ROOKIE GRAY, DOES IT AGAIN
Baker Gets First, Martin Gets his Eighth and Burega Takes the Fifth
Saturday, August 2
Fonda, NY- Fonda's own Billy Gray once again showed his hometown crowd he
had what it takes to beat the big guns of the "Track of Champions." Gray
moved to the point on lap three of the 30 laps modified event and held
off challenges from point leader Mike Romano at the checker for the his
third win of the season at the "New" Fonda Speedway on Saturday.
At the green it was John Marsh in the lead and three wide action in
turns one and two put the crowd on their feet. Gray moved past pole
sitter, John Marsh for the lead going down the back stretch on lap three.
Jeff Trombley and Randy Snyder were in a battle for second with the
#82 of Brian Purdy and the #24c of Mike Ciaravino also in the front
running mix of cars.
Dave Camara had moved the Camara Slate #26 to the bottom of track
and was picking off cars one by one. The Dutchess #87 of Jack Johnson
and modified point leader, Mike Romano's new #97 were also in the hunt as
they steadily moved their machines toward the front.
Gray had a straightaway lead on the field until the caution came
when Marsh, who was now running seventh, spun on the backstretch and
collected the #17 Spencer Racing entry of Tim Clemons. This put
Trombley, Snyder, Camara, Romano and Johnson within striking distance of
the "Wild Child" and his front running #122.
By now Gray knew he had to get out early on the restart and hide
from the group of cars behind him. The event stayed green and although
Romano, Camara, Snyder and Johnson were closing in each lap, Gray was
able to hold them off.
Mike Romano of Johnstown currently sits with a 45 point advantage
over runner up Jack Johnson.
Modified heat wins went to J. Johnson, B. Gray and J. Trombley.
Sportsman action saw Jere Baker of Maple Crest, NY recorded his
first ever win at Fonda in fifteen years of competition.
Baker started fourth on the field and after a scramble at the green
that saw the #53 of Bob Vedder ending up against the frontstretch wall
and the #32 of Holt going to the infield to avoid the melee, Baker took
the lead on the restart ran a smooth line and survived two more cautions
in the event to be in front at the checker.
Point leader, Alton Palmer was involved in an incident on lap 10 but
was able to continue after loosing several spots. By virtue of his third
place finish Brian Borst, who set in the runner up spot in points going
into the evening, came away with a 21 point lead over Palmer.
Sportsman heats were won by B. Vedder, A. Palmer and B. Borst.
Kenny Martin of Sprakers once again sat on checkerboard square with
his winning #93 street stock. This was Martin's eighth win on the season
at Fonda. The win also put Martin 28 points ahead of Kenny Gates in the
run for the 1997 point title.
Todd Barlow put his #02 at the head of the field at the flag stand
on the start but by lap two the #7N of Jim Normoyle had the lead.
Normoyle held the lead until the restart on lap 7 when Mark Lighthall put
his #0 on the point. By this time the top two runners shared company
with Phlan Hart, Mark Sullivan, Bob Blanchard and Jeff Jones. Martin and
his #93 were sitting in sixth.
Lighthall held the lead until lap 13 when Martin, who by now had
moved into second place, took the outside groove down the backstretch and
the rest was history. At the line for the final was Martin, Hart,
Lighthall, Sullivan and Normoyle.
Street Stock heat wins went to K. Martin, J. Jones, and K. Gates.
Steve Burega of Latham extended his win streak to five on the season at
the "New" Fonda Speedway in the new Hobby Stock class.
Burega started deep in the pack and the #74 of Ted Frye was the early
leader. With only four laps in the books, the #6 of Dick Nichols was in
the lead with the Burega #26 close behind. Burega managed to once again
take the lead on the frontstretch and continue on for the win.
Craig Keel of Weedsport, NY was the winner in the Eastern Limited Sprints
main event.
This Saturday, August 9, 1997 is Freihofer Night at the New Fonda
Speedway. Added to Freihofer Night, at no extra cost, are the Central
New York Mini Sprints, for their only visit to the "Track of Champions"
this season.
Modified finish (30 laps) BILLY GRAY, Mike Romano, Dave Camara, Randy
Snyder, Jack Johnson, Tony Pepicelli, Mike Ciaravino, Brian Purdy, Jeff
Trombley, Tim Dwyer, Ron Proctor, Frank Hoard, John Proctor, Lou Lazzaro,
Harry Peek, Doug Mosall, John Kollar, Jim Johnson, Jr., Ryan Baker, Ray
Zemken, Bob Sitterly, Tim Clemons, John Marsh.
Sportsman finish (20 laps) JERE BAKER, Mike Fusco, Brian Borst, George
Audi, Jr., Mike Fraiser, John McAuliffe, John LeClair, Joe Rando, Ron
Constantino, Drew Fallis, Danny Ody, Joe Wilson, Jeff Holt, Alton Palmer,
Harry Shaffer, Jason Otty, Fred Bagley, John Constantino, Frank Greco,
Steve Davis, Dave Rosa, Jim Senzio, Bob Vedder. DNS Gary Greco, Paul
Luskin, Nick Nichols, Ward Martin, Joe McCallion, Bob Anderson, Tony
Farone, Dave McFeeters.
Street stock finish (20 laps) KENNY MARTIN, Phlan Hart, Mark Lighthall,
Mark Sullivan, Jim Normoyle, Frank Twing, Steve Welch, Jim Burton, Dave
Viall, Steve Brownell, Bob Blanchard, Tom Meyers, Kerry Jordon, Dan
Streeter, Ram Kowalczyk, Frank Guiffre, Jeff Jones, Tony Johnson, Tony
Cece, Tom LaPlante, Todd Barlow, Kenny Gates, Steve Skinner, Earl
Mewhorter. DNS Greg Overholt, Duke McSpirit, Pete Bashwinger, Dan
Krajewski, Ed Bradt, Kyle Wadsworth, Scott Green.
Pure Stock finish (10 laps) STEVE BUREGA, Dick Nichols, Ted Frye, John
Bradt, Harry Karaskiewicz, Ryan Odasz, Cory Dutcher, Burt Wilson, Rocky
Warner, Bill Martish, Bob VanAernam, Skip Pabis, Terry Mudge, John
Babcock, Rob VanAernam, Mike Budka, Jr. DNS Joe Sweet