Author Archives: Ron Szczerba

WARNER AND HARTMAN GO BACK TO BACK ON ST. LAWRENCE RADIOLOGY DOLLAR NIGHT AT FONDA

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – If you have a copy of the book FONDA!, look at the cover and you will see the grandstands filled to capacity back in the day. Well on St. Lawrence Radiology Dollar Night at the Fonda Speedway on Saturday, it was like old times, back in the day, as the grandstands and bleachers were again filled to capacity as a $1 admission for a regular racing program in all divisions brought the fans out to watch and they got to see a great show with great racing in all divisions.

Celebrating in the Fuccillo Automotive Group Mike Cole Memorial victory lane at the end of the night were Rocky Warner (Sunoco Racing Modified), Tim Hartman Jr. (Swagger Factory Apparel 602 Crate Sportsman), EJ McAuliffe (Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman), Luke Horning (Algonkin Motel Pro Stock), Dave Horning Sr. (Trackside Body Works Street Stock), and Ken Hollenback (Four Cylinder Cruiser).

The racing program began with a prayer from Ed Biittig Sr. saying, “It is great to see all of you people here tonight. There are people that we need to remember today and they are Bob James who is suffering through some health issues, Bob Ogren a former racer who suffered a heart attack last week, and former Fonda Speedway promoter Seymour Hayes who we lost last week after a battle with ALS.”

“Recently I had the privilege of going to see Seymour and he talked about being worried about Jack Johnson who is also suffering with ALS. He was also glad to hear that Fonda Speedway is back to where it was 30 years ago. My message to you is if you’re thinking of going to see someone, do it, don’t wait! I’m proud of the speedway, the huge crowd that is here tonight, and to be a part of it.”

A moment of silence was then observed for Seymour Hayes followed by the National Anthem which was sung by Jenna Sue.

Ralph Friers of Fultonville, NY was the winner of the 50/50 which was worth $4,112!

The 30-lap Sunoco Racing Modified feature began with Korey Wilder and Cody Bleau on the front row with Wilder the early race leader. Bleau led lap two of the event after a caution for Ryan Odasz with third place starter Brian Gleason and ninth place starter Bobby Varin also getting by Wilder for the second and third positions.

Wilder’s great run in the top five came to an end on lap four when he slowed on the front stretch bringing out another caution. Just after the restart, Varin was the new second place car and on the outside at the line to complete lap five, Varin was the new race leader. Demetrious Drellos and Bleau swapped the second position a couple of times while 12th place starter Stewart Friesen made his way into the fourth position by lap nine.

Friesen continued his march to the front as lap by lap he got by another car to make his way up to the second position on lap 16 after getting by Bleau. Varin was trying to find the fast way around the speedway, diamonding the corners on both ends of the track, as Friesen was able to close in. On lap 16, Friesen got by both a lap car and Varin in turn three for the race lead and immediately stretched out his advantage to a straightaway by lap 20.

Friesen was in heavy lap traffic at that point and next thing you knew the caution was out for Friesen who then got pushed to the pit area. Varin took over the lead again after Friesen’s misfortune with Bleau, Drellos, and 10th place starter Rocky Warner now three wide for the second position. Bleau held the second position while Warner regrouped and got by Drellos on lap 23 for the third position and then by Bleau for the second position with five laps to go as Varin was pulling away.

Jessica Friesen started the event in the eighth position and was one of the only cars running the bottom groove as she also got by Bleau for the third spot. The final caution of the event was out with two laps to go for Darwin Greene who spun his car around in turn four setting up a two lap dash to the checkered flag.

Varin led at the drop of the green flag with Warner gaining a ton of momentum on the outside with one final lap to settle the finish of the event. Warner had a great run on Varin going into turns three and four on the final lap and in turn four went even higher than where Varin was running and swept around Varin for the race lead in a thrilling finish to the event.

Varin ended up second followed in the top five by Jessica Friesen, Bleau, and Drellos.

While Warner was celebrating in victory lane with the Glove City Transportation #1J Teo car owned by Jake and Nancy Spraker, Varin drove through to give Warner a thumbs up and congratulations on a great race win. It was Warner’s third career win in the Modified division at Fonda.

“How was that for a dollar,” Warner said to the crowd. “Bobby is a heck of a wheelman I was hoping he would come back to the bottom, he did, and I was able to get by. Running Albany Saratoga on Friday’s is helping me out a lot on Saturday’s and it’s great to see Fonda booming again like it is tonight.”

Jeremy Tuttle led the first two laps of the Swagger Factory Apparel 602 Crate Sportsman feature with an early caution out on lap two slowing the field. After two tries at the restart, Tuttle was penalized for jumping the restart and put back two spots as the new front row consisted of Kurtis Hohensheldt and Andrew Buff.

Hohensheldt led on the restart with eighth place starter Cody Clark now in the third position. Another caution on lap five slowed the field again and on this restart, which was single file, it was Clark who was the new race leader after sweeping by Hohensheldt on the outside of turn four. At the halfway point in the event, Clark was the race leader followed by Hohensheldt, 11th place starter Tim Hartman Jr., seventh place starter Brian Borst, and Nick Scavia in the top five.

Hartman Jr. was able to get by Hohensheldt for the second position and by lap 16 he was side by side with Clark for the race lead. Two laps later Hartman Jr. was the new race leader after getting by Clark on the inside of turn four with the caution out shortly afterwards. On this restart, Hartman Jr. continued to lead with Mark Mortensen the new fifth place car after restarting eighth. Mortensen wasn’t done after starting 18th, getting by Hohensheldt and Scavia on the outside for the third position.

Hartman Jr. continued to lead and put some distance between himself and the second place car of Clark while Mortensen and 15th place starter Chad Edwards put on a great race for the third position in the closing laps, side by side at times for the position. Hartman won for the second week in a row in the Parillo Services #22 car owned by Mike Parillo for his sixth career win in the division.

Clark, Mortensen, Edwards, and Scavia completed the top five at the checkered flag.

Mortensen won the NAPA Hard Charger Award after starting 18th and finishing third.

“It’s great going two for two, this car is unreal,” Hartman Jr. told Mimi Lazzaro in victory lane. “Thanks to Mike Parillo, this car is so fast.”

Brendan Gibbons had a great start for the 20-lap Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman feature, starting third and going to the lead at the drop of Joe Kriss’ green flag. On the inside of the track on lap three, Michael McCallion was the new race leader, but that was only brief as Gibbons took the lead back coming out of turn two.

Gibbons was running a great race in the lead with the final caution of the event coming out on lap 12. On this restart, 12th place starter EJ McAuliffe took over the second position from McCallion and on the outside of the front straightaway to complete lap 15, McAuliffe was the new race leader. McAuliffe went on to his third win of the season and the fourth of his career in the division followed by Rich Christman, Gibbons, McCallion, and Steve Wagoner.

“This cars been great all year,” McAuliffe said in victory lane. “Thank you to everyone that helps me with it.”

As is usually the case on a weekly basis, the Algonkin Motel Pro Stock feature was one of the best races of the evening and it all started with Cassidy Wilson leading the first two laps. On the outside of turn four on lap three it was Randy Cosselman who was the new race leader with sixth place starter Josh Coonradt the new second place car.

Nick Stone started the event in the eighth position and by lap five he and Coonradt were swapping the second position as Cosselman continued to lead. After a caution on lap six, Stone was the new race leader after getting by Cosselman in turns three and four but that only lasted three laps as Coonradt was able to get by for the lead on the outside of turn four on lap nine.

The yellow flag was out at the halfway point in the 20-lap event for 10 cars involved in a wreck in turns one and two and on the restart 12th place starter Luke Horning was the new second place car. On lap 11, on the outside of turn four, Horning was the new race leader with Coonradt falling back to the fourth position after Stone and seventh place starter Chuck Dumblewski also got by for position.

Horning went on to his second win of the season and the 16th of his career in the division over Stone, Dumblewski, Coonradt, and 11th place starter Kenny Gates.

“Thanks for coming out tonight dad,” Horning said of his father who was sitting out in the grandstands. “Look at this place on dollar night. When the checkered flag flew this was fun, after using the brakes up to get to the front, but this car is amazing.”

The 15-lap Trackside Body Works Street Stock feature saw Michael Arnold leading lap one after starting on the outside of the front row but that was short lived as Stephen Young took over the point on lap two on the inside of the track as the lap was completed. Jason Samrov started the event in the third position but was the new second place car on lap eight after getting by both a lap car and Arnold for the spot.

Arnold spun his car in between turns three and four on lap 10 with the yellow coming out at that point and Dave Horning Sr. now on Young’s rear bumper after the restart. On the inside of turn three with only two laps to go, Horning Sr. took away the lead from Young and went on to his fourth consecutive win and the 62nd of his career in the division over Samrov, Zach Sorrentino, Justin Taylor, and Cliff Haslun.

“They are making me work for it,” Horning Sr. said of his competitors. “I think they’re getting mad at me for winning all the time. I’m trying to race as clean as I can and they are trying to rough me up. Thanks to everyone including Trackside Body Works for what they do for this division and please keep Bob James of Bobco Video in our thoughts.”

The Four Cylinder Cruiser feature saw eight cars compete in the 12-lap event with John Napoli the early race leader. Josh Samrov started fourth and took over the race lead before lap one was completed. Samrov led for two laps before Ken Hollenbeck took the lead on lap four after starting last in the eighth position. Hollenbeck went on to yet another win, his third of the season, and the 45th of his career in the division.

“Dave (Horning Sr.) told me to follow him to victory lane tonight so that what I did,” Hollenbeck said in victory lane.

Next Saturday, May 25th the Patriot Sprint Tour will join the racing action for the Earl Halaquist Memorial with all other divisions in action except for the Four Cylinder Cruisers with a starting time of 7:00 p.m.

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.

Sunoco Modified Feature Finish – 30-Laps: ROCKY WARNER, Bobby Varin, Jessica Friesen, Cody Bleau, Demetrious Drellos, Danny Varin, David Schilling, Willy Decker, Craig Hanson, Michael Maresca, Matt DeLorenzo, Brian Gleason, Scott Huber, Dave Constantino, Josh Hohenforst, Darwin Greene, Pep Corradi, Steve Akers, Ed Harris, Vinny Sanganetti, Stewart Friesen, Aaron Jacobs, Korey Wilder, Ryan Odasz, Allison Ricci (DNS)

Heat Race Winners: Korey Wilder, Cody Bleau, Rocky Warner

Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish ($1,000 to win thanks to Eric Orozco Racing) – 25-Laps: TIM HARTMAN JR., Cody Clark, Mark Mortensen, Chad Edwards, Nick Scavia, JaMike Sowle, Brian Borst, Adam McAuliffe, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Dan Santabarbara, Tim Dwyer, Kale Groff, Joe Orlando, Mike Jackson, Thomas VanVorst, Griffen Mansmith, Jeremy Tuttle, Tony Farone, Brian Pessolano, Mike Fisher, Aaron Burton, Brian Calabrese, Andrew Buff, Kathy Bellen

Heat Race Winners: Kurtis Hohensheldt, Nick Scavia, Brian Calabrese

NAPA Hard Charger Award – Mark Mortensen started 18th and finished 3rd

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman Feature Finish – 20-Laps: EJ MCAULIFFE, Rich Christman, Brenden Gibbons, Michael McCallion, Steve Wagoner, Alan Hanson, Kyle Hoard, Bill Port, Dana Camenga, John Young, Brett Mortensen, Jack Hamm, Spencer Rapp

Heat Race Winners: No Heat Races Were Run

Algonkin Motel Pro Stock Feature Finish – 20-Laps: LUKE HORNING, Nick Stone, Chuck Dumblewski, Josh Coonradt, Kenny Gates, Ivan Joslin, Jason Morrison, Randy Cosselman, Bill Knapp, Justin Knight, Steve Cosselman, Shane Henderson, John Roese, Reuben Kennedy Jr., Andy Graves, Devon Camenga, Adam Warner, Buck Gasner, Cassidy Wilson, Dave Horning Sr., Jamie Warner, Alicia Hughes, Beau Ballard, Jim Normoyle

Heat Race Winners: Josh Coonradt, Chuck Dumblewski, Luke Horning

Trackside Body Works Street Stock Feature – 15-Laps: DAVE HORNING SR., Jason Samrov, Zach Sorrentino, Justin Taylor, Cliff Haslun, Stephen Young, Michael Arnold, Dylan Kinch

Four Cylinder Cruisers Feature Finish – 12-Laps: KEN HOLLENBECK, Josh Samrov, Cole Lawton, Wayne Russell, Riley Pedrick, PJ Cram, John Napoli, Zach McSpirit, TJ Marlitt (DNS)

ST. LAWRENCE RADIOLOGY DOLLAR NIGHT AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY QUICK RESULTS 5/18/2019

Sunoco Modified Feature Finish – 30-Laps: ROCKY WARNER, Bobby Varin, Jessica Friesen, Cody Bleau, Demetrious Drellos, Danny Varin, David Schilling, Willy Decker, Craig Hanson, Michael Maresca, Matt DeLorenzo, Brian Gleason, Scott Huber, Dave Constantino, Josh Hohenforst, Darwin Greene, Pep Corradi, Steve Akers, Ed Harris, Vinny Sanganetti, Stewart Friesen, Aaron Jacobs, Korey Wilder, Ryan Odasz, Allison Ricci (DNS)

Heat Race Winners: Korey Wilder, Cody Bleau, Rocky Warner

Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish ($1,000 to win thanks to Eric Orozco Racing) – 25-Laps: TIM HARTMAN JR., Cody Clark, Mark Mortensen, Chad Edwards, Nick Scavia, JaMike Sowle, Brian Borst, Adam McAuliffe, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Dan Santabarbara, Tim Dwyer, Kale Groff, Joe Orlando, Mike Jackson, Thomas VanVorst, Griffen Mansmith, Jeremy Tuttle, Tony Farone, Brian Pessolano, Mike Fisher, Aaron Burton, Brian Calabrese, Andrew Buff, Kathy Bellen

Heat Race Winners: Kurtis Hohensheldt, Nick Scavia, Brian Calabrese

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman Feature Finish – 20-Laps: EJ MCAULIFFE, Rich Christman, Brenden Gibbons, Michael McCallion, Steve Wagoner, Alan Hanson, Kyle Hoard, Bill Port, Dana Camenga, John Young, Brett Mortensen, Jack Hamm, Spencer Rapp

Heat Race Winners: No Heat Races Were Run

Algonkin Motel Pro Stock Feature Finish – 20-Laps: LUKE HORNING, Nick Stone, Chuck Dumblewski, Josh Coonradt, Kenny Gates, Ivan Joslin, Jason Morrison, Randy Cosselman, Bill Knapp, Justin Knight, Steve Cosselman, Shane Henderson, John Roese, Reuben Kennedy Jr., Andy Graves, Devon Camenga, Adam Warner, Buck Gasner, Cassidy Wilson, Dave Horning Sr., Jamie Warner, Alicia Hughes, Beau Ballard, Jim Normoyle

Heat Race Winners: Josh Coonradt, Chuck Dumblewski, Luke Horning

Trackside Body Works Street Stock Feature – 15-Laps: DAVE HORNING SR., Jason Samrov, Zach Sorrentino, Justin Taylor, Cliff Haslun, Stephen Young, Michael Arnold, Dylan Kinch

Four Cylinder Cruisers Feature Finish – 12-Laps: KEN HOLLENBECK, Josh Samrov, Cole Lawton, Wayne Russell, Riley Pedrick, PJ Cram, John Napoli, Zach McSpirit, TJ Marlitt (DNS)

ST. LAWRENCE RADIOLOGY PRESENTS “DOLLAR NIGHT” AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY THIS SATURDAY, MAY 18

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – Do you remember back in the 80’s when you used to be able to go to the movie theatre for $1 matinees on weekend afternoons for your entertainment? I used to work part time at a movie theatre that offered that deal but that was for a matinee showing, not for a prime time evening showing!

Well this Saturday, May 18 St. Lawrence Radiology is presenting something a little different at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway called “Dollar Night”. Actually, it is unheard of and is truly something special. $1 admission to the races and it is not a matinee, it is a prime time evening racing program, all divisions in action, with racing starting at 7:00 p.m.

With three racing events in the record books so far in 2019, the competition has been fierce at Fonda with three different winners in the Sunoco Racing Modified division (Matt Sheppard, Dave Constantino, and Rocky Warner), three different winners in the Swagger Factory Apparel 602 Crate Sportsman division (Mark Mortensen, Adam McAuliffe, and Tim Hartman Jr.) and three different winners in the Algonkin Motel Pro Stock division (Kenny Gates, Luke Horning, and Ivan Joslin).

The only repeat winners have come so far in the Montgomery County Office for the Aging Limited Sportsman division where EJ McAuliffe has won twice while Brett Mortensen won the first of his career last Saturday in just his third time out in the racecar! Dave Horning Sr. has swept all three of the Trackside Auto Body Street Stock features while Ken Hollenbeck has swept both of the Four Cylinder Cruiser feature events.

Saturday May 18th, is going to be special to say the least! We cannot think of a better night to invite everyone to the “Track of Champions” as St. Lawrence Radiology presents Dollar Night! You get six divisions of racing for ONE DOLLAR! Sunoco Racing Modifieds, Swagger Factory Apparel 602 Crate Sportsman ($1,000 To Win Thanks To Eric Orozco Racing), Algonkin Motel Pro-Stocks, Montgomery County Office for the Aging Limited Sportsman, Trackside Body Works Street Stocks, and Four Cylinder Cruisers, all for an admission price of ONE DOLLAR!

So tell a friend, family member, dog, cat, goldfish, or anyone else you can think of and tell them Fonda Speedway is charging ONE DOLLAR to watch a complete show of racing! Let’s rock the “Track of Champions” for ONE DOLLAR!

FONDA SPEEDWAY DOLLAR NIGHT QUESTIONS ANSWERED….
This Saturday, Fonda Speedway and St. Lawrence Radiology present Dollar Night with $1 Grandstand Admission for a complete show of stock car racing!
We wanted to take a few moments to answer some FAQ:

Grandstand Admission is $1. Kids 11 and under are FREE.
Six-Pack Size coolers are permitted. No glass bottles and no outside alcohol permitted. There is a beer booth on site.

Speedway concessions and the Novelty Stand/Store will be open.

All seating is general admission with the exception of Season Ticket holders who have reserved seats. Please respect the reserved seats.

With the outstanding Drivers’ Point Fund 50/50 numbers during the last three weeks, speedway management will guarantee a minimum of $1,000 to the 50/50 winner. It can only go up from there!

Parking in the main lot behind the grandstand is FREE. Once the main lot is full, parking moves across the street where there is a $5 fee as a fundraiser by the Fultonville Reformed Church to benefit #woodwardstrong and Josh and Chelsea Woodward. There is overflow parking available and parking is permitted on village streets so long as “no parking” signs are not posted.

From Pro Stock driver Alicia Hughes: Racers, fans, family, friends…. I just received confirmation from the family of Woodward Strong! For parking on Saturday at the Fonda Speedway, 25% of the parking fee will go to the family. Well I decided let’s come together for this amazing family! The Pro Stock Car #730 of Alicia Hughes will be the Woodward strong car and I will carry the number 5% on Saturday night at Fonda!

Whoever would like to donate to this beautiful family can see Alicia, as she will be walking around the pits and also out in the grandstands! 100percent of the donations will go right back to the Woodward Family! The money that Alicia gets at the end of the night for her finishing position in the feature will go right to the Woodward Family!

Lew Boyd of Coastal 181 will be on hand at Fonda this Saturday, May 18 selling books from his racing bookstore. He will be at the Fonda Speedway Museum in the afternoon with books, videos, and posters on display and then during the evening he will be set up by the grandstands with the same materials! As something special for the night, Lew will also be doing a free giveaway of a whole bunch of kids’ books written by Susan Kelly Hearn.

The coveted book FONDA! will also be on sale for $25 and as one of its authors Lew Boyd will be there to autograph your copy of the book for you!

Race Day Information:
Gates Open: 4:00 p.m.
Hot Laps: 6:00 p.m.
Racing: 7:00 p.m.

Ticket Pricing:
Adults: $1.00
Seniors: (65 & Above) $1.00
Kids 11 & Under: FREE
Pit Entry W/Fonda Speedway License: $30.00
Pit Entry W/O License: $35.00
Parking in Speedway Lot: FREE

Concession Stands & Beer Booth Open

Fonda Speedway Novelty Stand: Brand new Fonda Speedway available for purchase.

Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame and Museum
Opens @ 3:30 pm
Admission to the Hall of Fame & Museum: FREE

What do last week’s winner’s all have in common? They will all be at the Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame and Museum this Saturday!

Come join us as we recognize Rocky Warner (modified), Tim Hartman Jr. (sportsman), Ivan Joslin (pro-stock) and Brett Mortensen (limited sportsman) for their feature wins last Saturday night. All four drivers and their race-winning cars will be on hand at 4pm.

Don’t forget that the kids coloring corner is back as well as new additions to our exhibits celebrating the history of the storied ‘Track of Champions.’

Please join us at the Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame and Museum, where the past comes back to life!

Fonda Speedway Contacts:
Speedway Office Phone: 518-915-4395
Speedway Address: 21 South Bridge Street, Fonda, NY 12068
Speedway E-Mail: fondaspdwy@gmail.com
Speedway Website: www.thefondaspeedway.com
Speedway Twitter: @thefondaspdwy
Speedway Facebook: Fonda Speedway

WARNER WINS ON TRIBUTE TO MOM’S NIGHT AT FONDA

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – As a racer, what better way to celebrate Mother’s Day then with a win and a celebration in victory lane at Fonda with your Mother? Saturday evening, Rocky Warner was able to do just that as he took his second career win in the Sunoco Modified division at the “Track of Champions” in the Jake Spraker Used Cars #1J.

In the Fuccillo Automotive Group, Mike Cole Memorial victory lane afterwards, Warner celebrated with his car owner, his crew, fans, sponsors, and one very important person in his life his mother Deb.

“You had to go there,” Warner said to Melissa Lazzaro after she asked him about how important his Mother is to him. “She is everything to me” a very emotional Warner said.

Other winners on Tribute to Mom’s Night at Fonda on Saturday were Tim Hartman Jr. (Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman), Brett Mortensen (Montgomery County Office for the Aging Limited Sportsman), Ivan Joslin (Algonkin Motel Pro Stock), Dave Horning Sr. (Trackside Body Works Street Stock), and Ken Hollenbeck (Four Cylinder Cruisers).

Nate Furman of Amsterdam, NY was the winner of the weekly 50/50 prize which was worth $1656!

Stephanie May did a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem to start off the racing program with another large crowd on hand to watch the evenings racing action.

The handicapping system was used for the first time this season putting Steve Akers and Darwin Greene on the front row of the Sunoco Modified feature with Greene taking the early race lead. Modified rookie David Schilling started the event in the sixth position but was on the move early, getting by Willy Decker for the third position on lap five while Greene was out to a straightaway advantage.

On a lap six restart, Greene continued to lead while Decker moved into the second position and seventh place starter Rocky Warner was the new third place car. Three laps later Warner got by Decker for the second position while 12th place starter Stewart Friesen moved into the top five after getting by Schilling for the spot.

At the halfway point in the event, Warner was pressuring Greene for the lead while Decker, Michael Maresca, and Friesen completed the top five. Lap traffic came into play on lap 18 with Greene trying to protect the bottom while Warner raced hard and clean, respecting the leader while putting on a great race for the fans.

Another caution flag was out on lap 20, and another one on the restart with no laps completed, forcing a single file restart situation on the next try. On each lap coming into turn four, Greene would slide up the track slightly, opening up the bottom groove for Warner, with Warner taking advantage of that coming down to complete lap 21 and taking the race lead. Warner pulled away to a half track lead with four laps to go but one final caution came out on lap 26 bringing the field back to him.

After the restart, Warner pulled away while Friesen made a late race move from the fifth position to second with one lap to go. But there was no time to challenge Warner as he pulled away to his second career win at the “Track of Champions” followed in the top five by Friesen, Greene, Decker, and Maresca.

In post-race inspection Greene was disqualified for being light on the scales and was placed 26th in the final finish results.

“This car is like driving a Cadillac,” Warner said in victory lane. “I was trying to time it right going into turn four because Darwin was on top and I was trying to find moisture on the bottom. He had a good car and was protecting his lead like he should have but I knew that I had a good car I just had to take my time.”

The 25-lap Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman feature began with Kurtis Hohensheldt and Harry Shaffer on the front row with Shaffer the early race leader. JaMike Sowle started the event in the sixth position and on lap two took the second spot away from Hohensheldt with Brian Borst and 13th place starter Tim Hartman Jr. completing the top five.

The only caution flag in the event came out on lap eight and on the restart Sowle was the new race leader with Hartman Jr. now in the second position. Sowle was in lap traffic with five laps to go and that proved to be his downfall as Hartman Jr. went inside of both Sowle and a lap car in turn four on lap 21 to take the race lead.

Hartman Jr. went on to his fifth win in the division at Fonda in the Parillo Services #22 with Sowle, Borst, eighth place starter Cody Clark, and 11th place starter Tony Farone completing the top five.

“I have to thank Mike (Parillo) for the opportunity he gave me in this car,” Hartman Jr, said in victory lane. “We have been working on this car for a couple of weeks and this is its first time out. We had an electrical problem with the car earlier tonight but we got that fixed and the car was definitely good on the slippery track. Tonight my daughter is here and this will be her first victory lane photo so that is very special. Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom and my wife.”

Spencer Rapp led early in the Montgomery County Office for the Aging Limited Sportsman feature but by the time lap one was completed it was outside front row starter Brett Mortensen who had the race lead after getting by Rapp on the outside of turns three and four. Two time feature winner in the division this year EJ McAuliffe started the event in the 12th position and was the fifth place car by the time the lap counter showed lap eight.

Mortensen stayed smooth and steady and led all laps in the caution free event to take his first career win at the “Track of Champions”. Rapp, Brendan Gibbons, McAuliffe, and Alan Hanson completed the top five in the event. In victory lane, Brett Mortensen’s brother Mark and their Mom Bonnie posed for a photo to celebrate Mother’s Day.

“I took my brothers car out in warm-ups earlier this year and hit the wall with it,” Mortensen said after the win. “So I had to buy a car of my own and redeem myself from that day.”

Ivan Joslin led at the start of the 20-lap Algonkin Motel Pro Stock feature from his outside front row starting spot with Jim Normoyle right behind in second. John Roese and Jason Morrison both got by Normoyle for the second and third positions with a five car battle ensuing on lap six for the third position with the cars racing four wide in turns one and two.

Eighth place starter Chuck Dumblewski was part of that battle and was the new third place car with Roese challenging Joslin for the lead on lap eight. At the halfway point in the event Joslin was the race leader followed by Roese, Dumblewski, 10th place starter Josh Coonradt, and 12th place starter Luke Horning.

The one and only caution flag in the event slowed the field on lap 14 and on the restart Coonradt was the new second place car. Joslin and Coonradt were side by side for the lead with four laps to go with Joslin holding on to the lead while 11th place starter Nick Stone moved into the top five. Joslin pulled away in the closing laps leaving four other cars behind to battle for the second position.

At the drop of the checkered flag it was Joslin in the Parillo Services sponsored #49 winning his 10th career feature event in the division at Fonda over Dumblewski, Horning, Coonradt, and Stone.

Jason Samrov led at the start of the 15-lap Trackside Body Works Street Stock feature event with Stephen Young second at the completion of lap one after starting fourth. Young was in the wall in turns one and two on lap two bringing out the caution with two time winner in 2019 Dave Horning Sr. now the new second place car.

Michael Arnold and Horning Sr. swapped the second position a couple of times but by lap 10 with five laps to go it was a two car battle between Samrov and Horning Sr. On the final lap, just as he has done in the last two events, Horning Sr. closed in on the leader and on the inside of turn four coming to the checkered flag he took the lead away from Samrov and went on to his 61st career win in the division.

Samrov, Young, Arnold, and Cliff Haslun completed the top five.

Ken Hollenbeck led all 12-laps in the Four Cylinder Cruiser feature event for his 44th career win in the division over Cole Lawton, Josh Samrov, John Napoli, and Zach McSpirit.

Next Saturday, May 18 will be Dollar Night with $1 grandstand admission and all divisions in action with a 7:00 p.m. starting time.

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.

Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (30 Laps): ROCKY WARNER, Stewart Friesen, Willy Decker, Michael Maresca, Bobby Varin, David Schilling, Dave Constantino, Brian Gleason, Josh Hohenforst, Cody Bleau, Danny Varin, Demetrious Drellos, Pep Corradi, Steve Akers, Craig Hanson, Jessica Friesen, Scott Huber, Korey Wilder, Ed Harris, Elmo Reckner, Tim Fuller, Vinny Sanganetti, Aaron Jacobs, Ryan Odasz, Jim Introne Jr., Darwin Greene (DQ Weight)

Heat Race Winners: Willy Decker, Rocky Warner, Brian Gleason

Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish (25 laps): TIM HARTMAN JR., JaMike Sowle, Brian Borst, Cody Clark, Tony Farone, Adam McAuliffe, Harry Shaffer, Chad Edwards, Josh DeMagistris, Brian Pessolano, Aaron Burton, Brian Calabrese, Nick Scavia, Joe Orlando, Ryan McCarthy, Jeremy Tuttle, Jason Greco, Griffen Mansmith, Tim Dwyer, Tighe Sherlock, Mark Mortensen, Andrew Buff, Kale Groff, Thomas VanVorst, Mike Jackson, Kathy Bellen, Jake Mason, Ron Proctor, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Mike Ketchum (DNS)

Heat Race Winners: Cody Clark, JaMike Sowle, Brian Pessolano

Greco’s Napa Hard Charger: TIM HARTMAN JR. started 13th and finished 1st, 12 spots gained

Algonkin Motel Pro Stock Feature Finish (20 laps ‘Best of 8 Series’ presented by American Racer): IVAN JOSLIN, Chuck Dumblewski, Luke Horning, Josh Coonradt, Nick Stone, Bill Knapp, David Emigh, Jason Morrison, John Roese, Kenny Gates, Justin Knight, Randy Cosselman, Steve Cosselman, Andy Graves, Cassidy Wilson, Beau Ballard, Dave Horning Sr., Reuben Kennedy Jr., Adam Warner, Jim Normoyle, Alicia Hughes, Jamie Warner, Buck Gasner (DNS)

Heat Race Winners: Nick Stone, Luke Horning, Josh Coonradt

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (15 Laps): BRETT MORTENSEN, Spencer Rapp, Brendan Gibbons, EJ McAuliffe, Alan Hanson, Tucker O’Connor, Kyle Hoard, Rich Christman, Michael McCallion, Steve Wagoner, William August, Dylan Eldred, John Young, Bill Port, Jack Hamm, Billy Bridges (DNS)
Heat Race Winners: Alan Hanson, Dylan Eldred

Trackside Body Works Street Stock Feature (15 Laps): DAVE HORNING SR., Jason Samrov, Stephen Young, Michael Arnold, Cliff Haslun, Rich Walters

Four Cylinder Cruisers (12 laps): KEN HOLLENBECK, Cole Lawton, Josh Samrov, John Napoli, Zach McSpirit, Wayne Russell, TJ Marlitt, Tim Billington

FONDA SPEEDWAY PRESENTS A “TRIBUTE TO MOMS” THIS SATURDAY MAY 11 AT THE “TRACK OF CHAMPIONS”

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – This Saturday, May 11 Fonda Speedway management is proud to present a “Tribute to Moms”. Some of our biggest supporters are our mothers, and on this night, we hope to make the special ladies feel even more special.

The first 175 mothers through the gates will receive a carnation. Other giveaway items include three Vera Bradley purses, two Coach Wallets and three baskets to Pamper Yourself with body wash, facemask, cosmetic bag, thermal tumbler and a body scrub. Please see Melissa “Mimi” Lazzaro to get your complimentary raffle ticket.

On the racing card for Saturday, May 11 at Fonda will be the Sunoco Racing Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, the Montgomery County Office for the Aging Limited Sportsman, the Algonkin Motel Pro Stock “Best of 8 Series Presented by American Racer”, the Trackside Body Works Street Stocks, and the Four Cylinder Cruisers.

Looking back on last weeks (5/4/2019) racing program, a Meet & Greet was held where the entire front straightaway was filled, four wide the entire distance, with racecars from all of the different divisions as children and adults all got to go out on the racetrack to visit with and meet their favorite drivers. Drivers were all on hand giving away autographed pictures and talking racing with their fans.

Before the racing program began, Ed Biittig Sr. greeted the Fonda Speedway fans with a prayer and also saying to the fans “introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you on both sides, it is a great way to meet a new friend”.

Jenna Conley then did a great job singing the National Anthem with Melissa “Mimi” Lazzaro by her side for morale support. The young lady did a fantastic job and was given a huge ovation by the crowd on hand afterwards.

Looking ahead on Saturday, May 18 at the Fonda Speedway it will be $1 Night with a $1 grandstand admission to all fans.

On Memorial Day weekend Saturday, May 25, the Patriot Sprint Tour (PST) will present the Earl Halaquist Memorial event along with all other divisions in action except for the Four Cylinder Cruisers, which will not be in action that evening.

Then next month it will be New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) Safety Awards Night with monetary prizes to be given away to NYSSCA members that compete that night in all divisions. If you have not yet signed up to be a NYSSCA member, please see NYSSCA representative Bonnie Mortensen at the track.

RACE DAY INFORMATION FOR SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019:
Gates Open: 4:00 p.m.
Hot Laps: 6:00 p.m.
Racing: 7:00 p.m.

Ticket Pricing:
Adults: $11.00
Seniors: (65 & above) $9.00
Kids 11 & Under: FREE
Pit Entry W/Fonda Speedway License: $30.00
Pit Entry W/O License: $35.00
Parking in Speedway Lot: FREE

Concession Stands & Beer Booth Open

Fonda Speedway Novelty Stand: Brand new Fonda Speedway gear is available for purchase.

FONDA SPEEDWAY HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
Opens @ 3:30 pm
Admission to the Hall of Fame & Museum: FREE

What do three DKM Chassis drivers, a young upstart and a full-fendered ageless wonder have in common? Simple; they will all be at the Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame and Museum this Saturday!

Starting at 4:00 p.m. first-time modified feature winner Dave Constantino, sportsman feature winner Adam McAuliffe, pro-stock feature winner Luke Horning, limited sportsman feature winner EJ McAuliffe and street-stock feature winner Dave Horning Sr. will all be on hand at the museum.

Be sure to stop by and congratulate these drivers on their latest accomplishments at the famed fairgrounds oval.

Did you know?
– The kids coloring corner is back! Bring your aspiring little artists by to color before the races!
– We have an entire new table of Fonda Speedway memorabilia on display for this week!
– Did you miss the races last Saturday? No worries as we have the DVD of last week’s racing action courtesy of Bobco Video playing every Saturday!

We look forward to seeing you at the Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame and Museum, where the past comes back to life!

SPEEDWAY CONTACT INFORMATION:
Speedway Office Phone: 518-915-4395
Speedway Address: 21 South Bridge Street, Fonda, NY 12068
Speedway E-Mail: fondaspdwy@gmail.com
Speedway Website: www.thefondaspeedway.com
Speedway Twitter: @thefondaspdwy
Speedway Facebook: www.facebook.com/thefondaspdwy

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.

CONSTANTINO REALIZES CHILDHOOD DREAM WITH FIRST CAREER MODIFIED WIN AT FONDA

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – The “Black Flag Crew” took over victory lane at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway on Saturday evening as DKM Cyclone drivers Dave Constantino and Adam McAuliffe were victorious in the Sunoco Modified and Swagger Factory Apparel 602 Crate Sportsman divisions respectively. Bob Hilbert Sportswear sponsored the evenings racing activities at Fonda and there was also a benefit for the Regional Animal Shelter which raised a total of $12,534 for the animals!

Constantino took over the ride in the Laudy Hoyenga Motorsports #34 for the 2019 racing season and on week one last Saturday was fast and captured a top five finish. This Saturday Constantino started in the fourth position and was quick to show that he was fast again, taking an early lead and going on to his first career Modified win at Fonda.

Constantino grew up in a racing family with his father John Constantino, who is a Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame driver, racing for many years and actually still racing in the Vintage car that he owns. Also a big part of Dave Constantino’s life was his “extended family” that being Maynard Forrette who lived around the corner from where Dave grew up and who is a big part of the DKM story of how Constantino, Erik Mack, and Kyle Hoffman got started in the race car fabrication business.

In victory lane on Saturday evening, Dave Constantino proudly stood on top of his racecar with a huge “DKM” flag while people in victory lane, many of them wearing “DKM black”, cheered wildly and celebrated Dave’s first career Modified win at Fonda. Before Mimi Lazzaro was able to interview Constantino, Dave gave car owner Laudy Hoyenga a big hug as they both celebrated the victory.

“I want to thank Laudy for putting me in this car,” Constantino told Mimi Lazzaro in victory lane. “This is a childhood dream come true an emotional Constantino said in victory lane.

Other winners on Saturday at Fonda were Adam McAuliffe (Swagger Factory Apparel/Eric Orozco Racing 602 Crate Sportsman), EJ McAuliffe (Montgomery County Office for the Aging Limited Sportsman), Luke Horning (Algonkin Motel Pro Stock), and Dave Horning Sr. (Trackside Body Works Street Stock).

The weekly 50/50 was won by Alan Colby from Schoharie, NY and was worth $1,536!

The 30-lap Sunoco Modified feature began with Danny and Bobby Varin on the front row with Danny taking the early race lead at the drop of Joe Kriss’ green flag. Dave Constantino started on the outside row in the fourth position and quickly showed his hand as he was quick on the outside and in the second position as lap one was completed.

On the outside of turn four coming down to complete lap three, Constantino got by Danny Varin for the lead and by lap seven he was already out to a straightway advantage. One lap later Constantino was in lap traffic, trying for numerous laps to get by Willy Decker as Danny and Bobby Varin closed in on his back bumper.

At the halfway point the Varin’s were right up to challenge the leader with David Schilling and Ryan Odasz the fourth and fifth place cars behind the battle for the lead. On lap 16 Constantino finally got by Decker and was able to open up his lead again as the Varin’s raced amongst themselves for the second spot with the two swapping the position with 10 laps to go in the event.

Bobby Varin took over the second position from his son Danny on lap 22 while Constantino had three lap cars and a nice lead at that point. Constantino took the victory and is now the 132nd different driver to win a Modified feature at Fonda in its 68 year history.

Bobby Varin, Danny Varin, David Schilling, and Josh Hohenforst completed the top five in the event.

Adam McAuliffe and Aaron Burton brought the field to the green flag in the 25-lap Swagger Factory Apparel 602 Crate Sportsman feature with McAuliffe leading the way early on. Seventh place starter Tim Hartman Jr. was the new third place car on lap four after getting by defending track champion Chad Edwards for the position but shortly afterwards brought out the caution as he suffered a flat tire. He was able to pit for a new tire and restart at the rear of the field.

As McAuliffe continued to lead, Tony Farone was the new second place car on lap eight with McAuliffe, Farone, Brian Pessolano, Edwards, and Burton the top five at the halfway point in the event. After a restart on lap 14, Edwards got by two cars into the second position but Farone had a strong car and was back in the runner-up spot by lap 18.

After suffering the flat tire on lap six and restarting at the rear of the field, Hartman Jr. had a fast car and moved to the front quickly, sitting in a top five spot with five laps to go in the event. When the final caution flag in the event flew with two laps to go, Hartman Jr. took over the second position on the restart but McAuliffe was able to capture his ninth career win in the division at Fonda in the Ed McAuliffe Trucking #234 DKM “Cyclone” car.

Hartman Jr., Farone, Edwards, and Pessolano completed the top five in the event.

“I’m glad to be back here in victory lane at Fonda,” McAuliffe said in victory lane. “Brett (Deyo) is doing a great job here this year. Lap cars were a tough deal, I didn’t mean too but I got into one during the feature but sometimes you need to move them out of the way.”

John Young started the Montgomery County Office for the Aging Limited Sportsman feature on the pole and led the first three laps of the event after moving up from the street stock division this year. Fourth place starter EJ McAuliffe took over the lead on lap four on the inside of turn four and led the remaining laps for his second win of the 2019 season and the third of his career in the division over Young, Dave Richer, Tucker O’Connor, and Rich Christman.

The 20-lap Algonkin Motel Pro Stock feature was a good one with two cars dominating the event as they raced for the win. It all began with outside front row starter Nick Stone as the early leader with third place starter Luke Horning the new second place car at the completion of lap one. While racing inside of the leader in turn three on lap four, Horning had to back off to keep from making contact with the leader as they raced side by side for the first of many times in the event.

Stone and Horning were a straightaway ahead of the third place car of David Emigh on lap nine with the top five at the halfway point consisting of Stone, Horning, Emigh, defending track champion Kenny Gates, and Jason Morrison. On lap 13 the yellow flag was out for Gates who was in the tire wall in between turns three and four. He was able to drive away and continue on at the rear of the field.

On the restart, Stone and Horning were side by side for the lead with Stone able to hold on to the spot despite heavy pressure from Horning. On lap 15, on the inside of the backstretch, Horning was able to get by Stone for the lead with two consecutive yellow flags flying on laps 16 and 17, the first one for the third place car of Chuck Dumblewski who spun in turn three and the second for Ivan Joslin who was in the wall in turn one. One of the cautions cost Stone the lead as he was able to get by Horning but with no laps completed after the first caution flag the race was scored back to the last completed lap which meant that Horning was still the race leader.

Horning went on to his 15th career win at Fonda in the Parillo Services #2H and was followed in the top five by Stone, 17th place starter Josh Coonradt, Emigh, and Morrison.

“That yellow flag was a gift from God,” Horning said of the caution on lap 17. “To beat the #27 (Stone) is great, he builds these cars and he will give you room to race so this win definitely means a lot.”

The Trackside Body Works Street Stock feature began with pole position starter Michael Arnold leading the event with Stephen Young in tow. Arnold remained in the lead but behind him sixth place starter Dave Horning Sr. moved past both Jason Samrov and Young for the second position. On the final lap on the inside of turn two Horning Sr. got by Arnold for the lead and went on to his 60th career victory in the division over Arnold, Samrov, Young, and Rob VanAernam.

Next Saturday, May 11 Fonda Speedway will present a “Tribute to Mom’s” with free flowers to the first 100 mothers plus other giveaways. All divisions will be in action including the 4-Cylinder/Cruisers with racing action starting at 7:00 p.m.

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 SPEEDWAY BOB HILBERT SPORTSWEAR/REGIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER NIGHT RACE SUMMARY – MAY 4, 2019

SUNOCO MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH (30 LAPS): DAVE CONSTANTINO, Bobby Varin, Danny Varin, David Schilling, Josh Hohenforst, Ryan Odasz, Rocky Warner, Craig Hanson, Michael Maresca, Demetrious Drellos, Brian Gleason, Korey Wilder, Pep Corradi, Vinny Sanganetti, Scott Huber, Steve Akers, Darwin Greene, Elmo Reckner, Willy Decker, Roger Henion Jr., Aaron Jacobs, Cody Bleau, Ed Harris

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Josh Hohenforst, Bobby Varin, Craig Hanson

SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE FINISH (25 LAPS, $1,000 TO WIN THANKS TO ERIC OROZCO RACING: ADAM MCAULIFFE, Tim Hartman Jr., Tony Farone, Chad Edwards, Brian Pessolano, Cody Clark, Aaron Burton, Andrew Buff, Brian Calabrese, Jeremy Pitts, JaMike Sowle, Mark Mortensen, Tim Dwyer, Brian Borst, Dan Santabarbara, Josh DeMagistris, Joe Orlando, Joe Williams, Scott McCoy, Jason Greco, Mike Jackson, Nick Scavia, Jeremy Tuttle, Griffen Mansmith, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Kathy Bellen, Harry Shaffer, Ron Proctor, Ray Zemken (DNS), Robert Bublak (DNS)

GRECO’S NAPA AUTO & TRUCK PARTS HARD CHARGER AWARD: BRIAN BORST – started 29th finished 14th a total of 15 spots gained

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Brian Calabrese, Adam McAuliffe, Tim Hartman Jr.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE FINISH (15 LAPS): EJ MCAULIFFE, John Young, Dave Richer, Tucker O’Connor, Rich Christman, Michael McCallion, Dylan Eldred, Dana Camenga, Alan Hanson, Brendan Gibbons, Jason Baker, Spencer Rapp, Brett Mortensen, Bill Port, David Boisclair (DNS)

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Rich Christman, EJ McAuliffe

ALGONKIN MOTEL PRO STOCK FEATURE FINISH (20 LAPS): LUKE HORNING, Nick Stone, Josh Coonradt, David Emigh, Jason Morrison, Kim Duell, Justin Knight, Bill Knapp, Reuben Kennedy Jr., Cassidy Wilson, Jim Normoyle, Kenny Gates, Steve Cosselman, Andy Graves, Beau Ballard, Chuck Dumblewski, John Roese, Buck Gasner, Devon Camenga, Alicia Hughes, Ivan Joslin, Randy Cosselman, Adam Warner, Ralph Isabella (DNS)

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Ivan Joslin, Nick Stone, Kenny Gates

TRACKSIDE BODY WORKS STREET STOCK FEATURE FINISH (15 LAPS): DAVE HORNING SR., Michael Arnold, Jason Samrov, Stephen Young, Rob VanAernam, Cliff Haslun, Brittany Celebucki

FONDA SPEEDWAY BOB HILBERT SPORTSWEAR/REGIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER NIGHT RACE SUMMARY – MAY 4, 2019

Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (30 laps): DAVE CONSTANTINO, Bobby Varin, Danny Varin, David Schilling, Josh Hohenforst, Ryan Odasz, Rocky Warner, Craig Hanson, Michael Maresca, Demetrios Drellos, Brian Gleason, Korey Wilder, Pep Corradi, Vinny Sanganetti, Scott Huber, Steve Akers, Darwin Greene, Elmo Reckner, Willy Decker, Roger Henion Jr., Aaron Jacobs, Cody Bleau, Ed Harris

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Josh Hohenforst, Bobby Varin, Craig Hanson

Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish (25 laps, $1,000 to win thanks to Eric Orozco Racing): ADAM MCAULIFFE, Tim Hartman Jr., Tony Farone, Chad Edwards, Brian Pessolano, Cody Clark, Aaron Burton, Andrew Buff, Brian Calabrese, Jeremy Pitts, JaMike Sowle, Mark Mortensen, Tim Dwyer, Brian Borst, Dan Santabarbara, Josh DeMagistris, Joe Orlando, Joe Williams, Scott McCoy, Jason Greco, Mike Jackson, Nick Scavia, Jeremy Tuttle, Griffen Mansmith, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Kathy Bellen, Harry Shaffer, Ron Proctor, Ray Zemken (DNS), Robert Bublak (DNS)

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Brian Calabrese, Adam McAuliffe, Tim Hartman Jr.

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (15 laps): EJ MCAULIFFE, John Young, Dave Richer, Tucker O’Connor, Rich Christman, Michael McCallion, Dylan Eldred, Dana Camenga, Alan Hanson, Brendan Gibbons, Jason Baker, Spencer Rapp, Brett Mortensen, Bill Port, David Boisclair (DNS)

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Rich Christman, EJ McAuliffe

Algonkin Motel Pro Stock Feature Finish (20 laps): LUKE HORNING, Nick Stone, Josh Coonradt, David Emigh, Jason Morrison, Kim Duell, Justin Knight, Bill Knapp, Reuben Kennedy Jr., Cassidy Wilson, Jim Normoyle, Kenny Gates, Steve Cosselman, Andy Graves, Beau Ballard, Chuck Dumblewski, John Roese, Buck Gasner, Devon Camenga, Alicia Highes, Ivan Joslin, Randy Cosselman, Adam Warner, Ralph Isabella (DNS)

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Ivan Joslin, Nick Stone, Kenny Gates

Trackside Body Works Street Stock Feature Finish (15 laps): DAVE HORNING SR., Michael Arnold, Jason Samrov, Stephen Young, Rob VanAernam, Cliff Haslun, Brittany Celebucki

 

BOB HILBERT SPORTSWEAR PRESENTS MEET & GREET NIGHT AT FONDA THIS SATURDAY

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – This Saturday, May 4 Bob Hilbert Sportswear presents Meet & Greet night at the “Track of Champions” 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!

Also on Saturday, May 4, the Fonda Speedway will be hosting a benefit for the Regional Animal Shelter in Gloversville, NY. There will be raffles, a driver panel auction, and special appearances from some of the adoptable dogs from the shelter. You ca check out the benefit page at Regional Animal Shelter Benefit at Fonda Speedway May 4th!!!!

Meet & Greet Night is a great way for fans to see their favorite drivers and their racecars up close and personal and to pick up their favorite drivers photographs and have them autographed as well. Or if you prefer you can have someone take your picture alongside your favorite driver with their racecar! Meet & Greet Night is always a great time for both drivers and fans so be sure not to miss it!

On the racing card on Saturday, May 4 will be the Sunoco Racing Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman who will run for $1,000 to win thanks to Eric Orozco Racing, the Montgomery County Office for the Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman, the Algonkin Motel Pro Stocks “Best of 8 Series”, and the Trackside Body Works Street Stocks.

Looking back over opening night at Fonda during the past 20 years, last Saturday’s opening night Sunoco Racing Modified feature winner Matt Sheppard was the winner of the big $8,000 to win event for his second opening day win at Fonda after also winning on opening night back in 2014.

Kenny Gates, who won the Algonkin Motel Pro Stock feature last Saturday, was the opening night winner three times in his career at Fonda back in 2006, 2017, and 2018 while Dave Horning Sr. who won last week’s Trackside Body Works Street Stock feature has won on opening day four times back in 2001, 2002, 2015, and 2017.

4-Cylinder/Cruiser division winner last Saturday was Ken Hollenbeck who has also seen success on opening night at Fonda with opening night victories back in 2011 and 2014 as well. Last week’s Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman winner Mark Mortensen and Montgomery County Office for the Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman feature winner EJ McAuliffe were first time opening night winners last Saturday in their respective divisions.

2011 Fonda Speedway 602 Sportsman Track Champion Mark Mortensen will have his car on display at the Fonda Speedway Museum this Saturday, May 4 starting at 4:00 p.m. so be sure to stop and say hi to Mark and his crew and get a close look at the Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In sponsored #1M!

Thank you to Bob Hilbert Sportswear for their generosity and for being part of our Fonda Speedway family in 2019! Bob Hilbert Sportswear can be found online @ www.bobhilbert.com. 695 Englesville Road, Boyertown PA. (610) 367-6186 or email info@bobhilbert.com.

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.

Race Day Information for Saturday, May 4:
Gates Open: 3:30 p.m.
Hot Laps: 5:45 p.m.
Racing: 7:00 p.m.
Ticket Pricing:
Adults: $11.00
Seniors: (65 & Above) $9.00
Kids 11 & Under: FREE
Pit Entry W/Fonda Speedway License: $30.00
Pit Entry W/O License: $35.00
Parking in Speedway Lot: FREE
Concession Stands & Beer Booth Open
Fonda Speedway Novelty Stand: Brand new Fonda Speedway available for purchase.
Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame and Museum
Opens @ 3:30 pm
Admission to the Hall of Fame & Museum: FREE
Check out Their Page for Special Happenings!
Speedway Office Phone: 518-915-4395
Speedway Address: 21 South Bridge Street, Fonda, NY 12068
Speedway E-Mail: fondaspdwy@gmail.com
Speedway Website: www.thefondaspeedway.com
Speedway Twitter: @thefondaspdwy
Speedway Facebook: www.facebook.com/thefondaspdwy

SHEPPARD IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME TO TAKE $8,000 WIN AT FONDA

By: Ron Szczerba

FONDA, NY – Matt Sheppard summed it up the best in the Fuccillo Automotive Group Mike Cole Memorial victory lane at the Fonda Speedway on Saturday after his victory in the 30-lap Sunoco Modified feature event in the HAS sponsored #9S Bicknell car saying: “the 44 car (Stewart Friesen) got caught up in lap traffic and I was in the right place at the right time to take advantage of it”.

The victory was Sheppard’s fourth career win at the “Track of Champions”, the last win coming on 8/10/2016. It was also Sheppard’s second opening night victory at Fonda after also accomplishing that feat back in 2014.

“I started the Matt DeLorenzo era here at Fonda with an opening night win back in 2014, and now I started the Brett Deyo era here with a victory tonight,” Sheppard told Mimi Lazzaro in victory lane.

The new era at Fonda was started on Saturday, with the BD Motorsports LLC promotional team of Brett and Heather Deyo, Jamie and Denise Page, Angela Hanson, and the rest of their staff putting on a great racing program despite the cold temperatures. The quickly run, six division racing program was completed in just short of four hours. The 50/50 was won by Dale Gray of Johnstown who took a victory of his own, taking home the $901 prize.

On “Allegiance Night” at Fonda, the new era welcomed back an “Allegiance” of fans as the covered grandstand was filled just like the good old days of the “Track of Champions”. Fonda, NY Deputy Mayor Tim Healey was on hand for the racing program and stood on victory lane along with Brett Deyo and Jamie Page before the National Anthem saying: “Back in 1968 I watched a blue #43 car here at Fonda racing through turns one and two and that was Richard Petty”. Healey was also a former member of the fire/safety crew at the “Track of Champions.”

Melissa “Mimi” Lazzaro was back singing the National Anthem and doing victory lane interviews. The Biittig’s, Ed and Betty, who are racing historians who have a vast knowledge of the history of the Fonda Speedway were back in the tower watching the action as well, just a great night and a great atmosphere to be a part of for anyone who was there.

Other winners on “Allegiance Night” at Fonda were Mark Mortensen who won the 25-lap, Swagger Factory Apparel, $1,000 to win thanks to Eric Orozco Racing Crate 602 Sportsman feature; EJ McAuliffe who won the 15-lap Montgomery County Office for the Aging Limited Sportsman feature; defending champion Kenny Gates who won the 20-lap, Algonkin Motel, Pro Stock feature; Dave Horning Sr. who won the 12-lap, Trackside Body Works, Street Stock feature; and Ken Hollenbeck who was the winner of the 12-lap, 4-Cylinder/Cruiser feature event.

The top three finishers in each of the qualifying heat race events redrew for starting positions for their feature event starting positions with Matt DeLorenzo and Danny Johnson starting the 30-lap Sunoco Modified event on the front row with DeLorenzo taking the early lead at the drop of Joe Kriss’ green flag.

On lap two the first of a total of eight caution flags during the event was out for Mike Maresca who came to a stop on the backstretch after spinning his car around coming out of turn two while running sixth. The rest of the field was all still at speed but all were able to get by Maresca’s stopped car except for Josh Hohenforst who made contact with Maresca. Both cars were done at that point in the event.

On the restart, Bobby Varin used the outside starting position to take the lead away from DeLorenzo only to have the caution come out again before any laps were completed handing the lead back to DeLorenzo on the next restart. DeLorenzo took advantage of that and was able to maintain the lead while Dave Constantino got by Varin for the second spot.

While all of that was going on, Matt Sheppard made his way up to the fourth position after starting 11th, getting by Danny Johnson for the spot with eighth place starter Stewart Friesen just behind Johnson in the sixth spot. Friesen got by both Johnson and Sheppard for the fourth position on lap seven, and after another caution two laps later Friesen was in the second positon after getting by both Varin and Constantino with Sheppard now just behind in third.

Friesen was looking for the quick way around the track to close in on the leading car of DeLorenzo, trying the inside line around the track before moving to the outside groove to get around DeLorenzo for the lead in turn four on lap 14. Sheppard also got by DeLorenzo for the second position on lap 17 with Friesen in lap traffic four laps later on lap 21 allowing Sheppard to close in.

Sheppard made the low line work for him and when Friesen tried to go around the outside of the lap car of Elmo Reckner, Reckner got loose with both he and Friesen going high in turn three allowing Sheppard to get by both of them for the race lead. Friesen then showed his displeasure with the lap car of Reckner by getting into the rear of Reckner’s car going into turn four to bring out one final caution, setting up a three lap dash to the finish.

Friesen had his car wound up on the outside of the speedway trying to get around Sheppard, but Sheppard stayed in the low groove which had gotten him to this point in the event and took home the victory over Friesen, DeLorenzo, Varin, and Constantino.

“This car was garbage in the heat race but we threw some stuff at it for the feature and it was rolling pretty good on the bottom,” Sheppard said. “My car was good enough to stay with him (Friesen) so I just kept him in my sights and when he got caught up in lap traffic I was able to get by.”

The 25-lap Swagger Factory Apparel 602 Crate Sportsman feature started with Mark Mortensen and Tyler Thompson on the front row after the luck of the draw put them there with Mortensen taking the lead at the start. By lap three Mortensen held a half straightaway advantage over Thompson with Andrew Buff, Nick Scavia, and Tim Hartman Jr. completing the top five.

Mortensen held a straightaway advantage and was in lap traffic by lap eight, at one point stretching out his advantage to almost six seconds over Thompson. Scavia, seventh place starter Tony Farone, and Hartman Jr. The race stayed clean and green up until lap 22 when Aaron Burton ended up in the backstretch wall after contact by another car. Burton was okay but done for the evening at that point.

Mortensen pulled away from Scavia on the restart only to have the caution come out again before any laps were completed. Mortensen pulled away on this restart as well while Farone made quick work of Scavia and got by him in turn two for the second position. Mortensen was able to maintain his lead to the checkered flag for the $1,000 victory in the Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In sponsored #1M DKM Cyclone chassis over Farone, Scavia, Hartman Jr., and Buff.

The win for Mortensen, the 2011 Fonda Speedway 602 Sportsman Track Champion, was the 22nd of his career in the division at Fonda which is second on the all-time win list.

“A good draw definitely helped out tonight and I don’t usually draw very well,” Mortensen said in victory lane. “It put me out front and you are always better off there because you can race wherever you want to on the track.”

EJ McAuliffe started the 15-lap Montgomery County Office for the Aging Limited Sportsman feature in the 10th position and somehow got to the lead by the time lap one was completed, after passing early leader Dylan Eldred. McAuliffe was ahead by a half track at times and went on to his third career win in the division over Rich Christman, Tucker O’Connor, Eldred, and Brendan Gibbons.

“My car was definitely hooked up,” McAuliffe said in victory lane. “On the restarts I just tried to stay calm and not get too excited.”

The Algonkin Motel, $1,000 to win Pro Stock feature started with defending track champion Kenny Gates leading from his number one starting position at the drop of the green flag. Luke Horning started the event in the seventh position and on lap four moved up to the second spot with Chuck Dumblewski in third. Gates was out to a half straightaway lead when the one and only caution came out on lap five for a multi car wreck in turn four.

On the restart, Gates maintained the lead while Horning who restarted on the outside fell all the way back to the seventh position. Sixth place starter Nick Stone was now challenging Dumblewski for the second position, running side by side for the spot allowing Gates to pull away. Gates went on to his 81st career win in the division over Stone, Dumblewski, Justin Knight, and Horning.

In victory lane, Gates welcomed Mimi Lazzaro back to Fonda and said “when I started racing I just wanted to win once when asked about his now all time win list leading 81 career victories”. “These American racer tires were bad fast tonight and we had an advantage because we ran them here before years ago. This chassis is now four years old and took me to a championship the last three years.”

Cliff Haslun led the first two laps of the 12-lap Trackside Body Works Street Stock feature until he got out of shape in turn four and collected Chase Aussicker in the process. Aussicker’s tires dug into the track while he was sideways, causing the car to flip over. Aussicker was not injured but both he and Haslun were done for the evening. Dave Horning Sr. took over the lead and led the remaining laps for his 59th career win in the division which is on top of the all-time win list.

Jason Samrov and Michael Arnold were the only other cars to finish the event finishing second and third.

“This feels awesome,” Horning Sr. said in victory lane. “To get a win in the first race of the year takes the pressure off.”

Ken Hollenbeck led all 12 laps in the 4-Cylinder/Cruiser feature for his all-time win list leading 43rd career win and was followed by Josh Samrov, PJ Bleau, Wayne Russell, and Riley Pedrick. Samrov was disqualified for not reporting to tech moving John Napoli into the top five.

“I am really excited about racing at Fonda this year,” Hollenbeck said in victory lane.

Next Saturday, May 4 Bob Hilbert Sportswear will present Meet & Greet Night with all divisions in action except the 4-Cylinder/Cruisers. There will also be a benefit held for the Regional Animal Shelter. Racing will start at 7:00 p.m.

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 SPEEDWAY ALLEGIANCE NIGHT RACE SUMMARY – APRIL 27, 2019

Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (30 laps): MATT SHEPPARD, Stewart Friesen, Matt DeLorenzo, Bobby Varin, Dave Constantino, Rocky Warner, Danny Johnson, Ryan Watt, Danny Varin, Willy Decker, Cody Bleau, Craig Hanson, Elmo Reckner, Darwin Greene, Billy Pauch, Alan Barker, Demetrious Drellos, Steve Akers, Jessica Friesen, David Schilling, Brian Gleason, Scott Huber, Danny Tyler, Mike Maresca, Ryan Odasz, Josh Hohenforst, Pep Corradi, Jeff Rockefeller, Vinny Sanganetti, Korey Wilder (DNS)

Heat Race Winners: Rocky Warner, Stewart Friesen, Matt DeLorenzo

Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish (25 laps, $1,000 to win thanks to Eric Orozco Racing): MARK MORTENSEN, Tony Farone, Nick Scavia, Tim Hartman Jr., Andrew Buff, Brian Pessolano, Adam McAuliffe, Brian Calabrese, Chad Edwards, Dan Santabarbara, Brian Borst, Cody Clark, JaMike Sowle, Joe Williams, Tim Dwyer, Tyler Thompson, Griffen Mansmith, Ajay Potrzevowski, Harry Shaffer, Mike Jackson, Josh DeMagistris, Aaron Burton, Ray Zemken, Kathy Bellen, Joe Orlando, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Jeremy Tuttle, Rob Lanfear

Greco’s NAPA Auto & Truck Parts Hard Charger Award – Tim Dwyer – 13 spots gained 28th to 15th

Heat Race Winners: Brian Calabrese, Tyler Thompson, Mark Mortensen

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (15 laps): EJ MCAULIFFE, Rich Christman, Tucker O’Connor, Dylan Eldred, Brendan Gibbons, Michael McCallion, Steve Wagoner, Kyle Hoard, John Young, Brett Mortensen, Jason Baker, Alan Hanson, Spencer Rapp, Greg Perron

Algonkin Motel Pro Stock Feature Finish (20 laps): KENNY GATES, Nick Stone, Chuck Dumblewski, Justin Knight, Luke Horning, Josh Coonradt, Jason Morrison, Cassidy Wilson, Ivan Joslin, Reuben Kennedy Jr., Bill Knapp, David Emigh, Devon Camanga, Jim Normoyle, Buck Gasner, Andy Graves, Alicia Hughes, Steve Cosselman, Randy Cosselman, Ralph Isabella (DNS), John Roese (DNS)

Heat Race Winners: Kenny Gates, Luke Horning, Justin Knight

Trackside Body Works Street Stock Feature Finish (15 laps): DAVE HORNING SR., Jason Samrov, Michael Arnold, Cliff Haslun, Chase Aussicker, Brittany Celebucki (DNS)

Cruiser Feature Finish (12 laps): KEN HOLLENBECK, PJ Bleau, Wayne Russell, Riley Pedrick, John Napoli, Cole Lawton, Josh Samrov (DQ)

FONDA SPEEDWAY ALLEGIANCE NIGHT RACE SUMMARY – APRIL 27, 2019

Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (30 laps): MATT SHEPPARD, Stewart Friesen, Matt DeLorenzo, Bobby Varin, Dave Constantino, Rocky Warner, Danny Johnson, Ryan Watt, Danny Varin, Willy Decker, Cody Bleau, Craig Hanson, Elmo Reckner, Darwin Greene, Billy Pauch, Alan Barker, Demetrious Drellos, Steve Akers, Jessica Friesen, David Schilling, Brian Gleason, Scott Huber, Danny Tyler, Mike Maresca, Ryan Odasz, Josh Hohenforst, Pep Corradi, Jeff Rockefeller, Vinny Sanganetti, Korey Wilder (DNS)

Did Not Qualify: All Qualified

Heat Race Winners: Rocky Warner, Stewart Friesen, Matt DeLorenzo

Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish (25 laps, $1,000 to win thanks to Eric Orozco Racing): MARK MORTENSEN, Tony Farone, Nick Scavia, Tim Hartman Jr., Andrew Buff, Brian Pessolano, Adam McAuliffe, Brian Calabrese, Chad Edwards, Dan Santabarbara, Brian Borst, Cody Clark, JaMike Sowle, Joe Williams, Tim Dwyer, Tyler Thompson, Griffen Mansmith, Ajay Potrzevowski, Harry Shaffer, Mike Jackson, Josh DeMagistris, Aaron Burton, Ray Zemken, Kathy Bellen, Joe Orlando, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Jeremy Tuttle, Rob Lanfear

Did Not Qualify: All Qualified

Heat Race Winners: Brian Calabrese, Tyler Thompson, Mark Mortensen

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (15 laps): EJ MCAULIFFE, Rich Christman, Tucker O’Connor, Dylan Eldred, Brendan Gibbons, Michael McCallion, Steve Wagoner, Kyle Hoard, John Young, Brett Mortensen, Jason Baker, Alan Hanson, Spencer Rapp, Greg Perron

Algonkin Motel Pro Stock Feature Finish (20 laps): KENNY GATES, Nick Stone, Chuck Dumblewski, Justin Knight, Luke Horning, Josh Coonradt, Jason Morrison, Cassidy Wilson, Ivan Joslin, Reuben Kennedy Jr., Bill Knapp, David Emigh, Devon Camanga, Jim Normoyle, Buck Gasner, Andy Graves, Alicia Hughes, Steve Cosselman, Randy Cosselman, Ralph Isabella (DNS), John Roese (DNS)

Did Not Qualify: All Qualified

Heat Race Winners: Kenny Gates, Luke Horning, Justin Knight

Trackside Body Works Street Stock Feature Finish (15 laps): DAVE HORNING SR., Jason Samrov, Michael Arnold, Cliff Haslun, Chase Aussicker, Brittany Celebucki (DNS)

Cruiser Feature Finish (12 laps): KEN HOLLENBECK, PJ Bleau, Wayne Russell, Riley Pedrick, John Napoli, Cole Lawton, Josh Samrov (DQ)

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