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 19^th 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 40^th 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.

19^th 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.

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.

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 18^th 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 2^nd 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 90^th 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 12^th 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 12^th 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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

4^th win of 2023 and the 90^th of his career in the division at Fonda for Gates, 4^th 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

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – Sampson Motor Car Night on Saturday evening at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway was a special evening for Matt DeLorenzo. The defending Track Champion was able to win his first feature of 2023 in the BBL Companies #3D Bicknell car and in the process took over the point lead by two points with only three events remaining in the regular season.

To top that off it was the 43^rd win of DeLorenzo’s career at Fonda placing him in a tie for ninth place on the All-Time Win list with Bill Wimble.

“I have to thank my brother Mike,” DeLorenzo said in FX Caprara Car Companies victory lane. “He was the only one working on the car today, I met him here at the track. The track was really slick, it was awesome. Great job on the track, it was real racy, and I know what it takes to put this show on. Thanks to the fans it is great to see them come out and support us.”

Other winners on Samson Motor Car Night at Fonda were Clayton DuMond (Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman), Jonathan Feagles (Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman), Ken (SOHC) and Kerrie (DOHC) Hollenback (Fonda Fair Four Cylinders).

Two special events were also held on Saturday evening, the 18^th annual Hondo Classic, honoring the late fan favorite driver Hondo Carpenter put on by Kelley and Kaitlyn Keefe along with the 2^nd Annual BOBCO Memorial Dash honoring the late videographer Bob James put on by Mark Krosky. Kenny Gates was the winner of both events with more coming on those events in a separate release.

Opening ceremonies began with an invocation by Pastor Greg Nitz followed by the National Anthem sung this week by Jenna Sue. The 50/50 ladies did their normal fantastic job with a prize of $2,377 going to Ashley from Gloversville.

The 30-lap Amsterdam Truck Center Modified feature began with pole position starter JaMike Sowle taking the lead at the drop of Joe Kriss’ green flag with third place starter Brian Calabrese in the second position as lap one clicked on the lap counter. One lap later, Calabrese was the race leader after getting by Sowle on the inside of turn four.

Rocky Warner started the event in the fifth position and was up to the third spot at that point when he suffered a flat right rear tire in turn two bringing out the first caution of the event. He had the tire changed and restarted the event at the rear of the field. Calabrese continued to lead on the restart with Alex Yankowski getting up to a top five position after starting ninth.

Bobby Varin brought out the last caution of the race on lap three after slowing in turn three and retired from the event at that point. Matt DeLorenzo started the event in the eighth position and on the restart moved up to the third position from Jack Lehner. Sowle never gave up on the outside line and got back around Calabrese for the lead on lap seven at the finish line.

DeLorenzo got by Calabrese for the second position on lap ten while tenth place starter Demetrios Drellos completed the top five after getting by Lehner for the spot. Just before the halfway point on lap 14, DeLorenzo took the lead away from Sowle on the inside of turns three and four and pulled away to a comfortable advantage. At the halfway point, the top five consisted of DeLorenzo, Sowle, Yankowski, Drellos, and Calabrese.

Despite lap traffic on lap 19 and over the remaining laps, DeLorenzo had no issues and went on to a straightaway win in the BBL Companies #3D over Yankowski, Drellos, Calabrese, and Sowle.

“I got to the front quick and the car was real good,” DeLorenzo said. “I think that getting to the front quickly was the key. It’s tough, I’ve got a lot of seconds this year. Everybody is fast. When asked about possibly winning another Track Championship this year DeLorenzo told Mimi Lazzaro “we’ll just take it race by race and hope for the W.”

Mark Mortensen led at the start of the 25-lap Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman feature from his outside pole starting position with Harry Shaffer second after sharing the front row with Mortensen. On lap three, Shaffer broke something in the right rear of his car and slowed on the backstretch to bring out the caution.

Mortensen maintained the lead on the restart, running so high in turns one and two that he scraped the wall with the right rear of the car. Fourth place starter Clayton DuMond was the new second place car with Troy Zilles in the third position on the restart with Mortensen and DuMond side by side for the lead on lap eight, Mortensen running the outside and DuMond the inside.

At the line to complete lap nine, DuMond got by Mortensen for the lead and stretched out his advantage while Tanner Warner was now pressuring Mortensen for the second position. With five laps to go, DuMond was stuck behind the lap car of Dylan Eldred and that lasted over the remaining laps of the event while Warner was able to get by Mortensen for the second position with two laps to go.

“I didn’t really know what to do with the lap car,” DuMond said. “It didn’t seem like there was much on the outside, so I was just hoping nobody was going to go around the outside of me. I’m not any good on top, I’m a bottom feeder and it worked out for me tonight.”

Warner was right on the rear bumper of DuMond for the lead on the final lap, but DuMond was able to hang on to the lead for his first win of the season and the second of his career in the division in the Sampson Motor Car sponsored #314 DKM car. Warner, Mortensen, Zilles, and Brendan Gibbons completed the top five at the checkered flag.

“Mark (Mortensen) was fast on top, but I knew I couldn’t keep up with him up there,” DuMond said. “I could roll underneath him, so I kept it wound up enough on the bottom to go by him. Every week is a learning experience, but it’s great to put our sponsor Sampson Motor Car in victory lane on their night. This one is for Jerry Sampson. We lost him earlier this year, I asked him to give me a little help tonight and it worked.”

The 15-lap Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman feature began with Brandon Tyler leading lap one until Steve Wagoner took the lead away from Tyler on lap two. Tenth place starter Jonathan Feagles was moving to the front lap after lap in the event and on lap 12 took the lead away from Wagoner on the outside of the backstretch and went on to his third win of the season in the Fitzpatrick Family Ties Auto Sales sponsored #55.

Bob Rowback, Michael Kalkbrenner, Kyle Dingman, and Mike Hill completed the top five at the checkered flag. Wagoner was the actual second place finisher but was disqualified in post-race tech for an illegal coil.

“The car has just been really good every week and everything went right tonight,” Feagles said. I just keep having things happen that really shouldn’t be happening, I got into the back stretch wall tonight and I was just hoping my tire wouldn’t go down but everything else went pretty smoothly. Coming from 10^th to first tonight makes me feel like I did something.”

Ken (SOHC) and Kerrie (DOHC) Hollenback were the winners in the Fonda Fair Four Cylinder feature event. It was the ninth win of the 2023 season for Ken (94^th of his career) and the sixth win for Kerrie (40^th of his career).

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.

7/22/2023 SAMPSON MOTOR CAR NIGHT

AMSTERDAM TRUCK CENTER MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – MATT DELORENZO, Alex Yankowski, Demetrios Drellos, Brian Calabrese, JaMike Sowle, Ronnie Johnson, Jack Lehner, Cody Clark, Chris Curtis, Dave Constantino, David Schilling, Rocky Warner, Dave Camara, Ron Holmes, Stewart Friesen, Bobby Varin, Bobby Hackel IV

1^st win of 2023 and the 43^rd of his career in the division for DeLorenzo who is now tied for 9^th on the All-Time Win List with Bill Wimble.

LAP LEADERS – 1 Sowle, 2-6 Calabrese, 7-13 DeLorenzo

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Sowle, Curtis

SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – CLAYTON DUMOND, Tanner Warner, Mark Mortensen, Troy Zilles, Brendan Gibbons, Stephen Gray, Chad Edwards, Payton Talbot, Blaine Klinger, Brian Calabrese, Chip Constantino, Jeremy Tyrrell, Matt Perry, Zach Dufel, Michael McCallion, Butchie Irwin, Brett Mortensen, Josh Kane, Don Bellen, John DuMond, Dylan Eldred, Kadon Hohensheldt, Tim Dwyer, Clyde Peek, Wesley Sutliff, Harry Shaffer, Jason Greco (DNS)

1^st win of 2023 and the 2^nd of his career in the division at Fonda for DuMond.

LAP LEADERS – 1-8 Mark Mortensen, 9-25 Clayton DuMond

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Zilles, Edwards, Mark Mortensen

GRECO’S NAPA HARD CHARGER AWARD – Tyrrell +8

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR AGING INC. LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 15-LAPS – JONATHAN FEAGLES, Bob Rowback, Michael Kalkbrenner, Kyle Dingman, Mike Hill, Kirsten Swartz, Chris Kugler, Ryan Sweet, Brandon Taylor, Tim Wilmot, Bobby Rhinehardt, Jim Mallia, Dylan Huston, Gus Kamberelis, Cian DiMezza, John Anderson, Jeff Bobilin, Tyler Bobar, Jason Palombo, Aaron Armitage, AJ Greco, Lance Hill, Corky Warner (DNS), Collin Williams (DNS), Steve Wagoner (DQ coil)

3^rd win of 2023 and the 3^rd of his career in the division for Feagles.

LAP LEADERS – 1 Tyler, 2-11 Wagoner, 12-15 Feagles

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Kalkbrenner, Warner, Rowback

FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE – 12-LAPS – KEN HOLLENBACK (SOHC), KERRIE HOLLENBACK (DOHC), Brandon Ely, Len St. Andrews, Wayne Russel Jr., Hayleigh Gates, TJ Marlitt, David Peek-Britten, John Ray, Tim Warner

9^th win of 2023 and the 94^th win of his career in the division for Ken Hollenback

6^th win of 2023 and the 40^th career win in the division for Kerrie Hollenback

LAP LEADERS – 1 Warner, 2-5 Kerrie Hollenback, 6-12 Kerrie Hollenback

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – On Saturday, July 22 at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway, Sampson Motorcar will sponsor the racing program consisting of two very special events. The 20-lap Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock feature will be the 18^th edition of the Hondo Classic in memory of the late Hondo Carpenter featuring a total purse of $2,929.97 in bonuses and lap sponsorships (amount as of the time of the writing of this press release) on top of the regular track purse!

In addition to that the 2^nd Annual Bobco Memorial Dash for Cash in memory of the late, long time Fonda Speedway videographer Bob James who passed away on September 20, 2020, will be held. Organized by Bob’s longtime friend Mark Krosky, the top two finishers in each of the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock heat races will be eligible to participate in the five-lap dash event.

Bob James was a long-time car owner for Hondo Carpenter so what better night to have a Dash for Cash in his honor than during Hondo Classic Night!

The Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman, and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders will also be in action with gates opening at 4:00 p.m., hot laps at 6:00 p.m., and racing at 7:00 p.m.

The Hondo Classic is named for Hondo Carpenter, a popular competitor in the Pro Stock division at the Fonda Speedway who lost his life in an ATV accident on July 4, 2005. Each year dozens of supporters of this event contribute to the bonus money that is awarded along with the track purse. According to the competitors, the money is always welcome but the big draw to the event is the bragging rights.

Hondo’s statistics at Fonda included five wins in the street stock division to go along with four wins in the pro stock class. But perhaps what had even more meaning for Hondo was his popularity with the kid’s and the fans, always ready to take a photo with anyone or autograph anything that a fan desired.

The First Annual Hondo Classic was won by Jim Burton in 2006. Nick Stone is a five-time winner of the event in 2007, 2008, 2016, 2017, & 2020 while Kenny Gates is a three-time winner of the event in 2009, 2015, & 2018. Pete Broderson has won the event twice in 2012 and 2014 while Chip Smith (2010), Rob Yetman (2011), Kenny Martin, Jr (2013), Josh Coonradt (2019), Luke Horning (2021), and Beau Ballard (2022) each have one win in the event along with Burton.

Also, this Saturday, July 22nd the 2nd Annual BOBCO Memorial Dash for Cash for Pro Stocks will take place at the Fonda Speedway. Bob James (BOBCO) was very well known as he was the Official Videographer of the Albany-Saratoga, Fonda, Lebanon Valley, Glen Ridge and Devils Bowl Speedways. He videoed at Fonda for over 25 years.

The tower on the roof at Fonda Speedway is dedicated in his memory and is named “The Bobco Video Terrace.” His videos were known to many as “The next best thing to being there.” And they were just that.

James started going to the races with his parents when his mother was pregnant with him, and when he was old enough to remember who the drivers were, his favorites were Harry Peek and Jack Johnson. However, it was one other driver who gave him his first kiddie ride that he will never forget, that was Lou Lazzaro.

He started videoing racing events at Fonda back in 1986 when he got his first video camera. At that time, he would either go on the infield or in turn four to do his videotaping. At the midpoint of the 1992 season at Fonda, the videographer at Fonda left, and James was asked to take over at that time.

James started owning a race car when he and his cousin Hondo Carpenter got into the sport back in 1996 as partners. Their first car was purchased in 1996 which Hondo raced in the street stock division at Albany Saratoga for one year in 1997. Chris Fain built them their next street stock which Hondo ran at Fonda and Albany Saratoga for two or three years before moving up to pro stocks and running only at Fonda.

This year’s BOBCO Memorial Dash has a purse of $3054.00. Same format as last year, Top 2 finishers from each of the 3 heat races. They will redraw for their starting spots in the dash. 6 cars racing 6 laps.

Payout for the BOBCO Memorial event will be as follows:

1^st $1009, 2^nd $759, 3^rd $509, 4^th $409, 5^th $209, 6^th $159

The New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) will also pay a $100 bonus the first NYSSCA member across the finish line in the BOBCO Memorial Dash.

Last year’s winner of the 1^st Annual BOBCO Memorial Dash was Nick Stone.

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.

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – The first four editions of the “Firecracker 50” at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway over the span of the last four years have been won by one driver Stewart Friesen. After a rainout on July 2, the race was re-scheduled for Monday evening with a different winner in victory lane this time as Matt Sheppard took his sixth career win at Fonda in the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) event in the HAS #9S Bicknell car.

“What a crazy race,” Sheppard said in victory lane. “Fonda Speedway can be a thorn in anybody’s side, it’s a tough place to get around but when your car is right it’s a lot of fun.”

The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman division was also in action on Monday evening with Payton Talbot taking his sixth win of the season and tenth of his career in the division at Fonda in the Ted’s Body Shop #14T Bicknell car. The win for Talbot was worth $2,000.

“This place this year we’ve been pretty solid,” Talbot said. “But I felt like we struggled a little bit tonight. We had an interesting Saturday, our race got cut short, so this definitely feels great to be back in victory lane.”

Scenic View Campgrounds and Picture Perfect Pools & Spas presented the racing program that began with opening ceremonies with Michael Parent taking a lap on the track in his $25P car with the Canadian flag attached to the car while Mimi Lazzaro sang the Canadian Anthem. Following that Ronnie Johnson took a lap around the track with the American flag attached to his #2RJ car while Lazzaro sang the National Anthem.

A redraw for starting positions on victory lane placed Mat Williamson and Matt DeLorenzo on the front row at the drop of Joe Kriss’ green flag with DeLorenzo the early leader. A quick yellow flag flew on lap two for Jessica Friesen who came to a stop on the front stretch with DeLorenzo choosing the outside line for the restart and maintaining the lead when the race resumed.

Alex Yankowski moved into the second position after getting by Williamson on the restart while seventh place starter Matt Sheppard moved up to the fourth position with DeLorenzo now a straightaway ahead of the second place car. Eighth place starter Max McLaughlin moved into the top five on lap eight while DeLorenzo was in lap traffic with three lap cars blocking the track in front of the race leader as they raced for position.

DeLorenzo was relieved of the lap traffic issue on lap 11 when the caution flew for Brian Calabrese who suffered a flat left rear tire. DeLorenzo again chose the outside on the restart and maintained the top spot while behind him Sheppard and McLaughlin both got passed Williamson for the third and fourth positions.

McLaughlin was next to suffer a flat tire on lap 12 while running fourth, bringing out another caution. He pitted and restarted at the rear of the field. This restart saw a big change in position behind the lead car of DeLorenzo as Yankowski maintained his second spot while Williamson and 11^th place starter Danny Varin both got by Sheppard for the third and fourth positions.

Current point leader Demetrios Drellos started the event in the 16^th position and moved into the top five on lap 16 while Sheppard fell back to the seventh position behind 15^th place starter Stewart Friesen. One lap later Varin was in the wall in turn two bringing out the yellow flag yet again. Varin was okay but was done for the evening at that point. On this restart, Sheppard began his move back up to the front getting by the fifth and sixth place cars of Friesen and Willaimson.

“I felt like I got to rolling a little bit there and got up to third,” Sheppard said. “I kind of pushed into turn one, and then off of turn two everybody just drove by me. I thought that I had a flat right rear tire, the car just wouldn’t even drive around the track, and they were going around me on both sides. When the red flag came out for Varin, I pulled over next to my crew and asked if the right rear tire was flat and they said no.”

At the halfway point in the event DeLorenzo was the leader followed by Yankowski, Sheppard, Drellos, and Friesen. Sheppard was the new second place car on lap 27 after getting by Yankowski and closed in quickly on DeLorenzo who was now in lap traffic. At the finish line to complete lap 28, Sheppard moved past DeLorenzo for the lead while Drellos and Friesen were side by side for the fourth position. Drellos started showing signs of smoke from his #111 on lap 35 and retired under caution one lap later when Chris Curtis brought out the fifth caution flag in the event.

“When we went racing after the red flag the car took off like a missile again and I drove up through the field,” Sheppard said.

Sheppard chose the inside on the restart and held the lead at the drop of the green while Yankowski got by DeLorenzo for the second position. Friesen made a bonsai move on the outside of turn four on lap 37, getting by both DeLorenzo and Yankowski for the second position. Friesen and Yankowski swapped the second position twice with ten laps to go while Sheppard pulled away from the field.

One final yellow flag came out on lap 44 but Sheppard maintained the lead on the restart with Friesen chasing him across the finish line in second to the checkered flag. Yankowski, DeLorenzo, and Williamson completed the top five while Michael Trautschold finished in the sixth position after starting 24^th. The win for Sheppard was the 34^th of his career in the STSS Series.

“The side by side restarts are tough here,” Sheppard said. “And Stewy, this is his house. To line up next to him with a few laps to go I was thinking man is he going to steal another one from me here. But this car was just too strong tonight.”

“We had a lot of work to do tonight,” Freisen said after finishing second. “We drew bad and that threw us behind the eight ball early. I just couldn’t get through the holes; the track was rough in one and two and I couldn’t get through there. Matt could get through there pretty good and clean air was really good. Once he got it, it was a different story. That’s it, second, it really blows.”

“We were good,” Yankowski said after his third place finish. “The cautions just don’t seem to fall our way to get the lead and win a race. But that’s the way it goes. We were able to put ourselves in position and I think we’ve done a good job at that all year long. Last year we had some signs of speed and flashes of success, but we weren’t really that consistent. This year I think we’ve been a lot more consistent.”

The luck of the draw placed Michael Ballestero and Kadon Hohensheldt on the front row for the Crate 602 Sportsman feature with Ballestero taking the early lead. Dylan Madsen spun in turn two bringing out the one and only caution flag of the event on lap two with Ballestero maintaining the lead on the restart. Fifth place starter Payton Talbot moved into the third position on the restart and two laps later he was the new second place car after getting by Hohensheldt.

On lap eight, on the inside of turn two, Talbot took the lead away from Ballestero and pulled away from there to another win. With the race now for the second position, eyes turned to Brian Calabrese who started the event in the 13^th position but moved into the third position on lap nine. Four laps later Calabrese got by Ballestero for the second position but never got close enough to challenge Talbot for the lead even with lap traffic coming into play with ten laps to go.

Talbot scored the victory followed in the top five by Calabrese, Ballestero, 11^th place starter Tanner Warner, and Tyler Peet. For Talbot it was his second win in the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman division.

“It took me a little while to figure out the groove,” Talbot said. “After that we were good. I felt more comfortable on the bottom than I did on the top tonight.”

“I just want to thank everybody,” second place finisher Brian Calabrese said. “I wake my wife up every morning at 2:30 when I come home after working on the race car, so I really want to thank her. This is fun, you can’t really forget where you came from. Thanks to Brett (Deyo) for allowing us to run the crates. The cars are equal and it’s all about the drivers.”

“Just couldn’t hang on,” third place finisher Michael Ballestero said. “We didn’t tighten the car up enough and it got real loose on us, so I was just trying to hang on there. This is our first time here this year so maybe we’ll come back and get them next time.”

Action returns to the “Track of Champions” on Saturday, July 22 when Sampson Motor Car presents the prestigious Hondo Classic for Pro Stocks along with the BOBCO Dash. All other divisions will also be in action with a start time of 7:00 p.m.

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.

BOB HILBERT SPORTSWEAR SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES (STSS) FUELED BY SUNOCO PRESENTED BY SCENIC VIEW CAMPGROUNDS & PICTURE PERFECT POOLS & SPAS

SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES (STSS) FIRECRACKER 50 – 50-LAPS – MATT SHEPPARD, Stewart Friesen, Alex Yankowski, Matt DeLorenzo, Mat Williamson, Michael Trautschold, Max McLaughlin, Cody Clark, Billy Decker, Rocky Warner, Dillon Steuer, Marc Johnson, Steve Bernier, JaMike Sowle, Tyler Dippel, JR Hurlburt, Chris Curtis, David Schilling, Francois Bernier, Tim Fuller, Demetrios Drellos, Michael Parent, Bobby Hackel IV, Brian Calabrese, Danny Varin, Ronnie Johnson, Jessica Friesen

1^st win of 2023 and the 6^th of his career at Fonda for Sheppard

LAP LEADERS – 1-27 DeLorenzo, 28-50 Sheppard

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Parent, Hackel IV, Sheppard, Clark

CONSOLATION RACE WINNERS – Schilling, Sowle

DID NOT QUALIFY – Jack Lehner, Mike Mahaney, Brian Pessolano, Bobby Varin, Tanner VanDoren, Dave Constantino, Dave Camara, Keith Flach, Tucker O’Connor, Ron Holmes, Don Bellen

SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES (STSS) CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – PAYTON TALBOT, Brian Calabrese, Michael Ballestero, Tanner Warner, Tyler Peet, Brendan Gibbons, Chad Edwards, Chip Constantino, Kadon Hohensheldt, Blaine Klinger, Dan Santabarbara, Michael Kalkbrenner, Joe Toth, Troy Palmer, Stephen Gray, Dylan Madsen, Brett Mortensen, Roger Hummer, John DuMond, Butchie Irwin, Michael McCallion, Matt Perry, Derrick McGrew Jr., Chris Kugler, AJ Greco, Clayton DuMond, Clyde Peek

6^th win of 2023 and the 10^th of his career in the division for Talbot

LAP LEADERS – 1-7 Ballestero, 8-25 Talbot

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Ballestero, Greco, Santabarbara, Talbot

CONSOLATION RACE WINNER – Edwards

DID NOT QUALIFY – Gordon Smith, Josh Allen, Greg Crooker, Jeremy Tyrrell, Ben Feldman, Wesley Sutliff, Jeff Bobilin

GRECO’S NAPA HARD CHARGER AWARD – Edwards +14

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – Cody Clark started the 2023 racing season in a new ride, in a new division after moving up to the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds in the Laudy Hoyenga #4. Impressive runs throughout the season placed Clark sixth in points going into Saturday evenings events at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway and when the checkered flag flew to complete the 30-lap $4,000 to win F.X. Caprara Car Companies Thunder on the Thruway Series event, he entered victory lane as the 142^nd different driver to win at Fonda in a total of 1427 events.

“I have such a good group of people behind me I wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for them,” Clark told Mimi Lazzaro in victory lane. “Thank you to Laudy Hoyenga for giving me the opportunity to drive his car, all the guys at DKM, my wife and kids who put up with a lot of crap, all of my crew and sponsors. This is a lot more work than the Sportsman car was.”

Other winners on AIM Autism/One Zee Tees Autism Awareness Night were Butchie Irwin (Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman), Shane Playford (Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks), Tim Wilmot (Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman), Ken (SOHC) and Kerrie (DOHC) in the Fonda Fair Four Cylinders. For Irwin, Playford, and Wilmot it was the first win of their careers in their respective divisions.

Illyria Escher sang the National Anthem after Pastor Greg Nitz’ prayer to begin Opening Ceremonies with the 50/50 girls doing an amazing job as always with the $2,518 prize won by Samantha from Spencertown.

A redraw for starting positions placed Cody Clark and Dave Camara on the front row for the start with Clark taking the early advantage in the caution plagued event. When the caution came out on lap two for Jessey Mueller who slowed with a flat tire, the restart led to a lead change with Alex Yankowski getting by Clark for the number one spot.

By lap seven, Yankowski was a straightaway ahead of Clark and two laps later he was in lap traffic, running so high on the track that he nearly got into the wall in between turns one and two on lap ten. Somehow he saved the car, got it straightened out, and continued on. At the halfway point Yankowski was the leader followed by Clark, Ronnie Johnson, 12^th place starter Matt DeLorenzo, and ninth place starter Stewart Friesen.

Three consecutive yellow flags flew through lap 19 with Yankowski choosing different lines for the restart each time, the last restart choosing the inside groove to maintain his lead. Behind the leader the race for the top five was a good one with DeLorenzo and Friesen swapping positions numerous times over a couple of laps with both drivers getting by Johnson for the third and fourth positions on lap 21.

Demetrios Drellos started the event in the 15^th position and got by Johnson for a spot in the top five on lap 22 with the best race on the track at the time occurring for the third position between DeLorenzo and Friesen. The final in a total of six yellow flags came out on lap 27 for Rocky Warner who got into the wall in turn two while running seventh. On the restart, Yankowski maintained the lead until the next lap when he went down low coming out of turn four allowing Clark to get by for the lead on the outside to complete lap 28.

Yankowski and Clark made contact as the pass was made with Clark throwing sparks out of the left rear over the final two laps. Clark was able to cross under the checkered flag first despite the damage with Yankowski, Drellos, DeLorenzo, and Friesen completing the top five.

“The restarts were killing me,” Clark said in victory lane. “I had a 56 compound tire on the car, and it kept cooling off under caution and took a few laps to come back in. Mid race we were rolling pretty good and closing up on the 84Y (Yankowski). I stuck to the top in turn four, I had a good run, and I had my shot to get him, so I just hit my marks on the top. All the credit goes to my guys, I get the easy job to sit in the seat and drive.”

Clark has a total of 17 wins in the Crate 602 division at Fonda, the first one coming on 4/12/2014 and his last on 9/17/2022 before moving up to the Modified division this year.

Stephen Gray led the first lap in the 25-lap Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman feature from his outside pole position start with an early caution out just after the leader completed lap one for Jason Reome, Brian Calabrese, and Tanner Warner in turn four. Reome and Warner were done for the night while Calabrese was able to restart at the rear of the field.

Butchie Irwin took over the lead on the restart on the inside of turn three and four after starting third with another yellow flag out on the second lap for defending track champion Payton Talbot who dropped fluid on the track and was smoking heavily in turn four. Talbot was done for the evening with Irwin leading on the restart and stretching it out to a straightaway lead by lap eight.

Irwin was in lap traffic on lap 13 just before the yellow came out to close up the field. Irwin maintained the lead on the restart and pulled away while attention turned to 15^th place starter Chad Edwards who moved up to fourth on the restart. Edwards gained positions up to the second spot by the time the checkered flag flew with Irwin a straightaway ahead at the finish line in the New Day Motors #117N with Calabrese, Gray, and Chip Constantino completing the top five behind Irwin and Edwards.

“Thanks to Mitchell Poole who revived my racing career,” Irwin said in victory lane. “He had been on us for years to get back into racing and the winter before last he kept prodding me. One day Puppet was with me, and some other guys were in the shop, Mitchell was there, and they just kept prodding me. I said what do you think I should do, and they said do it. I promised him five races, we went and had a good time, had a little success and here we are.”

“This is probably the biggest win he has ever had and I’m very thankful to give it to him,” Irwin continued to say. “I just can’t thank everybody enough; I would not be here if it wasn’t for them. I knew the car would stick and I could do anything I wanted. I really didn’t lift much and when you’ve got something like that here you’re almost unstoppable. No fear, no worries, just go.”

Irwin has a total of 18 wins in the Pro Stock division at Fonda, the first one coming on 8/1/2001 and his last on 8/13/2005 before getting out of racing for a number of years and returning to compete in a Sportsman car. Irwin was also the 2005 Fonda Speedway Pro Stock Track Champion.

Four yellow flags and six lead changes sum up the 20-lap Below Zero Ice Cream feature event with pole position starter Ivan Joslin leading the first two laps. The first lead change occurred on lap three with Shane Playford the new race leader after a two lap side by side battle with Joslin. Joslin led lap four by a nose at the line with Playford leading again on another restart after a caution on lap seven.

At the halfway point, the top five consisted of Playford, Joslin, eighth place starter Nick Stone and ninth place starter Beau Ballard. Stone and Ballard both got past Joslin for the second and third positions on lap 13 and two laps later Playford and Stone were side by side for the lead. Stone took the lead away on the inside of the backstretch with three laps remaining and led the remaining laps for what looked like another win with Ballard, Playford, 10^th place starter Luke Horning, and sixth place starter Kenny Gates completing the top five.

In post-race inspection both Stone and Ballard were disqualified for adjustable idler arms handing Playford his first career win followed by Horning, Gates, Joslin, and seventh place starter Josh Coonradt completing the top five.

“Definitely not the way we want to win,” Playford said after the disqualification of Stone and Ballard. “The car has been fast all year, it seems like come feature time we’re a little bit off. I don’t know what else to say, it was fun.”

Dylan Huston led the first seven laps of the 15-lap Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman feature until lap eight when he ended up getting loose on the track and got into the back stretch wall. He was towed away and done for the night, handing the lead over to Tim Wilmot who started the event in the third position. Wilmot led the remaining laps for his first career win in the division followed in the top five by Lance Hill, Kirsten Swartz, Kyle Dingman, and Michael Kalkbrenner.

“I was just hoping that he wasn’t going to come down and hit me,” Wilmot said in victory lane regarding Huston getting loose and into the backstretch wall.

Wilmot carries a HUNTERSTRONG sticker on his race car and said a special shout out to his buddy Hunter saying, “You’ve got this buddy.”

Ken (SOHC) and Kerrie (DOHC) won the Fonda Fair Four cylinder features in their respective divisions. Brandon Ely was the actual winner of the DOHC class but was disqualified for rear camber handing the win to Kerrie Hollenback.

Monday evening, July 17 the rescheduled “Firecracker 50” event will be held for the STSS Modified and Crate 602 divisions with gates opening at 4:00 P.M. followed by hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:15 p.m.

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

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

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

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

DATE – 7/15/2023 AIM AUTISM/ONE ZEE TEES PRESENTS AUTISM AWARENESS NIGHT – F.X. CAPRARA THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY SERIES

AMSTERDAM TRUCK CENTER MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – $4,000 TO WIN – CODY CLARK, Alex Yankowski, Demetrios Drellos, Matt DeLorenzo, Stewart Friesen, Ronnie Johnson, David Schilling, Chris Curtis, Jessica Friesen, Brian Calabrese, Ryan Odasz, Bobby Varin Bobby Hackel IV, Dave Constantino, Bill August, Rocky Warner, Jessey Mueller, JaMike Sowle, Jack Lehner, Dave Camara, Tucker O’Connor, Pep Corradi, Brian Pessolano, Shawn McPhee, Ronnie Holmes (DNS)

1^st career win in the division for Clark

LAP LEADERS – 1-2 Clark, 3-27 Yankowski, 28-30 Clark

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Curtis, Constantino, Clark

SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – $1,500 TO WIN – BUTCHIE IRWIN, Chad Edwards, Brian Calabrese, Stephan Gray, Chip Constantino, Brendan Gibbons, Michael McCallion, Brett Mortensen, Tony Farone, Troy Zilles, Jeremy Tyrrell, Clayton DuMond, Matt Perry, Kaydon Hohensheldt, Seth Martin, David Hackett Jr., Harry Shaffer, Josh Kane, Zach Dufel, Mark Mortensen, John DuMond, Payton Talbot, Jason Reome, Blaine Klinger, Tanner Warner

1^st career win in the division for Irwin

LAP LEADERS – 1 Gray, 2-25 Irwin

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Irwin, Clayton DuMond, Shaffer

CONSOLATION RACE WINNER – Zilles

DID NOT QUALIFY – Dave VanBuren, Wesley Sutliff, Don Bellen, Clyde Peek, Tim Dwyer, Dylan Eldred

GRECO’S NAPA HARD CHARGER AWARD – Edwards +13

BELOW ZERO ICE CREAM PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – $1,000 TO WIN – SHANE PLAYFORD, Luke Horning, Kenny Gates, Ivan Joslin, Josh Coonradt, AJ Walters, Jim Normoyle, Caden Dumblewski, Jason Morrison, Randy Cosselman, John Holmes, Nick Santuccione, Don Collins, Andy Graves, Michael Achzet, Devon Camenga, Gary Silkey, Joe Wilson (DNS), Nick Stone (DQ adjustable idler arms), Beau Ballard (DQ adjustable idler arms)

1^st career win in the division for Playford

LAP LEADERS – 1-2 Joslin, 3 Playford, 4-6 Joslin, 7-8 Playford, 9 Joslin, 10-16 Playford, 17-20 Stone (DQ)

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Coonradt, Gates

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR AGING INC. LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 15-LAPS – TIM WILMOT, Lance Hill, Kirsten Swartz, Kyle Dingman, Michael Kalkbrenner, Jonathan Feagles, Tyler Bobar, Mike Hill, Ryan Sweet, Chris Kugler, John Anderson, Jim Mallia, Jason Palombo, John Santolin, Corky Warner, Dylan Huston, Tim Deffer, Bob Rowback, AJ Greco, Bobby Rhinehardt, Connor Prokop, Brandon Goodell, Brandon Tyler, Maddy Broedel, Steve Wagoner (DNS), Bella Pickard (DNS), Gus Kamberelis (DNS), Brandon Hazzard (DNS)

1^st career win in the division for Wilmot

LAP LEADERS – 1-7 Huston, 8-15 Wilmot

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Swartz, Wilmot, Huston

FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE – 12-LAPS – KERRIE HOLLENBACK (DOHC), Corey Valade, John Napoli, Shawn Hemstreet, Billy Hillman, KEN HOLLENBACK (SOHC), Len St. Andrews, Wayne Russell Jr., Tim Warner, Hayleigh Gates, David Peek Britten, Dan Valade, TJ Marlitt, Brandon Ely (DQ rear Camber).

8^th win of 2023 and the 93^rd of his career in the division for Ken Hollenback

5^th win of 2023 and the 39^th of his career in the division for Kerrie Hollenback

LAP LEADERS – 1-2 Kerrie Hollenback, 3-12 Ely (DQ)

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