KOLLAR TAKES MODIFIEDS TO SCHOOL AT FONDA
August 1, 1998- Fonda, NY- "The Racing School Teacher" John Kollar of Gloversville, NY went to the head of the modified class at Fonda on Saturday as he held off fierce challenges from Jeff Trombley. Kollar picked up his third career win at the "Track of Champions." "I want to thank Boller Logging and A&B Speed for all their help," said Kollar in victory lane. John Kollar's number 10% has been a fixture at Fonda for over 25 years and the hometown crowd was happy to see it in victory lane.
Ron Constantino recorded his second win on the season at Fonda in the Sportsman feature. Street Stock point leader, Bryan Peters won the Street Stock main event. The Hobby "A" win went to Bob VanAernam, with the Hobby "B" win to Dick Nichols. The Enduro event was won by Dave Horning, Sr.
The modified feature came to the line with Todd Ryan and John Kollar on the front row. Ryan took the early lead. Point leader, Mike Romano took his car to the pits on the hook after an early race caution that saw Romano and Floyd Billington wind up in the turn one wall. Some bumper tag ensued between, A. J. Romano and Jack Johnson during the realignment of the field and Romano was put to the rear. Kollar took the lead on the restart and pulled away from Ryan who sat second. A battle raged between, Brian Purdy, Seth Gano and Frank Hoard for the third spot, while Jeff Trombley and Jack Cottrell and Dave Camara fought for the fourth and fifth place positions. Trombley put his #21J in third by lap 13. The caution flew for Russ Flint and on the restart, Trombley bolted into second and set his sights on Kollar. The yellow flew again for Billy Gray, Lou Lazzaro, A. J. Romano and Fred Bagley in turn two. Once again Kollar had to hold off Trombley on the restart. With five laps to go Trombley got close enough to Kollar to touch him, but used sportsmanlike judgment and allowed Kollar to maintain control of the car and the lead. Kollar and Trombley continued to battle giving the fans a race down to the wire. Jack Johnson was third, Brian Prudy came home, fourth, a season best finish, and Dave Camara was fifth.
For the second time this season the 20 lap sportsman feature ran caution free. Jason Otty took the lead from the pole with the #44 of Jim Senzio close behind. Eventual winner, Ron Constantino moved into third on lap one and quickly began his march for the lead. By lap seven, Constantino put the J&M Jewelers car in second behind the leader. Lap 13 saw the #7 of Otty and #07 of Constantino swap the lead on the backstretch. Otty hung tough and was not intimidated by the more experienced Constantino. The top three men in points Palmer, McAuliffe and Borst had their own battle for position going mid field with Palmer squeaking out a sixth place finish to remain in the point lead. By lap 15 Constantino powered by Otty for the lead and picked up his second win this season. Constantino was followed by Jason Otty, Mike Fusco, Mike Ballestero, and Jim Senzio to complete the top five.
The Street Stock main event was once again close competition and high anxiety. Steve Burega took the lead and behind him the field scrambled as they tried to avoid an incident that put Jay Resch into the front stretch wall. This brought out the yellow immediately, and on the restart, Burega led with Jeff Jones close behind. Burega and Jones engaged in a battle that would see them side by side at the line, with Burega being able to stretch out his lead on the backstretch. By lap eight, Bryan Peters blasted by Jones and sat on the bumper of Burega. Burega held off the strong running Peters until lap 12 when Peters put the nose of his #69 under Burega in turn four and came away with the lead. Peters continued to lead for the remainder of the laps despite the challenge of last week's winner, Mark Sullivan who had put his #28s into second position with four laps to . Peters beat Sullivan to the checker and picked up his second win on the season. Sullivan followed Peters across the line for second, with Burega, Kowalczyk and Gates rounding out the top five.
The Hobby "A" feature was a father and son battle at the wire with Dad "Bob" VanAernam, the winner. Skip Pabis led the field to the green for the 10 lap event. The only caution came on lap four when the #124 spun on the backstretch and collected the #55A of Don Warner, Jr. Bob VanAernam took the lead on the restart and was quickly challenged by his son Rob. At the wire only five inches determined that the elder VanAernam would go to victory lane.
Jay Ingersoll started the field in the 10 lap Hobby "B" event. By lap four, Henry Karaskiewicz grabbed the lead from Ingersoll and looked to be on his way to his first win. On lap six the caution flag flew for the #17 of "Smokin Joe" Moore, when he flipped his car landing on the roof. This was a repeat performance for Moore who had flipped earlier in the season. The restart saw Dick Nichols take the lead and continue on to the checker flag and his fifth win of the season.
The popular Enduro event brought many competitors to the track to show their driving skills and when the checker flew, the veteran, Dave Horning, Sr. sat in victory lane.
This Saturday, August 8th, Freihofer Baking Company, presents a regular show for all classes.
Modified finish (30 laps) JOHN KOLLAR, Jeff Trombley, Jack Johnson, Brian Purdy, Dave Camara, Jack Cottrell, Todd Ryan, Dave Lape, Tim Dwyer, Ron Holmes, Ronnie Johnson, Billy Gray, Lou Lazzaro, John Gibson, Randy Snyder, Russ Flint, Frank Hoard, Fred Bagley, Jerry Pennock, Jr., Seth Gano, Ray Zemken, A. J. Romano, Floyd Billington, Mike Romano.
Sportsman finish (20 laps) RON CONSTANTINO, Jason Otty, Mike Fusco, Mike Ballestero, Jim Senzio, Alton Palmer, John McAuliffe, Brian Borst, Drew Fallis, Mike Fraiser, Jeff Holt, Frank Hoard, Jr., John LeClair, Dave Rosa, Tony Farone, Steve Akers, Bob Vedder, Ryan Odasz, Brian Gathan, Pete Campione, Frank Greco, Tim Clemons, John Constantino, George Audi, Jr.
Street Stock (20 laps) BRYAN PETERS, Mark Sullivan, Steve Burega, Ram Kowalczyk, ken Gates, Dave Viall, Phlan Hart, Jeff Jones, Jim Langenback, Jim Normoyle, Jim Burton, Darcy Volans, Nick Stone, Jeff Brate, Steve Welch, Dan Streeter, Chuck McSpirit, Tom LaPlante, Ronnie Baum, Kyle Wadsworth, Bob Blanchard, Geoff Manning, Kerry Jordan, Mark Lighthall, Jay Resch, Frank Guiffre.
Hobby "A" (10 laps) BOB VANAERNAM, Rob VanAernam, Skip Pabis, Steve Cosselman, Cory Dutcher, Hondo Carpenter, Cory LaPort, Rocky Warner, Alan Pabis, Joe Sweet, Ken Hollenbeck, Don Warner, Jr.
Hobby "B" (10 laps) DICK NICHOLS, Jay Ingersoll, Henry Karaskiewicz, Charlie Koenig, Mike Budka, Jr., Dave Hewitt, Steve Richardson, Jim Olsen, Jerry Pepper, Bill Martish, Chris White, Joe Santoro, Lester Moore, Matt Sweet, Mike Noble, Harry VanNostrano, Scott Wells.