By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – On Saturday, July 15 the Fonda Speedway hosts the F.X. Caprara Car Companies Thunder on the Thruway Series, a six-race mini-series between the Fonda and Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedways.

The Sunoco Modifieds will race 30-laps and a $4,000 payday on Saturday while the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman will compete in a 25-lap $1,500 to win feature event, and the Algonkin Pro Stocks will compete in a 20-lap $1,000 to win feature event.

The Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders will also be in action. Gates will open at 4:00 p.m. with hot laps at 6:00 p.m. and racing at 7:00 p.m.

Before the racing action begins there will be a “Tailgate for the Cause” event as AIM Autism and One Zee Tees presents Autism Awareness Night. From 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. there will be events including a $15 chicken dinner, raffles of various items, music, a bounce house for the kids, a dunk tank, and more with all proceeds benefitting the Crossroads Center for Children.

The Crossroads Center for Children holds a special place in Stewart and Jessica Friesen’s hearts as their son Parker attended the center after he was diagnosed with Autism. This will be the fourth benefit for the organization held at the Fonda Speedway and organized by the Friesen’s, the first three were a huge success as this one promises to be as well.

So far in 2023 there have been four events held in the F. X. Caprara Car Companies Thunder on the Thruway Series, two at Utica Rome and two at Fonda. Stewart Friesen has one win at each track in the Modified division with Matt Sheppard (Utica Rome) and Max McLaughlin (Fonda) winning the other two events.

Payton Talbot has won three of the four Thunder on the Thruway Series events in the Crate 602 Sportsman division with two wins at Fonda and one at Utica Rome while Matt Janczuk has one win in the division at Utica Rome. Beau Ballard has two wins in the Thunder on the Thruway Series events in the Pro Stock division, one each at Utica Rome and Fonda while Nick Stone and AJ Walters have victories in the other two events.

It’s RACE WEEK at Fonda Speedway! One Zee Tees & AIM Autism present Autism Awareness Night at the Track of Champions Saturday, July 15.

Tailgate for a Cause 1-4 p.m. in the Entertainment Building: Chicken BBQ, Raffles, Music, Bounce Houses, Dunk Tank & More to benefit Crossroads Center for Children

F.X. Caprara Car Companies Thunder on the Thruway Series

Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds – $4,000 to win

Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman – $1,500 to win

Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks – $1,000 to win

Plus:

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman

Fonda Fair Four Cylinders

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

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors ages 65 and up) – Kids 11 and under FREE

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

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 – Not even a break in the 30-lap Amsterdam Truck Center Modified feature with 12-laps to go could deter Demetrios Drellos from getting his first win of the season at Fonda on Saturday evening.

The break occurred when the ambulance had to leave the premises after a scary incident in turn one when Kurtis Hohensheldt flipped his car. The ambulance took Hohensheldt to St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, NY and with no other ambulances available the races could not proceed so the Fireworks display was lit off during that time.

The race stayed clean and green over the final 12-laps with Drellos getting his first win of 2023 and the third of his career at the “Track of Champions”.

“It was like when the lights went out at Afton,” Drellos told Mimi Lazzaro in F.X. Caprara Car Companies Victory Lane. “I said to the guys you might think this is okay but it’s a little nerve wracking for me. We have a good car, we were a little off earlier today, I wish that I could have had a little better showing in the Bill Ag Memorial match races.”

One driver who had no issues whatsoever during the 8^th Annual Bill Ag Memorial match races was RJ Ronnie Johnson who swept all five rounds of the event on his way to a $4,451 payout! Johnson is now a four time winner of the event after victories back in 2016, 2017, & 2021. It is also the third time that Johnson swept every round in the event after doing so back in 2016 & 2021!

“It’s pretty cool to see this event get bigger and bigger every year,” Johnson said. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Bill was a great guy, and it shows who he was with all of this support of this event. It’s just something special. This race has been great to us, it’s an honor to support Bill and his whole family.”

Other winners on Dirt Track Digest Night at the Fonda Speedway were Payton Talbot (Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman), Luke Horning (Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks), Jonathan Feagles (Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman), Ken Hollenback (Fonda Fair SOHC Four Cylinder), and Corey Valade (Fonda Fair DOHC Four Cylinder).

David Schilling and Dave Camara started the 30-lap Amsterdam Truck Center Modified feature on the front row with the red flag out at the initial start for a multi car wreck in turn four that occurred when Bobby Hackel IV and Demetrios Drellos got bottled up down low in the turn. Most of the drivers involved were able to continue except for Ronnie Johnson and Bobby Varin.

At the second attempt to start the event, Schilling raced out to an early advantage while seventh place starter Demetrios Drellos made moves to get to the front, getting by Dave Constantino and Dave Camara on the inside of turn four for the second position on lap four. Schilling was out to a straightaway advantage at that point but by lap eight Drellos was closing and closing quickly on the leader.

While Drellos chased Schilling for the top spot, Dave Constantino and Cody Clark were moving up as well, both of them getting by Camara for the third and fourth positions on lap ten. Drellos had caught Schilling at this point and took the lead away on lap 11 with a pass on the inside of the backstretch. By lap 18, Drellos was out to a straightaway plus advantage when Matt DeLorenzo slowed on the frontstretch when he blew an oil line to bring out the caution.

The red flag was out on the restart for Kurtis Hohensheldt who hit the wall in turn one and flipped his car violently. Hohensheldt was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital by ambulance. With no other ambulances available, Fonda Speedway management decided to set off the fireworks display while waiting for the ambulance to return to the track.

When the race resumed, Drellos pulled away to a comfortable lead and went on to his first win of 2023 and the third of his career at Fonda in the Drellos Motorsports #111 over Schilling, eighth place starter Alex Yankowski, Constantino, and Clark. The second place finish by Schilling was put on hold by speedway management for tire testing with samples sent out to Blue Ridge Labs to be examined.

“We tried some stuff tonight and had a good test,” Drellos said. “Hopefully, we can bring back a fast car again next week. You learn a lot of different techniques driving a late model, and a lot of different things that you can do to your car too. Truthfully more racing, I don’t care if it’s a go-kart, it doesn’t matter because it all helps.”

Kadon Hohensheldt led the first two laps of the Swagger factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman feature until fourth place starter Michael McCallion took over the lead on lap three with a pass on the outside of turn two. Stephen Gray and Blaine Klinger also got by Hohensheldt for the second and third positions on lap five with McCallion now out to a straightaway advantage.

At the halfway point in the event, McCallion was setting a quick pace with a comfortable lead until lap 13 when Chip Constantino spun in turn two. Speedway management felt that Chad Edwards had gotten into Constantino to cause the spin, so they put Edwards to the rear for the restart. After another yellow on the restart, the next one was single file with McCallion holding on to the lead when the green flag was dropped.

At this point all eyes were on point leader Payton talbot who started the event in the 18^th position and was running in the top five by lap 14. Lap after lap Talbot would pick off another car, and by lap 18 he was the new second place car after getting by Klinger for the position. With three laps to go, Talbot passed McCallion on the outside of the backstretch and went on to his fifth win of the season and the ninth of his career in the division over McCallion, Klinger, Gray, and Brian Calabrese.

McCallion failed to make weight in post-race inspection and was disqualified after a great run moving Brett Mortensen into the top five.

“This car is awesome,” Talbot said in victory lane. Honestly, I didn’t know if there was gonna be a top side for us tonight. I got a pretty good run off of turn two and I think that is what saved us. I have to thank Mike (Walton) for giving us this rocket ship.”

The best feature of the evening may have been the 20-lap Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stock feature with a lot of three and four wide racing action throughout the event. It all began with fourth place starter Shane Playford leading lap one after a four wide battle at the start in turn two. On lap seven, Luke Horning was side by side with Playford for the lead and one lap later Horning was the new race leader.

Playford got the lead back at the halfway point in the event with the top five at that point consisting of Playford, Horning, 10^th place starter Devon Camenga, Andy Graves, and Josh Coonradt. On lap 11, Horning took the lead back from Playford on the inside of turn four with the caution flag out on lap 17 for Kenny Gates who slowed on the frontstretch with a line of fluid dropped on the track. During the caution period, Camenga suffered a left rear flat tire while running second. He went to the hot pit and restarted at the end of the field.

Horning held on for the final three laps for his first win of the 2023 season and the 27^th of his career in the division while Josh Coonradt got by Playford on the final lap for the second position. Playford raced the final lap with his hood popping up in the air but was able to finish third with eighth place starter Ivan Joslin and Jason Morrison completing the top five.

“That last caution came out and I heard those two (Camenga and Playford) were second and third and I said oh man,” Horning said in victory lane. “Devin (Camenga) beat me in the heat race and Shane (Playford) has been kicking my butt all year. It was a little nerve wracking, I just wanted to keep my momentum up on the restarts without bottling anyone up and keep the car straight. There was a lot of bite on the bottom, so I wanted to make sure to hit it straight and get back to the throttle.”

Jonathan Feagles led all 15-laps of the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman feature for his second win of the season and the second of his career in the division. John Anderson, Kyle Dingman, Michael Kalkbrenner, and Bob Rhinehardt completed the top five.

Last week’s winner Corey Valade took the lead on the final lap from Brandon Ely to win the overall Fonda Fair Four Cylinder feature in the DOHC class while Ken Hollenback finished fourth overall but was declared the SOHC winner.

Next Saturday, July 15 One Zee Tees and Aim Autism presents Autism Awareness Night with Thunder on the Thruway events for the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman), and the Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks. All other regular divisions will also be in action as well.

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!

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 www.facebook.com/thefondaspeedwy or follow the speedway on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

DIRT TRACK DIGEST PRESENTS THE 8^TH ANNUAL BILL AG MEMORIAL NIGHT

AMSTERDAM TRUCK CENTER MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – DEMETRIOS DRELLOS, David Schilling (finish being held for tire testing, samples were sent out to Blue Ridge Labs), Alex Yankowski, Dave Constantino, Cody Clark, Danny Varin, Rocky Warner, Chris Curtis, Pep Corradi, Dave Camara, Jack Lehner, Matt DeLorenzo, Tucker O’Connor, JaMike Sowle, Ronnie Holmes, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Brian Calabrese, Shawn McPhee, Brandon Daley, Bobby Hackel IV, Dale Gray, Brian Pessolano, Ronnie Johnson, Bobby Varin, Ryan Walther, Daniel Morgiewicz (DNS)

1^st win of 2023 and the 3^rd of his career in the division for Drellos.

LAP LEADERS – 1-10 Schilling, 11-30 Drellos

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Schilling, Clark, Corradi

SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – PAYTON TALBOT, Blaine Klinger, Stephen Gray, Brian Calabrese, Brett Mortensen, Clayton DuMond, Tanner Warner, Chad Edwards, Brendan Gibbons, Jason Greco, Butchie Irwin, Zach Dufel, Kadon Hohensheldt, John DuMond, Tim Dwyer, Chip Constantino, Jeremy Tyrrell, Jason Reome, Wesley Sutliff, Don Bellen, Troy Zilles, Matt Perry, Mark Mortensen, Harry Shaffer, Tavien Blowers, Clyde Peek, Zack McSpirit, Michael McCallion (DQ weight)

5^th win of 2023 and the 9^th of his career in the division for Talbot.

LAP LEADERS – 1-2 Hohensheldt, 3-21 McCallion, 22-25 Talbot

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Edwards, McCallion, Shaffer

GRECO’S NAPA HARD CHARGER AWARD – Talbot 18^th to 1^st.

BELOW ZERO ICE CREAM PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – LUKE HORNING, Josh Coonradt, Shane Playford, Ivan Joslin, Jason Morrison, Andy Graves, Caden Dumblewski, Randy Cosselman, Slater Baker, Devon Camenga, Michael Achzet, Don Collins, Nick Santuccione, Kenny Gates, Beau Ballard, Gary Silkey, Jim Normoyle

1^st win of 2023 and the 27^th of his career in the division for Horning.

LAP LEADERS – 1-7 Playford, 8-9 Horning, 10 Playford, 11-20 Horning

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Camenga, Playford

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR AGING INC. LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 15-LAPS – JONATHAN FEAGLES, John Anderson, Kyle Dingman, Michael Kalkbrenner, Bobby Rhinehardt, AJ Greco, Mike Hill, Tim Deffer, Tyler Bobar, Lance Hill, Tim Wilmot, Kirsten Swartz, Bob Rowback, Corky Warner, Jim Malia, Brandon Tyler, Bella Pickard, Steve Wagoner, Jason Palumbo, Dale Van Allen, Dylan Huston, Aaron Armitage (DNS), Brandon Goodell (DNS)

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

LAP LEADERS – 1-15 Feagles

HEAT RACE WINNERS – Kalkbrenner, Rhinehardt, Dingman

FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE – 12-LAPS – COREY VALADE (DOHC), Brandon Ely, Kerrie Hollenback, KEN HOLLENBACK (SOHC), Damien Ward, Len St. Andrews, Tim Warner, Hayleigh Gates, Jacob Kimball, TJ Marlitt, Tom Hill, Brittany Ladd, Wayne Russell Jr., David Peek Britten, John Ray

7^th win of 2023 and the 92^nd of his career in the division for Hollenback

2^nd win of 2023 and the 2^nd win of his career in the division for Valade.

LAP LEADERS – 1-11 Ely, 12 Valade

BILL AG MEMORIAL MODIFIED MATCH RACES

ROUND 1 – Ronnie Johnson defeated Demetrios Drellos

ROUND 2 – Ronnie Johnson defeated Matt DeLorenzo

ROUND 3 – Ronnie Johnson defeated Rocky Warner

ROUND 4 – Ronnie Johnson defeated Alex Yankowski

ROUND 5 – Ronnie Johnson defeated Cody Clark

Johnson also swept the Bill Ag event back in 2016 & 2021 while Tim Fuller swept the event back in 2018.

FONDA, NY – Adjust those calendars.

After review with the Montgomery County Agricultural Society, a new date has been released for the rain-postponed ‘Firecracker 50’ presented by Scenic View Campground and Picture Perfect Pools & Spas.

The event will now take place on Monday, July 17. A rain date of Tuesday, July 18 will be in place.

The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Modifieds of the River Valley Builders North Region (50 laps, $10,000 to win) and Precision Hydraulic & Oil Crate 602 Sportsman (25 laps, $2,000 to win) will take over the Track of Champions.

“After reviewing the calendar for the Fairgrounds, the Zerbini Family Circus will be performing July 10-12,” Fonda Speedway promoter Brett Deyo said.

“The two events would not have been able to be run simultaneously. Out of respect for the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame induction on Thursday (July 13 in Weedsport, N.Y.), we have opted for Monday the 17^th.”

Deyo said he wanted to complete the event no matter what and the season at Fonda is a short one due to the annual Fonda Fair setup which begins in mid-August.

Gates open at 4 p.m., with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:15 p.m.

Adult grandstand admission is $28 (Adults), $26 (Seniors ages 65 and up) and Kids 11 and under are admitted FREE.

Pit admission is $45 (ages 13 and up), $40 (NASCAR or Fonda Members), $10 (Kids ages 6-12) and $2 for Children ages 5 and under.

Infield drive-in registrations for July 2 will transfer to the new date.

Next up for the STSS is a visit to New Jersey’s Bridgeport Motorsports Park next Sunday, July 9 for the ’60 Over Special’ remembering late legend Doug Hoffman. STSS Modifieds race 60 laps for $6,060 to win, $1,000 for 10^th and $500 to take the green in a Rent Equip/Party Central South Region event plus the Crate 602 Sportsman battling for $1,500 to win and Belmont’s Garage South Region points.

Event info has been posted at: https://shorttracksuperseries.com/event-info/

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, NY – The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco is just part of a huge doubleheader weekend at Fonda Speedway this Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2.

Two consecutive days of racing take over the Montgomery County Fairgrounds after back-to-back Saturday rain-prompted cancelations.

First up, on Saturday, July 1, Palmer’s Service Center presents Hall of Fame Night.

F.X. Caprara Car Companies Thunder on the Thruway Series events are on deck for Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds ($4,000 to win), Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500 to win) and Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win).

Thunder on the Thruway Series divisions will compete under traditional Fonda Speedway rules (no sail panels for the Modifieds) with a draw/redraw format in place. Track, Thunder on the Thruway and NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series points will be on the line.

Also in competition: Montgomery County Office for the Aging Limited Sportsman, Fonda Fair Four Cylinders and Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Series.

Gates open at 4 p.m., with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

Adult grandstand admission is $15. Seniors (ages 65 and over) pay $13. Kids 11 and under are FREE.

Infield Drive-in pricing is $80 (up to four people) and can be reserved at the following link: https://fonda-speedway.ticketleap.com/july-1st-thunder-on-the-thruway-series/

Pit admission is $40 (ages 13 and up), $35 (NASCAR or Fonda Members), $10 Kids (ages 6-12) and $2 Children (ages 5 and under).

On Sunday (July 2), the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco highlights the ‘Firecracker 50’ presented by Scenic View Campground and Picture Perfect Pools & Spas.

The STSS Modifieds of the River Valley Builders North Region roll 50 laps for a $10,000-plus winner’s share, $1,000 for 10^th and $500 just to take the green flag.

Modifieds will utilize sail panels for the ‘Firecracker’ event at the Track of Champions.

Precision Hydraulic & Oil STSS North Region Crate 602 Sportsman take part in a $2,000-to-win, 25-lap main event.

Both the Modifieds and Crate 602 Sportsman will receive 25 Fonda show-up points and NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series points on Sunday.

Gates open at 4 p.m., with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:15 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $28. Seniors (ages 65 and over) pay $26. Kids 11 and under are FREE.

Infield Drive-in pricing is $135 (up to four people) and can be reserved at the following link: https://fonda-speedway.ticketleap.com/july-2nd-drive-in-reservation-firecracker-50/

Pit admission is $45 (ages 13 and up), $40 (NASCAR or Fonda Members), $10 Kids (ages 6-12) and $2 Children (ages 5 and under).

Sunday event information is at the following link on the STSS website: https://shorttracksuperseries.com/event-info/

Weekend camping can be reserved: https://fonda-speedway.ticketleap.com/advanced-weekend-camping-july-1st-andor-2nd/

Golf cart/ATV passes: https://fonda-speedway.ticketleap.com/fonda-july-2nd-andor-3rd-golf-cart-atv-permit/

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.

Written by Chris Moore

FONDA, NY – $14,000 weekend.

Next up for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco is an appearance at historic Fonda Speedway for the fifth annual ‘Firecracker 50’ presented by Scenic View Campground of West Winfield, N.Y., and Picture Perfect Pools & Spas of Clinton, N.Y.

The ‘Track of Champions’ hosts Round No. 5 of the STSS Modified River Valley Builders North Region for another $10,000-to-win feature event on Sunday, July 2.

Fonda Speedway hosted six STSS events in its history, four of those being the Independence Day weekend ‘Firecracker 50’ offering $10,000 to the winner.

The win list for the ‘Firecracker 50’ is a short one, as Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen has won all of the previous editions.

Friesen’s only defeat in Track of Champions STSS competition came in last year’s ‘Fonda 200,’ when the engine in his No. 44 expired early.

The driver who topped that $53,000-to-win race – Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard – leads the River Valley Builders North Region points by 31 points following a resurgent fourth-place run at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vt.

Sheppard leads St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada’s Mat Williamson and Bohemia, N.Y.’s Dillon Steuer by 81 points.

Otego, N.Y.’s J.R. Hurlburt and St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada’s Steve Bernier – both fresh off their best-ever STSS performances – round out the top five in North Region points.

The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman join the night of racing for Round No. 3 of the Precision Hydraulic & Oil North Region.

The Crate 602 Sportsman contingent battle 25 laps and a boosted $2,000 winner’s share.

Complete ‘Firecracker 50’ event information has been posted on the STSS website at: https://shorttracksuperseries.com/event-info/

On Saturday (July 1), the eve of the ‘Firecracker 50,’ Fonda Speedway holds an F.X. Caprara Car Companies Thunder on the Thruway Series Amsterdam Truck Center Modified event, which pays $4,000 to the winner and utilizes a draw/redraw format.

Each Thunder on the Thruway program – a six-race mini-series between Fonda and Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway – utilizes the host speedway’s rules package.

In total, a winning weekend offers Modified drivers a chance at a $14,000 weekend at Fonda Speedway to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.

Like their Modified counterparts, the Crate 602 Sportsman have back-to-back draw/redraw events at Fonda. Saturday’s Thunder on the Thruway event pays $1,500 to the winner.

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.

We have canceled our racing program for this evening. We look forward to seeing you next Saturday for Bill Lake Modular Homes Fan Appreciation Night – $5 Grandstand Admission – Pre-Race Meet & Greet – All divisions

Grandstand Admission: $5 (Adults & Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

FONDA, NY – “Feel the Thunder.”

This Saturday, May 27 Fonda Speedway hosts the opening round of the F.X. Caprara Car Companies Thunder on the Thruway Series, a six-race series between Fonda and its sister track Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, N.Y.

M.W. Roosevelt & Son/Roosevelt’s Towing presents the Dave Lape Memorial on Saturday.

Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds race 30 laps for $4,022 to win, with the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman battling for $1,522 to win and Below Zero Ice Cream Pro Stocks racing for a $1,022 top prize.

Fonda Speedway track points, Thunder on the Thruway Series points, and NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series points are available to racers.

Modified, Crate 602 Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions will draw for their heat-race starting positions with a redraw of top qualifiers for the features. Fonda Speedway tire rules remain in effect for this event.

Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman, Fonda Fair Four Cylinders and Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modifieds complete the program.

Remaining Thunder on the Thruway dates at Fonda are July 1 and July 15.

The three Utica-Rome Thunder on the Thruway events are June 16, June 29 and Aug. 19.

Thunder on the Thruway point funds are as follows (perfect attendance is required to receive point fund money):

Modified – 1. $4,000; 2. $2,000; 3. $1,000; 4. $700; 5. $650; 6. $625; 7. $600; 8. $550; 9. $525; 10. $500.

Crate 602 Sportsman – 1. $1,000; 2. $500; 3. $300; 4. $250; 5. $200; 6. $175; 7. $165; 8. $155; 9. $145; 10. $135.

Pro Stock – 1. $1,000; 2. $500; 3. $300; 4. $200; 5. $125; 6. $120; 7. $115; 8. $110; 9. $105; 10. $100.

This Saturday at Fonda Speedway, gates open at 4 p.m., with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $15. Seniors (ages 65 and over) pay $13. Kids 11 and under are FREE.

Pit admission is $40 (ages 13 and up), $35 (NASCAR or Fonda Members), $10 for Kids (ages 6-12) and $2 for Children ages 5 and under.

Saturday’s event – and 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.