By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – After a win on Friday evening Ronnie Johnson was looking for more. And he got it. With some incentive from long time sponsors Gary Mickles from Mickles Automotive and Chris Persons from Persons Farms he was able to get his 32^nd career win at Fonda, tying him with Steve Danish for 14^th on the Fonda Speedway All-Time Win List.

The race finished just in time for Johnson who got a flat right rear tire as victory lane ceremonies were being held.

“I think this is the first time I’ve ever done this,” Johnson told Mimi Lazzaro in victory lane in reference to winning on back-to-back nights. “It has been a goal of mine for 20 years and it feels good.”

The win came in a throwback paint schemed car back to his father Jack Johnson’s car in 1988 with Ronnie’s last win at Fonda coming on 7/31/2021 the year that he was Co-Track Champion with Rocky Warner.

“One of our goals was to do this throw back to my father’s 1988 paint scheme and to win a race with it here at Fonda,” Johnson said. “It topped off a great weekend and hopefully a great year.”

Other winners on A-Verdi Storage Containers Night at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway were Zach Dufel (Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman), Ivan Joslin (Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks), Lance Hill (Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman), Ken (SOHC) and Kerrie (DOHC) Hollenback (Fonda Fair Four Cylinders), and Tomy Moreau (CRSA Sprints).

Eleven-year-old Robbie Greco sang the National Anthem just after Pastor Greg Nitz’ prayer during opening ceremonies for the evening. Pam from Rose, NY was the winner of the $2,597 50/50 for the evening after another great effort by the 50/50 ticket sellers Julie, Rose, and Heather. Great job ladies!

Pep Corradi started on the pole position in the 30-lap Amsterdam Truck Center Modified feature and took the early lead at the drop of Joe Kriss’ green flag with third place starter Ronnie Johnson in second at the completion of lap one. Corradi was using the outside groove to his liking while Johnson ran down low, a groove that he stuck with for the entire feature event.

On the inside of turns three and four on lap five, Johnson took the lead away from Corradi with sixth place starter Alex Yankowsi also getting by Corradi for the second position two laps later. Yankowsi was running the extreme outside of the speedway and swung around Johnson for the lead in turn four on lap eight. The top two of Yankowski and Johnson were able to pull away to a straightaway advantage over the third place running Corradi until the caution flew on lap 10 closing up the field.

Yankowski chose the outside for the restart and maintained his lead while behind Johnson the action was starting to heat up. At the halfway point in the event the top five consisted of Yankowski, Johnson, eighth place starter Jack Lehner, ninth place starter Matt DeLorenzo, and tenth place starter Demetrious Drellos.

DeLorenzo and Drellos both got by Lehner for the third and fourth positions with just over ten laps to go with lap traffic coming into play on lap 23, one lap before Johnson started reeling Yankowski in as the top groove that Yankowsi was using started to go away. On lap 25 Johnson got by Yankowski for the lead on the inside of turn two and from that point on the only time that he got out of the bottom groove was to get by the lap cars ahead of him.

“I don’t think I could have beat him if the top didn’t go away on him,” Johnson told Mimi Lazzaro in victory lane. “But I knew that sometimes the track tightens up on the bottom here so that was my thing, I was stuck down there, tried to keep working the bottom, and it kept getting better and better so that worked for us tonight.”

DeLorenzo got by Yankowski for the second position with two laps remaining, going three wide down the middle to get by both the lap car of Daniel Morgiewicz and Yankowski for the spot. Johnson went on to the win followed in the top five by DeLorenzo, Yankowski, Drellos, and Lehner.

“It was a cat and mouse game with the lap cars, you know guys are coming behind you and tonight it worked for us,” Johnson said. “I’ve had it the other way to where it didn’t work out but tonight we timed the lap cars right and it worked. I just want to thank all my sponsors, crew, and dedicated fans, thank everybody for everything.”

The 25-lap Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman began with outside pole sitter Mathew Perry out to the early lead with Zach Dufel second after starting on the pole. Brendan Gibbons started the event in the fifth position, moving up to the third position on lap six after getting by Brett Mortensen for the spot.

Perry was running a great race until lap 18 when he suffered a left front flat tire after contact was made with the inside wall in turn two. That resulted in Perry falling back through the field while Dufel took over the lead with Gibbons now in second. Dufel led the remaining laps in the #91H KRD Grooming sponsored DKM Car for his first career win in the division followed by Gibbons, 12^th place starter Peyton Talbot, Brett Mortensen, and eighth place starter Chip Constantino.

“This is the first complete night of the season for us after blowing transmissions and wrecking on the backstretch,” Dufel said in F.X. Caprara Car Companies Victory Lane. “It has been a heck of a start, but this makes up for it, this is incredible. The #91H was Michael Jackson’s dad’s last car number when he raced so we wanted to keep the family number alive.”

“The #74 (Perry) was a lot better than me in turns one and two but I could drive it in as hard as I wanted in turns three and four and it would stick so I was able to catch up to him,” Dufel continued to say. “I kept seeing him get closer and closer to the wall thinking that he may hit it, so I had to be ready to pounce on it when he did.”

Three wide competition was the theme at the start of the 20-lap Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock feature as cars were three wide for the first three laps for positions at the front of the field. When lap one was completed, Randy Cosselman was the race leader after starting on the outside pole but that only lasted one lap as fourth place starter Caden Dumblewski was the new race leader on lap two.

Sixth place starter Ivan Joslin was next to go three wide for the lead which he was able to take over on lap three in turn two. The red flag was out on lap four for Shane Playford who climbed the wall in turn one and barrel rolled the car several times. Playford was not injured in the wreck, but the car suffered heavy damage.

Joslin chose the outside for the restart and ran side by side with Dumblewski for two laps before finally clearing him for the number one spot. Joslin, Dumblewski, Josh Coonradt, Luke Horning, and Kenny Gates were in the top five at the halfway point with Gates getting by Horning for the fourth position with two laps to go.

Joslin went on to his second win of the season and the 14^th of his career in the division flowed by Dumblewski, Coonradt, Gates, and Horning.

“When we came out for our pace lap I saw the brown on the top, so I knew that I had to get there ahead of those guys,” Joslin said. “He (Dumblewski) bobbled in turn two and opened the door up for me, I took the lead and ran my own race, I just paced myself and told myself not to screw up. My uncle Dennis Joslin owns this car said that we still had something to prove with this leaf spring car and we are out here showing that we can still make it happen.”

Lucas Duncan led lap one of the 15-lap Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman feature from his outside front row starting position until Lance Hill got around him on the outside of turn four on lap two to take the lead. Hill held the lead through for the remainder of the event in the SHR Speed Shop/Scott Hamlin racing #22 Dave Lape tribute car for his first win of the 2023 season and the second of his career followed by 14^th place starter Tyler Bobar, Mike Hill, Kyle Dingman, and Tim Deffer.

“I want to thank my crew,” Hill said in victory lane. “They worked really hard on this car, put this body on it for the Dave Lape Memorial event last week and I wish we could have done better that night but tonight I got Dave his 100^th win.”

Canadian driver Tomy Moreau took the lead at the drop of the green flag in the 20-lap CRSA Sprint feature after starting on the pole with Peter Dance in tow. Moreau maintained the lead through two restarts for cautions on laps six and ten, and lap traffic over the final three laps for his first career win at Fonda and the first of his career with the CRSA Sprints.

Twelfth place starter Jordan Hutton made his way up to the second position on lap 13 and closed in on the leader in lap traffic but fell short at the checkered flag with Dance, Dalton Herrick, and Timmy Lotz completing the top five.

“To get a win here at Fonda is great,” Moreau told CRSA announcer Brady Houser in victory lane. “The track has so much history.”

Ken (SOHC) and Kerrie (DOHC) were the winners of their respective classes in the Fonda Fair Four Cylinder feature. Jon Mason, Wayne Russel Jr., and Justin Ramsey completed the top five finishers overall in the 12-lap event.

Next Saturday June 10 will be New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) Night at Fonda with all divisions in action along with the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS). NYSSCA will be giving away safety awards to the top finisher in each of the feature events who is a member of the NYSSCA organization and the second-place finishing NYSSCA member in each of the feature events as well.

The Safety Awards will include a $75 award and a NYSSCA hat to the top finishing NYSSCA member in each of the feature events along with a $25 award and a NYSSCA hat to the second NYSSCA member across the finish line.

Some other special awards will be handed out by the organization as well for accomplishments during the 2022 racing season.

If you are a race fan that gets to the track early, be sure to check out the Fonda Speedway Museum & Hall of Fame which is located on the Fonda Fairgrounds at the rear of the parking area going down towards turn four. The museum is open from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on race days and admission is free!

All races at Fonda Speedway – will be broadcast live on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) as part of the $150 annual subscription.

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 or follow the speedway on Twitter and Instagram: @thefondaspdwy.

DATE – 6/3/2023 A-VERDI STORAGE CONTAINERS NIGHT

AMSTERDAM TRUCK CENTER MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – RONNIE JOHNSON, Matt DeLorenzo, Alex Yankowski, Demetrious Drellos, Jack Lehner, Cody Clark, Rocky Warner, Chris Curtis, Jessica Friesen, Pep Corradi, JaMike Sowle, Bobby Hackel IV, Dave Constantino, Ryan Odasz, Bobby Varin, Brian Pessolano, Tucker O’Connor, David Schilling, Ryan Walther, Dave Camara, Brian Calabrese, Daniel Morgiewicz, Josh Hohenforst, Dale Gray, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Shawn McPhee, Brian Gleason (DNS)

1^st win of 2023 and the 32^nd career win at Fonda for Johnson

LAP LEADERS – 1-4 Corradi, 5-7 Johnson, 8-24 Yankowski, 25-30 Johnson

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Corradi, Curtis, Sowle

SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – ZACH DUFEL, Brendan Gibbons, Peyton Talbot, Brett Mortensen, Chip Constantino, Tanner Warner, Jeremy Tyrrell, Clayton DuMond, Blaine Klinger, Chad Edwards, Stephen Gray, Michael McCallion, Butchie Irwin, Mark Mortensen, Jason Reome, Dylan Eldred, Harry Shaffer, Matthew Perry, Bubba McPhee, Kaydon Hohensheldt, Clyde Peek, Dan Santabarbara (DNS), Josh Kane (DNS), Jason Greco (DNS), Troy Zilles (DNS)

1^st career win in the division at Fonda for Dufel

LAP LEADERS – 1-17 Perry, 18-25 Dufel

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Warner, Talbot, Brett Mortensen

GRECO’S NAPA HARD CHARGER AWARD – Talbot 9 positions 12^th to 3^rd

BELOW ZERO ICE CREAM PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – IVAN JOSLIN, Caden Dumblewski, Josh Coonradt, Kenny Gates, Luke Horning, Andy Graves, Beau Ballard, Jason Morrison, Randy Cosselman, Gary Silkey, Slater Baker, Jim Normoyle, Michael Achzet, Hunter Keith, Don Collins, Ken Griffen, Shane Playford

2^nd win of 2023 and the 14^th career win at Fonda for Joslin

LAP LEADERS – 1 Cosselman, 2 Dumblewski, 3-20 Joslin

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Coonradt, Joslin

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR AGING INC. LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 15-LAPS – LANCE HILL, Tyler Bobar, Mike Hill, Kyle Dingman, Tim Deffer, Jonathan Feagles, Bobby Rhinehart, John Anderson, Chris Kugler, Brandon Tyler, Timmy Wilmot, Dylan Huston, Cian DiMezza, Jeff Bobilin, Lucas Duncan, Maddy Broedel, Gus Kamberelis, Connor Prokop, Steve Wagoner, Michael Kalkbrenner, AJ Greco, Kirsten Swartz, Brandon Hazzard

1^st win of 2023 and the 2^nd career win at Fonda for Hill

LAP LEADERS – 1 Duncan, 2-15 Hill

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Kugler, Dingman, Hill

FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE – 12-LAPS – KEN HOLLENBACK (SOHC), KERRIE HOLLENBACK (DOHC), Jon Mason, Wayne Russell Jr., Justin Ramsey, Keith Tesiero Jr., Josh Ramsey, David Peek-Britten, Tim Warner, Len St. Andrews, TJ Marlitt, John Ray

4^th win of 2023 and the 89^th career win at Fonda for Ken Hollenback

4^th win of 2023 and the 38^th career win at Fonda for Kerrie Hollenback

LAP LEADERS – 1 Russell Jr., 2-12 Ken Hollenback

CRSA SPRINT CAR FEATURE – 20-LAPS – TOMY MOREAU, Jordan Hutton, Peter Dance, Dalton Herrick, Timmy Lotz, Mike Kiser, Alex Adamsky, Chad Miller, Mark Taylor, Ronnie Greek, John Cunningham, James Layton, Aaron Shelton, Steve Glover, Dan Craun, Dustin Sehn, Tyler Chartrand, Jeff Trombley, Kyle Pierce, Blake Warner, Kristen Dombrowski, Thomas Radivoy, Fred Proctor (DNS)

1^st career win for Moreau at Fonda and also in CRSA competition

LAP LEADERS – 1-20 Moreau

CRSA HEAT RACE WINNERS – Hutton, Kiser, Dance

AMSTERDAM TRUCK CENTER MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – RONNIE JOHNSON, Matt DeLorenzo, Alex Yankowski, Demetrious Drellos, Jack Lehner, Cody Clark, Rocky Warner, Chris Curtis, Jessica Friesen, Pep Corradi, JaMike Sowle, Bobby Hackel IV, Dave Constantino, Ryan Odasz, Bobby Varin, Brian Pessolano, Tucker O’Connor, David Schilling, Ryan Walther, Dave Camara, Brian Calabrese, Daniel Morgiewicz, Josh Hohenforst, Dale Gray, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Shawn McPhee, Brian Gleason (DNS)

1^st win of 2023 and the 32^nd career win at Fonda for Johnson

LAP LEADERS – 1-4 Corradi, 5-7 Johnson, 8-24 Yankowski, 25-30 Johnson

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Corradi, Curtis, Sowle

SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – ZACH DUFEL, Brendan Gibbons, Peyton Talbot, Brett Mortensen, Chip Constantino, Tanner Warner, Jeremy Tyrrell, Clayton DuMond, Blaine Klinger, Chad Edwards, Stephen Gray, Michael McCallion, Butchie Irwin, Mark Mortensen, Jason Reome, Dylan Eldred, Harry Shaffer, Matthew Perry, Bubba McPhee, Kaydon Hohensheldt, Clyde Peek, Dan Santabarbara (DNS), Josh Kane (DNS), Jason Greco (DNS), Troy Zilles (DNS)

1^st career win in the division at Fonda for Dufel

LAP LEADERS – 1-17 Perry, 18-25 Dufel

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Warner, Talbot, Brett Mortensen

GRECO’S NAPA HARD CHARGER AWARD – Talbot 9 positions 12^th to 3^rd

BELOW ZERO ICE CREAM PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – IVAN JOSLIN, Caden Dumblewski, Josh Coonradt, Kenny Gates, Luke Horning, Andy Graves, Beau Ballard, Jason Morrison, Randy Cosselman, Gary Silkey, Slater Baker, Jim Normoyle, Michael Achzet, Hunter Keith, Don Collins, Ken Griffen, Shane Playford

2^nd win of 2023 and the 14^th career win at Fonda for Joslin

LAP LEADERS – 1 Cosselman, 2 Dumblewski, 3-20 Joslin

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Coonradt, Joslin

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR AGING INC. LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 15-LAPS – LANCE HILL, Tyler Bobar, Mike Hill, Kyle Dingman, Tim Deffer, Jonathan Feagles, Bobby Rhinehart, John Anderson, Chris Kugler, Brandon Tyler, Timmy Wilmot, Dylan Huston, Cian DiMezza, Jeff Bobilin, Lucas Duncan, Maddy Broedel, Gus Kamberelis, Connor Prokop, Steve Wagoner, Michael Kalkbrenner, AJ Greco, Kirsten Swartz, Brandon Hazzard

1^st win of 2023 and the 2^nd career win at Fonda for Hill

LAP LEADERS – 1 Duncan, 2-15 Hill

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Kugler, Dingman, Hill

FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE – 12-LAPS – KEN HOLLENBACK (SOHC), KERRIE HOLLENBACK (DOHC), Jon Mason, Wayne Russell Jr., Justin Ramsey, Keith Tesiero Jr., Josh Ramsey, David Peek-Britten, Tim Warner, Len St. Andrews, TJ Marlitt, John Ray

4^th win of 2023 and the 89^th career win at Fonda for Ken Hollenback

4^th win of 2023 and the 38^th career win at Fonda for Kerrie Hollenback

LAP LEADERS – 1 Russell Jr., 2-12 Ken Hollenback

CRSA SPRINT CAR FEATURE – 20-LAPS – TOMY MOREAU, Jordan Hutton, Peter Dance, Dalton Herrick, Timmy Lotz, Mike Kiser, Alex Adamsky, Chad Miller, Mark Taylor, Ronnie Greek, John Cunningham, James Layton, Aaron Shelton, Steve Glover, Dan Craun, Dustin Sehn, Tyler Chartrand, Jeff Trombley, Kyle Pierce, Blake Warner, Kristen Dombrowski, Thomas Radivoy, Fred Proctor (DNS)

1^st career win for Moreau at Fonda and also in CRSA competition

LAP LEADERS – 1-20 Moreau

CRSA HEAT RACE WINNERS – Hutton, Kiser, Dance

DATE – 5/27/2023 M.W. ROOSEVELT & SON/ROOSEVELT’S TOWING DAVE LAPE MEMORIAL NIGHT

AMSTERDAM TRUCK CENTER/F.X. CAPRARA CAR COMPANIES THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY SERIES DAVE LAPE MEMORIAL MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – STEWART FRIESEN, Matt DeLorenzo, Demetrious Drellos, Jack Lehner, Rocky Warner, David Schilling, Jessica Friesen, Matt Sheppard, Bobby Hackel IV, Josh Hohenforst, Max McLaughlin, Dave Constantino, Chris Curtis, Ronnie Johnson, Tucker O’Connor, Alex Yankowski, Pep Corradi, Cody Clark, JaMike Sowle, Dace Camara, Bobby Varin, Shawn McPhee, Ron Holmes, Brian Pessolano, Brian Calabrese, Brent Cross, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Daniel Morgiewicz

2^nd win of 2023 and the 87^th of his career at Fonda for Friesen.

LAP LEADERS – 1-21 DeLorenzo, 22-30 Friesen

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Hackel, Varin, Stewart Freisen

DAVE LAPE MEMORIAL BONUSES 5/27/2023

$22 from Palmer’s Service Center for drivers who drew the 22^nd spot in the initial draw in all divisions – Max McLaughlin (Modified), Jason Greco (602 Crate Sportsman), Shane Playford (Pro Stock).

$122 Dave Lape’s Ladies 2^nd place – Matt DeLorenzo

$122 Mimi Lazzaro & Sheila Palmer 4^th place finisher – Jack Lehner

$99 Sacandaga Seamless Gutters/Nigel Skottke 7^th place finisher – Jessica Friesen

$122 Riley Mortuary/Pat Riley 8^th place finisher – Matt Sheppard

$250 Fulton County Electric/Jim Senzio 11^th place finisher – Max McLaughlin

$122 Dave Lape’s Ladies 13^th place – Chris Curtis

$122 Dave Lape’s Ladies 22^nd place – Shawn McPhee

$76 Palmer’s Service Center/Alton & Carole Palmer 22^nd place finisher – Shawn McPhee

$122 B & B Dumpster Rentals/Bodie Bellinger Hard Charger – Jessica Friesen +8 15^th to 7^th.

$122 Sacandaga Seamless Gutters/Nigel Skottke last car on lead lap – JaMike Sowle

SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL/F.X. CAPRARA CAR COMPANIES THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY SERIES CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – PEYTON TALBOT, Chad Edwards, Mark Mortensen, Blaine Klinger, Joe Toth, Tanner Warner, Clayton DuMond, Jason Reome, Dylan Eldred, Chip Constantino, Jeremy Tyrrell, Jim Nagle, Stephen Gray, Brendan Gibbons, Michael McCallion, Seth Martin, David Hackett Jr., Josh Kane, Brent Cross, Don Bellen, Harry Shaffer, Brian Calabrese, Jason Greco, Troy Zilles, Aaron Burton, Brett Mortensen, Butchie Irwin

3^rd win of 2023 and the 7^th of his career for Talbot.

11^th place finisher Jeremy Tyrrell won a $250 bonus from Jim Senzio of Fulton County Electric

LAP LEADERS – 1-2 Edwards, 3-25 Talbot

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Edwards, Constantino, Talbot, Calabrese

CONSOLATION RACE WINNERS – Kane

DID NOT QUALIFY – John DuMond, Clyde Peek, Kathy Bellen, Zach Dufel, Matt Perry, Lance Hill, Dan Santabarbara

GRECO’S NAPA HARD CHARGER AWARD – Nagle 25^th to 12^th

BELOW ZERO ICE CREAM/F.X. CAPRARA CAR COMPANIES THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY SERIES PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – BEAU BALLARD, Nick Stone, Shane Playford, Luke Horning, Kenny Gates, Caden Dumblewski, Josh Coonradt, Gary Silkey, Ivan Joslin, Jason Morrison, Randy Cosselman, Slater Baker, Kyle Weller, Johnny Holmes, Jim Normoyle, Michael Achzet, Andy Garves (DNS)

1^st win of 2023 and the 4^th of his career for Ballard.

LAP LEADERS – 1-10 Gates, 11-20 Ballard

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Ballard, Stone

Special thanks to the Man with the Red Chair who paid a bonus of $100 to each finisher from 2^nd to 11^th in the Pro Stock feature.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR AGING INC. LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 15-LAPS – JONATHAN FEAGLES, Michael Kalkbrenner, Kyle Dingman, Steve Wagoner, Connor Prokop, John Anderson, Mike Hill, Gus Kamberelis, Kirsten Swartz, Bobby Rhinehart, Lance Hill, Dylan Huston, Chris Kugler, Lucas Duncan, Jim Mallia, Bob Rowback, Timmy Wilmot, AJ Greco, Zach Welch, Bella Pickard, Ryan Sweet, Brandon Tyler

1^st career win for Feagles

LAP LEADERS – 1-15 Feagles

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Feagles, Rhinehart

FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE – 12-LAPS – KEN HOLLENBACK (SOHC), KERRIE HOLLENBACK (DOHC), Keith Tesiero Jr., Len St. Andrews, Chris Duffney Jr., David Peek-Britten, TJ Marlitt, Tim Warner, Wayne Russell Jr., Adam Montville, Todd Morey

3^rd win of 2023 and the 88^th of his career for Ken Hollenback

3^rd win of 2023 and the 37^th career win for Kerrie Hollenback

LAP LEADERS – 1-6 Montville, 7-12 Ken Hollenback

CAPTAIN CARL’S LUXURY CRUISES/DONE BETTER POOLS NON-QUALIFIERS RACE FOR SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN CARS – 5-LAPS – JOHN DUMOND

MOHAWK VALLEY VINTAGE DIRT MODIFIED SERIES (MVVDMS) ANTIQUE FEATURE – DON BRIGGS, Bryan Scofield, Mike Wheeler, John Wood, Cliff Haslun, Jimmy Hyde, Brent Williams, Harley Sheppard, John Orsini, Dustin Chapman, Malcum Warner, Mark Tomek, Tony Kamberelis (DNS), Mike Gray (DNS)

MOHAWK VALLEY VINTAGE DIRT MODIFIED SERIES (MVVDMS) MYSTIQUE FEATURE – JOHN MARKS, Carl Cram, Harry Baldwin, George Berbench, George Palmer, Mark Anatriello, Dan Karl, Peter Nowicki

MOHAWK VALLEY VINTAGE DIRT MODIFIED SERIES (MVVDMS) LATE MODEL FEATURE – JOHN ROESE, Chris Cross, Curtis Condon, Ed Docskalik, Will Reed (DQ)

MOHAWK VALLEY VINTAGE DIRT MODIFIED SERIES (MVVDMS) SPORTSMAN FEATURE – MALACHI MATTHEWS, Mike Francisco, Jimmy Fugel, Merv Blackwell, Jon Trudeau, Nathan McFadden, Frank Brown, Brian Gray, John Constantino

MOHAWK VALLEY VINTAGE DIRT MODIFIED SERIES (MVVDMS) MODIFIED FEATURE – RANDY DELANEY, Joe Rando, Jack Miller, Anthony Cardamone, Jon Kulesco, Don Colvin, Darral Hulbert (DNS)

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – With much anticipation, the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) presented by Mobil 1 will compete at the “Track of Champions” this Saturday, May 20 for the first time in ten years. When the ASCoC released their schedule for the 2023 season back on Thursday, December 1 of last year, local fans took notice as the Fonda Speedway was a part of the schedule and now the Montgomery County Fairgrounds is ready to host the big $10,000 to win event presented by Mirabito.

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.

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.”

TRACK RECORD SET ON 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.

RAHMER BREAKS WALKER’S TRACK RECORD ON 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.

CURRENT ASCoC POINT STANDINGS AND EVENT WINNERS

Current ASCoC point standings as of 5/13/2023 show Tyler Courtney leading the way followed by Hunter Schuerenberg, Parker Price-Miller, Chris Windom, and JJ Hickle in the top five.

Nine events have been held in the ASCoC Series so far in 2023 starting out on 2/7/2023 in Florida with Brad Sweet winning that event. Courtney leads the way with three victories so far in 2023 while Sweet, Carson Macedo, Craig Mintz, Brent Marks, Kyle Larson, and Schuerenberg all have one victory apiece.

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!

If you are a race fan that gets to the track early, be sure to check out the Fonda Speedway Museum & Hall of Fame which is located on the Fonda Fairgrounds at the rear of the parking area going down towards turn four. The museum is open from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on race days and admission is free!

All races at Fonda Speedway – will be broadcast live on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) as part of the $150 annual subscription.

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 or follow the speedway on Twitter and Instagram: @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

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – Holmes & Kugler Towing presented Dollar Night at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway on Saturday evening and the fans came out and packed the place with only $1 admission required to see some great racing.

“It’s been a hectic couple of weeks,” Stewart Friesen said after the win. “We appreciate all of your support this week, it’s awesome to see these grandstands full and rockin’ and it’s great to be back here again.”

When the final checkered flag flew to complete the racing program visiting victory lane were Stewart Friesen (Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds), Mark Mortensen (Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman), Kenny Gates (Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks), AJ Greco (Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman), Ken and Kerrie Hollenback (Fonda Fair Four Cylinders).

It was a special night for AJ Greco who celebrated his first career win in the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman feature and was able to celebrate in victory lane with his family and crew. Also, it was the first time that Evan Mortensen, son of Mark Mortensen, was able to celebrate in victory lane with his father who scored his 26^th and All-Time Win List tying win in the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman division.

Opening ceremonies were led off by Pastor Greg Nitz followed by the National Anthem by Stephanie May. The 50/50 girls performed their magic and came up with a $4,293 prize which was won by Lewis from Sprakers. Special thanks to Tim Horn and the Turn 4 Crew who donated a second prize to the 50/50 and also donated three $30 Walmart Gift Cards to the Fonda Speedway Kid’s Club!

Brian Calabrese was the early leader in the Amsterdam Truck Center Modified feature with the caution out at the completion of lap one for Dave Camara who suffered a flat left rear tire. He pitted and returned to the rear of the field for the restart. Danny Varin took over the lead on the restart with Jessica Friesen the new second place car after starting fifth.

Stewart Friesen started the event in the seventh position and moved to the front quickly, sitting in the fourth position on lap four and one lap later he was the new third place car after getting by Demetrious Drellos. Stewart got by his wife Jessica Friesen for the second position on lap eight and three laps later was the new race leader after getting by Varin on the inside of turns one and two.

Stewart Friesen, Danny Varin, Jessica Friesen, Drellos, and Cody Clark were in the top five at the halfway point with Drellos taking over the second position from Varin as Stewart Friesen was now out to a straightaway advantage with four lap cars in between himself and Drellos. Two yellow flags slowed the event with only a few laps to go but Stewart held the lead on the restarts and went on to his first win of the season and the 86^th of his career at Fonda.

Drellos, Danny Varin, Jessica Friesen, and Bobby Varin completed the top five at the finish.

“Jay (Castimore) said that we were pretty good so if he says we’re pretty good we must be pretty good,” Friesen said in victory lane as his tire man Castimore examined the tires after the feature in FX Caprara Car Companies Victory Lane. “The track was challenging tonight, slick and a little choppy down low in turns one and two. A lot of us call this place Fondega because it is so fast, one of the gnarliest dirt tracks around, and we are very fortunate to have it in our back yard.”

The first night of handicapping in all divisions except for the Modifieds placed Zach Dufel and Mark Mortensen on the front row for the start of the 25-lap Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman feature. Mortensen wasted no time in taking the lead at the drop of the green flag and tried to put the bad luck that he had the first two weeks behind him.

Josh Kane was the second pace car at the start with Mortensen out to a 3.6 second lead on lap seven. Chad Edwards started the event in the 10^th position and at that point in the event he was the new fourth place car with Mortensen splitting the lap cars of Don Bellen and Matthew Perry to maintain the lead which he continued to stretch out lap after lap.

The top five at the halfway point consisted Mortensen, Kane, Blaine Klinger, Edwards, and 12^th place starter Peyton Talbot. Edwards was the new third place car on lap 18 after getting by Klinger for the spot. Klinger’s great run came to an end three laps later when he stopped on the backstretch to bring out the yellow, taking away the big lead that Mortensen had built up.

Mortensen led on the restart with another quick yellow coming out with no laps completed but he was able to pull away on the restart for his 26^th career win in the division in the Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In, Person’s Farm’s, Palmer’s Service Center sponsored #1M DKM Car, tying him for first on the All-Time Win List in the division. Kane, Edwards, and Talbot raced hard for the second position over the final laps with Kane, Talbot, Edwards, and Aaron Burton completing the top five at the finish.

“The last couple of weeks have been kind of rough, one was my own fault and the other a broken driveshaft,” Mortensen explained in victory lane. “To start on the second row with handicapping starting tonight definitely helped. I pretty much stuck to the bottom, caught the lap cars, passed who I could, and kind of came to a standstill doing that. The starter was telling me I had some distance in the lead and then the yellow came out putting the cream of the crop right behind me.”

Jason Morrison led at the start of the 20-lap Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock feature from his outside front row starting spot with Shane Playford second after starting fourth. Eighth place starter Kenny Gates was the new fourth third place car on lap six after getting by Luke Horning for the spot with the only yellow flag in the event coming out on lap six for a crash in turn two involving Ivan Joslin and Caden Dumblewski. Both were able to restart at the back of the field.

Horning went from fourth to second on the restart and one lap later Morrison, Horning, and Playford were three wide for the number one spot, which Horning was able to get on lap seven on the outside of turn four. Gates was the new second place car on lap 12, got by Horning for the lead one lap later, and went on to the back-to-back win in the Palmer’s Service Center, Happy Returns sponsored #35 for the 88^th win of his career at Fonda which is on top of the All-Time Win List in the division.

Graves, Horning, Playford, and Josh Coonradt completed the top five.

“88 wins here that’s freakin’ incredible,” Gates told Mimi Lazzaro in victory lane. “I can’t believe it, just so excited. I was committed to the bottom, Luke (Horning) was committed to the top, and Andy (Graves) was running great right in the black right down the middle. We stayed off of each other lap after lap and I’m like holy cow, don’t screw up a bit or there’s gonna be a big mess.

The last feature of the evening was the 15-lap Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman with Chris Kugler leading the first four laps from his pole position start. AJ Greco started the event in the fourth position and took over the lead on lap five with an inside move in turn three. Two more caution flags slowed the event, but Greco held on for his first career victory in the division over Johnny DuMond, Michael Kalkbrenner, Kugler, and Kyle Dingman.

“I knew Michael (Kalkbrenner) was behind me and he is pretty quick, so I was just trying to get good restarts,” Greco said. “It’s good to have my whole family here, I kind of forgot that tomorrow is Mother’s Day so when my dad asked what I got her I said maybe I can win her a trophy.”

Ken (SOHC) and Kerrie (DOHC) dominated the Fonda Fair Four Cylinder feature for their 87^th and 36^th career wind respectively. Adam Montville, Jon Mason, and Wayne Russell Jr. completed the top five.

Next Saturday May20 the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) 410-Sprint Cars presented by Mobil 1 will compete at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds track. When the schedule for the ASCoC was unveiled on Facebook and other media outlets back in December, local race fans took notice about the race date at Fonda with the drivers competing for $10,000 to win that evening!

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).

If you are a race fan that gets to the track early, be sure to check out the Fonda Speedway Museum & Hall of Fame which is located on the Fonda Fairgrounds at the rear of the parking area going down towards turn four. The museum is open from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on race days and admission is free!

All races at Fonda Speedway – will be broadcast live on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) as part of the $150 annual subscription.

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 or follow the speedway on Twitter and Instagram: @thefondaspdwy.

DATE – 5/6/2023 HOLMES & KUGLER TOWING NIGHT

AMSTERDAM TRUCK CENTER MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – STEWART FRIESEN, Demetrious Drellos, Danny Varin, Jessica Friesen, Bobby Varin, Jack Lehner, Cody Clark, Brian Calabrese, Dave Constantino, David Schilling, Tucker O’Connor, Alex Yankowski, Brian Gleason, Chris Curtis, Bobby Hackel IV, Ronnie Johnson, Rocky Warner, Josh Hohenforst, Matt DeLorenzo, Brian Pessolano, JaMike Sowle, Pep Corradi, Dave Camara, Shawn McPhee, Kolby Schroder, Dylan Scribner, Dale Gray

1^st win of the 2023 season and the 86^th of his career in the division at Fonda for Stewart Friesen

LAP LEADERS – 1 Calabrese, 2-10 Danny Varin, 11-30 Stewart Friesen

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Drellos, Constanino, Stewart Friesen

CONSOLATION RACE WINNER – Johnson

DID NOT QUALIFY – Kurtis Hohensheldt, Daniel Morgiewicz Jr., Brent Cross

SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – MARK MORTENSEN, Josh Kane, Payton Talbot, Chad Edwards, Aaron Burton, Butchie Irwin, Stephen Gray, Jeremy Tyrrell, Troy Zilles, Clayton DuMond, Harry Shaffer, Tanner Warner, Michael McCallion, Brendan Gibbons, Chip Constantino, Brett Mortensen, Aaron Cross, Dylan Eldred, Jason Greco, Matthew Richardson, Jason Reome, Blaine Klinger, Zach Dufel, Don Bellen, Matt Perry, Clyde Peek, Dan Santabarbara

1^st win of the 2023 season and the 26^th of his career in the division at Fonda for Mark Mortensen who is now tied for 1^st on the All-Time Win List in the division.

LAP LEADERS – 1-25 Mark Mortensen

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Talbot, Mark Mortensen, Edwards

GRECO’S NAPA HARD CHARGER AWARD – Zilles 26^th to 12^th

BELOW ZERO ICE CREAM PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – KENNY GATES, Andy Graves, Luke Horning, Shane Playford, Josh Coonradt, Beau Ballard, Ivan Joslin, Jason Morrison, Gary Silkey, Caden Dumblewski, AJ Walters, Jim Normoyle, Slater Baker, Michael Achzet, Randy Cosselman

2^nd win of 2023 season and the 88^th of his career in the division at Fonda for Gates

LAP LEADERS – 1-6 Morrison, 7-12 Horning, 13-20 Gates

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Horning, Morrison

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR AGING INC. LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 15-LAPS – AJ GRECO, Johnny DuMond, Michael Kalkbrenner, Chris Kugler, Kyle Dingman, John Anderson, Timmy Wilmot, Steve Wagoner, Lance Hill, Bobby Rhinehardt, Tim Deffer, Mike Hill, Kirsten Schwartz, Lucas Duncan, Dale Van Allen, Dylan Huston, Bella Pickard, Bob Rowback, Jim Mallia, Connor Prokop, Ryan Sweet, Jonathan Feagles, Gus Kamberelis (DNS), Phil Arnold (DNA

1^st career win in the division for Greco

LAP LEADERS – 1-4 Kugler, 5-15 Greco

HEAT RACE WINNERS – DuMond, Greco, Wagoner

FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE – 12-LAPS – KEN HOLLENBACK (SOHC), KERRIE HOLLENBACK (DOHC), Adam Montville, Jon Mason, Wayne Russell, Jr., Tim Warner, David Peek Britten, Dan Haslun, John Napoli, Chris Duffney, Jr., TJ Marlitt, Len St. Andrews, John Ray, Brandon Ely

2^nd win of the 2023 season and the 87^th of his career in the division at Fonda for Ken Hollenback

2^nd win of the 2023 season and the 36^th of his career in the division at Fonda for Kerrie Hollenback

LAP LEADERS – 1-2 Kerrie Hollenback, 3-12 Kerrie Hollenback