Is there a changing of the guard going on at Fonda Speedway?
First, Brett Deyo takes over as the promoter at the Track of Champions, bringing fresh ideas trying to bring the fans, and drivers, back to Fonda Speedway. Looking back at the season there were plenty of nights that the crowds were very good and the 50/50 cash prizes reflected that.
Secondly, of the six divisions competing points on a regular race card, five of the 2019 track champions were first-time winners.
Rocky Warner was a first time Sunoco Fuels modified champion, while Tim Hartman Jr. won his first Swagger Factory Apparel crate 602 sportsman title and “Cousin Luke” Horning claimed his first Algonkin Hotel pro stock track championship. Jason Samrov broke through for his first Trackside Body Works Street Stock championship and E.J. McAuliffe raced his way to the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. limited sportsman championship.
Ken Hollenbeck was the only repeat division winner, claiming his sixth 4-cylinder cruiser division championship.
While Warner’s modified title was his first, he also has Fonda Speedway track championships in the 602 sportsman, pro stock and street stock divisions to his credit. Warner’s car owner Jake Spraker now has 10 Fonda Speedway track championship under his belt. One in the pro stock division with Steve Welch at the wheel of the Big Red 1; three-straight 602 sportsman titles with Warner and three modified track titles with Bobby Varin, and one apiece with Mike Romano and Ronnie Johnson.
Fonda Speedway is now on its annual break for the annual Fonda Fair and will return to action on Sept. 14 with a full racing program including the addition of the CRSA Sprints and Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series cars.
The Ridge is ready for Vengeance
Glen Ridge Motorsports Park will have a jammed-packed evening of racing on tap Sunday night.
The Ridge will honor its 2019 Hall of Fame inductees — Bill Nelson, Butchie Irwin, the VanAernam Family, Custom Bob Niemitz and Denny Tilison — in front of the grandstand during intermission.
The Palmer’s Service Center Modifieds will put on sail panels and battle in the 50-lap, $2,500-to-win (plus lap money) Vengeance. The race, originally scheduled for July 6 but was cancelled due to rain, also carries a guaranteed starting spot in the $53,000-to-win Fonda 200 at Fonda Speedway on Sept. 28.
The NY6A 600 Sprint Tour will join the regular Sunday night race card. General admission will be $15.
After this Sunday, The Ridge will switch to Saturday night for two weeks with the Palmer’s Service modifieds joining the full regular race program.
Big money races ahead
During the upcoming month, drivers on the modified circuit could bring home some big money.
Tonight, Orange County Speedway starts its Centennial Race Weekend tonight with the $10,000-to-win, Battle of the Midway 100 NAPA Super DIRT Week qualifier. The action continues Saturday with a 160-lap, $100,000-to-win main event.
Former NASCAR driver and commentator Michael Waltrip will be in attendance on Saturday and there will be a 10-lap exhibition race between NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series drivers Stewart Friesen and Sheldon Creed who finished one-two at the Dirt Derby at Eldora.
The series then moves on to Lebanon Valley Speedway for the $17,500 Mr. DIRT Track USA on Aug. 31 before heading to Mohawk International Speedway for the $10,000-to-win Mohawk 100 on Sept. 14.
Albany-Saratoga Speedway will host a massive weekend on Sept. 19-21.
The Great Race Place will host the postponed 54-lap, $5,400-to-win “Come ‘N Get It” event that was postponed after qualifying was completed in April.
A consolation race and a last chance qualifier have been added for drivers attempting to join the field.
The small-block modifieds will run a $4,000-to-win main event on Friday, with the main event of the weekend, the $10,000-to-win 100-lap Super DIRTcar Series race scheduled for Sept. 21.
Then the action shifts to the Mohawk Valley with the modifieds taking to Fonda Speedway for the $53,000-to-win Fonda 200 on Sept. 28.
So if a modified driver were lucky enough to sweep the races listed (minus the small-block feature at Malta) they would pocket $205,900 before heading to Super DIRT Week at Oswego.
