1/27/2025
Fonda Speedway
THE HONDO CLASSIC AND BOBCO MEMORIAL DASH TO HONOR TWO SPECIAL PEOPLE AT THE “TRACK OF CHAMPIONS” FONDA SPEEDWAY ON SATURDAY JULY 26, 2025
By: Ron Szczerba
Fonda, NY – Recently on the Fonda Speedway Facebook page, an event was announced as the “Big One for Pro Stock Racers” at the “Track of Champions.” Below is a look back at the history of both events and the driver and car owner/videographer that the events are named for.
On Saturday, July 26 the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway will hold a racing program consisting of two very special events. The 29-lap Leatherstocking Credit Union Pro Stock feature will be the 20th edition of the Hondo Classic in memory of the late Hondo Carpenter. The Hondo Classic has been organized by Kelley and Kaitlyn Keefe since the first event was held back in 2006, with all events held at Hondo Carpenter’s home track, the Fonda Speedway.
In addition to that the 4th 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, organized by Bob’s longtime friend Mark Krosky. 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 Hondo Classic is named for Hondo Carpenter, a popular competitor in both the Street Stock and Pro Stock divisions 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 four-time winner of the event in 2009, 2015, 2018, and 2023. Pete Broderson (2012, 2014) and Luke Horning (2021, 2024) have both won the event twice while Chip Smith (2010), Rob Yetman (2011), Kenny Martin, Jr (2013), Josh Coonradt (2019), and Beau Ballard (2022) have all won the event once.
Also, on Saturday, July 26th the 4th Annual BOBCO Memorial Dash for Cash for Pro Stocks will take place at the Fonda Speedway. The BOBCO Dash is named for Bob James (BOBCO) who 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.
Previous winners of the BOBCO Dash were Nick Stone (2022), Kenny Gates (2023), and AJ Walters (2024).
Since 1953, the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. The speedway operates weekly on Saturday nights from April through August plus several special events. Fonda Speedway is located on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds off New York State Thruway Exit No. 28 at 21 S. Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068.
Fonda Speedway is on the web at www.thefondaspeedway.com. To learn more, call the office at 518.915.4395, like Fonda Speedway on Facebook or follow the speedway on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy or Instagram: @fondaspeedway.
Submitted By: Brett Deyo