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LAPE AND PEPICELLI WIN MODIFIED FEATURES AT FONDA;



LAPE, DELORENZO, MCAULIFFE, AND GATES WIN POINT TITLES

The final night of the regular season at Fonda was held on Saturday, August 21 and as usual the Night of Features was a wild evening as track champions were decided in the Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman, and Pro Stock divisions. Gaining titles in those respective divisions were Dave Lape (7th title), Matt DeLorenzo (1st title), John McAuliffe (2nd title), and Kenny Gates (1st title).

For Tony Pepicelli it was also a special night as he won his first Modified feature of the season after struggling for most of the year while fifteen year old Justin House visited victory lane at Fonda for the first time in the Sportsman division. In all there were many happy and relieved faces that the point season is now over and they were able to celebrate in victory lane afterwards on Larned & Sons and Roosevelt Night at the Track of Champions.

Jack Johnson started the first Modified feature event on the pole position and immediately took the lead at the drop of the green flag. Point leader Dave Lape started the event in the eighth position and slid between both Jim Davis and Ronnie Holmes for the fourth position on lap one in turn two. A yellow flag slowed the race at the completion of lap one for a crash in turn four involving Jeff Trombley who was second in points going into the night. Trombley was able to continue at the rear of the field and put on a great show for the fans getting back to the front.

Lape was in the second spot on the restart while Johnson was able to pull away to a half straightaway lead. On lap four, Tony Pepicelli moved into the fourth position after getting by Alton Palmer with Bobby Varin following him through for fifth. On lap eight, Johnson’s luck turned sour again when his car started smoking and he relinquished the lead to Lape after pulling into the infield.

Lape pulled away to a straightaway lead by lap ten with Varin continuing his march to the front sitting in the second spot at that point. Varin could never close the gap as Lape went on to his third win of 2004 and 99th of his career at Fonda followed by Varin, Trombley, Palmer, and Pepicelli.

“Jack definitely had the car to beat in the feature but unfortunately bad luck took him out of it,” Lape said after the victory. “I have had so much support again this year from my car owner, crew, and sponsors and I have to thank them all for everything that they have done for me.”

Ray Zemken started the second Modified feature on the pole and took the lead as the green flag fell. Lape and Trombley made a sandwich of Kenny Hanson as both of them got by for the sixth and seventh positions on lap one. Varin made his presence known on lap two as he joined in the fun with Lape and Trombley in a three way battle for position. Pepicelli took over second on lap four as the yellow flag came out to slow the field.

A real slow restart caused another yellow to come out immediately with six cars involved in a wreck in turn three including Johnson who was able to make repairs to his car for the second feature and was running real well. On the restart, Pepicelli took over the lead as Lape was up to third after getting by Varin, Holmes, and Jerry Pennock Jr. Lape got by Zemken for the second position on lap six as Pepicelli pulled away to a straightaway lead.

Back just outside of the top five, Varin and Trombley were battling close for the sixth position. Trombley worked his way into the top five after passing three cars on lap nine of the twenty lap event. Lape closed in on the leader with only a few laps remaining but Pepicelli hung on for the win over Lape, Trombley, Varin, and Holmes.

“I was going as fast as the car would go,” Pepicelli said after his win. “It has been an up and down year but I was blessed to be able to turn around some of our misfortune and get the win tonight. I am relieved to get a win and I thank the wonderful family and crew that I have. I have had support from a lot of people that have really looked out for us.”

“I just can’t say enough about the support that I have gotten from my car owner, crew, and sponsors,” Lape said when the championship was decided. “I still think that the veterans can get the job done with good equipment which I definitely have. Andy (car owner Andy Romano) said earlier today that we are going to send the motor out, get some new heads on it, and come back next year.”

Matt DeLorenzo had a night that he would rather forget finishing nineteenth and twenty-first in the two Modified features but was well enough ahead in points to win the 358-Modified championship despite a very tough night. “This championship feels real good,” DeLorenzo said. “My family, crew and sponsors are the ones that I have to thank for this.”

Sportsman rookie T.J. Clemons took the lead at the drop of the green flag in the first Sportsman feature event followed by Keith Flach. Point leader John McAuliffe started the event in the eleventh position and immediately started his march to the front, getting up into the top five on the second lap. Two laps after that, McAuliffe was third after getting by Jim Burton.

McAuliffe caught Clemons on the ninth lap and took over the lead in turn four on the same lap. At that point David Towns was in the third position but took over second on lap ten after getting by Clemons. Towns was unable to close the gap as McAuliffe ended up winning the event by a straightaway for his fourth win of 2004 over Towns, Clemons, Jeremiah Munson, and Elmo Reckner.

Burton was the early leader of the second Sportsman feature until Tony Farone took over the position before lap one was completed. When the yellow flag came out on lap four, the restart resulted into a multi car melee in turn four with Mark Mortensen flipping over several times. Many other cars were also involved in the crash but fortunately all of the drivers involved were okay.

On lap five, rookie driver Justin House took over the second position and closed in on the leader three laps later. Using the inside groove in turn four, House took over the lead and went on to his first career win at fifteen years of age over Farone, Reckner, Hackel, and Munson.

“I have lost the championship on the final night before so I tried to focus on tonight a little bit more,” McAuliffe said after the championship was decided. “I just tried to stay out of trouble in the second event and I knew where I had to finish. I am very relieved and happy that this is over. I had a stomach ache all night, was nervous all night long, and didn’t sleep all week long.”

Chucky Dumblewski led lap one of the first Pro Stock feature after starting fourth while point leader Kenny Gates started in the tenth spot. Gates wasted little time getting to the front moving into the top five by lap four. Two laps later Gates was in the second position after getting by Joe Duncan for the spot. On lap seven Gates made his way into the top spot as he got by Dumblewski for the lead on the back stretch. Irwin moved up to the second spot with five laps to go in the event but Gates was on his game and went on to the win over Irwin, Dumblewski, Luke Klob, and Hondo Carpenter.

Carpenter led the first nine laps of the second Pro Stock feature before Gates came up from his fifth starting spot to take over the lead on the front stretch as lap ten was completed. Gates and Irwin put on a great show for the fans as they ran side by side for many laps coming up through the field. Gates went on to his eighth win of the season followed by Irwin, Carpenter, Klob, and Nick Stone.

“I can’t tell you how this feels,” Gates said after the title was locked up. “We didn’t do anything different than we normally do every week but we also knew what it takes to win this after being so close before. We checked every nut and bolt on the car as usual and with some luck and a well prepared car we were able to get the job done. Thanks to my family, crew, and sponsors for all of their support.”

Rob VanAernam started on the outside pole of the IMCA feature event and took the lead at the start. George Catanzano started seventh and made his way up to the fourth spot as lap one was completed. On lap two, Catanzano got by both JoJo Donato and Steve Vrooman for the second spot and quickly closed in on VanAernam for the lead. On lap four, Catanzano was the new leader and from that point on was out for a Sunday drive taking his fourth win of 2004 over Vrooman, Danny Ballard, Jeff Jones, and VanAernam.

The Street Stock “A” feature began with Pete Sisler as the early leader until lap two when Dave Horning Sr. took over the top spot. Dave Horning Jr. started the event in the tenth spot but was up to second by lap four after getting by Dan Hartgraves. Horning Jr. and Rocky Warner swapped the lead a couple of times over the remaining laps but when the checkered flag fell it was Horning Jr. getting his seventh win of 2004 over Warner, Jeff Crosier, Phil Pearson, and Howard Smith.

Jack Hamm led lap one of the Street Stock “B” feature with Neil Cosselman taking over the lead on lap two. Bob VanAernam was the new leader on lap four while D.T. Pickard made his way to the front from his ninth place starting position. Pickard was the new leader on lap ten and he went on to his first career win at Fonda over John Babcock, VanAernam, John Bradt, and Don Warner.

Fonda Speedway will now be closed down for the annual Fonda Fair. The next event on the schedule will be on Saturday September, 18 when the 1st annual IMCA Modified Northeast Nationals will take place. The Street Stocks will also be in action in a $1,000 to win Street Stock Open along with 4-Cylinder races and Craze 8 races on a figure 8 track setup. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday September, 18 with racing starting at 4:00 p.m.

MODIFIED B-MAIN – 10-LAPS – top 15 in points already qualified for feature – rest of field determined by B-Main results – RYAN ODASZ, Craig Hanson Josh Pieniazek, Billy Osta, Mike Fusco, Ray Zemken, Steve Hough, Chic Chandler, Derrick McGrew, Todd Morey, Robert King, Ancel Collins, Mike Romano, Steve Akers

LARNED & SONS/ROOSEVELT MODIFIED FEATURE #1 – 20-LAPS – DAVE LAPE, Bobby Varin, Jeff Trombley, Alton Palmer, Tony Pepicelli, Ken Hanson, Ronnie Holmes, Mike Fusco, Jerry Pennock Jr., Ray Zemken, Craig Hansen, Chic Chandler, Billy Osta, Steve Hough, Bobby Vedder, John Marsh Sr., Josh Pieniazek, Todd Morey, Matt DeLorenzo, Ancel Collins, Jack Johnson, Derrick McGrew, Ryan Odasz, Jim Davis

LARNED & SONS/ROOSEVELT MODIFIED FEATURE #2 – 20-LAPS – TONY PEPICELLI, Dave Lape, Jeff Trombley, Bobby Varin, Ronnie Holmes, Ray Zemken, Jerry Pennock Jr., Alton Palmer, Josh Pieniazek, John Marsh Sr., Todd Morey, Ken Hanson, Derrick McGrew, Ancel Collins, Craig Hanson, Mike Fusco, Billy Osta, Jim Davis, Chic Chandler, Jack Johnson, Matt DeLorenzo, Steve Hough, Ryan Odasz

SPORTSMAN B-MAIN – 10-LAPS – top 15 in points already qualified for feature – rest of field determined by B-Main results – MARK KISLOWSKI, Erik Nelson, Justin House, Mike Ketchum, Ricky Quick, Josh Hohenforst, Pete Sisler, Rich Salisbury, Keith Nichols, Bubba Barber, Tom LaPlante, Gary Greco, Randy Meka, Chris Garrity

LARNED & SONS/ROOSEVELT SPORTSMAN FEATURE #1 – 15-LAPS – JOHN MCAULIFFE, David Towns, T.J. Clemons, Jeremiah Munson, Elmo Reckner, Bobby Hackel, Justin House, Keith Flach, Drew Fallis, Mike Ketchum, Tony Farone, Jim Burton, Mark Kislowski, Erik Nelson, Keith Nichols, Rich Salisbury, Mark Mortensen, Pete Sisler, Randy Meka, Josh Hohenforst, Tom LaPlante, Gary Greco, John Constantino, Ricky Quick

LARNED & SONS/ROOSEVELT SPORTSMAN FEATURE #2 – 15-LAPS – JUSTIN HOUSE, Tony Farone, Elmo Reckner, Bobby Hackel, Jeremiah Munson, John McAuliffe, Jim Burton, Mike Ketchum, Keith Flach, Drew Fallis, Erik Nelson, T.J. Clemons, Pete Sisler, Keith Nichols, Rich Salisbury, Tom LaPlante, David Towns, Mark Kislowski, Josh Hohenforst, Randy Meka, Mark Mortensen, John Constantino

PRO STOCK B-MAIN – 10-LAPS – top 15 in points already qualified for feature – rest of field determined by B-Main results – ROB YETMAN, Bill Lobdell, Randy Cannell, Steve Burega, Lenny Brice, Frank Twing, Dan Rickard, Rick Langenbach, Erik Yager, Jerry Craig, Steve Hankle, Speed Felon, Rick Spencer, Rod Slater, Pat Zimmer

LARNED & SONS/ROOSEVELT PRO STOCK FEATURE #1 – 15-LAPS – KENNY GATES, Butchie Irwin, Chucky Dumblewski, Luke Klob, Hondo Carpenter, Joe Duncan, Frank Twing, Mark Lighthall, Bill Lobdell, Rob Yetman, Chip Smith, Randy Cannell, Steve Hankle, Erik Yager, Jason Brownell, Wayne Patrick, Rob Noviczski, Dan Rickard, Rick Langenbach, Nick Stone, Speed Felon, Jerry Craig, Lenny Brice, Steve Burega, Chuck McSpirit

LARNED & SONS/ROOSEVELT PRO STOCK FEATURE #2 – 15-LAPS – KENNY GATES, Butchie Irwin, Hondo Carpenter, Luke Klob, Nick Stone, Joe Duncan, Rob Noviczski, Chucky Dumblewski, Rob Yetman, Steve Hankle, Chip Smith, Wayne Patrick, Rod Slater, Erik Yager, Dan Rickard, Jerry Craig, Jason Brownell, Randy Cannell, Pat Zimmer, Lenny Brice, Rick Langenbach, Bill Lobdell, Chuck McSpirit, Frank Twing

IMCA QUALIFYING – 20 total cars – 5 qualify

HEAT 1 – JoJo Donato, Jeff Davis, Steve Vrooman, Danny Ballard, Jeff Jones
HEAT 2 – Sean Lias, George Catanzano, Steve Bidwell, Rob VanAernam, Danny Ody

LARNED & SONS/ROOSEVELT IMCA FEATURE – 20-LAPS – GEORGE CATANZANO, Steve Vrooman, Danny Ballard, Jeff Jones, Rob VanAernam, Sean Lias, Steve Bidwell, Danny Ody, Kurt Olsen, Jeff Davis, Aaron Jacobs, Jay Fitzgerald, Tom Funk, Darcy Volans, Pete Knapp, Carol Parker, Proctor, Kevin Priest, JoJo Donato, Jim Cramer

LARNED & SONS/ROOSEVELT STREET STOCK “A” FEATURE – 12-LAPS – DAVE HORNING JR., Rocky Warner, Jeff Crosier, Phil Pearson, Howard Smith, Pete Broderson, Dwight Oldorf, Dan Hartgraves, Howie Clark, Dave Horning Sr., Joe Smith, Dan Clemens

LARNED & SONS/ROOSEVELT STREET STOCK “B” FEATURE – 12-LAPS – D.T. PICKARD, John Babcock, Bob VanAernam, John Bradt, Don Warner, Sam Surnear, Luke Horning, Jack Hamm, Neil Cosselman, Cassidy Wilson, Paul Hughes, Bobby Ketzer, Ivan Joslin