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FONDA — Stewart Friesen has 87 career modified feature wins at Fonda Speedway, but few carried the personal meaning as this one.
Friesen and defending track champion Matt DeLorenzo engaged in a race-long battle with Friesen getting to the front to lead the final eight laps and take home the winner’s trophy at the inaugural Dave Lape Memorial Night sponsored by his long-time sponsor, M.W. Roosevelt & Son.
“He was my hero when I was a kid,” Friesen said of the seven-time track champion. “I grew up out west at Ransomville Speedway and when he and his family, which was close to my family, would come to town, he would let me sit in his car, ride my minibike in his trailer and hang out with the guys. In his last couple of years racing, and I was driving for Tad Parks, we got to park side-by-side with him in the pits. That was probably some of the best memories of him and racing here at Fonda. Super special to get the win on his night. We really wanted this one.”
Saturday night was also the first race of the six-race Thunder on the Thruway Series for the modified, 602 sportsman and pro stock divisions run at Fonda and Utica-Rome Speedway.
Defending 602 Sportsman series champion Payton Talbot kicked off his defense of the title with a win Saturday over 2021 series champion Chad Edwards, while 2021 and 22 Pro Stock series runner-up Beau Ballard grabbed the early points lead over two-time series champion Nick Stone with his win Saturday.
Jonathan Feagles collected his first career Limited Sportsman feature win, while John Dumond took home the 602 Sportsman B-main victory and Ken and Kerrie Hollenbeck, respectively, took home the Single Cam and Dual Cam feature wins.
In the added Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series features, Randy Delaney (modifieds), Malachi Matthews (sportsman), John Roese (late model), Don Briggs (antique) and John Marks (mystique) collected the divisional feature wins in the “Tex” Gordon/Dave Lape Memorial features.
The 30-lap modified feature got off to a slow start with a multi-car accident on the opening lap with caution coming out again on the restart when Matt Sheppard slowed and went pit side with a flat tire after contact with David Schilling.
On the third attempt to get the race under way, DeLorenzo jumped out to the early lead over Bobby Hackel IV and Jack Lehner.
Friesen moved from his sixth starting spot into second behind DeLorenzo on lap three.
DeLorenzo countered Friesen’s moves in a chess match at the front of the field and used lapped traffic to stave off the challenges, until lap 22 when DeLorenzo chose the low line and Friesen went to the top of turns one and two. Friesen got to the outside of DeLorenzo on the backstretch and won the drag race into turn three to take over the lead.
A lap later, the caution flew, giving the front runners a clear track on the restart to decide the winner.
After a caution on the restart set up a single-file restart, Friesen was able to keep DeLorenzo behind him to pick up his second win of the season at the Track of Champions.
“I could get to him and then I would mess up or get in dirty air and he would check out,” Friesen said. “I knew lapped traffic was going to be our shot. We got back to him in lapped traffic, he chose the bottom and I was able to roll the top in one and two and get clear. Matty was definitely tough and it was great racing with him.”
Demetrios Drellos finished third with Lehner fourth and Rocky Warner fifth. Schilling, Jessica Friesen, Sheppard, Hackel and Josh Hohenforst made up the second five.
After a caution on the initial drop of the green for the 25-lap 602 Crate Sportsman feature, Edwards grabbed the lead and held off Talbot until the third lap when Talbot took the point.
The battle for third heated up between Joe Toth, Blaine Klinger, Mark Mortensen and Tanner Warner.
Mortensen got to the front of the pack and held on for a third-place finish behind Talbot and Edwards. Klinger and Toth.
Kenny Gates set the pace in the first half of the 20-lap Pro Stock feature with Shane Playford, Ballard and Stone battled for the second spot.
Ballard slipped under Gates on a lap 11 restart as contact got Gates out of shape and shuffled back to 11th.
Ballard maintained his advantage over Stone and survived a two-lap shootout to record his first win of the season. Stone finished second followed by Playford, Luke Horning and Gates.
Feagles backed up his heat race victory by holding off Mike Kalkbrenner to register his first career victory in the 15-lap Limited Sportsman feature.
Kyle Dingman, Steve Wagoner and Connor Prokop round out the top five.
Ken Hollenbeck took over the lead from Adam Montville on lap seven and pulled away from his brother Kerrie to collect his 88th career victory in the division.
FONDA SPEEDWAY RESULTS
DAVE LAPE MEMORIAL NIGHT
May 27, 2023
AMSTERDAM TRUCK CENTER/F.X. CAPRARA CAR COMPANIES THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY SERIES DAVE LAPE MEMORIAL MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – STEWART FRIESEN, Matt DeLorenzo, Demetrious Drellos, Jack Lehner, Rocky Warner, David Schilling, Jessica Friesen, Matt Sheppard, Bobby Hackel IV, Josh Hohenforst, Max McLaughlin, Dave Constantino, Chris Curtis, Ronnie Johnson, Tucker O’Connor, Alex Yankowski, Pep Corradi, Cody Clark, JaMike Sowle, Dace Camara, Bobby Varin, Shawn McPhee, Ron Holmes, Brian Pessolano, Brian Calabrese, Brent Cross, Kurtis Hohensheldt, Daniel Morgiewicz
HEAT RACE WINNERS – Hackel, Varin, Stewart Freisen
DAVE LAPE MEMORIAL BONUSES
$22 from Palmer’s Service Center for drivers who drew the 22nd spot in the initial draw in all divisions – Max McLaughlin (Modified), Jason Greco (602 Crate Sportsman), Shane Playford (Pro Stock).
$122 Dave Lape’s Ladies 2nd place – Matt DeLorenzo
$122 Mimi Lazzaro & Sheila Palmer 4th place finisher – Jack Lehner
$99 Sacandaga Seamless Gutters/Nigel Skottke 7th place finisher – Jessica Friesen
$122 Riley Mortuary/Pat Riley 8th place finisher – Matt Sheppard
$250 Fulton County Electric/Jim Senzio 11th place finisher – Max McLaughlin
$122 Dave Lape’s Ladies 13th place – Chris Curtis
$122 Dave Lape’s Ladies 22nd place – Shawn McPhee
$76 Palmer’s Service Center/Alton & Carole Palmer 22nd place finisher – Shawn McPhee
$122 B & B Dumpster Rentals/Bodie Bellinger Hard Charger – Jessica Friesen +8 15th to 7th.
$122 Sacandaga Seamless Gutters/Nigel Skottke last car on lead lap – JaMike Sowle
SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL/F.X. CAPRARA CAR COMPANIES THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY SERIES CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 25-LAPS – PEYTON TALBOT, Chad Edwards, Mark Mortensen, Blaine Klinger, Joe Toth, Tanner Warner, Clayton DuMond, Jason Reome, Dylan Eldred, Chip Constantino, Jeremy Tyrrell, Jim Nagle, Stephen Gray, Brendan Gibbons, Michael McCallion, Seth Martin, David Hackett Jr., Josh Kane, Brent Cross, Don Bellen, Harry Shaffer, Brian Calabrese, Jason Greco, Troy Zilles, Aaron Burton, Brett Mortensen, Butchie Irwin
11th place finisher Jeremy Tyrrell won a $250 bonus from Jim Senzio of Fulton County Electric
LAP LEADERS – 1-2 Edwards, 3-25 Talbot
HEAT RACE WINNERS – Edwards, Constantino, Talbot, Calabrese
CONSOLATION RACE WINNERS – Kane
GRECO’S NAPA HARD CHARGER AWARD – Nagle 25th to 12th
BELOW ZERO ICE CREAM/F.X. CAPRARA CAR COMPANIES THUNDER ON THE THRUWAY SERIES PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – BEAU BALLARD, Nick Stone, Shane Playford, Luke Horning, Kenny Gates, Caden Dumblewski, Josh Coonradt, Gary Silkey, Ivan Joslin, Jason Morrison, Randy Cosselman, Slater Baker, Kyle Weller, Johnny Holmes, Jim Normoyle, Michael Achzet, Andy Garves (DNS)
HEAT RACE WINNERS – Ballard, Stone
Special thanks to the Man with the Red Chair who paid a bonus of $100 to each finisher from 2nd to 11th in the Pro Stock feature.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE FOR AGING INC. LIMITED SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 15-LAPS – JONATHAN FEAGLES, Michael Kalkbrenner, Kyle Dingman, Steve Wagoner, Connor Prokop, John Anderson, Mike Hill, Gus Kamberelis, Kirsten Swartz, Bobby Rhinehart, Lance Hill, Dylan Huston, Chris Kugler, Lucas Duncan, Jim Mallia, Bob Rowback, Timmy Wilmot, AJ Greco, Zach Welch, Bella Pickard, Ryan Sweet, Brandon Tyler
HEAT RACE WINNERS – Feagles, Rhinehart
FONDA FAIR FOUR CYLINDER FEATURE – 12-LAPS – KEN HOLLENBACK (SOHC), KERRIE HOLLENBACK (DOHC), Keith Tesiero Jr., Len St. Andrews, Chris Duffney Jr., David Peek-Britten, TJ Marlitt, Tim Warner, Wayne Russell Jr., Adam Montville, Todd Morey
3rd win of 2023 and the 88th of his career for Ken Hollenback
3rd win of 2023 and the 37th career win for Kerrie Hollenback
LAP LEADERS – 1-6 Montville, 7-12 Ken Hollenback
CAPTAIN CARL’S LUXURY CRUISES/DONE BETTER POOLS NON-QUALIFIERS RACE FOR SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL CRATE 602 SPORTSMAN CARS – 5-LAPS – JOHN DUMOND
MOHAWK VALLEY VINTAGE DIRT MODIFIED SERIES (MVVDMS) ANTIQUE FEATURE – DON BRIGGS, Bryan Scofield, Mike Wheeler, John Wood, Cliff Haslun, Jimmy Hyde, Brent Williams, Harley Sheppard, John Orsini, Dustin Chapman, Malcum Warner, Mark Tomek, Tony Kamberelis (DNS), Mike Gray (DNS)
MOHAWK VALLEY VINTAGE DIRT MODIFIED SERIES (MVVDMS) MYSTIQUE FEATURE – JOHN MARKS, Carl Cram, Harry Baldwin, George Berbench, George Palmer, Mark Anatriello, Dan Karl, Peter Nowicki
MOHAWK VALLEY VINTAGE DIRT MODIFIED SERIES (MVVDMS) LATE MODEL FEATURE – JOHN ROESE, Chris Cross, Curtis Condon, Ed Docskalik, Will Reed (DQ)
MOHAWK VALLEY VINTAGE DIRT MODIFIED SERIES (MVVDMS) SPORTSMAN FEATURE – MALACHI MATTHEWS, Mike Francisco, Jimmy Fugel, Merv Blackwell, Jon Trudeau, Nathan McFadden, Frank Brown, Brian Gray, John Constantino
MOHAWK VALLEY VINTAGE DIRT MODIFIED SERIES (MVVDMS) MODIFIED FEATURE – RANDY DELANEY, Joe Rando, Jack Miller, Anthony Cardamone, Jon Kulesco, Don Colvin, Darral Hulbert (DNS)
SOWLE, PAYNE WIN AT UTICA-ROME
VERNON — The twin 20-lap modified features produced a pair of first-time winners Friday at Utica-Rome Speedway.
JaMike Sowle picked up his first career big-block modified feature win over Alex Payne in the opening feature and Payne got past Bobby Hackel IV late in the second 20-lapper to notch his first career modified feature win at Utica-Rome.
The victories by Sowle and Payne snapped a three-race win streak by Matt Sheppard at U-R.
Andy Graves joined the first-time winners group at Utica-Rome Friday, collecting the victory in the 20-lap Pro Stock feature over Jason Morrison and Bret Beldon.
Matt Janczuk checked out on the field to win the Crate 602 Sportsman feature over Payton Talbot and Chip Constantino and Carson Rothwell topped Connor Prokop for the Limited Sportsman feature win.
Nathan Power won the Dual Cam 4-cylinder feature while Wayne Russell Jr. won the Single Cam feature.
UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY RESULTS
FRIDAY, MAY 26
3 Bastards Brewing Modified Twin 20 No. 1 Finish (20 laps): JAMIKE SOWLE, Alex Payne, Bobby Hackel IV, Rocky Warner, Billy Decker, Matt Sheppard, Michael Trautschold, Alex Yankowski, Alan Barker, Andy Bachetti, Alan Johnson, Pat Ward, Jessica Friesen, Erick Rudolph, Kevin Root, Justin Wright, Eric Leet, Addison Bowman, Ron Holmes, Michelle Courcy, Tim Mayne, David Schilling, Randy Shantel, Willy Decker, Brad Poppleton.
3 Bastards Brewing Modified Twin 20 No. 2 Finish (20 laps): ALEX PAYNE, Bobby Hackel IV, Rocky Warner, Billy Decker, Matt Sheppard, Alan Johnson, Alex Yankowski, Andy Bachetti, Pat Ward, Michael Trautschold, Alan Barker, Erick Rudolph, JaMike Sowle, Jessica Friesen, Kevin Root, Justin Wright, Eric Leet, Ron Holmes, Addison Bowman, Michelle Courcy, Randy Shantel, Tim Mayne, Willy Decker, Brad Poppleton.
Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish (25 laps): MATT JANCZUK, Payton Talbot, Chip Constantino, Willy Decker Jr., Blaine Klinger, Joe Toth, Jeremy Slosek, Ed Lukas, Stephen Denton, Mike Richmond, Blake Sarpriacone, David Hackett, Teddy Clayton Jr., Shawn Frost, Seth Martin, David Dickey, Bobby Heintz, Jim Rothwell, Ed Downing, Alex Hughes, Joey Buonagurio, Allan Hodge, Josh Amodio.
Next Generation Graphix Pro Stock Feature Finish (20 laps): ANDY GRAVES, Jason Morrison, Bret Belden, A.J. Walters, Jim Normoyle, Josh Coonradt, Tim Wood, Ken Griffin, Hunter Keith, Johnny Holmes, George Cushman, Gus Gould, Don Collins.
Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman (20 laps): CARSON ROTHWELL, Connor Prokop, Nick Zielinski, Zack Welch, E.J. Gallup, Dalton Doyle, Tyler Bobar, Bobby Newman, Eric Jensen, Dylan Piersall, Kirsten Swartz, Ernie Staelens, Andrew MacFadden, Stephen Winsor, Hunter Tarbania, Matt Bukovan, Savannah Simmons, Eymarah Bowman, Mike Haman, Eric Winsor.
Fonda Fair Four Cylinder Feature Finish (12 laps): NATHAN POWER (DOHC), Rudy King Jr., Kyle Coley, David Denova, Wayne Russell Jr. (SOHC), Keith Tesiero Jr., Sophia Denova, Hank Wedgren, T.J. Marlitt, Hank Wedgren Jr.
MUELLER SCORES MODIFIED FEATURE WIN AT MALTA
MALTA — Jessey Mueller grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 35-lap modified feature and nursed a faltering engine through the closing laps to collect his seventh career win and first of the season Friday at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.
“We had a fast car all night long,” Mueller said after the race. “It has been a tough start to the season so the team really needed this. The closing laps the oil pressure was dropping and the temperature rising. It made me nervous but we made it to the end.”
Adam Pierson, who started 10th, passed CG Morey with five to go to finish second, with Morey finishing third, Brian Calabrese fourth and defending track champion Matt DeLorenzo fifth after starting 15th.
The final laps of the 25-lap Pro Stock had fans on their feet as Kyle Hoard, Kim Duell and Luke Horning battled for the lead.
Horning had the best view of the battle as he looked for a way past Hoard and Duell as they ran side-by-side in front of him.
It became a three-wide battle on the final lap with Duell nipping Hoard by .019 seconds for his second win of the season on a night presented by one of his sponsors, Benson’s Pet Center.
Horning finished third with Jay Corbin fourth and Jay Casey fifth.
Pay Jones and Dylan Madsen won the dual $1,000-to-win sportsman features, while Chase Zimmer picked up his first career victory in the 20-lap Limited Sportsman feature and Mike Bussino became the sixth different winner is as many weeks in the 20-lap street stock feature.
Chris Murray won the added 15-lap DMA USAC Midgets to pick up the victory over Will Hull and Seth Carlson.
ALBANY-SARATOGA SPEEDWAY RESULTS
FRIDAY, MAY 26
NAPA MODIFIEDS: JESSEY MUELLER, Adam Pierson, CG Morey, Brian Calabrese, Matt DeLorenzo, Mike Mahaney, Jack Lehner, Peter Britten, Demetrios Drellos, Don Ronca, Marc Johnson, Keith Flach, Jeremy Pitts, Brian Gleason, Jack Speshock, Ronnie Johnson, Rich Ronca, Ken Tremont Jr., Derek Bornt, Ryan McCartney, Justin Stone, Brandon Daley, Kyle Armstrong, Neil Stratton, Kris Vernold, Matt Depew, Robert Bublak Jr.
NORTHEAST PAVING & SEALCOATING SPORTSMAN (first feature, 20 laps).: PAT JONES, Travis Witbeck, Zach Buff, Mike Ballestero, Tyler Rapp, Travis Billington, Dave Baranowski Jr., Mike Benson, Mike Coffey Jr., Kasey Hufcut, Eric Mack, Jim Osgood, Tony Farone, Tommy D’Angelo, Scott Bennett, Justin Barber, Tim Hartman Jr., Brandon Darrah, David Boisclair, Scott Duell, Ron Proctor, Craig Wholey.
NORTHEAST PAVING & SEALCOATING SPORTSMAN (second feature, 20 laps): DYLAN MADSEN, Jeff Washburn, Nick Lussier, Andrew Buff, Cody Ochs, Bryce Breault, Elliot Lussier, Joey Scarborough, Chris Crane Jr., Chad Edwards, Jon Miller, Chris Jakubiak, Michael Wagner Fitzgerald, Floyd Billington, Dan Grignon, Derrick McGrew Jr., Taylor LaPlante, Mike Jeske, Drew Cormie, Taylor Wasson, Daryl Nutting.
SARATOGA MASONRY SUPPLY PRO STOCKS: KIM DUELL, Kyle Hoard, Luke Horning, Jay Corbin, Jay Casey, Dean Charbonneau, Rich Crane, Brandon Emigh, Randy Miller, Jason Casey, Devon Camenga, Chucky Dumblewski, Jaxson Ryan, Shane Henderson, Phil Difiglio, Jordan Modiano, Pete Vila.
HAUN WELDING LIMITED SPORTSMAN: CHASE ZIMMER, Dylan Grogan, Tanner Coon, Wesley Sutliff, Dakota Green, James Venditti, Nick Arnold, Mike Parodi, Kyle Swart, Chad Gregory, Alex Palmer-Sawyer, Ron Delease Jr., Nick Auspelmyer, Mike Arnold, Phil Arnold, John Santolin, Mike Baker, Walter Cook, Damian Anderson, Scott Towslee, Ben Balzer, Kameron McConchie, Connor Crane Jr., James Galarneau, Steve Burch, Steve Miller, Brent Bouplon, Dan Seguin, Sara Arnold.
LAKE AUTO PARTS STREET STOCKS: MIKE BUSSINO, Al Relyea, Matt Mosher, Josh Hemming, Jimmy Duncan, Jason Meltz, Josh Bussino, Mark Lester, Nick Napoli, CJ Burgess, Fred Shippee, Jeff Meltz Sr., Dan Buell, Joey Wilson, PJ Cram, Dana Van Veghten, Jason Barrett, Chris Stalker, Ray Pierre Jr., Milo Campbell.
BACHETTI WINS AT LEBANON VALLEY
WEST LEBANON — Andy Bachetti picked up his 61st career modified feature win at Lebanon Valley Speedway Saturday night and became a front-runner to pick up the victory in Monday’s 100-lap, $13,500-to-win King of Spring Super DIRT Series race.
Bachetti passed John Virgilio with four laps to go to get the win. Kenny Tremont jr. placed third followed by Ryan Darcy and L.J. Lombardo. Darcy came up light on the scales in post-race tech and was disqualified, moving Lombardo to fourth and Mike King to fifth.
Lombardo picked up the small block modified victory over Bachetti, Ryan Larkin, Jason Herrington and Jeff Watson, while Kevin Ward beat Tim Hartman Jr and Whitey Slavin to the checkers for the sportsman feature win.
David Stickles top Chad Jeseo and Steve Hankle in the 20-lap Pro Stock main event, while Brian Walsh won the Limited Sportsman feature over Alex Palmer-Sawyer and Wesley Sutliff.
Chris Stalker took home the 20-lap Street Stock feature win, while Bradley Batho won the 4-cylinder dual cam trophy and Tim Meltz won the 4-cylinder single cam checkers.
LEBANON VALLEY RESULTS
SATURDAY, MAY 27
Contractor Sales Modified Feature Results (30 laps): 1) Andy Bachetti, 2) John Virgilio, 3) Kenny Tremont Jr., 4) L.J. Lombardo, 5) Mike King, 6) Timothy Davis, 7) Kyle Sheldon, 8) J.R. Heffner, 9) Olden Dwyer, 10) Brian Berger, 11) Kyle Armstrong, 12) Keith Flach, 13) Eddie Marshall, 14) Wayne Jelley, 15) Matt Pupello, 16) Brett Haas, 17) Marc Johnson, 18) Paul Gilardi, 19) Josh Marcus, 20) Ryan Charland, 21) Brandon Lane, 22) Alex Bell, 23) Kenny Aanonsen Jr., 24) Dave McFeeters, 25) Ryan Darcy*
*-Darcy finished fourth on the track but was moved to the rear of the field after failing the weight check.
Small Block Modified Feature Results (24 laps): 1) L.J. Lombardo, 2) Andy Bachetti, 3) Ryan Larkin, 4) Jason Herrington, 5) Jeff Watson, 6) Joey Coppola, 7) Peter Carlotto, 8) Brian Peterson, 9) Olden Dwyer, 10) Ray Hall Jr., 11) Kim LaVoy, 12) Kevin Petrucci, 13) Ryan Charland, 14) Donny Travaglin, 15) Jeff Reis, 16) Brian Sandstedt, 17) Ryan Heath, 18) Lorne Browe, 19) Alan Houghtaling
Sportsman Feature Results (20 laps): 1) Kevin Ward, 2) Tim Hartman Jr., 3) Whitey Slavin, 4) Rob Maxon, 5) Matt Burke, 6) Bob Fachini, 7) Gary O’Brien, 8) Karl Barnes, 9) Keith Johannessen, 10) Jay Havland, 11) Kevin Ames, 12) Alan Houghtaling, 13) John Miller, 14) Tommy D’Angelo, 15) Jim VanZandt, 16) Chris Lynch
Limited Sportsman Feature Results (20 laps): 1) Brian Walsh, 2) Alex Palmer-Sawyer, 3) Wesley Sutliff, 4) John Santolin, 5) Marc Burke, 6) Brian Houghtaling, 7) Kent Clark, 8) Mike Engwer, 9) Matt Jordan, 10) Craig Coons, 11) Anthony Maxon, 12) Frank Twing Jr., 13) Harold Robitaille, 14) Adam Schneider
Pro Stock Feature Results (20 laps): 1) Dave Stickles, 2) Chad Jeseo, 3) Steve Hankle, 4) Zach Sorrentino, 5) Rick Duzlak, 6) Shawn Perez, 7) Steven LaRochelle, 8) Fred Lee, 9) Tom O’Connor, 10) Mike Dianda, 11) Brian Keough, 12) Tom Dean
Street Stock Feature Results (20 laps): 1) Chris Stalker, 2) David Streibel, 3) Rocco Procopio, 4) Dave Streibel Jr., 5) Bob Gibson, 6) Franklin Smith, 7) Lou Gancarz, 8) Keri VanDenburg, 9) Jim Dellea, 10) Jeff Meltz Sr., 11) Milo Campbell, 12) Mike Dianda, 13) Dylan Fachini
4-Cylinder Dual-Cam Feature Results (12 laps): 1) Bradley Batho, 2) Jon Shepard, 3) Gary Malloy, 4) Jason Peck, 5) James Guertin
4-Cylinder Single-Cam Feature Results (12 laps): 1) Tim Meltz, 2) Joe Wolfe, 3) Joey Batho
