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THE 2023 FONDA 200 TAKES PLACE NEXT WEEKEND

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – History. Prestige. Payout.

The famed Fonda 200 at Fonda Speedway is set for Thurs.-Sat. Sept. 14-16 in Montgomery County, N.Y., assembling the top names in Northeast dirt-track auto racing for a three-day racing festival.

The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco competes for its largest total purse of the season in a 200-lap grind offering points toward both the Ollie’s Elite Series and River Valley Builders North Region.

The ‘200’ headlines a program that includes an Amsterdam Truck Center Modified ‘Underdog’ event, the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman, CRSA Sprint Cars, Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman, Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, Stone Motorsports/Online Performance Street Stocks and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.

A complete information center has been set up for the Fonda 200 weekend on both the Short Track Super Series and Fonda Speedway websites.

A LOOK BACK AT THE 2022 FONDA 200 WEEKEND

Fonda, NY – Day 1 of the 2022 Fonda 200 weekend presented by Southside Beverage saw the #2 Benson’s Pet Center Modified of Jack Lehner in victory lane for his first win of the 2022 season and the second of his career at Fonda in the “Underdog 33” event. Lehner’s first win at Fonda was back on 5/1/2021 in the Nelson Motorsports #85 but last night the win came in his self-owned #2 powered by a motor borrowed from Paul Pinkerous.

“I have a lot of cool people that make this all happen for me and thanks to Paul Pinkerous, this is his motor that he let us use this week,” Lehner told Mimi Lazzaro in victory lane.

The other event held on Thursday evening was a 20-lap event for the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman cars and it was Kyle Dingman taking home the $1,100 win in the Sickler Construction car #1D. For Dingman it was his fourth win of the 2022 season and the sixth of his career in the division at Fonda.

“When I ended up getting up to second with Butchie (Irwin) there, I knew that he’s been doing this stuff for a long time,” Dingman said in F.X. Caprara Car Companies Victory Lane. “My only thinking was I knew he was gonna fire there at the first sign and I just had to drive it harder into the turn. He did that but it stuck for me, and I drove out to a lead and never looked back after that.”

Day 2 of the 2022 Fonda 200 weekend presented by Southside Beverage was held on Friday evening at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway with five different classes of race cars in action including the STSS Modifieds, the Algonkin Motel Pro Stocks, the Fonda Fair Four Cylinders, the CRSA Sprint Cars, and the Street Stocks all in action.

STSS Modified Fonda 200 Qualifier #1 presented by Park’s Companies saw Billy Decker take the lead from Jack Lehner on lap eight and go on for the win and the $500 bonus from Park’s Companies. In victory lane afterwards, Decker had a great quote about the Fonda 200 coming up tomorrow.

“The outside was a little slippery there when we were doing the pace laps but then it felt pretty good under that caution, so I sailed it in there, it stuck, and I got away with one,” Decker told Mimi Lazzaro in F.X. Caprara Car Companies Victory Lane. “It would be big; we didn’t come here to get our hair cut. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow now and I certainly would like to knock this one off. These new lights help a guy like me see better.”

STSS Modified Fonda 200 Qualifier #2 presented by Fastline Performance was won by Stewart Friesen who led all 15-laps on the way to the $500 bonus from Fastline Performance.

“You get a better look at the front stretch with these new lights that’s for sure,” Friesen said in victory lane afterwards. “The place looks good, and the track is in good shape. The Halmar #44 is fast, more motor problems with the #1Z which is unfortunate, but I’m proud of the Halmar Team, we’ve got a fast hot rod here and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. The track is very fast right now but it’s going to change a lot for tomorrow for sure.”

STSS Modified Fonda 200 Qualifier #3 presented by Upstate Auto saw Max McLaughlin lead every lap on his way to the $500 bonus from Upstate Auto.

“I just had to float it through the corner through the black,” McLaughlin said in victory lane. “The lap traffic got a little interesting there a couple of times, my car really got free around the lap cars. I was pretty happy with the car, but we’ll make a couple more changes to it to get it a little bit better and hopefully come tomorrow we’ll be able to give them a run for their money. Fonda isn’t one of my better tracks, but it sure has been good so far this weekend.”

Bobby Hackel IV led all 15-laps of the STSS Modified Fonda 200 Qualifier #4 taking home a $500 bonus from Dave Prime Jr. Mac Tools.

“Yesterday (Thursday) was a good precursor for tonight,” Hackel said in victory lane. “Unfortunately, it’s one race you almost never want to qualify for (the Underdog 33 for non-winners). We’ve had a really good season and getting out here to Fonda and running Utica Rome, getting my ass out on the road is helping our program racing with Brett Deyo and his staff, I just love what they are doing.”

“I’m trying to chase the coat tails of the big guys,” Hackel continued saying. “I learn from them every time and we’re getting close. I want to be better out on the road, race with the best of the best, keep chasing them around and learning things. They do it full time, so they better be good, so if I want to get there someday, I better go out and do it and learn to race with them. I’ve got great people behind me that are leading me to do this, so I’ll keep trying to roll with it, keep making notes, and learn how to drive these things better.”

Fonda Speedway Pro Stock All-Time win leader Kenny Gates took the lead on lap seven of the 25-lap Pro Stock feature event and went on to his first win of the 2022 season at Fonda, and his first win since the same event at the Fonda 200 weekend in 2021.

“It’s taken us all year to get here,” Gates said in victory lane. “I couldn’t be happier. I just had to run clean laps because I knew that the Utica Rome Track Champion (Ballard) was right up my tail, so I had to turn good laps, or he was gonna go by us. I was able to hit my marks and finish the race out clean to get here to victory lane. There was grip on the bottom tonight and that suits me perfectly. They call me the catfish and the catfish swam on the bottom tonight.”

Mike Kiser started the CRSA Sprint feature in the 10th position, made a cross over move in turn four to get the lead on lap 15, and led the remaining five laps for his first win of the season at Fonda and the fifth of his career at the “Track of Champions”, placing him in the number one position on the All-Time Win List in the division at Fonda.

“It came together really well,” Kiser told Brady Houser in victory lane. “I normally don’t run the bottom, but I tried the top and it just wasn’t working. It’s too far around, I’ve never hit the bottom so hard for so many laps in my life so I guess that I can drive in the slick a little bit. Jeff (Trombley) is a great guy, he’s always helping me, so I’ve got to thank him and the Warren Alexson #3 Team for all of their help. This motor from John Grant has great power so I have to thank him as well.”

Stone Motorsports/Online Performance put up $1,000 total ($500 to win, $300 for second, and $200 for third) to bring the Street Stocks back to Fonda for Fonda 200 weekend with Chris Murray leading every lap of the 20-lap event for the win after starting the race in the second position. In post-race tech, Murray was disqualified for an illegal exhaust handing the win over to pole position starter Adam Tranka who finished behind Murray before the disqualification.

“You’ve got to be in it to win it,” Tranka said in victory lane. “Chris (Murray) had a very fast car; I was just trying to settle in there. The last couple of laps I was getting closer and closer, but I just couldn’t get to him. This is a really great win for us, I’ve come here since I was a little kid so to get a win here at Fonda, Oh My God.”

The 15-lap Fonda Fair Four Cylinder feature saw Brandon Ely take the lead on lap six and went on to his first career win at Fonda in the DOHC class. Ken Hollenback finished second overall and was the SOHC winner.

Day 3 of the 2022 Fonda 200 weekend saw Matt Sheppard start the $53,000 to win event in the 11th position and when he came out of the pit area after the halfway break he restarted the event in the 13th position. Sheppard took over the lead on a lap 132 restart and survived two more caution flags to take the win.

“I’m not really sure what happened,” Sheppard told Chris Moore in victory lane regarding the last few laps of the event. “I felt pretty comfortable but there with three or four laps to go I felt like the thing dropped down on the left rear and I thought that I was getting a flat tire. I was scared to death but then it kind of took back off.”

“We had a decent car all weekend, decent but not really good enough to win,” Sheppard continued. We just kept working on it and working on it and took one last stab at it during the halfway break. This thing came to life in the second half of the race, and I finally found the balance that I was looking for. Such a great season, and I can’t say enough about this whole team, but I can’t wait to see my picture on this trophy with all of the other winners.”

Cody Clark led from his pole position start in the Crate 602 Sportsman feature, lost the lead for a few laps but took it back for good on a restart with nine laps to go and went on to the win in the event.

“When I came in after the heat race, I had no idea if we were gonna be able to make it out for the feature,” Clark said in victory lane. “All the guys from DKM along with guys from other race teams came over to help, it’s amazing how other people come and help out everybody. We’ve had a decent year in my book, a lot of bad luck more than anything, we put a lot of preparation coming into this race, all we wanted to do is win and end the year on a good note, so we were able to do that.”

A LOOK AHEAD TO THE 2023 FONDA 200

A place in history.

The most lucrative winner’s share in Northeast Modified racing will be distributed in Montgomery County, N.Y., Sept. 14-16 with the annual Fonda 200 at Fonda Speedway.

The stars of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco clash with Fonda Speedway’s best in pursuit of a $53,000 grand prize.

The historic – and now annual – event offers a total purse nearing $140,000 for Saturday’s main event.

The ‘Fonda 200’ also plays a hand in both the Ollie’s ‘Elite’ Series (Round No. 3) and the River Valley Builders North Region (Round No. 10), paying $15,000 each, respectively, to their champions.

The 2023 Fonda 200 weekend begins next Thursday (Sept. 14) with the Amsterdam Truck Center Modified ‘Ultimate Underdog 33’ taking place. Any driver unable to pick up a Modified victory at any speedway this season will be eligible to participate.

The Montgomery County Office of the Aging Limited Sportsman join the program as well. Open Practice for all other divisions participating during the weekend will also be available.

On Friday (Sept. 15) the STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds take part in 15-lap Qualifying Races for Saturday’s main event.

Joining STSS Modified Qualifying Races will be the CRSA Sprint Cars, the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, Stone Motorsports/Online Performance Street Stocks and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.

The weekend concludes on Saturday, Sept. 16. The STSS Modifieds take part in Last Chance Races to set the final starting field for the $53,000-to-win ‘Fonda 200’ headliner paying $1,000 to take the green flag.

The Swagger Factory Apparel STSS Crate 602 Sportsman join the Saturday program, battling for 25-laps in Round No. 6 of the Precision Hydraulic & Oil North Region.

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

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

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, FloSports, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Rent Equip/Party Central, BDR Speed, Bicknell Racing Products, Ollie’s, Penske Racing Shocks, Wegner Automotive, River Valley Builders, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, DIG Race Products, Velocita-USA, Franklin Products, Design for Vision & Sunglass Central, Belmont’s Garage, Quality Drywall, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Prime MAC Tools, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel, Beyea Custom Headers, Dirt Track Digest, EIBACH, Electric Neon Custom Signs, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Spyder Filters, Superior Remodeling, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO & Wilwood.

History. Prestige. Payout. $53,000-to-Win Fonda 200 Event Information Center

FONDA, NY – History. Prestige. Payout.

The famed Fonda 200 at Fonda Speedway is set for Thurs.-Sat. Sept. 14-16 in Montgomery County, N.Y., assembling the top names in Northeast dirt-track auto racing for a three-day racing festival.

The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco competes for its largest total purse of the season in a 200-lap grind offering points toward both the Ollie’s Elite Series and River Valley Builders North Region.

The ‘200’ headlines a program that includes an Amsterdam Truck Center Modified ‘Underdog’ event, the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman, CRSA Sprint Cars, Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman, Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, Stone Motorsports/Online Performance Street Stocks and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.

A complete information center has been set up for the Fonda 200 weekend on both the Short Track Super Series and Fonda Speedway websites.

Fonda 200 STSS Modified Race Rules & Procedures: https://shorttracksuperseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fonda200ModifiedRulesandProcedures2023.pdf

Fonda 200 Support Division Rules & Procedures: https://shorttracksuperseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fonda200SupportDivisionProcedures2023.pdf

Complete Weekend Schedule of Events: https://shorttracksuperseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023Fonda200ScheduleofEvents.pdf

Complete Weekend Pricing Structure: https://shorttracksuperseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fonda200PricingStructure2023.pdf

Register Online (STSS Modified & STSS Crate 602 Sportsman): https://www.myracepass.com/series/1996/registrations/8295

Purchase Advance Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/advanced-weekend-ticket-sales-covered-grandstand-2023-fonda-200-tickets-700738175747

Purchase Advance Pit Pass: https://fonda-speedway.ticketleap.com/advanced-weekend-pit-pass—fonda-200—2023/details

Purchase Advance Camping: https://fonda-speedway.ticketleap.com/advanced-weekend-camping-fonda-200/

Purchase Golf Cart/ATV Permit: https://fonda-speedway.ticketleap.com/2023-fonda-200-golf-cartatv-permit/

Sponsor a Lap: https://shopstss.com/store-1/fonda-200-lap-sponsorship

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

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

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, FloSports, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Rent Equip/Party Central, BDR Speed, Bicknell Racing Products, Ollie’s, Penske Racing Shocks, Wegner Automotive, River Valley Builders, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, DIG Race Products, Velocita-USA, Franklin Products, Design for Vision & Sunglass Central, Belmont’s Garage, Quality Drywall, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Prime MAC Tools, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel, Beyea Custom Headers, Dirt Track Digest, EIBACH, Electric Neon Custom Signs, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Spyder Filters, Superior Remodeling, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO & Wilwood.

A Place in History: Fonda 200 Offers Most Lucrative Winner’s Share, Prestige

Written by Chris Moore

FONDA, NY – A place in history.

The most lucrative winner’s share in Northeast Modified racing will be distributed in Montgomery County, N.Y., Sept. 14-16 with the annual Fonda 200 at Fonda Speedway.

The stars of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco clash with Fonda Speedway’s best in pursuit of a $53,000 grand prize.

The historic – and now annual – event offers a total purse nearing $140,000 for Saturday’s main event.

The ‘Fonda 200’ also plays a hand in both the Ollie’s ‘Elite’ Series (Round No. 3) and the River Valley Builders North Region (Round No. 10), paying $15,000 each, respectively, to their champions.

The ‘Fonda 200’ began in 1955 when iconic Junior Johnson claimed the inaugural event, which served as a NASCAR Grand National event.

Johnson, David Pearson, and ‘The King,’ Richard Petty, are all on the ‘Fonda 200’ win list as NASCAR Grand National event winners in the late 1950s and 60s.

The ‘Fonda 200’ became an annual event starting in 1983 with Charlie Rudolph finding Fonda Speedway checkerboard square.

The event ran every year through 2002 (with the exception of 1996, weather related) before taking a 17-year hiatus as BD Motorsports Media LLC took the helm of Fonda Speedway.

The historic event returned in ’19, ’21, and ’22, with 2020 falling by the wayside due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen has added his name to the ‘Fonda 200’ win list, claiming the ’19 and ’21 renditions. Last year, Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard added his name to the list of drivers to win the ‘Fonda 200.’

The 2023 Fonda 200 weekend begins next Thursday (Sept. 14) with the Amsterdam Truck Center Modified ‘Ultimate Underdog 33’ taking place. Any driver unable to pick up a Modified victory at any speedway this season will be eligible to participate.

The Montgomery County Office of the Aging Limited Sportsman join the program as well. Open Practice for all other divisions participating during the weekend will also be available.

On Friday (Sept. 15) the STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds take part in 15-lap Qualifying Races for Saturday’s main event.

Joining STSS Modified Qualifying Races will be the CRSA Sprint Cars, the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, Stone Motorsports/Online Performance Street Stocks and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.

The weekend concludes on Saturday, Sept. 16. The STSS Modifieds take part in Last Chance Races to set the final starting field for the $53,000-to-win ‘Fonda 200’ headliner paying $1,000 to take the green flag.

The Swagger Factory Apparel STSS Crate 602 Sportsman join the Saturday program, battling for 25-laps in Round No. 6 of the Precision Hydraulic & Oil North Region.

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

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

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, FloSports, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Rent Equip/Party Central, BDR Speed, Bicknell Racing Products, Ollie’s, Penske Racing Shocks, Wegner Automotive, River Valley Builders, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, DIG Race Products, Velocita-USA, Franklin Products, Design for Vision & Sunglass Central, Belmont’s Garage, Quality Drywall, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Prime MAC Tools, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel, Beyea Custom Headers, Dirt Track Digest, EIBACH, Electric Neon Custom Signs, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Spyder Filters, Superior Remodeling, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO & Wilwood.

 

Fonda 200 Schedule of Events: September 14-16, 2023

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

8 a.m. – Camper Staging Begins

9 a.m. – Camper Parking Begins (coordinated by Fonda Speedway staff)

4 p.m. – Gates Open

5:45 p.m. – Drivers’ Meeting

6:15 p.m. – Hot Laps for ‘Ultimate Underdog 33’ & Limited Sportsman – Open Practice Begins
Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock Practice
‘Ultimate Underdog 33’ Amsterdam Truck Center Modified Hot Laps – Participating Modifieds Only
Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman Practice
Amsterdam Truck Center Modified Practice – All Cars Eligible
Street Stock Practice
Fonda Fair Four Cylinder Practice
CRSA Sprint Car Practice

7 p.m. – National Anthem – Opening Ceremonies

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman Heats (6 laps)
‘Ultimate Underdog 33’ Amsterdam Truck Center Modified Heats (8 laps)

Practice (Pro Stock, Crate 602 Sportsman, Modified, Street Stock, Four Cylinder, CRSA)

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman Heats (if needed, 6 laps)
‘Ultimate Underdog 33’ Amsterdam Truck Center Consolation (if needed, 8 laps)

TRACK PREP/BRIEF BREAK

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman Feature (20 laps)
‘Ultimate Underdog 33’ Amsterdam Truck Center Consolation (33 laps)

Practice (Pro Stock, Crate 602 Sportsman, Modified, Street Stock, Four Cylinder, CRSA)

 

Friday, September 15 – Amsterdam Truck Center Short Track Super Series (STSS) Modified Qualifying Races plus CRSA Sprint Cars, Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, Stone Motorsports/Online Performance Street Stocks & Fonda Fair Four Cylinders

10 a.m. – Camper Parking Begins

4 p.m. – Gates Open

5:30 p.m. – Mandatory Drivers’ Meeting & Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Qualifying Race Draw

6 p.m. – CRSA Sprint Car Engine Heat followed by Hot Laps
Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock Hot Laps
CRSA Sprint Car Hot Laps
STSS Modified Hot Laps
Stone Motorsports/Online Performance Street Stock Hot Laps
Fonda Fair Four Cylinder Hot Laps

7 p.m. – Racing
Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock Heats (8 laps)
CRSA Sprint Car Heats (8 laps)
Street Stock Heats (6 laps)

Fonda Fair Four Cylinder Feature (15 laps)

Consolations (Pro Stock, CRSA, Street Stock, if needed)

BRIEF BREAK/TRACK PREP/FOUR CYLINDER VICTORY LANE

STSS Modified Qualifying Race No. 1 (15 laps)
STSS Modified Qualifying Race No. 2 (15 laps)
STSS Modified Qualifying Race No. 3 (15 laps)
STSS Modified Qualifying Race No. 4 (15 laps)

GROUP VICTORY LANE/TRACK PREP

CRSA Sprint Car Feature (20 laps)
Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock Feature (20 laps)
Stone Motorsports/Online Performance Street Stock Feature (20 laps)

10:30 p.m. – LIVE Music in Entertainment Building

 

Saturday, September 16 – STSS Modified B-Mains & Fonda 200 plus Swagger Factory Apparel STSS Crate 602 Sportsman

2 p.m. – Gates Open

4 p.m. – Mandatory STSS Drivers’ Meeting

5 p.m. – Hot Laps
STSS Crate 602 Sportsman
STSS Modified

6 p.m. – Racing

STSS Crate 602 Sportsman Heats (8 laps)
Sunoco Modified B-Mains (10 laps)

STSS Crate 602 Sportsman Consolations (8 laps)

BRIEF BREAK/TRACK PREP

STSS Crate 602 Sportsman Feature (25 laps)

TRACK PREP FOR FONDA 200

FONDA 200 DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS

CANADIAN & AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEMS

DRIVERS, START YOUR ENGINES

STSS Modified Fonda 200 (200 laps, $53,000 to win!)

DRELLOS, JOSLIN, & DINGMAN CELEBRATE FIRST CAREER TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS AT FONDA

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – 2022 was a season that all racetrack promoters dream of with no races being cancelled for any reason at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway. Unfortunately, 2023 hasn’t been the same with six cancellations including Championship Night this past Saturday, which was cancelled early afternoon due to predicted heavy rainfall and severe storms. With the cancellation, the 2023 championship points were deemed official, and the champions will be recognized during Fonda 200 Weekend Sept. 14-16.

Track Champions crowned for the 2023 season included first time champions Demetrios Drellos (Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds), Ivan Joslin (Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks), and Kyle Dingman (Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc.) with Payton Talbot (Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman) Ken (SOHC) & Kerrie (DOHC) Hollenback (Fonda Fair Four Cylinders) winning titles in the other regular divisions.

Drellos had one win in 2023 in a career total of three at Fonda, the first career win coming in the Bill & Erik Nelson #85 back on 6/16/2018 and the other two coming in the Drellos Family owned #111, one win back on 8/13/2022 and one this season on 7/8/2023.

Talbot had a six win season in 2023 in a career total of ten in the division at Fonda, his first win coming on 8/14/2021 and his last on 7/17/2023. This was Talbot’s second consecutive championship in the Crate 602 Sportsman division at Fonda.

Joslin has made a career of racing at Fonda in three different divisions, starting out in the Street Stock division with one career win coming on 8/13/2005. He has a career total of 14 wins in the Pro Stock division, the first win coming on 5/23/2009 and his last this year on 6/3/2023 with one career win in the Crate 602 Sportsman division on 7/25/2015 when he moved up for a couple of years before returning to the Pro Stocks.

Dingman has six career wins in the Limited Sportsman division, the first of his career coming on 5/8/2021 and his last on 9/15/2022. He was a model of consistency in 2023, winning his first career Track Championship in the division without the benefit of a feature win.

Ken Hollenback was a nine time winner in 2023 with a career total of 94 topping the current all time win list in the Four Cylinder division. His brother Kerrie was a seven time winner in 2023 and is currently second on the all time win list with 41 total victories. Along with his championship in 2023 Ken now has a total of ten Track Championships in the SOHC Four Cylinder class at Fonda while Kerrie has a total of three in the DOHC Four Cylinder class.

The Fonda Speedway is now closed for the Annual Fonda Fair but will be back in action on September 14-16 for the prestigious “Fonda 200” weekend!

Fonda Speedway Weekly Report

Miss any action from last week’s racing? The Fonda Speedway weekly report can take care of that. A 90 second summary of the previous Saturday racing action will air throughout the week across seven local radio stations including:

WCSS 1490 & 106.9 in Amsterdam/Schenectady

WIZR 930 & 102.9 in Johnstown/Fonda/Gloversville

WKAJ 1120 & 97.9 in St. Johnsville/Canajoharie

WYVS 96.5 in Speculator and the North Country

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

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

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

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

BENJAMIN MOORE PAINTS PRESENTS “CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT” AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 12

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – It all comes down to this! On Saturday, August 12 a special racing program sponsored by Benjamin Moore Paints will take place at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway called “Championship Night”.

The 2023 Track Champions will be crowned in all regular divisions this Saturday including the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman, and the Fonda Fair Four Cylinders, both single and dual cam.

The history of the Fonda Speedway makes it a special place to win a Track Championship and it is a prestigious award honoring car owners, sponsors, drivers, and crew members who have worked hard all season long to achieve this goal.

The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS) will also be in action at Fonda this Saturday, and they will also crown Track Champions in all divisions of their organization. Gates will open at 4:00 p.m. with hot laps at 6:00 p.m. and racing at 7:00 p.m.

The Benjamin Moore Paints/Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In sponsored #1M of 2011 Fonda Speedway Crate 602 Sportsman Track Champion Mark Mortensen will be on display at gate two from 4:00 p.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m. so people can see the race car up close and meet the driver from Scotia, NY.

In addition, Mark’s brother Brett Mortensen who won the second feature of his career in the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman division last Saturday evening will have his Persons Farms/Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In sponsored #1B car on display at the Fonda Speedway Museum from approximately 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Brett was crowned the 2020 Fonda Speedway Track Champion in the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman division where he also has a total of five feature wins.

Going into Benjamin Moore Paints Championship Night this Saturday August 12 the point battles in the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock, and the Fonda Fair Four Cylinder divisions are too close to call and won’t be decided until the checkered flag falls in each of their feature events.

In the Amsterdam Truck Center Modified division, Demetrios Drellos is the current point leader with 544 followed in the top five by defending Track Champion Matt DeLorenzo with 538 (-6), Alex Yankowski with 497 (-47), Rocky Warner with 477 (-67), and Cody Clark with 454 (-90).

Payton Talbot is the current point leader going into Championship Night at Fonda in the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman division at Fonda with a total of 592 points. Chad Edwards is in second place with 567 (-25) followed in the top five by Clayton DuMond with 489 (-103), Chip Constantino with 484 (-108), and Tanner Warner with 478 (-114).

Ivan Joslin is the point leader in the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock division with 537 followed in the top five by Kenny Gates with 521 (-16), Beau Ballard with 511 (-26), Josh Coonradt with 509 (-28), and Shane Playford with 501 (-36).

The points in the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman division are currently led by Kyle Dingman with a total of 544 points. In second spot is Lance Hill with 484 (-60), Michael Kalkbrenner with 469 (-75), Mike Hill and Tim Wilmot who are both tied with 464 points (-80), and Johnathan Feagles with 452 (-92). With only 60 points available on Saturday evening, Dingman will clinch the 2023 Track Championship by just showing up for the evenings racing program.

Ken (SOHC) and Kerrie (DOHC) Hollenback are the top two drivers in the Fonda Fair Four Cylinder points standings with 618 and 610 points respectively. Wayne Russell Jr. is next with 494 points (-124) with Tim Warner (450) and Len St. Andrews (438) completing the top five in the division.

The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS) will be making their fourth appearance of the 2023 season at the “Track of Champions” this Saturday and will be crowning five champions this Saturday night. Three features will decide who will be crowned the 2023 Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS) champions that will be settled in all five of their divisions. The five MVVDMS division champions that will be decided this Saturday include the Antique, Mystique, Late Model, Sportsman, and Modified Divisions.

The Fonda Speedway Kid’s Club will award lucky kids from ages 7 to 15 a chance to ride in the MVVDMS pace cars. Kids can sign up at the Kid’s Club under the grandstand at gate two.

Fonda Speedway Weekly Report

Miss any action from last week’s racing? The Fonda Speedway weekly report can take care of that. A 90 second summary of the previous Saturday racing action will air throughout the week across seven local radio stations including:

WCSS 1490 & 106.9 in Amsterdam/Schenectady

WIZR 930 & 102.9 in Johnstown/Fonda/Gloversville

WKAJ 1120 & 97.9 in St. Johnsville/Canajoharie

WYVS 96.5 in Speculator and the North Country

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

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

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

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

It’s 𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 at Fonda Speedway! Benjamin Moore Paints presents Championship Night this Saturday, August 12 at the Track of Champions.

Amsterdam Truck Center Modified

Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman

Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman

Fonda Fair Four Cylinders

Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Series

Gates Open: 4 p.m. – Hot Laps: 6 p.m. – Racing: 7 p.m.

Grandstand Admission: $13 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors ages 65 and up) – Kids 11 and under FREE

Pit Admission: $40 (ages 13 and up) or $35 (NASCAR or Fonda Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

HACKEL IV ADDS HIS NAME TO THE ALL-TIME MODIFIED WIN LIST AT FONDA WITH FIRST CAREER WIN

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – Bobby Hackel IV has been a busy and successful driver the past week or so. A recent win at the Five Mile Point Speedway along with plenty of social media coverage of his “wheelie” at the Action Track USA this past week have drawn plenty of attention to the young driver from East Greenbush, NY. Saturday evening at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway he gained more exposure by winning his first career feature event in the 30-lap Amsterdam Truck Center Modified event.

“This means a lot,” Hackel told Mimi Lazzaro in FX Caprara Car Companies Victory Lane. “I want to thank everybody that made this happen. It’s been a hell of a week, a lot of changes in my life, my race team, and everything about it. I’ve got some of the best people around me and I have to thank them for sticking with me through all these years. We’re finally starting to see the fruits of everyone’s hard work and labor. This is amazing.”

Other winner on Curtis Lumber Night at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway included Brett Mortensen (Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman), Kenny Gates (Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock), AJ Greco (Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman), Wayne Russell Jr. (Fonda Fair SOHC Four Cylinder), Kerrie Hollenback (Fonda Fair DOHC Four Cylinder), and Danny Varin (ESS Sprint Earl Halaquist Memorial).

Opening ceremonies began with a prayer from Pastor Greg Nitz followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Madison Mudge. Fonda Fair Princess Riley Meredith, Junior Miss Fonda Fair Olivia Greco, and Miss Fonda Fair Lillian Lighthall were also part of opening ceremonies.

Congratulations to Tyler from Gloversville, NY who was the winner of the $3,272 50/50 after a lot of hard work by Rose, Julie, and heather.

Bobby Hackel IV and Dave Camara started the 30-lap Amsterdam Truck Center Modified feature on the front row with Hackel IV taking the early lead in the event. When the yellow flag flew on lap three for Ronnie Johnson who slowed between turns three and four, point leader coming into the evening Matt DeLorenzo went to the hot pit for a flat left front tire. The crew changed the tire and DeLorenzo restarted the event at the rear of the 24 car field.

Demetrios Drellos who was second in points going into the evenings racing program started the event in the 11th position and was up to the top five on lap seven when Matt Sheppard suffered a flat right rear tire to bring out the second caution of the event. Sheppard’s crew was able to get the tire changed and he restarted at the rear of the field. Eighth place starter Stewart Friesen got past Rocky Warner for the third position on the restart with Jack Lehner just ahead in the second position.

At the halfway point in the event Hackel IV continued to lead with Friesen, Lehner, Drellos, and 14th place starter Alex Yankowski completing the top five. Hackel was in lap traffic at the halfway point with the final caution coming out on lap 21 for David Schilling who also suffered a flat tire. He also had his tire changed and rejoined the race at the back of the pack. Hackel IV chose the outside for the restart and maintained his lead at the drop of the green flag.

“This is what I’ve always wanted to do is race Stew (Friesen) and Sheppard and all these guys that I grew up watching,” Hackel said afterwards. “With Stew beside me on the restart I knew that I had better hit it right because he is the best, he’s the man here of our era, and this Pro Power motor under the hood took off like it should.”

Hackel IV maintained the lead on the restart and continued to run the outside while Friesen tried everything to run the inside and get by all to no avail as Hackel IV went on to the win in the Killer Crate #97 Bicknell car. With the win Hackel IV became the 143rd different winning driver in a total of 1430 Modified feature events. Hackel IV did have one win in the Crate 602 Sportsman division at Fonda back on 9/20/2020.

Friesen, Drellos, Lehner, and Yankowski completed the top five while Sheppard, DeLorenzo, and Schilling all came back after suffering flat tires during the event to finish sixth, seventh, and tenth respectively.

“I had to squeeze him a little bit (Friesen) but I’m sure that he understands I was just trying to win,” Hackel IV said. “I want to thank Bob at Killer Crate, my dad who isn’t here tonight, my girlfriend, my family, my Grandfather, and all the guys that have been with me forever. Andrew Buff helped me square and set up every inch of this car. I’m 28 years old, been sitting in these cars since I was 13, and all I’ve ever wanted to do is sit here in victory lane at Fonda. It means a ton.”

Harry Shaffer led at the drop of Joe Kriss’ green flag in the 25-lap Swagger factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman feature with an early yellow flag out after lap one was completed for a wreck on the backstretch involving Tim Dwyer, Josh Kane, Connor Prokop, and Mark Mortensen among others with Dwyer and Prokop the only cars unable to continue.

Shaffer continued to lead through lap six when the yellow came out again for Dan Santabarbara who spun on the backstretch and was done for the evening at that point. Seventh place starter Brett Mortensen moved up to the second position on lap 11 after getting by Jeremy Tyrrell with the top five at that point consisting of Shaffer, Mortensen, Tyrrell, 19th place starter Chad Edwards and 17th place starter Payton Talbot.

Lap 11 saw another caution fly as Wesley Sutliff spun in turn three with Mortensen pressuring Shaffer on the restart. On lap 14 coming out of turn four, Mortensen took the lead away with a pass on the outside while Edwards and Talbot battled side by side at times for the third position as they are both in the running for the 2023 Track Championship. One final caution came out with ten laps to go with Mortensen pulling away on the restart.

With Mortensen out to a comfortable lead the attention was now on Edwards and Talbot who continued to swap the third position many times while Shaffer was comfortable in the second spot. At the completion of 25-laps, Mortensen went on to his second career win in the division in the Persons Farms #1B DKM car followed in the top five by Shaffer, Edwards, Talbot, and Chip Constantino. The win for Mortensen was almost a year to the day of his first career win in the division which came on 8/6/2022.

“I’m sad that my mother is not here, and my dad isn’t here as well,” Mortensen said in victory lane. “It’s been a rough season, the car started off real fast then we just kind of lost the car for a little while. Then DKM helped us out and now we’re back on track. I think that we have a strong car, and this was the perfect track for my driving style.”

“It took a little while for the top to come in in one and two, so I struggled catching Harry (Shaffer),” Mortensen continued to say. “Once the top came in though I knew it was game over and I was on my way. Thanks to all of my crew and sponsors and before tonight Jack Hanna who does my shocks for me, he gave me some experimental stuff to put on the car and I think that topped it off.”

The 20-lap Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock feature started with a red flag for a four car pileup in turn one involving four cars including Gary Silkey, Ivan Joslin, Randy Cosselman, and Michael Achzet. Coming into turn one, Joslin was underneath Silkey when Silkey came down on him and contact was made sending Silkey across the track into the wall with Cosselman and Achzet piling in afterwards. Joslin got away with no damage and continued on in the fourth position on the restart.

When the green flag flew it was Devon Camenga leading the event over the second place car of Kenny Gates with Joslin now in the third position. One final yellow flag slowed the field on lap six and one lap later after the restart Gates got by Camenga on the outside of the backstretch for the race lead. Joslin also got by Camenga for the second position and at the halfway point the top five consisted of Gates, Joslin, Camenga, eighth place starter Luke Horning, and sixth place starter Josh Coonradt.

The top five remained the same over the second half of the race with Gates going on to his fifth win of the season and the 91st of his career in the division in the Happy Returns/Palmer’s Service Center sponsored #35.

“I never thought in a million years that we would get there,” Gates told Mimi Lazzaro when asked about his 91 career wins. “We struggled a little bit in the beginning of last year and then we came on late but this year the car has been good all year we just had some bad luck here and there. My crew has worked so hard to get us back here to victory lane and here we are again.”

Brandon Tyler led lap one of the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman feature event with Tyler Bobar taking the lead away on lap two after starting third. Lap five saw a red flag for a traffic jam on the front stretch with eight or more cars blocking the track. Nobody was injured and the race continued with AJ Greco the new second place car.

On a lap 9 restart after another caution, Greco took the lead away from Bobar and led the remaining laps for his second win of the season and the second of his career in the division over seventh place starter Lance Hill, Bobar, Tyler, and ninth place starter Kyle Dingman.

“That was hard fought,” Greco said in victory lane. “Me and Bobar were side by side for awhile and I didn’t know if I had enough for him. Luckily we got a good restart here in turn one, I tried to drive it in hard and get around him. He lifted a little going into one on the bottom and I just had to drive it in hard, put my foot to the boards, and get around him.”

There were three lead changes in the 12-lap Fonda Fair Four cylinder feature with Wayne Russell Jr. leading the first two laps. Hayleigh Gates was the next to lead the event on laps three through eight followed by Kerrie Hollenback who led laps nine through eleven. On the final lap coming to the checkered flag, Russell Jr. was able to get by Hollenback for the overall win as a SOHC while Hollenback was the first DOHC car across the finish line.

For Russell Jr. it was his second win of the season at Fonda and the fifth of his career while for Hollenback it was his seventh win of the season and the 41st of his career in the division. Gates, Len St. Andrews, and TJ Marlitt completed the top five in event with both Russell Jr. and Hollenback getting a $100 bonus from Upstate Auto.

“That was a good one, great race,” Russell Jr. said. “That one is for you Fonda, all of you people in the stands that one is for you.”

“It was a good night”, Hollenback said. “I think it’s Friday the 13th for me and my brother, his car got wrecked and I lost a motor on the last lap.”

Bobby Hackel IV led the first five laps in the ESS Sprint Earl Halaquist Memorial feature event with Jordan Poirier next to lead on laps six through twelve after starting second. Fonda favorite Danny Varin started the event in the sixth position and took the lead away from Poirier on the outside of turns three and four on lap 13.

Varin led the remaining laps of the feature event for his seventh career ESS Sprint win at Fonda and his fourth in the Earl Halaquist Memorial event with wins in 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2023. Poirier, Jordan Thomas, Paulie Colagiovanni, and Matt Tanner completed the top five in the feature event.

“We weren’t the greatest here in the beginning, the air was playing big games tonight,” Varin said after the win. “I pulled the wing back and we were good at the end. Pete and Mason work their butts off, they did some wholesale changes to the car a couple of weeks ago and if we can keep the motors together we’d be on point. Thanks to my entire crew, they are doing a hell of a job for me, it is a huge group effort.”

“We got Danny again here at Fonda, I guess second was the way to go for us,” Poirier said. Our car was close at the beginning, it was really good, but then I got super loose. When I saw Danny pass me I knew the outside was getting better but I couldn’t go as fast as he was.”

“This place is really tricky,” Thomas said after finishing third. “You’ve got to have a ton of laps around here like Danny does to really be good here. Once I got by for third the car started coming on and I could flat foot it around and that’s what it takes at a place like this but all in all a good night.”

Next week Benjamin Moore Paints presents “Championship Night” at Fonda with 2023 Track Champions being decided in all divisions. The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series will also be in action with Track Champions in that series being decided as well.

Fonda Speedway Weekly Report

Miss any action from last week’s racing? The Fonda Speedway weekly report can take care of that. A 90 second summary of the previous Saturday racing action will air throughout the week across seven local radio stations including:

WCSS 1490 & 106.9 in Amsterdam/Schenectady

WIZR 930 & 102.9 in Johnstown/Fonda/Gloversville

WKAJ 1120 & 97.9 in St. Johnsville/Canajoharie

WYVS 96.5 in Speculator and the North Country

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

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

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

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

8/5/2023 CURTIS LUMBER NIGHT

AMSTERDAM TRUCK CENTER MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – BOBBY HACKEL IV, Stewart Friesen, Demetrios Drellos, Jack Lehner, Alex Yankowski, Matt Sheppard, Matt DeLorenzo, Rocky Warner, JaMike Sowle, David Schilling, Cody Clark, Chris Curtis, Dave Camara, Brian Calabrese, Pep Corradi, Ancel Collins, Brian Pessolano, Ronnie Holmes, Danny Varin, Dave Constantino, Dylan Scribner, Bobby Varin, Ronnie Johnson, Carl Schilling

1st career win in the division at Fonda for Hackel IV

LAP LEADERS – 1-30 Hackel IV

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Warner, Hackel IV, Johnson

SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – BRETT MORTENSEN, Harry Shaffer, Chad Edwards, Payton Talbot, Chip Constantino, Jeremy Tyrrell, Brendan Gibbons, Blaine Klinger, Troy Zilles, Stephen Gray, Matt Perry, Zach Dufel, John DuMond, Clayton DuMond, Michael McCallion, Josh Kane, Mark Mortensen, Tanner Warner, David Manchester, Kadon Hohensheldt, Clyde Peek, Don Bellen, Jason Reome, Wesley Sutliff, Dan Santabarbara, Connor Prokop, Butchie Irwin, Tim Dwyer

1st win of 2023 and the 2nd win of his career in the division for Brett Mortensen

LAP LEADERS – 1-13 Shaffer, 14-25 Brett Mortensen

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Tyrrell, Constantino, John DuMond

GRECO’S NAPA HARD CHARGER AWARD – Edwards +16

BELOW ZERO ICE CREAM PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – KENNY GATES, Ivan Joslin, Devon Camenga, Luke Horning, Josh Coonradt, Shane Playford, Beau Ballard, Jim Normoyle, Caden Dumblewski, Nick Santuccione, Jason Morrison, John Holmes, Gary Silkey, Andy Graves, Randy Cosselman, Michael Achzet

5th win of 2023 and the 91st win of his career in the division for Gates

LAP LEADERS – 1-6 Camenga, Gates

HEAT RACE WINNERS – $100 bonus to each heat race winner from RCK Motorsports – Morrison, Camenga

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR AGING INC. LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 15-LAPS – AJ GRECO, Lance Hill, Tyler Bobar, Brandon Tyler, Kyle Dingman, Mike Hill, Jonathan Feagles, John Anderson, Tim Wilmot, Kirsten Swartz, Phil Arnold, Bob Rowback, Jeff Bobilin, Kolton Weiler, Collin Williams, Aaron Armitage, Michael Kalkbrenner, Joel Knudsen Jr., Tim Deffer, Dylan Huston, Craig Coons, Chris Kugler, Bob Rhinehardt, Ryan Sweet, Cian DiMezza, Andrew MacFadden, Brandon Goodell, Jim Mallia, Steve Wagoner (DNS), Gus Kamberelis (DNS)

2nd win of 2023 and the 2nd win of his career in the division for Greco

LAP LEADERS – 1 Tyler, 2-8 Bobar, 9-15 Greco

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Greco, Lance Hill, Bobar

FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE – 12-LAPS – $100 bonus to both the SOHC and DOHC winners from Upstate Auto – WAYNE RUSSELL JR. (SOHC), Kerrie Hollenbeck (DOHC), Haleigh Gates, Len St. Andrews, TJ Marlitt, Tom Hill, Brittany Ladd, Luke Sheldon, Tim Warner, Ken Hollenback, Doug McSpirit (DNS)

2nd win of 2023 and the 5th win of his career in the division for Russell Jr.

7th win of 2023 and the 41st

LAP LEADERS – 1-2 Russell Jr., 3-8 Gates, 9-11 Kerrie Hollenback, 12 Russell Jr.

EMPIRE SUPER SPRINT (ESS) EARL HALAQUIST MEMORIAL FEATURE – 25-LAPS – DANNY VARIN, Jordan Poirier, Jordan Thomas, Paulie Colagiovanni, Matt Tanner, Shawn Donath, Jason Barney, Dylan Swiernik, Bobby Hackel IV, Kyle Smith, Jeff Cook, Chad Miller, Logan Crisafulli, Jake Dykstra, Steve Glover, Trevor Years, Dylan Menditto, Lacey Hanson, Jeremiah Munson, Kyle Dutcher, Cory Sparks, Billy VanInwegen (DNS)

7th career win in the ESS Sprints for Varin

LAP LEADERS – 1-5 Hackel IV, 6-12 Poirier, 13-25 Varin

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Thomas, Varin, Barney

ESS DASH – Donath

QUICK RESULTS 8/5/2023

CURTIS LUMBER NIGHT

AMSTERDAM TRUCK CENTER MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – BOBBY HACKEL IV, Stewart Friesen, Demetrios Drellos, Jack Lehner, Alex Yankowski, Matt Sheppard, Matt DeLorenzo, Rocky Warner, JaMike Sowle, David Schilling, Cody Clark, Chris Curtis, Dave Camara, Brian Calabrese, Pep Corradi, Ancel Collins, Brian Pessolano, Ronnie Holmes, Danny Varin, Dave Constantino, Dylan Scribner, Bobby Varin, Ronnie Johnson, Carl Schilling

1st career win in the division at Fonda for Hackel IV

LAP LEADERS – 1-30 Hackel IV

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Warner, Hackel IV, Johnson

SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – BRETT MORTENSEN, Harry Shaffer, Chad Edwards, Payton Talbot, Chip Constantino, Jeremy Tyrrell, Brendan Gibbons, Blaine Klinger, Troy Zilles, Stephen Gray, Matt Perry, Zach Dufel, John DuMond, Clayton DuMond, Michael McCallion, Josh Kane, Mark Mortensen, Tanner Warner, David Manchester, Kadon Hohensheldt, Clyde Peek, Don Bellen, Jason Reome, Wesley Sutliff, Dan Santabarbara, Connor Prokop, Butchie Irwin, Tim Dwyer

1st win of 2023 and the 2nd win of his career in the division for Brett Mortensen

LAP LEADERS – 1-13 Shaffer, 14-25 Brett Mortensen

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Tyrrell, Constantino, John DuMond

GRECO’S NAPA HARD CHARGER AWARD – Edwards +16

BELOW ZERO ICE CREAM PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – KENNY GATES, Ivan Joslin, Devon Camenga, Luke Horning, Josh Coonradt, Shane Playford, Beau Ballard, Jim Normoyle, Caden Dumblewski, Nick Santuccione, Jason Morrison, John Holmes, Gary Silkey, Andy Graves, Randy Cosselman, Michael Achzet

5th win of 2023 and the 91st win of his career in the division for Gates

LAP LEADERS – 1-6 Camenga, Gates

HEAT RACE WINNERS – $100 bonus to each heat race winner from RCK Motorsports – Morrison, Camenga

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR AGING INC. LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 15-LAPS – AJ GRECO, Lance Hill, Tyler Bobar, Brandon Tyler, Kyle Dingman, Mike Hill, Jonathan Feagles, John Anderson, Tim Wilmot, Kirsten Swartz, Phil Arnold, Bob Rowback, Jeff Bobilin, Kolton Weiler, Collin Williams, Aaron Armitage, Michael Kalkbrenner, Joel Knudsen Jr., Tim Deffer, Dylan Huston, Craig Coons, Chris Kugler, Bob Rhinehardt, Ryan Sweet, Cian DiMezza, Andrew MacFadden, Brandon Goodell, Jim Mallia, Steve Wagoner (DNS), Gus Kamberelis (DNS)

2nd win of 2023 and the 2nd win of his career in the division for Greco

LAP LEADERS – 1 Tyler, 2-8 Bobar, 9-15 Greco

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Greco, Lance Hill, Bobar

FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE – 12-LAPS – $100 bonus to both the SOHC and DOHC winners from Upstate Auto – WAYNE RUSSELL JR. (SOHC), Kerrie Hollenbeck (DOHC), Haleigh Gates, Len St. Andrews, TJ Marlitt, Tom Hill, Brittany Ladd, Luke Sheldon, Tim Warner, Ken Hollenback, Doug McSpirit (DNS)

2nd win of 2023 and the 5th win of his career in the division for Russell Jr.

7th win of 2023 and the 41st

LAP LEADERS – 1-2 Russell Jr., 3-8 Gates, 9-11 Kerrie Hollenback, 12 Russell Jr.

EMPIRE SUPER SPRINT (ESS) EARL HALAQUIST MEMORIAL FEATURE – 25-LAPS – DANNY VARIN, Jordan Poirier, Jordan Thomas, Paulie Colagiovanni, Matt Tanner, Shawn Donath, Jason Barney, Dylan Swiernik, Bobby Hackel IV, Kyle Smith, Jeff Cook, Chad Miller, Logan Crisafulli, Jake Dykstra, Steve Glover, Trevor Years, Dylan Menditto, Lacey Hanson, Jeremiah Munson, Kyle Dutcher, Cory Sparks, Billy VanInwegen (DNS)

7th career win in the ESS Sprints for Varin

LAP LEADERS – 1-5 Hackel IV, 6-12 Poirier, 13-25 Varin

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Thomas, Varin, Barney

ESS DASH – Donath

CURTIS LUMBER PRESENTS THE LUCAS OIL EMPIRE SUPER SPRINTS (ESS) AT FONDA THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 5

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – This Saturday, August 5, the second visit of the 2023 racing season at the Fonda Speedway by the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) will take place with a $2,000 reward awaiting the feature winner. The ESS Sprint feature event will also serve as the 19th running of the prestigious Earl Halaquist Memorial event.

Curtis Lumber will be the sponsor of the evenings NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Racing program which also features all regular divisions in action including the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman, and the Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.

Gates open this Saturday at 4:00 p.m. with hot laps at 6:00 p.m. and racing at 7:00 p.m.

The Fonda Speedway Kid’s Club is holding their annual “Backpack Giveaway” this Saturday August 5 so if you would like to donate a backpack please bring it to Ashley Abeling at the Kid’s Club location under the grandstands at gate two.

According to their website the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) is a 360-winged sprint car traveling club that races on dirt oval tracks throughout New York and Canada. The sprint cars use a 360 cubic inch (5.9L) engine that produces approximately 700 horsepower, weigh 1500 pounds, and achieve speeds in excess of 125 miles per hour, on dirt short tracks. This year in 2023, the ESS are celebrating their 40th year of competition and is a respected club on and off the track.

Local favorite Danny Varin was the winner of six straight ESS Sprint car features at Fonda before Shawn Donath won back on May 6 of this year for his first career win at Fonda in the ESS organization, breaking Varin’s win streak. Those six wins moved Varin to the top of the ESS All-Time Win List at the “Track of Champions” in a total of 26 feature events run over the years with a total of 15 different drivers winning those events.

Justin Barger is second on the ESS All-Time Win List at Fonda with five victories while Lance Yonge and Steve Poirier both have two wins sitting next on the list. Drivers who have single ESS event wins at Fonda include John Brutcher, Bobby Parrow, Tom Taber, Craig Lane, Doug Emery, Jessica Zemken-Friesen, Jeff Cook, Chuck Hebing, Stewart Friesen, Davie Franek, and Shawn Donath.

19th ANNUAL EARL HALAQUIST MEMORIAL

Mike Emhof gave me permission years ago to share the following story of Earl Halaquist as Remembered by Michael Monnat so I will share it again this year in 2023.

By the first time I saw Earl Halaquist race a sprint car for the United Racing Club (URC) in 1960 at the Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, New York, he was already half-way through his career. Yet, at that point, he hadn’t even begun to receive national notoriety. That all changed with the dawn of the Sixties and his prodigious and overwhelmingly spectacular use of George Nesler’s sprint car racing equipment.

Halaquist had been around the sprint car game since arriving home after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II, making his debut in 1946 in Little Valley, N.Y. From that point forward through the Fifties, he raced with sanctions like the Eastern States Racing Association (ESRA), the Big Car Racing Association (BCRA), and URC.

Back to that July night at Five Mile Point, Halaquist didn’t win the feature, but he was impressive getting a second place finish behind Hal Rettberg. That was only the beginning as the decade that changed the country belonged to the Earl Halaquist/George Nesler duo.

Six URC titles (1962, ’64, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69) impressed the hell out of me and, during that time; I caught every local show and went to a few regional shows, as well. Halaquist won on dirt and asphalt. He won on the big tracks and the bullrings. In short, he won on everything and everywhere; he won 14 features in 1967 alone. Along the way, he garnered 52 URC main events; most coming at a time when ‘having a roof over your head’ meant living at home.

The quiet, unassuming family man from Sidney, N.Y., had a full-time job with Bendix, in addition to running up and down the East Coast chasing feature wins and point titles. He retired after spending 1970 driving midget cars with the American Race Drivers Club (ARDC). I didn’t meet Earl Halaquist in person until 1992 when he was inducted in the We-Go Racing Fan Club Hall of Fame. In 1996, he was inducted into the Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Hall of Fame and, in 2000; he was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (NSCHoF).

In 2010, he was posthumously inducted into the URC Hall of Fame. His many skills spoke for themselves and everything about him read ‘class act.’ Earl Satch Halaquist, who was born on September 7, 1925, in Rock Rift, N.Y., died on January 12, 2001, at the age of seventy-five. Great driver, great man. Nothing else needs to be said!

LAP SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR THE EARL HALAQUIST MEMORIAL

$20 lap sponsorships are available for this Saturday’s 25-lap Empire Super Sprints (ESS) sanctioned Earl Halaquist Memorial at the Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway. Lap 6 will pay $40 to the leader, courtesy of the Maynard Troyer Classic IV. Those wishing to sponsor a lap are encouraged to Facebook Message Thomas Schmeh, send Tom an e-mail at iowabasedtraveler@yahoo.com or at this late point in the week Tom accepts PayPal at iowabasetraveler@yahoo.com. You can also indicate a message you would like to place on the lap such as In Honor of, In Memory of, or whatever you would like to use.

PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE EARL HALAQUIST MEMORIAL EVENT

8/14/2004           Dundee, NY        Blake Breen                       ESS/PSG

8/15/2005          Dundee, NY        George Suprick                   ESS/PSG

8/12/2006           Dundee, NY        Chuck Hebing                    ASCS/PSG

7/22/2007           Fonda, NY           Justin Barger                    ESS

8/5/2008             Fonda, NY           Justin Barger                    ESS

5/23/2009           Fonda, NY           Doug Emery                     ESS

5/29/2010           Fonda, NY           Justin Barger                    ESS

5/28/2011           Fonda, NY           Justin Barger                    ESS

5/26/2012           Fonda, NY           Jessica Zemken-Friesen     ESS

9/21/2013           Fonda, NY           Jeff Cook                          ESS

8/26/2014           Afton, NY            Chuck Hebing                   ESS

8/25/2015           Afton, NY            Matt Tanner                      ESS

8/23/2016           Afton, NY            Steve Poirier                     ESS

8/12/2017           Fonda, NY           Danny Varin                      ESS

5/26/2018           Fonda, NY           Danny Varin                      ESS

9/27/2019           Fonda, NY           Jordan Poirier                    PATRIOT

6/26/2021           Fonda, NY           Paulie Colagiovanni            PATRIOT

6/25/2022           Fonda, NY           Danny Varin                      PATRIOT

SUMMARY

Justin Barger (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011)

Danny Varin (2017, 2018, 2022)

Chuck Hebing (2006, 2014)

Blake Breen (2004)

George Suprick (2005)

Doug Emery (2009)

Jessica Zemken-Friesen (2012)

Jeff Cook (2013)

Matt Tanner (2015)

Steve Poirier (2016)

Jordan Poirier (2019)

Paulie Colagiovanni (2021)

Fonda Speedway Weekly Report

Miss any action from last week’s racing? The Fonda Speedway weekly report can take care of that. A 90 second summary of the previous Saturday racing action will air throughout the week across seven local radio stations including:

WCSS 1490 & 106.9 in Amsterdam/Schenectady

WIZR 930 & 102.9 in Johnstown/Fonda/Gloversville

WKAJ 1120 & 97.9 in St. Johnsville/Canajoharie

WYVS 96.5 in Speculator and the North Country

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

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

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

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

PARKS COMPANIES PRESENTS THE CRSA SPRINT CARS PLUS ALL REGULAR DIVISIONS THIS SATURDAY, JULY 29 AT FONDA

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – On Saturday, July 29 the CRSA Sprint Cars will make their second visit of the 2023 racing season at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway. Parks Companies will present the racing program at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds track.

Also, in competition at Fonda on Saturday will be all regular divisions including the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks, the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman, and the Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.

Gates will open at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday evening followed by Hot Laps at 6:00 p.m. and racing at 7:00 p.m.

The CRSA Sprint cars have run eight racing programs so far in 2023 with the event winners including Jordan Hutton leading the way with three feature wins, Billy Vaninwegen Jr. and Tomy Moreau both with two feature wins, and Tim Iulg with one single victory. When the CRSA Sprints were at Fonda earlier this year, Moreau was the winner of the event.

Hutton leads the point standings going into the event at Fonda this Saturday followed in the top five by Dalton Herrick, Moreau, Tyler Chartrand, and Kyle Pierce.

There has been a total of 28 CRSA Sprint events at Fonda between 2009 and 2023 with 14 different drivers winning those events. Leading the way with five victories at Fonda is Mike Kiser followed by local favorite Danny Varin with four wins; Josh Pieniazek and Cory Sparks both with three wins; Kyle Smith, Jeff Trombley, and Jordan Hotton all with two wins apiece while Dylan Swiernik, John Matrafailo, Tyler Rice, Jordan Thomas, Brett Jaycox, Josh Flint, and Tomy Moreau all have one victory apiece.

Fonda Speedway Weekly Report

Miss any action from last week’s racing? The Fonda Speedway weekly report can take care of that. A 90 second summary of the previous Saturday racing action will air throughout the week across seven local radio stations including:

WCSS 1490 & 106.9 in Amsterdam/Schenectady

WIZR 930 & 102.9 in Johnstown/Fonda/Gloversville

WKAJ 1120 & 97.9 in St. Johnsville/Canajoharie

WYVS 96.5 in Speculator and the North Country

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

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

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

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

KENNY GATES WINS THE 18th ANNUAL HONDO CLASSIC & THE 2ND ANNUAL BOBCO MEMORIAL DASH AT FONDA

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – Special events have become a normal happening on a weekly basis at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway. Saturday evening was no exception. On the racing card was the 18th running of the Hondo Classic for the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock division, a prestigious event put on by Kelley and Kaitlyn Keefe honoring the late Hondo Carpenter who was a fan favorite to so many.

The event pays a lot of money to not only the winner but throughout the finishing order thanks to the sponsors and donations by friends of Hondo in a division that on a normal Saturday night produces the best race of the evening.

Along with the Hondo Classic the 2nd Annual BOBCO Memorial Dash was held, another special event honoring the late videographer Bob James, put on by Mark Krosky and a list of friends and sponsors that make the high paying event a prestigious one to win as well.

Both of these special events were won by Kenny Gates, his fourth win of the 2023 season, his 90th career win in the division at Fonda and the fourth Hondo Classic win of his career.

The luck of the draw placed Jason Morrison and Josh Coonradt on the front row of the 29-lap Hondo Classic event with Coonradt taking the lead from the outside pole position. At the completion of lap one, Shane Playford was the new second place car after starting third followed in the top five by fifth place starter Luke Horning, seventh place starter Beau Ballard, and eighth place starter Nick Stone.

Coonradt went between two lap cars on lap eight to maintain the lead with the yellow flag out on lap 11 for Slater Baker who was in the turn one wall. Another caution followed on the restart and the third try at the restart was single file with Coonradt maintaining the lead. At the halfway point in the event, Coonradt was the leader followed by Stone, Playford, Horning, and 12th place starter Kenny Gates.

Stone took the second spot away from Playford on lap 16 while Gates continued his march to the front, getting by Horning for the fourth position. Two more cautions slowed the field on laps 20 and 21 with Gates in the second position on the restart while ninth place starter Ivan Joslin was now third. Coonradt and Gates were side by side for the lead on lap 22 with Gates getting by Coonradt for the lead on the inside of turn four.

Gates led the remaining laps while Coonradt, Joslin, Stone, and Playford completed the top five.

“I can’t thank everyone that puts on this race enough,” Gates said in victory lane. “Kelley and Kaitlyn (Keefe) work their butts off on this event. It’s been a great race for a number of years, this is one we always circle, this is the big one for here at Fonda and I’m thrilled to death to be here. Coming from 12th I said oh boy, there’s a lot of good cars in front of me. We’ve had some bad luck this year a couple of weeks ago, but we turned it around.”

“Second place to Kenny Gates, he’s one of the best in the business,” second place finisher in the Hondo Classic Josh Coonradt said. “This track played to his favor tonight. I knew on the restart when I gave him the inside it was gonna be a challenge, but I knew that I had nothing on the bottom. I had to keep running the top and find any bite that I could. The track was phenomenal tonight and I’m very happy with second.”

“This one bites me all the time,” Honda Cassic third place finisher Ivan Joslin said. “To start ninth, have a good run, and pass all these guys, there’s a lot of good guys out there. Gates started rolling on the bottom, but my car was good on top, so I just had to get a rhythm going. I was getting closer and closer and just tried to keep going. It was good to have a good run here tonight.”

Kaitlyn Keefe threw the green flag to start the 2nd Annual BOBCO Memorial Dash with Josh Coonradt leading that event at the start. Kenny Gates started the event in the third position and took the lead away from Coonradt on lap three, leading the remaining laps for the dash event win.

Gates won a total of $1119 for the win followed by Coonradt ($759), Nick Stone ($509), Luke Horning ($409), Devon Camenga ($209), and Beau Ballard ($159). The winners share of the money included a $100 donation from the New York Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) for the first NYSSCA Member across the finish line which was Gates with all other drivers being NYSSCA members as well.

The purse money for the 2nd Annual BOBCO Dash was donated by Krash Menders, Elmo’s Speed & Supply, Bob & Tina Gamache, Don & Diane Champion in Memory of Craig, Don Kruger Motorsports, All In Printing & Designs, Premiere Landscaping, Friends of Bob James (BOBCO), Northeast Stock Car Old Timers (NESCOT), Bob Hackel Used Cars, Iron Outlaw Vintage Funny Car, Mark & Holly Krosky, BOBCO’S Family, Mom Louise, Sister’s Patty & Sandy.

“$1,119 that’s incredible,” Gates said about the payout after the BOBCO Memorial Dash win. “I’ve got every single win of mine on video from BOBCO, both VHS and DVD, and I love being able to get the old tapes out and watch them. Bob was a great guy, loved the sport, and loved this Pro Stock class. He was fun to talk to and I miss him.”

“This is the most I’ve made here all year,” second place dash finisher Josh Coonradt said after getting a check for $759. “When I had a good night Bob would leave me a video of it the next day so that I didn’t have to wait till the following week to get one. I talked to him a lot; he was a great guy.”

“This is probably the best paying race for not running all year long,” Stone said after his third place finish and $509 prize. “Finishing last you still leave with something. Great race to have, I look forward to it every year.”

Next Saturday, July 29 the CRSA Sprint cars will join all regular divisions on Parks Companies Night at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway.

Fonda Speedway Weekly Report

Miss any action from last week’s racing? The Fonda Speedway weekly report can take care of that. A 90 second summary of the previous Saturday racing action will air throughout the week across seven local radio stations including:

WCSS 1490 & 106.9 in Amsterdam/Schenectady

WIZR 930 & 102.9 in Johnstown/Fonda/Gloversville

WKAJ 1120 & 97.9 in St. Johnsville/Canajoharie

WYVS 96.5 in Speculator and the North Country

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

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

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

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

BELOW ZERO ICE CREAM “HONDO CLASSIC” PRO STOCK FEATURE – 29-LAPS – KENNY GATES, Josh Coonradt, Ivan Joslin, Nick Stone, Shane Playford, Beau Ballard, Devon Camenga, Jason Morrison, AJ Walters, Jim Normoyle, Jay Casey, Caden Dumblewski, Jason Casey, Gary Silkey, Steve Gates, Michael Achzet, Jordan Modiano, Joe Wilson, Nick Hilt, Connor White, Luke Horning, Dean Charbonneau, Chuck Dumblewski, Ian Bressette, Jimmy Eaton, Nick Santuccione, Randy Cosselman, Slater Baker, Dan Krajewski

4th win of 2023 and the 90th of his career in the division at Fonda for Gates, 4th career win in the “Hondo Classic”.

LAP LEADERS – 1-22 Coonradt, 23-29 Gates

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Ballard, Stone, Horning

BOBCO MEMORIAL DASH – 5-LAPS – KENNY GATES, Josh Coonradt, Nick Stone, Luke Horning, Devon Camenga, Beau Ballard

18th ANNUAL HONDO CLASSIC

BONUS  POSITION            SPONSOR            AMOUNT

Finishing Bonuses

Winner                 Snap On Tools – Chris Morris        100.00

Winner  Finish     The Martin Family            100.00

Winner  Finish     Irwin & Sons Farm           75.00

2nd Place            Finish     Bulldog Concrete              99.00

2nd Place            Finish     Kelley Keefe        25.00

3rd Place             Finish     Irwin & Sons Farm           75.00

3rd Place             Finish     Kelley Keefe        25.00

4th Place             Finish     Melissa Lazzaro in Memory of Lou Lazzaro            50.00

4th Place             Finish     Randy Cosselman             50.00

5th Place             Finish     Patty Gentile in memory of Bobby James               50.00

5th Place             Finish     Bobco Kenny 93 50.00

6th Place             Finish     Joslin Racing       70.00

7th Place             Finish     Irwin & Sons Farm           50.00

8th Place             Finish     Joslin Racing       50.00

9th Place             Finish     KKH Auto Sales  100.00

9th Place             Finish     Stone Motorsports           50.00

10th Place           Finish     Camenga Construction    50.00

10th Place           Finish     Gates Racing      35.00

11th Place           Finish     Camenga Construction    50.00

12th Place           Finish     Melissa Horton   29.00

13th Place           Finish     Haslun Racing    50.00

14th Place           Finish     Gates Racing      35.00

15th Place           Start      VanWert/Ballard Racing 25.00

15th Place           Finish     VanWert/Ballard Racing 25.00

16th Place           Finish     Bobco Kenny 93 25.00

17th Place           Finish     Bobco Kenny 93 25.00

18th Place           Finish     In Memory of Bob James              9.00

18th Place           Finish     Joslin Racing       10.00

19th Place           Finish     In Memory of Bob James              9.00

19th Place           Finish     Joslin Racing       9.00

20th Place           Finish     Gates Racing      35.00

21st Place           Finish     In Memory of Bob James              9.00

21st Place           Finish     Joslin Racing       10.00

22nd Place          Finish     In Memory of Bob James              9.00

22nd Place          Finish     Joslin Racing       10.00

23rd Place           Finish     In Memory of Bob James              9.00

23rd Place           Finish     Joslin Racing       10.00

24th Place           Finish     In Memory of Bob James              9.00

24th Place           Finish     Joslin Racing       10.00

25th Place           Finish     In Memory of Bob James              9.00

25th Place           Finish     Joslin Racing       10.00

26th Place           Finish     In Memory of Bob James              9.00

26th Place           Finish     Joslin Racing       10.00

27th Place           Finish     In Memory of Bob James              9.00

27th Place           Finish     Joslin Racing       10.00

28th Place           Finish     In Memory of Bob James              9.00

28th Place           Finish     Joslin Racing       10.00

29th Place           Finish     In Memory of Bob James              9.00

29th Place           Finish     Joslin Racing       10.00

 

Lap Bonuses

Lap 1     Leader   Mortensen 1B & 1M Racing         20.00

Lap 2     Leader   Stone Motorsports           27.99

Lap 3     Leader   Stone Motorsports           50.00

Lap 4     Leader   Justin Grant        25.00

Lap 5     Leader   Bulldog Concrete              50.00

Lap 6     Leader   Snap On Tools – Chris Morris        20.00

Lap 7     Leader   Stone Motorsports           27.99

Lap 8     Leader   Stone Motorsports           27.99

Lap 8     Leader   Leeann Achzet in Memory of Fonda HOF Lee Achzet         81.00

Lap 8     2nd Place            Leeann Achzet   35.00

Lap 9     Leader   J&J Racing and INOC DataCenters              50.00

Lap 9     Leader   Snap On Tools – Chris Morris        20.00

Lap 10   Leader   Justin Grant        25.00

Lap 11   Leader   Justin Grant        25.00

Lap 12   Leader   Melissa Horton   25.00

Lap 13   Leader   Haslun Racing    50.00

Lap 14   Leader   Stone Motorsports           50.00

Lap 15   Leader   FireFly Creations In Memory of Wolfie (Kevin George)       50.00

Lap 15   Leader   VanWert/Ballard Racing 25.00

Lap 15   15th Place           VanWert/Ballard Racing 25.00

Lap 16   Leader   Snap On Tools – Chris Morris        20.00

Lap 16   Leader   Joslin Racing       20.00

Lap 17   Leader   Cheesestick Paro              20.00

Lap 18   Leader   Joslin Racing       20.00

Lap 19   Leader   Joseph Williams In Memory of Big Joe Williams   20.00

Lap 19   Leader   Snap On Tools – Chris Morris        20.00

Lap 20   Leader   Stone Motorsports           50.00

Lap 21   Leader   Joslin Racing       20.00

Lap 22   Leader   Bulldog Concrete              50.00

Lap 23   Leader   Fox23 Fast Tracks Alumni               23.00

Lap 24   Leader   Snap On Tools – Chris Morris        20.00

Lap 24   Leader   Rick LaGrange    25.00

Lap 25   Leader   Stone Motorsports           50.00

Lap 26   Leader   Aaron Burton      26.00

Lap 27   Leader   Stone Motorsports           50.00

Lap 28   Leader   Justin Grant        25.00

Lap 29   Leader   Mary Berry in Memory of Brit Goss           25.00

SPECIAL AWARDS

Hondo’s Lunch                  Joe Achzet           40.00

Winner’s Check                Joe Achzet

Victory Lane Sign                             Joe Achzet

Heat Races sponsored by J&J Racing/INOC DataCenters and paid as follows:

1st – $75 2nd – $50   3rd – $25

 

NYSSCA 9th Member Award – The New York State Stock Car Association will

reward the 9th NYSSCA member to cross the finish line with $100.

 

Hard Charger Award – The driver advancing the furthest from his starting position

will receive $100 from Stone Motorsports, $25 from VanWert & Ballard Racing

and $20 from Joslin Racing.

 

Stone Motorsports Hard Luck Award $100

 

VanWert & Ballard Hard Luck Award $25 to the driver that loses the most positions.

 

Krash’s Last Pass Bonus:  $100 goes to the driver that is passed last for the lead,

resulting in the win. Courtesy of Krash Menders

 

Last Car to take the Checkers:  $50 from Randy Cosselman

 

Special thanks to Ed Lamberton and Chatham Clothing for their sponsorship of our driver’s shirts.

Lap Leaders                                      Heat Winners

Lap/Place            Driver                                  Heat 1:

1 – Leader            00X – Josh Coonradt                        1st          15 – Beau Ballard

2 – Leader            00X – Josh Coonradt                        2nd        35 – Ken Gates

3 – Leader            00X – Josh Coonradt                        3rd         3 – Shane Playford

4 – Leader            00X – Josh Coonradt

5 – Leader            00X – Josh Coonradt                                       Heat 2:

6 – Leader            00X – Josh Coonradt                        1st          8N – Nick Stone

7 – Leader            00X – Josh Coonradt                        2nd        110 – Devon Camenga

8 – Leader            00X – Josh Coonradt                        3rd         74N – Jim Normoyle

8 – 2nd                  6 – Shane Playford

9 – Leader            00X – Josh Coonradt                                       Heat 3:

10 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt                        1st          2H – Luke Horning

11 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt                        2nd        00X – Josh Coonradt

12 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt                        3rd         324 – Jason Casey

13 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt

14 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt

15 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt                        Hondo’s Lunch Money (Last Place Car)

15 -15th               75 – Gary Silkey                                80 – Dan Krajewski

16 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt

17 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt

18 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt                        Hard Charger (w/ # of Positions)

19 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt                        35 – Ken Gates – +11 – 12th to 1st

20 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt

21 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt

22 – Leader         00X – Josh Coonradt                        Hard Luck Award

23 – Leader         35 – Ken Gates                                   9B – Slater Baker – Retired due to mechanical issues

24 – Leader         35 – Ken Gates

25 – Leader         35 – Ken Gates

26 – Leader         35 – Ken Gates                                   15th Place Starter

27 – Leader         35 – Ken Gates                                   57 – Joey Wilson

28 – Leader         35 – Ken Gates

29 – Leader         35 – Ken Gates

 

Ballard/VanWert Hard Luck Award (w/ # of Positions)

2H – Luke Horning – -16 – 5th to 21st

 

9th NYSSCA Member Across the Line

22W – AJ Walters

 

Last Car to Take the Checkers

5 – Connor White

 

BOBCO Dash

1st          35 – Ken Gates

2nd        00X – Josh Coonradt                                      Krash’s Last Passed for the Win Bonus

3rd         8N – Nick Stone                                              00X – Josh Coonradt

4th         2H – Luke Horning

5th         110 – Devon Camenga

6th         15 – Beau Ballard

 

1st NYSSCA Member – BOBCO Dash

35 – Ken Gates

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