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FONDA SPEEDWAY PREPARES FOR OPENING DAY 2024

Fonda, NY – Earlier this week, a press release put out by Fonda Speedway management read, ready, set, race.

So far in 2024, both attempts at pre-season practices were nixed along with the Jack Johnson Memorial, originally slated for April 20. After extensive discussion with Ronnie Johnson and family, the Jack Johnson Memorial has now been rescheduled for Thursday, May 23 as a kickoff to Memorial Day Weekend.

Fonda Speedway, resurfaced during the off-season and delayed by wet conditions through the spring months, now gets its 73rd season underway this Saturday, April 27 with a program presented by Glover Insurance Agency.

2024 championship battles get underway for the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, Leatherstocking Credit Union Pro Stocks, Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders. The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modifieds also hit the half-mile oval as part of the Season Opener.

“Last fall, we put approximately 10 inches of clay all the way around the speedway,” promoter Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC said. “This spring, the track has been tilled, worked multiple times with equipment to remove stone from the clay, packed, rolled and worked up again. It has been a process with the new clay and the track crew needed the extra time to get it right.”

This Saturday, April 27, pit gates open at 3:00 p.m. with grandstand gates opening at 4:00 p.m., hot laps at 6:00 p.m., and racing at 7:00 p.m.

In opening day events at Fonda held over the last 72 years, Jack Johnson leads the way with eight opening day victories in 1972, 1976, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1991, 1992, and 1994. Following close behind with seven opening day wins is Lou Lazzaro who won events in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1977, and 1978. Stewart Friesen is a six-time winner in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Two drivers have taken home five opening day wins as Dave Lape (1981, 1984, 1989, 1993, and 1995), and Pete Corey (1955, 1956, 1959, 1962, and 1967) both accomplished the feat. Jeff Trombley has four opening day victories (1997, 1999, 2000, and 2002) while Bobby Varin (2001, 2005, and 2010) has three. Jim Luke (1954, 1957), C.D. Coville (1979, 1980), Danny Johnson (1990, 2007), Matt DeLorenzo (2008, 2013), Pat Ward (1996, 2009), and Matt Sheppard (2014, 2019) all have two wins apiece.

Drivers who have one victory in opening day events at Fonda are Buddy Shuman (1948), Chuck Kotwica (1953), Irv Taylor (1958), Bill Wimble (1960), Tom Kotary (1961), Ken Shoemaker (1965), Don Wayman (1968), Rene Charland (1970), Maynard Forrette (1973), Dave Pelczar (1974), Pep Pepicelli (1975), Jimmy Horton (1985), Bob McCreadie (1986), Mike Romano (1987), Dave Camara (1998), Brett Hearn (2003), Tim McCreadie (2004), Mitch Gibbs (2006), Ronnie Johnson (2011), Mike Mahaney (2012), Justin Boehler (2017), and Tim Fuller (2023).

MOHAWK VALLEY VINTAGE DIRT MODIFIED SERIES (MVVDMS) TO HONOR FRANK TRINKHAUS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27 WITH THE RUNNING OF THE FRANK TRINKHAUS MEMORIAL

Frank Trinkhaus was the co-promoter of the former Sidney (New York) Speedway back in 1953 when Fonda Speedway promoter Ed Fuez approached him in order to buy some bleachers for the “Track of Champions” according to the book Fonda! Trinkaus would go on to become a Hall of Fame Fonda Speedway car owner with eight different drivers piloting the Trinkhaus yellow and blue #62 to Fonda Speedway victory lane between 1956 through 1970.

Those eight drivers included George Gallup, Steve Danish, Pete Corey, Ken Shoemaker, Jeep Herbert, Irv Taylor, Don Wayman, and Lee Millington. Trinkhaus was inducted into the New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame in 2017.

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.

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