MIKE ROMANO FINALLY TAKES FONDA CHECKERS

It was finally Mike Romano's turn in Fonda's victory lane Saturday night after a great run two weeks ago ended with a flat tire stealing that victory.

Romano was not to be denied tonight. He started 11th in the 26 car field with Ken Aanonsen and Chic Chandler on the front row. Bob Sitterly, starting third, got a good run on the start, passing the front row cars on the first lap. Sitterly stretched out his lead to nearly a straightaway while Alton Palmer was marching his way to the front bringing Mike and A.J.. Romano with him.

On lap ten, Sitterly spun in turn three, turning the point over to the 2nd place car of Chic Chandler. Chandler was racing a brand new car this week and was turning in a great performance thus far. On the restart Palmer took the lead from Chandler who ended up fourth after being passed by Mike and AJ Romano. Mike Romano and Palmer battled back and forth for the lead racing side by side but Romano got the lead for good on lap 18. He prevailed for the victory followed by Palmer, A.J Romano, Dave Lape and Jeff Trombley.

"High Flying" Bobby Hackel took home his second victory of the year in the sportsman division and was virtually untouchable once he got the lead. A first lap spin for Jessica Zemken on the front stretch and last week's winner and points leader Tim Dwyer on the backstretch put Zemken to the rear of the field and Dwyer in the pits with mechanical troubles.

Hackel took the lead from polesitter Elmo Reckner on the restart and never looked back. Tim Clemons, with a chance to close up the points battle now that Dwyer is out of the race, mounts a mighty charge. On lap 10 the field was slowed again for Jeremiah Munson's racer on the front stretch with a flat, Jessica Zemken had come up to run 12th.

A caution two laps later for Robert Perry's car against the backstretch wall and short of the safety of the pits saw Zemken up to 10th but no one could get close enough to Hackel. The best race on the track was for the second position between John McAuliffe, Tim Clemons and Michael Ballestero. Clemons emerged the victor in that battle and came away with the second place finish followed by McAuliffe, Ballestero and Billy Osta.

The Pro Stock feature saw Kenny Gates bring home the victory for the second week in a row. Dan Rickard and Jerry Pepper led the field to the green flag, but it was Luke Klob who emerged with the lead at the end of the first lap.

Kevin Ward, who started seventh, moved up to second and was making a serious bid for first. He finally assumed the lead but the car was beginning to smoke. It finally gave up the ghost on the outside of turn four and the pack of cars was heading right for his stopped car. With cars three wide, heading into turn four and taking evasive action, Chris Morris ended up sandwiched between two cars and sustained right side damage. After a quick trip to the pits to check the car out, he returned to the track and fell in at the rear of the field, but not for long.

On the restart it was Klob, Bobby Gile, and Kenny Gates . Within two laps Morris was back up to 6th and on lap 12 Steve Welch and Joe Duncan spun in turn two, bringing out the caution. When the green came out again, Gates came up on the inside of Klob and took the lead after some great side by side racing down the backstretch. Gates was still in the lead with Chris Morris in second when Jerry Pepper spun for the first of two times in turn four. Gates held on for the lead, followed by Morris, Gile, Klob and Rob Noviczski.

Skip Pabis and Jo Jo Donato led the field of IMCA Modifieds to the green flag with Pabis hanging on to lead the first few laps. The first caution flew for Kurt Olsen and Jason LaBombard in turn two.

Jeff Davis made a bid for the lead on the restart with a three way battle for the lead with George Catanzano and Steve Bidwell. Davis backed off and the Z1 of Catanzano took the lead with Bidwell on his bumper. The two swapped the lead for the remainder of the race with Steve Vroman and 2002 Champion Dan Ballard behind them.

On the final lap, Catanzano made one last attempt to get Bidwell, but it was not enough and Bidwell got the win. Catanzano settled for second in a great race followed by Steve Vroman, Dan Ballard and Dennis Vrooman. Bidwell makes it three for this season with Catanzano holding onto the points lead.

In Street Stock "A" Rocky Warner started last, but moved into the 4th place on lap two. Mike Budka, Jr. made a bid for the leader, but got passed by Warner who was on a tear. Warner checked out on the field, but his lead went away when Joe Smith spun on lap four, bringing Budka, Jr. back to Warner's rear bumper. On the restart Warner regained his straightaway lead with Budka, Jr. battling Neil Cosselman for the second position. Cosselman got him after another caution closed up the field. Warner went on to win his second career feature, followed by Cosselman, Budka, Jr., Roger Keeny and Greg Kurtzman.

Street Stock "B" started with Ed Bradt in the lead followed by Chris McMurray. The first caution came when the Kathy Bellen car came to a stop on the front stretch leaking fluid. Ricky Quick took the lead on the restart. John Bradt gave him a challenge for the lead, but Quick was quicker and kept the point. Carol Parker, eager for a first career win, took a look to the inside of Quick and came away with the lead on lap 7. John Bradt got past Quick for the second position. At the checkered flag it was Parker, John Bradt, Quick, Shawn LaPort and Ed Bradt.

Street Stock "C" was comprised of previous feature winners. Frank Guiffre and Bob Van Aernam led the group with Van Aernam taking the lead from the start. The caution came out for Guiffre on lap five when he lost his motor. After the restart, some rubbing ensued between the Luke Horning and Mike Frasier cars. Push came to shove and in turn four a nudge from Horning sent Frasier up and over ending the race night for both racers as Horning was removed from the race. Bob Van Aernam went on to win followed by Ron Tollner, Jeff Crosier, Rod Slater and Dave Horning, Jr.

The four cylinder enduro was won by Jimmy Duncan.

Racing resumes next Saturday night with NYSSCA night for all divisions with a starting time of 6pm.

Modified Feature - 30 laps

Mike Romano

Alton Palmer

AJ Romano

Dave Lape

Jeff Trombley

Bobby Varin

Tony Pepicelli

Jack Johnson

Pat Ward

John Marsh

Craig Criscone

Brian Borst

Ken Aanonsen

Jim Davis

Erik Gall

Ryan Odasz

Steve Akers

Chic Chandler

Jerry Pennock, Jr.

Bob Vedder

Ray Zemken

Ansel Collins

John Marsh, Jr,

Jeremy Mathies

Ronnie Johnson

Bob Sitterly