FONDA SPEEDWAY OPENS UP WITH RACING ACTION HOTTER THAN EVER

Fonda, NY ... Saturday, April 14 brought us not only one of the nicest days so far in 2001, but also the Official Opening Night of Fonda Speedway. After a winter that seemed endless to us racing enthusiasts, it was an early Easter present to find ourselves under the bright blue skies at the Speedway. The Track of Champions opens its gates an hour early for the first few weeks, making starting time at this 1/2-mile track at 5:00 pm.

The full grandstands were given a treat of watching some of the finest racing Saturday night, as close to 200 cars packed the pits and lined up for five divisions of action. All classes were fully represented with cars from many neighboring tracks, trying to get in some of that precious time on a track before their own season officially begins.

All divisions where strongly represented with 25 cars cars taking the track in the Pro Stock division, Modifieds found us with 42 cars, Sportsman 34, Street Stocks with 23, and Fonda’s newest but fastest growing division the IMCA cars with 24 cars strong.

As the sun went down, we did find ourselves getting a little chilly, but the racing didn’t seem to cool off any. The racing on the track kept getting hotter and hotter as the last year’s Track Champions raced to prove that they earned their title here at Fonda. Opening night found us watching many of our favorites returning to the track, Modified favorites Jumpin’ Jack Johnson, Dave Lape, Tim Clemons, and the Romano brothers, Mike and A. J. Pro-stock favorites Hondo Carpenter, Kenny Gates Unser and last year’s Track Champion Rob Noviczski was there to entertain the fans with their racing action. Sportsman Tim Clemons, Jimmy Davis, Jim Burton and of course our little lady, Jessica Zempkin.

Back behind the announcing booth was, Fonda’s veteran announcer Jim King, never letting a turn go by without filling us in on the who’s, what’s and when’s of everyone taking the green. Joined in the tower by newcomer Seth Sullivan, better known to the fans as “Sully”. This is Seth’s first year behind the mike at the track. Seth is better known as the side kick of Kim Hart, of Racing with Heart radio show which is currently heard on PYX 106 and WGY on Sunday nights at 9:00pm.

The Street Stock features brought us father and son winners, Dave Horning Sr. and Dave Horning Jr. both took home the wins Saturday night, earning trophies and $50 bonuses donated by Coastal Fuels and the Ramblin’ Man.

It almost seemed like we would never get the race under way after there was a caution dropped due to debris on the track. But then the green dropped once more and the second place started raced to the front of the pack. In the 8th lap the #25 loses a tire after hitting the wall right in front of the tower.

Lap 11 brought out another caution as the #83 spins out in the second turn. From there, is was smooth racing with Horning, Sr, Barth, Warner and Moore securing their spots over the finish line.

Street Stock A finish: 2- Dave Horning Sr., 332- Ken Barth, 97- Don Warner, 16- Randy Moore, 83- Sean LaPort, 71- Bob VanAernam, 18S- Shawn Simmons, 25C- Steve Casstleman, 83- Ken Town, 2H- Luke Horning, 156- John Johnson, 25- Joe Smith

The second feature race started out with a caution due to Eric Yager spinning out on lap one.

But that did not stop him for being a contender in this race. He did finish in the fourth position.

Lap 33 brought us a spin out by #85, and then the #4 was blacked flagged due to the fact that he was leaking oil onto the track. When the green dropped once more the lead cars where Horning, Van Aernam and Simmons and they carried the rest of the race home taking home the three top spots.

Street Stock B finish: 17- Dave Horning Jr., 91- Bob Van Aernam, 18- Shawn Simmons, 10- Eric Yager, 13J- Gerald Hollenback, 94- Jim Monroe, 99- John Babcock, 26- Derek McGrew, 22JJ- Jeremy Barry

Special Note. Fans will notice that there are many Street Stock cars running with the Golden Arches of McDonald’s proudly displayed on their vehicles. This 2001 season brings us a year when, Brian Hannaburgh of McDonald’s has offered $50 to the winner that crosses the finish line proudly displaying those golden arches.

The IMCA cars proved that they were not a class to be messed with, showing up 24 cars strong.

They not only gave us three great heat races filled with action but the feature did not slow down one bit.

The newest division on the Track of Champions had many of last year’s drivers along with a lot of newcomers as this class grows at a rapid pace.

After a few cautions had been dropped by the 9th lap, a brief shower was cast down on the speedway. It seemed, for a brief moment that we would not be able to get the rest of features in. But after the green dropped again on the 9th lap, the showers stopped.

The Z1 of George Catanzano started the evening in the 10th position, but by lap 6 , he was making his way quickly through the pack. He had secured the fourth spot by then and seemed determined to take the rest of the cars on. When the caution flag waved in the 9th lap, due to the #78, driven by Peter Knapp, hitting the wall on the frontstretch and losing a tire, Catanznao was battling it out with Mike Smith for that lead spot. The green was dropped once more and the two came out of turn four almost together.

The 11th lap brought us a sight you just don’t see every day. The #75, driven by JIm Duncan lost his hood and it could be seen flying across the frontstretch.

The restarting of the 11th lap didn’t go any smoother, as the cars came from the fourth turn with Smith spinning out and losing his lead position. The lap counter started again after that brief caution and the #Z1 driven by Catanzano took the lead. From there the top four positions were secured with Catanzano in first, Smith in second, Fachini in third and fourth held by Battelia.

Starting at the back of the pack was Dan Ballard in his 22 M. It was no surprise to watch Ballard take the 8th position when it was all said and done after watching him manuever out each and every turn gaining on the rest of the pack.

IMCA Feature: Z-1- George Catanzano, 96- Tim Smith, 28- Cory Fachini, 29- Kevin Battelia, 25- Doug McKane, 92- Kevin Buff, 111- Steve Bidwell, 22M- Dan Ballard, 75- Jim Duncan, 71- Travis Stevens, 37- Sean Seanlis, 27- Kevin Priest, 16- Aaron Jacobs, 1J- Seth Williams, 17- Mike Chilson, 25M- Doug McCane, 78- Peter Knapp, 12- Dennis Vrooman, 72- Skip Pappas, 91 White car-, 91 Black car-, 27A- Keith Acranight

The pro-stock class that sports the NASCAR body style of cars kept the action moving right along. A division that is considered a stepping stone to the Sportsman class, these drivers are learning the track on their way up to bigger and better things. The Pro-Stocks offer some of the most creatively designed cars on the track since they are a full-bodied car the drivers are able to let the painters and then finally the pinstripers have their way with the cars.

The race to have the same drivers battling out the top position for most of the race. In the sixth lap you found invader Jipp Ortiz, Kerry Jordan, Mike Fritz, Kenny Gates and Jim Normoyle leading the pack and fighting for position. By the 9th lap Normoyle had secured his second spot, and Fritz secured in the third, while Ortiz was leading everyone lap for lap. This left Gates and Osbourne fighting for the fourth.

By the fourteenth lap, Ortiz had in the lead and Normoyle, Fritz, Gates and Osbourne falling in respectively behind. When the checkered was dropped, the cars crossed the line in the order they had secured in that fourteenth lap.

The black and red, Jake Spraker car, once driven by Steve Welsh, found a new driver this year with Mark Sullivan.

Pro-Stock Feature: O- Jipp Ortiz, 7N- Jim Normoyle, 85- Mike Fritz, 35- Kenny Gates, 711- Kerry Jordan, B23- Bubba Tanner, 221- Rob Novinski, 317- Frank Twing, 619- Chris Morris, 26- Steve Burega, 9- Hondo Carpenter, 6- Jay Resch, 27- Nick Stone, 07- Bob Guille, 71- Brian Jordan, 57- Chuck McSprint, 3- Brett Hallenback, 42- Tom LaPlante, 81- Luke Klob, 117- Scott Governston

The Modified feature kept us on the edge of our seats all night, as many of the tracks favorites were battling it out with many drivers that where just visiting for the evening trying to get in that track time before their own home tracks open up for the season. Tracks that found themselves represented heavily in the modified division, Danny Johnson, Tim McCreadie, Pat Ward and Tim Fuller, all hauled in from the Canandaigua Speedway. These boys gave the Fonda favorites a run for their money all evening. But when the Checkered flag was dropped, Bobby Varin, Fonda Speedway’s 2000 Track Champion, found himself once again sitting on Checkered Board Square.

After a night that seemed full of spin outs and minor mishaps, the Modified division found itself running smooth. Only a few cautions where out, the first in the fourth lap when Mike Fusco spun out in turn two. That didn’t seem to stop Mike, he got his car readjusted and continued in the race.

The “winningest driver ever” at Fonda Speedway, found his way back to Fonda Speedway Saturday night. After all what would an opening night at Fonda be without Jumpin’ Jack Johnson. A gentleman who has been racing at this track since the early 70’s is almost a trademark for this track. Jack started in the 14th position in his new modified and showed that even after all these years he still has what it takes to make a car go around the track. Jack gave the fans a show as he passed car after car and even found himself neck-and-neck with Dave Camara by the 4th lap fighting it out for the 8th spot. It only took a few more laps Johnson to find himself fighting for the fourth position in this feature.

Bobby Varin said it all when he thanked the fans for coming out this chilly night. If it wasn’t for the fans who loved the sport enough to support the drivers on a night when temperatures warranted layers of clothing, these guys would not be able to get behind the wheel of their cars and show what they are made of.

Modified Feature: 93- Bobby Varin, 27J- Danny Johnson, 12A- Jack Johnson, 56- Tim McCreadie, M1- Tim Fuller, 97- Mike Romano, 21J- Jeff Trombley, 42P- Pat Ward, 26- Dave Camara, 11A- Tony Pepicelli, 22- Dave Lape, 333- Bobby Albert, 07- Ronnie Holmes, 16- AJ Romano, 3D- Matt DeLorenzo, 28- Steve Poirier, 99- David Towns, 69- Brian Borst, 3- Craig Criscone, 82- Brian Purdy, 11J- Jerry Pennock, Jr., 57- Seth Gano, 87- Hector Stratton, 13- Frank Hoard, 1H- Harry Shaffer, 15- Randy Snyder, 33F- Mike Fusco, 11VT- Don Scarborough

The Sportsman feature may have been the last the feature of the evening, but it certainly was not the least amount of action. The drivers took the track and made sure they put on show for the fans in the stands. Ballestero and Burton starting out in the front of the pack stayed steady through most of the race racing neck and neck, and fighting turn after turn to see who was going to take the checkered.

Unfortunately, after a yellow in the 15 lap we found car #73 with Jim Davis behind the wheel taking over the lead position. Those last five laps would find racing action with everyone fighting for the top three spots. Davis, McAuliffe, Ballestero, and Burton were duking it out and it came down to who could get their car out of the turn first. Clemons held in tight in what seemed to be a secure fourth finish for him, until Bobby Hackel came from the 7th position to challenge him for that spot.

The race seemed heated enough and the winner seemed unknown until with the 19th lap when John Constantino did a two-step in the fourth turn causing another caution. When the green dropped for the final time Jim Davis pulled away from the pack with ease and secured his victory, while Jimmy Burton had the Carmen Body Works #26 in for the second until the final fourth turn when John McAuliffe sneaked by him going down the frontstretch and crossed the line by only a hood’s length, causing Burton to settle for the third spot position.

Let’s not forget to mention one of the youngest drivers we have on the track, Jessica Zemken. One of the only females we have behind the wheel at Fonda Speedway, this high school attendee is showing that she can get behind the wheel and hold her own in this Sportsman Division. She did find herself spinning out a few times during the night in her 1P, but when it came to race time she started in the 20th position for the feature. She put all she had into that car and she did manage to finish in the 15th spot.

Sportsman Feature: 73- Jim Davis, 23- John McCauliffe, 26A- Jim Burton, 27- Mike Ballestero, 97- Bobby Hackel, 1C- Tim Clemons, 78- Frank Hoard Jr., 17L- John LeClair, 1X- Willy Decker, 61- Chad Miller, 56F- Mike Fraiser, 18- Tony Farone, 51- Jeremiah Munson, 4- Joe Rando, 1P- Jessica Zemkin, 19- Jerry O’Hanlon, 22- Billy Olston, 58- Nick Nichols, 27A- Steve Akers, 124-John Constantino, 88- Ryan Odasz, 78T- Craig Terrell, 74- Robert Perry, 26- Derek McGrew, 50J- Craig Boehler, T31- Drew Fallis, 14- Nick Ryan, 57- Matt Larkin