"Rookie" Gray Goes Two FOR Two At Fonda Speedway Picks up Syracuse Spot on DQ, Borst Repeats, and "Krazy" Kenny Registers Number Five on the Season
Saturday, July 5
Fonda, NY- Modified rookie, Billy Gray of Fonda, NY had one of the most exciting nights of his career. Gray ran the high side with his small block modified and slipped by Tim Clemons to record his first ever modified victory at the "Track of Champions" in the 30 lap modified event on Saturday.
Later in the evening, Gray took the top spot in the 358 modified qualifier when, Tim Fuller came up light at the scale after leading flag to flag in the 25 lap qualifier for the ProLong 358 Mod Championship at Syracuse in October.
The modifieds were led to the starting flag by Doug Mosall. Mosall quickly stretched his lead on Tommy Behrent and Dave Lape. The first caution flag of the race came on lap three when the Carquest #19 of Tim Fuller slowed in turn three. Fuller then went to the rear.
By this time the #17 of Tim Clemons and the #122 of the "Wild Child" Gray were in the picture. Clemons stayed with Mosall on the restart and by lap five took over the lead.
Gray who was able to run the outside was right with Clemons at the line and within two laps grabbed the lead. The caution came out once again for the #11's of Chris Jones and Tony Pepicelli who slowed on the backstretch. At this time the #87 of Jack Johnson and the #27 of Harry Peek went to the pits. Both returned under the caution.
Gray maintained the lead on the restart and in the next few laps the hot shoes were moving in, but never to seriously challenge Gray.
Dave Camara and Jeff Trombley put on a race for second as they swapped spots for the next few laps. Trombley was able to hold off Camara for the runner up spot.
Midway through the field was "The Monk" who had started 21st and was now running 9th and the #87 of Jack Johnson who was in a hard battle with the #5 of A. J. Romano and the #19 of Tim Fuller. Johnson, who pitted on a lap 9 caution, got around Fuller and Romano by lap 17 but was never able to break the top ten.
Gray led to the checker followed by Trombley, Camara, Romano and Dwyer.
Modified heat winners were: M. Ciaravino, B. Gray, and T. Clemons with the Consi win going to R. Snyder.
Several outsiders made their way to the "New" Fonda Speedway to vie for the win in the 358 modified qualifier. Tim Fuller in the Carquest #19 looked like he would have the spot. Fuller started on the pole of the event and ran away with an early lead. Billy Gray and the #1A of Tim Dwyer battled for the runner up spot for most of the event, while A. J. Romano and Mike Ciaravino were in a hot race for the next two spots.
Fuller took the checker, but when he went to the scale, came up light, giving the win and the spot to local favorite, Billy Gray.
Sportsman action saw Brian Borst of Schoharie, run side by side with the #30 of George Audi, Jr. for three laps before Borst maneuvered his way past Audi on the front stretch to record his third victory at Fonda.
Dave Fellman of Port Jarvis was the early leader with Harry Shaffer close behind. After running three wide in turn four with Fellman and the #53 of Bob Vedder, Shaffer grabbed the lead on a restart after one of the six cautions that slowed the first half of the 20 lap event.
By lap seven, George Audi, Jr., and John McAuliffe were in the mix with the top running cars. Audi led down the front chute and was off to clean sailing until Borst who started 16th, caught him with only two laps to go. Borst put his #69 on the outside of Audi down the front stretch and was ahead of the #30 in turn one.
Borst was first across the line, followed by Audi, McAuliffe, Vedder and Fellman.
Sportsman heat winners were B. Borst, D. Fallis, J. Senzio with the consi win going to S. Flammer.
"Krazy" Kenny Martin once again showed his mastery in the street stock division at the "New" Fonda Speedway. Martin started 17th and after two early race cautions, was running in the second spot by lap four.
Steve Brownell led the field to the green and survived an early caution for the #88 of Steve Skinner, to hold onto the lead. A turn four scramble and another caution changed the complexion of the event on lap four. Mark Sullivan led on the restart and Martin quickly made his way around Sullivan on lap six.
Martin encountered the lap car of Tony Johnson on lap seven and quickly made his way around. Martin and a close running Bryan Peters gave the crowd a show in a battle for the lead.
Halfway through the event the front running Martin and Peters pulled away from the pack. The race finished with Kenny Gates a close third, Jim Normoyle fourth and Chobie Culver fifth.
Street Stock heat winners were: S. Brownell, R. Kowalczyk, B. Peters with the consi win going to J. Normoyle.
Starting this week, July 12, the "New" Fonda Speedway will add a pure stock class to their regular schedule of modifieds, sportsman and street stocks. Also this Saturday the popular IMCA modifieds will return to Fonda for a second time this season.
Modified finish (30 laps): BILLY GRAY, Jeff Trombley, Dave Camara, Mike Romano, Tim Dwyer, Tim Clemons, Mike Ciaravino, Doug Mosall, Tim Fuller, Lou Lazzaro, Jack Johnson, Bob Savoie, Dave Lape, Randy Snyder, Seth Gano, Brian Purdy, John Marsh, Randy Sherlock, Tom Behrent, A. J. Romano, Ron Proctor, Harry Peek, Chris Jones, Tony Pepicelli. DNS Frank Hoard, Ray Zemken, Mel Schrufer, Ryan Baker, Kenny Hanson, Wayne Figler, John Kollar, Randy Hotaling, J. D. Taylor.
358 Modified finish (25 laps): BILLY GRAY, Tim Dwyer, A. J. Romano, Mike Ciaravino, Bob Savoie, Paul Martin, Todd Ryan, Ray Zemken, Chris Jones, Chris Grispin, Ron Proctor, Frank Hoard, John McGill, Ryan Baker, Brian Jones, Randy Hotaling, Dave Rosa, Lee Nesnick, Brian Borst, Alton Palmer, Tom Behrent, Paul Parker, Jeff Holt, Dave Camara. DNS-Drew Fallis. DQ,Tim Fuller
Sportsman finish (20 laps): BRIAN BORST, George Audi, Jr., John McAuliffe, Bob Vedder, Dave Fellman, Harry Shaffer, II, Ron Constantino, Dave Rosa, Jeff Holt, Jim Senzio, Mike Fusco, Joe Wilson, Eric Arell, Joe Rando, Jere Baker, Tony Farone, Bob Anderson, Kris Ferrara, John LeClair, Joe Geniti, Alton Palmer, Steve Sperbeck, Scott Flammer, Drew Fallis. DNS John Constantino, Rob Sawyer, Joe McCallion, Nick Nichols, Jason Otty, Mike Fraiser, Steve Davis, Gary Greco.
Street Stock finish (20 laps): KENNY MARTIN, Byran Peters, Kenny Gates, Jim Normoyle, Chobie Culver, Steve Brownell, Mark Lighthall, Mark Sullivan, Steve Welch, Jim Burton, Jeff Jones, Jim Duncan, Kerry Jordon, Dan Streeter, Bob Blanchard, Jeff Brate, Frank Guffrie, Dave Horning, Jr., Ram Kowalczyk, Dave Viall, Tom Myers, Rob Noviczski, Tony Johnson, Steve Skinner. DNS Dan Krajewski, Kyle Wadsworth, Tom LaPlante, Duke McSpirit, Tony Cece, Ed Adair, Greg Overholt, Phlan Hart.