3/27/2025
Fonda Speedway
IN THE HISTORY OF THE “TRACK OF CHAMPIONS” FONDA SPEEDWAY, WHAT IS THE EARLIEST DATE THAT THE SEASON OPENER HAS BEEN HELD?
By: Ron Szczerba
Fonda, NY – Last weekend the Fonda Speedway held their annual car show with 79 race cars in attendance and thousands of fans gathering at the Viaport Rotterdam to see all of the race cars before they take to the track for warmups on Saturday, April 12 followed by opening day for the 74th consecutive year of racing at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds track on Saturday, April 19.
The racing program on Saturday, April 19 will be a very special one as it will be the 9th Tribute/Memorial event that has been held over the years honoring Fonda Speedway legend, Jumpin’ Jack Johnson. In honor of his car number 12A, all of the feature event winners payouts will have a “12” included in them as the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds will race 32-laps for $4,012 to win.
Also, in action on April 19 will be the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman (25-laps $1,212 to win), the Leatherstocking Credit Union Pro Stocks (20-laps $812 to win), the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman (15-laps $512 to win), and the Fonda Fair Four Cylinders (12-laps $212 to win).
EARLIEST EVER START AT THE FONDA SPEEDWAY
According to statistics in the book Fonda, opening day for the first eight years that the Fonda Speedway hosted racing wasn’t until May. The earliest ever starting date at the “Track of Champions” was in the year 2000 when the first race of the season was held on April 1!
Along with that year there have been 24 other years where racing has started before the middle of April including the 1999 season (4/3); the 1985 and 2013 seasons (4/6); the 2001 and 2012 seasons (4/7); the 1978, 1990, and 2006 seasons (4/8); the 1977, 1983, 1988, 2005, and 2011 seasons (4/9); the 1976, 2004, and 2010 seasons (4/10); the 1987 and 2009 seasons (4/11); the 1975, 1986, 2003, 2008, and 2014 seasons (4/12); and the 2007 season (4/14).
COMPLETE HISTORY OF OPENING DAY WINNERS
In opening day events at Fonda held over the last 73 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), Tim Fuller (2023), and Michael Maresca (2024).
RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Recent announcements made by Fonda Speedway promoter Brett Deyo include some weekly payouts for the Amsterdam Truck Center Modified division including $700 for the 10th place finisher and $300 for the 20th place finisher!
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