts, tonight was off the charts.”

“The 50/50’s were great, I think we survived a wild season and now we can regroup and get ready for the Fonda 200,” Deyo continued to say. “I am excited going into the 200, I think we have a lot of momentum and no conflicts this year on the schedule, so it should be pretty wild.”

MOVING INTO 2023

As 2022 comes to a close, plans are moving forward to the 2023 season at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway.

The annual car show will be held at the Viaport Rotterdam on Friday through Sunday March 24-26.

The 2023 schedule was recently released with the excitement of 410-Sprint cars returning to Fonda on Saturday, May 20 when the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions comes to the “Track of Champions” along with the $10,000 to win “Firecracker 50” on Sunday, July 2 and the $53,000 to win “Fonda 200 Weekend” on Thursday through Saturday September 14-16. The complete schedule can be seen by going to the Fonda Speedway website www.thefondaspeedway.com and clicking on the schedule tab at the top left of the home page.

The first ever “Dave Lape Memorial” event will be held on Saturday, May 27.

Fonda Speedway welcomes the following division sponsors to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds track for the 2023 season including Amsterdam Truck Center (new sponsor for the Modified division), Swagger Factory Apparel (returning sponsor for the Crate 602 Sportsman division), Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. (returning sponsor for the Limited Sportsman division), Below Zero Ice Cream (new sponsor for the Pro Stock division), and the Fonda Fair (returning sponsor of the Four Cylinder division).

Since 1953, the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Under the management of BD Motorsports Media LLC, the speedway will operate weekly on Saturday nights from April through August plus several special events. Fonda Speedway is located on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds off New York State Thruway Exit No. 28 at 21 S. Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068.

Fonda Speedway is on the web at www.thefondaspeedway.com. To learn more, call the office at 518.915.4395, like Fonda Speedway on Facebook www.facebook.com/thefondaspeedwy or follow the speedway on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

THE EXCITEMENT AND SPEED OF 410 SPRINT CARS IS BACK AT THE “TRACK OF CHAMPIONS” IN 2023

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – With much anticipation, the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) presented by Mobil 1 released their schedule for the 2023 410 Sprint car racing season according to a press release on Thursday, December 1. Unveiled that day was a 50-race slate for the 2023 season, all of which will be kicking-off in traditional fashion with their annual southern swing through Georgia and Florida on February 3-14.

Diverse as well as competitive, the 2023 All Star agenda boasts a travel plan that features 33 different facilities across 11 states. In addition to the visits to Georgia and Florida, America’s Series will trek through Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, and New Jersey during the new year.

When the schedule was unveiled on Facebook and other media outlets, local race fans took notice as the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) presented by Mobil 1 will invade the Montgomery County Fairgrounds facility for the first time in ten years on Saturday, May 20, 2023 with drivers competing for $10,000 to win!

The visit by the ASCoC marks the ninth time in Fonda Speedway history that 410 Sprint Cars have competed at the “Track of Champions”, with each of the previous four events falling under ASCoC sanctioning.

Shane Stewart (7/28/2002 World of Outlaw Gumout Series), Daryn Pitman (7/29/2003 410-Sprint Open), Craig Keel (7/14/2005 410-Sprint Open), and Danny Lasoski (7/18/2006 National Sprint Tour 410-Sprints) won the first four 410-Sprint events ever held at Fonda while the last four events, all sanctioned by the All-Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC), were won by Daryn Pittman (2010), Tim Shaffer (2011 & 2012), and Danny Dietrich (2013).

Home to “America’s Series” since 1970

According to the All-Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) website, www.allstarsprints.com, the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1 Sprint Car Series is one of the oldest traveling sprint car organizations and is a staple of grassroots, open-wheel racing.

Formed in 1970 by Bud Miller, the series has largely been considered the first “outlaw” Sprint Car organization of the modern era. After a 10-year stint as owner of the All Stars, Miller passed control of the series to Bert Emick in 1980; a reign that would continue through 2002. Guy Webb then purchased the series from Emick in the summer of 2002 and served as the series President for the next 12 years.

Motorsports entrepreneur Tony Stewart agreed to terms with Guy Webb to become the sole owner of the original winged sprint car tour in January of 2015. Stewart and his team look forward to building on the All-Star Series impressive legacy by taking it to a new level of success and sustainability.

“We had objectives to accomplish while working through the scheduling process for the 2023 season”, said Tony Stewart, owner of the All Stars in a press release about the 2023 schedule. “We made a concerted effort to desaturate certain markets to facilitate a hopeful improvement in the demand to attend our events. Further, we continue to pursue partnerships with increased purse payouts for the race teams. Once again, we appreciate the support of the many track owners and promoters in scheduling an All-Star event or events with us in 2023.”

“We’re really excited about what we were able to put together for 2023”, Stewart continued. “We feel it’s a great mix of our staple events, combined with some new dates for some tracks, sprinkled in with a handful of visits to tracks that have either never been on our schedule or we haven’t visited in a few years. We’ll be anxious and ready to head down to Georgia at the end of January.”

THE FIRST VISIT BY 410 SPRINTS TO FONDA 7/28/2002

The 410-Sprint cars produce incredible speeds, and this night was no different as the World of Outlaw Gumout Series invaded the Fonda Speedway with Tyler Walker setting a track record of 15.281 for an average speed of 117 MPH! Walker led the race up until just before lap 10 was completed when a flat left rear tire forced him to the pit area.

Walker’s crew got the tire changed without him going a lap down and he restarted the event at the rear of the 24-car field. Shane Stewart took the lead on lap ten and led the remaining laps for the win with Walker getting all the way back up through the field to finish third behind second place finisher Wayne Johnson.

THE SECOND VISIT OF THE ALL-STAR CIRCUIT OF CHAMPIONS 410 SPRINTS TO FONDA 6/8/2011

Tyler Walker’s track record stood up until the second ever appearance of the All-Star Circuit of Champions 410-Sprint cars at Fonda 6/8/2011 when Fred Rahmer set a new record with a lap of 15.110 for an average speed of 119 MPH! The record came after a three-hour rain delay when the rain started to fall just as cars were going out for hot laps.

Tim Shaffer was running second to Rahmer up until the white flag was waving as the cars came out of turn four when Shaffer took over the lead and his first ever win at Fonda with Rahmer finishing in the second spot.

So, will we see another track record broken on Saturday, May 20, 2023 by the All-Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) 410-Sprint cars at Fonda? One thing is for sure, we will see exciting fast laps by the stars of the ASCoC whether or not a new track record is set. It will be a must-see event for sure!

Since 1953, the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Under the management of BD Motorsports Media LLC, the speedway will operate weekly on Saturday nights from April through August plus several special events. Fonda Speedway is located on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds off of New York State Thruway Exit No. 28 at 21 S. Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068.

Fonda Speedway is on the web at www.thefondaspeedway.com. To learn more, call the office at 518.915.4395, like Fonda Speedway on Facebook www.facebook.com/thefondaspeedwy or follow the speedway on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

For more information about the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) presented by Mobil 1 please go to their website, www.allstarsprints.com

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