Checkers To Trombley At Fonda

April 1, 2000- Fonda, NY For the second year in a row, Jeff Trombley of Altamont, NY picked up the opening day checkers at the "Track of Champions." Trombley survived three big early race cautions, grabbed the lead from Mike Romano on lap three and hung on to take the first checker of the millennium at Fonda Speedway.

Trombley finished out his 1999 season at Fonda third in points having picked up three wins on the season. He sits tenth on the all time win list with 22 wins.

Dave Horning, Jr. took the checker in the 12 lap street stock event and emotionally dedicated the win to his best friend and fellow racer Corey Dutcher who died in a highway crash last Christmas Eve.

Thirty-three cars started the 30 lap modified event and just after the flag flew completing the first lap the yellow flew for the No. M1 of Tim Fuller when he slowed in turn one.

While under caution, A.J. Romano, Brian Purdy and Mike Fusco tangled in turn three.

Mike Romano was in the lead for lap two and the caution flew once again for the No. 4 of Lazzaro, the No. 73 of Marsh and the No. 13 of McKenzie when they slid against the outside wall of turn four.

Before the field could complete the third lap of the event the cars bunched up in between turns one and two and Randy Snyder found himself and his No. 15 in the air flipping over the group of cars around him.

The red flag flew for the twelve cars that blocked the backstretch of the speedway. Those lucky enough to get through were now in the front half of the field.

The race was restarted once more and after completion of lap three, Trombley was in the lead. He then began to pull away from second place runner, Mike Romano.

Trombley continued to put track between himself and Romano. He closed in on the lap cars and after two laps had maneuvered his way clear of the lap traffic. Close behind now was Mike Romano and 1999 Track Champion, Dave Camara.

By lap 22 Romano began to close in on the No. 21J of Trombley. He looked as though he may catch Trombley but first had to figure a way to get around the lap cars of Matt DeLorenzo and Bob Savoie.

Romano was able to clear the lap traffic but by now Trombley had put a half a track between himself and Romano.

Trombley continued on to pick up back to back opening day checkers at the track.

Modified heat winners were Mike Romano, Chad Miller, Jeff Trombley, Tim Clemons. Consi wins went to Alton Palmer and Danny Johnson.

The first street stock event of the season was lead by Keith Ackerbach for the first five laps. By lap six Dave Horning, Jr. had caught the No. 27 of Ackerbach.

From lap six on, Dave Hewitt chased Horning but could never quite catch him. Horning went on to win the 12-lap event. Horning had five wins in the '99 season and finished the season 11th in points.

Modified Finish 30 Laps- 1)JEFF TROMBLEY, 2) Mike Romano, 3) Dave Camara,4)Tim Clemons, 5) Alan Johnson, 6)Danny Johnson, 7) Pat Ward, 8) Bob Vedder, 9) Dave Lape, 10)Craig Criscone, 11) Jerry Pennock, 12) Ryan Odasz, 13) Mike Fusco, 14) Brian Purdy, 15) John Marsh, 16) Ken Hanson, 17) Bob Savoie, 18) Frank Hoard, 19) Matt Quinn, 20) Alton Palmer, 21) Matt DeLorenzo, 22) Ray Zemken, 23) Brian McKenzie, 24) Chad Miller, 25) A. J. Romano, 26) John Kollar, 27) Ron Holmes, 28) Randy Snyder, 29) Bobby Albert, 30) Lou Lazzaro, 31) Jack Johnson, 32) Bobby Varin, 33) Tim Fuller.

Street Stock 12 Laps- 1) Dave Horning, Jr., 2) Dave Hewitt, 3) Bob VanAernam, 4) Keith Ackerbach, 5) Dick Nichols, 6) Ken Towne, 7) Andrew Snider, 8) Rob VanAernam, 9) Skip Pabis, 10) Mark Saglimbeni.