Written by Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – After a successful Capital District Racecar Show last weekend where many of the Fonda Speedway competitors showed off their cars for the 2019 season, the focus now turns to Saturday, April 13 when an open practice is planned at the “Track of Champions” followed by opening night of the 2019 season the following Saturday, April 20.

In case you have missed some of the announcements that have been made throughout the winter months by new Fonda Speedway promoter Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC here is a brief rundown of what has been announced since Mr. Deyo took over the reins at the “Track of Champions” last November.

Since 1953, the legendary Fonda Speedway has played host to the Northeast’s most talented competitors and passionate fans. For 2019, the “Track of Champions” is poised for a return to prominence. With a new management team under the BD Motorsports Media LLC promotion, Fonda Speedway launches into the 2019 campaign with reduced admission, special events, and larger purse structures. It’s truly a “win-win-win” for supporters of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds half-mile track.

Admission for Adults has been rolled back to $11 for weekly Saturday night events in 2019!

Seniors (ages 65 and up) pay $9 while Kids 11 and under are FREE. New for 2019 is the Fonda Speedway “Dollar Day” scheduled for May 18 offering $1 admission into the grandstands. This event will feature all classes including the Modifieds.

All Fonda divisions will race for more money in 2019!

The Modifieds will compete for $2,400 to win, $500 for 10th and $250 to start weekly, a pay structure that totals $12,775. Crate 602 Sportsman now battle for a $700 top prize minimum and $100 to take the green. But it gets better, on 10 Saturday nights during the season, Eric Orozco Racing has risen the stakes, offering $1,000 to win on April 20, May 4, May 18, June 1, June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27, August 3 and August 10.

Pro Stocks will race for $500 weekly and a boosted $75 to start!

While Limited Sportsman, Street Stocks, and Four Cylinder Cruisers will all be paid throughout the field in the 2019 season.

Both the Modified and Sportsman competitors will be eligible to participate in the lucrative American Racer Cup presented by Sunoco!

Which distributes $51,450 in cash and hundreds of tire certificates annually to teams competing at American Racer tracks across the Northeast.

Fonda Speedway Goes National!

On Wednesday July 3rd, 2019 the Fonda Speedway will once again be in the limelight of the racing world as national television channel MAV-TV records the “Firecracker 50” $10,000-to-win Modified race from the “Track of Champions” in Fonda, N.Y. for broadcast! The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Racing & Fonda Speedway officials are amped up for this mid-week event to put Fonda Speedway back on the map on a national level. This event will have promotional support from John Lakata, who organized the wildly successful “Jack” event at the track in 2015.

$125,675.000!

That is the magic number to be paid out at the September 28, 2019 “Return of the Fonda 200”! This historic modified race will pay $53,000 to the winner, $20,000 to 2nd and $10,000 for the 3rd place! Also announced before the event was held, the winner of the Northeast dirt season opening event at the Georgetown Speedway on March 16 will be a guaranteed starter for the Fonda 200. Stewart Friesen was the winner of the event giving him the guaranteed starting spot for the big paying “Fonda 200” event!

Dollar Day Coming To the “Track of Champions”!

In keeping up with the changes at the Fonda Speedway in 2019, we wanted to do something to send along our appreciation to the loyal fans of Fonda. What better way to do it than having a “Fonda Speedway Dollar Day”! On Saturday, May 18, 2019, when the grandstand gates open up, ticket sellers will be proud to say “One Dollar Please”, and your admittance into the famous Fonda 1/2 mile will be granted. All weekly divisions will be in racing action that evening, which does include the Modifieds!

Seeing Double @ the “Track of Champions”!

For many seasons at the Fonda Speedway, Modified Twin 20’s were always a night you would not want to miss. In 2019, there will be two nights of double features for the modified division paying $1500 to win each race. June 8th will be the first of the Modified Twin 20’s, with July 13 being the second round of Modified Twin 20’s! With shorter laps in each feature event, it makes the drivers’ urgency to get to the front even more important and makes for some exciting racing!

Cowboy Paul Szmal named Fonda Speedway Announcer for 2019!

A familiar voice is returning to the “Track of Champions” this upcoming season. Cowboy Paul Szmal will return to the head announcer’s chair to call what we believe will be some iconic Fonda Speedway history making moments in 2019. Paul was the announcer a few seasons ago at Fonda and has been the voice for many racetracks throughout his career. His knowledge of racing and history of the sport will make him a perfect fit into our team. Paul will be assisted by Jay Severson in the tower for the racing season, a knowledgeable duo to take the Fonda Speedway to victory lane in 2019 and beyond.

Welcome to Sunoco Racing as the title sponsor of the Modified division at Fonda Speedway in 2019!

Thank you Bruce Insinger of Insinger Performance for the outstanding support. Also, welcome to the “Track of Champions” the Montgomery County Office for Aging as they have signed on as the Fonda Speedway Limited Sportsman Divisional Sponsor!

The Street Stock division just got better as well as Trackside Body Works in Fonda, New York has jumped on board for the 2019 racing season!

To be the headline sponsor of the Street Stock division! Street Stocks will now race for a minimum of $200 to win each event thanks to Trackside Body Works!

Pro Stock “Best of 8” Series Announced for the 2019 Fonda Season!

Fonda Speedway management has been working hard on an incentive program for the popular Pro Stock division in 2019. Enter the “Best of 8” Series. On eight Saturday nights, the Pro Stock division will race for an increased $800 to win. The dates are as follows: April 20, May 4, May 11, June 8, June 22, July 13, July 20, and August 3.

Montgomery County Championships for 602 Sportsman & Pro-Stocks!

The Fonda Speedway & the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park have joined forces to offer the first ever “Montgomery County Championships” between the two tracks starting in 2019. Separated by a mere three miles, the 602 Sportsman and Pro-Stocks will go to battle to find out who is the best in the county. Each division will use their eight best finishes at the Fonda Speedway, and their eight best finishes at The Ridge with a combined point system kept. There will also be two special challenge races, one at The Ridge on July 6, and Fonda Speedway’s challenge race slated for September 14.

16th Annual Earl Halaquist Memorial!

If you grew up going to Fonda Speedway, you knew that on every Memorial Day weekend you could bank on seeing sprint cars at the “Track of Champions”. In 2019, that tradition will continue on as the Patriot Sprint Tour invades the speedway with the running of the 16th annual Earl Halaquist Memorial. Earl Halaquist was a six-time United Racing Club (URC) point champion, and “The Earl of Sidney” sits in the record books with 53 feature wins. Danny Varin is a two-time defending race champion and will look to three-peat at his hometown track in 2019.

Weekly Hard Charger Award!

602 Crate Sportsman weekly racing just got a little better for the upcoming 2019 racing season at the Fonda Speedway. Frank & Jason Greco from Greco’s Napa Auto Parts in Palatine Bridge New York have come on board to sponsor a weekly Hard Charger Award for the season. The driver who advances the most positions in the weekly 602 Crate Sportsman will receive a $100.00 gift certificate to their store in Palatine Bridge. A special sticker is being produced & must be on your racecar in order to be eligible for the award. In case of a tie, the certificate will be split. The offer is only valid at Greco’s Napa Auto Parts in Palatine Bridge, NY. We will announce when & where to grab your stickers!

Bob Hilbert Sportswear Meet & Greet Night!

On Saturday night, May 4, 2019 Bob Hilbert Sportswear presents Meet & Greet night at Fonda Speedway, and they are bringing along plenty of goodies! All race teams competing that night will receive a t-shirt, along with giveaway items for the 1st 100 fans to arrive at the speedway that day. Mr. Hilbert & his team will also have special giveaway items for the kids as well!

It’s huge!

Fonda Speedway and Fuccillo Automotive Group have joined forces in a multi-faceted partnership for the upcoming 2019 season at the legendary Montgomery County Fairgrounds facility. Victory Lane at the hallowed “Track of Champions” is a destination racers aspire to reach. This season, the checkerboard square will bring even more meaning. Fuccillo Automotive Group has signed on to present Victory Lane for the entire season in memory of their longtime employee and avid race fan Mike Cole of Canajoharie, who worked at the Fuccillo Nelliston location. Mr. Cole passed away unexpectedly and the Fuccillo family wanted to honor him at the speedway.

Fuccillo Automotive Group has taken a title sponsorship role of the Wednesday, July 3 “Firecracker 50” at Fonda, featuring the first-ever appearance by the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series STSS Fueled By Sunoco Racing big-block/small-block Modifieds. This 50-lap event offers $10,000 to win plus lap money and is sure to attract top drivers from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

The Fuccillo Automotive Group “Firecracker 50” also includes the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman series for $1,500 to win and will be recorded for national broadcast on MAV-TV Motorsports Network, available to more than 35 million households across the country. And there’s more! Fuccillo Automotive Group will provide Fonda Speedway with an official pace truck for the entire 2019 season.

Sponsors for the 2019 Racing Season at Fonda!

The list of sponsors who have come on board with the “Track of Champions” for 2019 includes the following in no particular order: BD Motorsports Media LLC, Eric Orozco, American Racer Cup presented by Sunoco Racing, Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series fueled by Sunoco, Sunoco Race Fuels Bruce-Insinger of Insinger Performance, Lias Tire, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Fuccillo Automotive Group, John Lakata, Autism Awareness, Corr Pak Merchandising, One Zee Tees, Greco’s Auto & Truck Parts NAPA, Trackside Body Works, BBL Construction Services, Recovery Room Sports Grill, Palmer’s Service Center, Bill Lake Homes, Montgomery County Office for the Aging, Benjamin Moore Paints, DKM Fabrication, MW Roosevelt & Sons, Roosevelt Towing & Recovery, Teo Pro Car, Montgomery County Championships, Mav-TV, Make A Wish, and School House Pools!

Since 1953, the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Now 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, NY – Perfect attendance in Fonda Speedway’s open-wheel divisions will be rewarded in 2019.

Teo-Pro Car and Fonda Speedway management have joined forces in a partnership that will reward a driver loyal to the ‘Track of Champions’ during the upcoming 2019 season.

Competitors in the Sunoco Modified, Crate 602 Sportsman and Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman ranks with perfect attendance in their respective divisions will be entered into a year-end drawing to win a Teo-Pro car chassis outfitted with body mounts.

The public drawing will take place during the $53,000-to-win Fonda 200 weekend Sept. 26-28.

“This is an awesome opportunity for a driver loyal to our speedway to be rewarded,” Fonda promoter Brett Deyo said. “Thank you to Bobby and Matt Hearn and the Teo brand for stepping up to benefit our weekly Fonda Speedway racers.”

Teo-Pro Car has also signed on as the presenting sponsor of the Fuccillo Automotive Group Firecracker 50 paying $10,000 to win on Wednesday, July 3. The Fuccillo Automotive Group Firecracker 50 presented by Teo-Pro Car will be recorded for national broadcast on MAV-TV. The event is slated for the Halmar International North Region of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco.

Founded by Bobby Hearn, Teo-Pro Car has been setting new standards in dirt Modified racing since 1987. Based in Vernon, N.J., Teo specializes in construction, parts and support for high-quality, championship-winning dirt Modified chassis.

Teo-Pro offers a complete line of oval-track parts and accessories on the web at teopro.com/shop.

Teo-Pro Car is located at 95 Maple Grange Road Vernon, NJ 07462 and can be contacted by phone at 973.764.5500. Find Teo on the web at www.teopro.com.

Fonda Speedway, under the management of BD Motorsports Media LLC, gets the green flag on Saturday, April 13 with Open Practice for all divisions.

The official Season Opener is planned for Saturday, April 20, featuring Sunoco Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,000 to win by Eric Orozco Racing), Pro Stock American Racer Best of 8 Series ($800 to win), Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman and Trackside Body Works Street Stocks.

Since 1953, the ‘Track of Champions’ Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Now 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/thefondaspdwy or follow on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

FONDA, NY – Partners in ‘disruption.’

Fonda Speedway’s new BD Motorsports Media LLC management team and DKM Fabrication have joined forces in a marketing partnership for the ‘Track of Champions’ 2019 season.

Located within earshot of the speedway in Fultonville, N.Y., DKM is a movement and a 100-percent in-house racecar company that is disrupting the way dirt Modified chassis are designed and built. DKM leverages its advanced engineering knowledge and use of state-of-the-art technology to design the fastest cars available on dirt.

The DKM background of founders Dave Constantino, Eric Mack and Kyle Hoffman stems from a deep technical understanding of dirt oval racing and a meticulous obsession with quality. DKM-built cars of the ‘Black Flag Crew’ were regular visitors to Fonda’s famed checkerboard square during the ’18 season.

Since taking the lease of Fonda’s half-mile oval in November, the new management team has ‘disrupted’ dirt Modified racing in the region with strong, well-balanced pay structures, innovative ideas and the resurrection of the Fonda 200 paying $53,000 to win in September!

DKM and Fonda have joined forces for a ‘Black Flag Section’ of the speedway’s grandstands located in turn four. Fans watching the action from the ‘Black Flag Section’ will enjoy special promotions and giveaways regularly courtesy of DKM.

The ‘Black Flag Section’ will be marked with DKM flags in the air and signage throughout.

To learn more about DKM, visit www.dkmracecars.com, “like” DKM Fabrication on Facebook or subscribe to the DKM Fabrication YouTube channel. Call 518.441.5026 to order a DKM Cyclone Chassis today.

Fonda Speedway gets the green flag on Saturday, April 13 with Open Practice for all divisions.

The official Season Opener is planned for Saturday, April 20, featuring Sunoco Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,000 to win by Eric Orozco Racing), Pro Stock American Racer Best of 8 Series ($800 to win), Limited Sportsman and Trackside Body Works Street Stocks.

Since 1953, the ‘Track of Champions’ Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Now 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/thefondaspdwy or follow on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

FONDA, NY – It’s huge!®

Fonda Speedway and Fuccillo Automotive Group have joined forces in a multi-faceted partnership for the upcoming 2019 season at the legendary Montgomery County Fairgrounds facility which is fast approaching with Open Practice on Saturday, April 13 and the Season Opener Saturday, April 20.

Victory Lane at the hallowed ‘Track of Champions’ is a destination racers aspire to reach. This season, the checkerboard square will bring even more meaning. Fuccillo Automotive Group has signed on to present Victory Lane for the entire season in memory of their longtime employee and avid race fan Mike Cole of Canajoharie, who worked at the Fuccillo Nelliston location. Mr. Cole passed away unexpectedly and the Fuccillo family wanted to honor him at the speedway.

Fuccillo Automotive Group has taken a title sponsorship role of the Wednesday, July 3 ‘Firecracker 50’ at Fonda, featuring the first-ever appearance by the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco big-block/small-block Modifieds. This 50-lap event offers $10,000 to win plus lap money and is sure to attract top drivers from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

The Fuccillo Automotive Group ‘Firecracker 50’ also includes the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman series for $1,500 to win and will be recorded for national broadcast on MAV-TV Motorsports Network, available to more than 35 million households across the country.

And there’s more! Fuccillo Automotive Group will provide Fonda Speedway with an official pace truck for the entire ’19 season.

“We are thrilled to bring Fuccillo Automotive Group on board for the 2019 season,” Fonda Speedway promoter Brett Deyo said. “The Fuccillo brand is well-known throughout upstate New York and beyond. They will be outstanding partners for our speedway.”

Fuccillo Automotive Group boasts 29 locations in New York State and Florida with brands including Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Jeep, KIA, Lincoln, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Nissan, RAM, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen. To learn more, visit www.fuccillo.com.

Fonda Speedway, under the management of BD Motorsports Media LLC, gets the green flag on Saturday, April 13 with Open Practice for all divisions.

The official Season Opener is planned for Saturday, April 20, featuring Sunoco Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,000 to win by Eric Orozco Racing), Pro Stock American Racer Best of 8 Series ($800 to win), Limited Sportsman and Trackside Body Works Street Stocks.

Since 1953, the ‘Track of Champions’ Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Now 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/thefondaspdwy or follow on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

FONDA, NY – The Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. and NY Connects have entered into a marketing awareness agreement with Fonda Speedway.

For the approaching 2019 season, the Fonda Speedway Limited Sportsman division will be presented by the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc.  The office takes naming rights for the division starting Saturday, April 20 with the annual ‘Track of Champions’ Season Opener.

Based in Amsterdam, N.Y., the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. is committed to serving Montgomery County senior citizens and their families by helping elderly maintain their independence and quality of life. Their work environment is one in which everyone is treated with respect, dignity and professionalism. All of the programs are specifically designed for adults 60 and older.

The Office for Aging offers a number of services including family caregiver support, care assistance, balanced, nutritious meals, Home Energy Assistance Program (HIICAP), Expanded in-home Services for the Elderly (EISEP), home-delivered meals, information and referral, legal services, nutrition and education counseling, Montgomery County Connects, senior identification program and telephone reassurance.

The Montgomery County Office for Aging will also have signage at the speedway.

To learn more, visit www.officeforaging.com or check out their social media channels.

The Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman start their championship chase on April 20 and are included in Fonda’s weekly programs through the August 10 Championship Night.

Fonda Speedway, under the management of BD Motorsports Media LLC, gets the green flag on Saturday, April 13 with Open Practice for all divisions.

The official Season Opener is planned for Saturday, April 20, featuring Sunoco Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,000 to win by Eric Orozco Racing), Pro Stock American Racer Best of 8 Series ($800 to win), Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman and Trackside Body Works Street Stocks.

Since 1953, the ‘Track of Champions’ Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Now 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/thefondaspdwy or follow on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

FONDA, NY – The Street Stock division at Fonda Speedway will receive a boost for the 2019 season.

Trackside Body Works, located within earshot of the speedway in Fonda, New York, has signed on as the presenting sponsor of the Street Stock division for the ’19 season – and the racers will benefit!

Thanks to Trackside Body Works owner Greg Duesler, Street Stocks will compete for a minimum of $200 to win at the ‘Track of Champions’ every Saturday night. The division will now be known as the Trackside Body Works Street Stock division.

Trackside Body Works is located at 3555 State Highway 5 in Fonda, N.Y. Trackside boasts 35 years of repairing cars featuring a state-of-the-art paint booth and an in-house custom paint-mixing system. Trackside Body Works is insurance company friendly.

Trackside Body Works Street Stocks will be part of the 2019 Fonda Speedway opener on Saturday, April 20, joining the Sunoco Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,000 to win thanks to Eric Orozco Racing), Pro Stock ‘Best of 8’ Series offering $800 to win and Limited Sportsman.

A practice session is planned for the prior Saturday, April 13.

Since 1953, the ‘Track of Champions’ Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Now 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/thefondaspdwy or follow on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

FONDA, NY – David Schilling has made his mark as a consistent frontrunner in the Sportsman division of upstate New York.

Now, he is set to embark on a bigger challenge.

Schilling will move into the Sunoco Modified ranks for 2019 at Fonda Speedway, tackling the headline division at the ‘Track of Champions’ with support from St. Lawrence Radiology and 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

The 22-year-old from East Greenbush, N.Y., looks to add his name to the impressive list of Modified feature winners – including fellow St. Lawrence Radiology team members Michael Maresca and Tim Fuller – at the legendary Fonda half-mile oval starting with the Saturday, April 20 Season Opener.

The opportunity to advance from the Crate 602-powered Sportsman division to the competitive Modified ranks at Fonda is thanks to the Maresca family and their St. Lawrence Radiology based in Potsdam, N.Y. The sponsorship support allowed Schilling to order a new powerplant from Bedell Racing Engines for the ’19 season.

“’Doc’ (Maresca) is a big part of making this happen,” Schilling said. “I can’t thank the Marescas enough for giving me the opportunity to move up.”

Schilling will install the new engine in his No. 20 Bicknell chassis. He knows there will be a learning curve and hopes to make some starts prior to the Fonda gates opening in mid-April.

“It’s a big jump (from the Crate),” Schilling said. “Getting seat time is key in the beginning to get me up to speed. I just hope I can be half as fast as Tim (Fuller) and Mike (Maresca) were there.”

Schilling is no stranger to success. He has traveled the Northeast extensively since moving from pavement Legend Car racing to the dirt Sportsman ranks. He is a past winner at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, N.Y., and Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, Vt.

Schilling is optimistic about spending his Saturday nights along the Mohawk River at Fonda this summer.

“There is a lot of buzz about Fonda right now,” he said, adding, “the weekly payout is good back through the field and we have some big races on the schedule to prepare for.”

Additional marketing support for Schilling’s Modified effort comes from Capital Plumbing, Tri-City Pools, Jam Performance and MRB Darcy DirtWork.

The engines fire on the ’19 season at Fonda on Saturday, April 13 with a practice session. Opening Night is slated for Saturday, April 20 featuring the Sunoco Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman paying $1,000 to win (thanks to Eric Orozco Racing), Pro Stocks in a ‘Best of 8’ Series $800-to-win event, Limited Sportsman and Street Stocks.

Since 1953, the ‘Track of Champions’ Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Now 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/thefondaspdwy or follow on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

FONDA, NY – On the brink of Christmas, Fonda Speedway fans can Deck(er) the Halls.

Willy Decker, a Modified track champion at three New York State speedways, has announced plans to call Fonda home during the upcoming 2019 season. The Vernon, N.Y., driver will compete in the Sunoco Modified division driving for the Rich and Donna Dodson team.

Decker last raced as a Fonda regular every Saturday night during the Ric Lucia era at the famed Track of Champions.

“Fonda is going to be our home track,” offered Decker, 44, who a year ago raced for the Dodson operation at Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway on Friday nights. “It’s been a long time since I raced there every week. We were on American Racers (tires) back then, too.”

Decker is an accomplished Modified racer in the Empire State. He owns a pair of Modified point titles at Utica-Rome Speedway in his hometown of Vernon (2005 & 2006), the ’05 title at Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville, N.Y., and the 2007 Brewerton Speedway Modified championship.

Fonda, however, remains a favorite for him.

“I’ve always liked racing at Fonda,” Decker said. “It definitely keeps you on your toes.”

With $2,400 to win weekly ($500 for 10^th) and special events offering winner’s purses in the five-figures, competing at Fonda was a no-brainer for Decker and team.

“It’s the best deal around,” he said.

Decker will drive a DKM chassis with power provided by Billy the Kid Performance. The car will be outfitted with the familiar Dodson Construction green.

The Dodsons are based just miles from Fonda in Canajoharie, N.Y., meaning they’ll be able to race in their backyard every Saturday.

“We’re all looking forward to it,” Decker, who has a small-block victory to his credit at Fonda, bottom-lined.

The engines fire on the ’19 season at Fonda on Saturday, April 13 with a practice session. Opening Night is slated for Saturday, April 20 featuring the Sunoco Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman paying $1,000 to win (thanks to Eric Orozco Racing), Pro Stocks in a ‘Best of 8’ Series $800-to-win event, Limited Sportsman and Street Stocks.

Since 1953, the ‘Track of Champions’ Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Now 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/thefondaspdwy or follow on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

FONDA, NY – There’s a buzz around legendary Fonda Speedway for 2019 as change is in the air with a new management team, new name for the Sunoco-sponsored Modified division and a more relaxed rules package in the headline class.

With that said, fans and race teams are gearing up for Opening Night at the ‘Track of Champions’ on Saturday, April 20.

Laudy Hoyenga’s Sloansville, N.Y.-based race team will field two cars in the Sunoco Modified division this season, one for Cody Bleau, who has shown promise since joining the Mod ranks a year ago, and a second to be piloted by Sportsman hotshoe Dave Constantino, returning to the Modified wars regularly for the first time since 2009.

The 38-year-old Constantino was a two-time winner at Fonda in the Crate 602 Sportsman division last season, while dominating the action at nearby Glen Ridge Motorsports Park in Fultonville, N.Y., where he earned 10 checkered flags.

Constantino, who with partners Kyle Hoffman and Eric Mack founded the growing DKM Chassis enterprise – will look to add his name to the elusive list of Fonda Modified winners this season aboard a Hoyenga Motorsports No. 34.

Hoyenga came to DKM in search of a driver after Shaun Pangman opted to take a break from the sport. He found the replacement he wanted in Constantino.

Constantino’s ride, of course, will be a DKM-built chassis. The team plans to utilize a freshly build 360 cubic inch small-block engine, a program that is budget-friendly thanks to the ’19 rules package.

“I was able to build a new, competitive small-block very affordably,” Constantino said. “I didn’t have to spend $50,000 to move up. I think a lot of people up here are realizing that. You can only go so fast at Fonda by feature time. I think we’ll have the right combination.”

Constantino, the ’13 Fonda Sportsman champ, hopes to deliver success to Hoyenga’s team.

“I’d like to win some races for him,” he bottom-lined.

Bleau, like Constantino, boasts a successful Sportsman career including the Fonda track title in the ’12 season. The 27-year-old North Greenbush, N.Y., driver made the transition into the Modified ranks last season and earned a pair of third-place finishes and a sixth-place result in the final standings.

“Jumping from the Sportsman to a Modified is like starting all over again,” Bleau said. “It’s all about knowledge and what you can learn. The biggest thing is throttle control. You never know everything. You learn something every year.”

It was Pangman who opened the door for Bleau to advance to the Modified wars in Hoyenga’s equipment.

“A seat opened up in one of the cars and Laudy let me run the 358 car one night,” Bleau said. “Two weeks later, I drove the big-block car because Shaun (Pangman) was on vacation. I ended up leading 12 laps in my third Modified start.”

Bleau is a hands-on driver and frequently makes the drive to Hoyenga’s shop to wrench on his ride.

“I try to keep a positive, clean reputation,” he said. “I love to learn about the adjustments, setups and experiment.”

Like Constantino, Bleau will be utilizing a DKM chassis at Fonda. He will lean on his new teammate for valuable setup help.

“I’ve raced against Dave and have gotten to know him over the years,” Bleau said. “Having those (DKM) guys around will be a big help.”

Aside from weekly racing at Fonda, Bleau will race in many of the Modified specials planned for Glen Ridge in ’19 as well.  

“I’m always looking for more seat time,” he said. “I like to race as much as I can.”

The engines fire on the ’19 season at Fonda on Saturday, April 13 with a practice session. Opening Night is slated for Saturday, April 20 featuring the Sunoco Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman paying $1,000 to win (thanks to Eric Orozco Racing), Pro Stocks in a ‘Best of 8’ Series $800-to-win event, Limited Sportsman and Street Stocks.

Since 1953, the ‘Track of Champions’ Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Now 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/thefondaspdwy or follow on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

FONDA, NY – As the John Denver song says, ‘It feels good to be back home again.’

For the BBL Racing team and driver Brian Gleason, ‘home’ is Fonda Speedway and in 2019, they’ll be back in their comfort zone. Gleason will race regularly in Fonda’s Sunoco Modified division this season for the first time in more than three years, marking a return to the ‘Track of Champions’ by the popular BBL team.

“Fonda has always been home,” Gleason said honestly. “It’s always been the favorite place for me to go as a spectator or a driver. There’s something different about pulling in there; something about going over the bridge, all the people behind the grandstands tailgating. Fonda’s got a different feel.”

Gleason, 24, will forego Friday night action and put his full focus on Saturdays at Fonda in ‘19 piloting a brand-new No. 3G DKM chassis with 360 cubic inch small-block power from Dan Bedell.

While Gleason hasn’t run Fonda on a regular basis since ’15, he feels ready for a return to the half-mile oval.

“I feel more comfortable at Fonda, more solid,” offered Gleason, an Assistant Project Manager for BBL. “I’m confident in the setup I am bringing there. I have a different perspective going there.”

Gleason is looking forward to the upcoming season at Fonda with American Racer tires on the cars and engine rules allowing for big- and small-block combinations.

“I’m looking forward to running American Racer tires,” Gleason said, reflecting on the success achieved by his mentor and teammate Matt DeLorenzo during the Ric Lucia promotional era at Fonda under a similar rules package. “The majority of Matt’s success at Fonda came with a small-block and American Racers.

“The compounds that are being run this year are the same as what we ran back then. Prep wise, I know what to do.”

The opportunity to pilot a small-block was equally appealing.

“The majority of the time I ran there, it was with a 358,” he said. “That’s a pretty familiar area for me.”

Gleason looks to put his name on the Fonda win list after several strong runs in the past.

“I’ve had more consistent runs there,” he said. “I have four second-place finishes just to Stew (Friesen) alone.”

Gleason will be able to draw knowledge from DeLorenzo, the 2007 Modified champion and two-time 358-Modified titlist with 37 career Fonda victories. Like Gleason, DeLorenzo – who promoted the speedway for a pair of seasons (‘14 & ‘15) – has been absent on Saturday nights for the last three years.

That will change in ’19. While he won’t be a point chaser, look for ‘Matty D’ to compete on a semi-regular basis at Fonda this year. 

The upcoming season brings a fresh perspective for Gleason, who moved into a new home in Glenville, N.Y., this past March.

“Racing at Fonda will be a nice change of pace,” he said. “Fridays are kind of hard for all of us to get ready for – personally and with work.”

Then, there’s the track itself – and a history of weekly racing that dates back to 1953.

“I like the character of the place,” he said. “No matter the surface, the weather, racing is always close and competitive at Fonda. It’s got a ‘short-track’ feel on a big track. Fonda creates races that are unpredictable. There’s just something different about it.

“The place is so historic. You know you’re making history every time you go there. You’re part of it.”

For Gleason’s team and supporters, there is a widespread enthusiasm about the change of plans.

“There are a lot of people behind us who are involved in our races that enjoy going to Fonda,” he said. “It’s been home for a lot of people that support us.”

The engines fire on the ’19 season at Fonda on Saturday, April 13 with a practice session. Opening Night is slated for Saturday, April 20 featuring the Sunoco Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman paying $1,000 to win (thanks to Eric Orozco Racing), Pro Stocks in a ‘Best of 8’ Series $800-to-win event, Limited Sportsman and Street Stocks.

Since 1953, the ‘Track of Champions’ Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Now 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/thefondaspdwy or follow on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.