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By: Ron Szczerba
FONDA , NY – Saturday evening at the Fonda Speedway a full six division racing program was run with Matt DeLorenzo continuing his dominance of the modified division.
DeLorenzo had no problem whatsoever getting to the front from his 11th place starting position and on a restart at the halfway point of the 30-lap event, after an accident where two contenders for the win were knocked out, he got the lead and pulled away to an easy victory. The win was his seventh of the season and the 11th of his career at the Track of Champions.
“That was a tough race,” DeLorenzo said. “The track was rough in turns one and two but my car was great on the bottom of the speedway so I just kept running there and gaining on everyone. Jack (Johnson), Pat (Ward), and Ray (Zemken) were going good and I hope that Pat (Ward) and Dave (Lape) are okay after their accidents tonight.”
In modified heat race number two, Dave Lape caught a rut in the track in turn one and flipped his Palmer Service Center modified multiple times. Lape was helped out of the car by the safety workers and was transported to the hospital for observation. He was back at the speedway later in the evening and according to his wife Jackie Lape he was sore in the elbow, knee, back and neck areas but a CT scan that was taken at the hospital was negative.
During the street stock feature a multi car pileup ensued in turn two with Cody Bleau involved along with many others. Bleau was also transported to the hospital for observation and released according to speedway officials.
Other winners at Fonda on Saturday were Justin Barger (Empire Super Sprint), Luke Munroe (sportsman), Kenny Martin Jr. (pro stock), George Catanzano (IMCA), Rocky Warner (street stock) and Beau Ballard (Wilma Smith Memorial IMCA Dash).
Jack Johnson was the leader at the drop of the green flag in the modified main event in the Alton & Carole Palmer owned #76A small block. The top two drivers in the point standings Matt DeLorenzo and Bobby Varin were coming to the front on lap six from their 11th and 10th place starting positions respectively, swapping positions just inside the top 10 when the two made slight contact on the backstretch.
The result was a flat left rear tire for Varin and that brought out the first caution of the event taking away the straightaway lead that Johnson had built up. Varin pitted under the yellow and restarted at the rear of the field.
On the restart, Dave Camara and Ward both got by Donnie Corellis for the fourth and fifth positions as Ray Zemken was pressuring Johnson for the lead. On the inside of the backstretch on lap eight, Zemken was the new leader with Ward coming to the front quickly at that point in the event.
On lap 10, Ward got by Camara for the fourth position and one lap later he got by Craig Hanson to take over the third spot. Lap after lap Zemken was running the bottom of the speedway while Johnson chose the top side as these two drivers put on a great race for the lead.
As Ward caught up to the top two of Zemken and Johnson on lap 13, DeLorenzo made his way up to the fourth position after getting by Hanson for the spot. Going into turn three on lap 15, Johnson ducked under Zemken for the lead but there was a lap car blocking his groove. When Johnson tried to move to the outside of the lap car to get around he tapped the rear of Zemken’s car resulting in Zemken spinning in the turn.
Ward was running around the outside of the track at the time and tried to get around the outside of the spinning car of Zemken but unfortunately made contact with Zemken and then went hard into the turn three wall. Ward was not injured but was done for the evening with Johnson the leader again when the green flag came back out.
On lap 16 on the outside of turn four, DeLorenzo got by Johnson for the lead and from that point on he stretched out his advantage lap after lap. Ronnie Johnson caught everyone’s attention at this point as he was in the third position by lap 19 with Varin also making his way into the top five with five laps to go.
DeLorenzo went on for the win followed by Jack Johnson, Ronnie Johnson, Varin, and Hanson.
After being asked about a possible point title in the making at Fonda in 2007 DeLorenzo said, “We are going to try and stay consistent and make it to the end, something that we weren’t able to do last year.”
The 25-lap Earl Halaquist Memorial event for the Empire Super Sprints began with Jared Zimbardi as the leader at the drop of guest starter Dick Sweet’s green flag. Mike Stelter took over the point on lap two with Justin Barger third after starting fifth.
On the outside of turn four on lap four, Barger swept around the outside of Stelter for the lead with Cory Sparks now third behind Stelter. Sparks and Stelter swapped the second position many times over the next few laps until Sparks took over the spot for good on lap eight.
At that point in the event, Steve Poirier and Jeff VanDusen were in the fourth and fifth positions with a debris caution coming out on lap nine with the debris being the front wing off of VanDusen’s car. As Barger pulled away to a big lead the best race on the track was for the second position as Sparks and Stelter were swapping the spot again by lap 11.
Poirier started the event in the 10th position and by lap 16 he was already third after getting by Stelter for the spot. One lap later Poirier was second after getting by Sparks but that would be as high as he would get as Barger won the event by a straightaway over Poirier, Sparks , Zimbardi, and Stelter.
It was the second win of the season at Fonda for Barger who also won the 360 Sprint Open back in April.
“I love coming to Fonda,” Barger said in victory lane. “The way this track is laid out this is definitely a sprint car track and I think that we should run more sprint car events here.”
The sportsman feature began with Luke Munroe the early leader from his pole position start. On lap two, Danny Varin took over the second spot after getting by both Jeremy Wilder and Dave Constantino. Constantino got back by Varin for the second spot one lap later as these two drivers swapped the position in a great battle which was the best race on the track as Munroe was out to a straightaway advantage.
The one and only caution of the event came out on lap 11 for debris in turn two and on the restart John McAuliffe went from fourth to second after getting by both Constantino and Varin. Now it was McAuliffe and Varin who were involved in a battle for the second spot as the two swapped the position many times over the final five laps.
When Constantino got up too high in turns one and two on lap 16 he rode up on top of the wall for a short time before coming back down on all four wheels and continuing on. Nobody had anything for Munroe on this night however as he went on to his first career sportsman feature win.
McAuliffe, Varin, Jason Memrick, and Constantino completed the top five.
“This is unbelievable,” Munroe said in victory lane. “I have to thank all of my sponsors, my crew, and my family. I was hoping that there wouldn’t be too many cautions in the event and I was fortunate that there wasn’t. This is great to come back and win after motor problems sidelined us a week ago.”
The best race of the night was in the pro stock feature after a race long battle for the win between Kenny Martin Jr. and Rob Yetman. Dean Charbonneau led early in the event until Yetman took over the point at the completion of lap one. Roy Fifield, Chip Smith, and Martin were three wide for the third position on lap two with Smith getting the spot for a short time before Martin made a three wide move around both Smith and Charbonneau for the second spot on the next lap.
On lap eight, Yetman and Martin began a battle that would last until the final lap of the event. Lap after lap Martin would duck underneath the leader in the turns especially in turn three where Martin was getting a real good run. Time after time Yetman found a way to hang on to the lead.
On lap 16, Yetman tried to get around the outside of the lap car of Frank Twing Jr. who took Yetman all the way to the outside wall in turn three allowing Martin to get under the leader. Again Yetman found a way to hang on to the point as the lap was completed. The one and only caution in the event came out for Twing shortly afterwards after he spun on the frontstretch.
Over the final three laps there was a lead swapping battle between Yetman and Martin that was sure to please the crowd. When Yetman got out into the marbles in turn one and slid up high on the track on lap 18, Martin took over the lead until the next lap when Yetman got back by him at the line as lap 19 was completed.
Martin got a great run coming out of turn two on the final lap, took the lead from Yetman on the backstretch, and survived one final challenge from Yetman coming out of turn four to take the checkered flag. For Martin it was his third win of the season and the 39th of his career at Fonda.
Yetman, Smith, Fifield, and Nick Stone completed the top five.
“We had a lot of damage done to our engine last week,” Martin said in victory lane. I called one of my old engine builders (Scott Noel) and begged for him to put a motor together for us and I am very thankful that he did. I couldn’t run the top of the track but even though the bottom of the track was rough it worked out well for us.”
Bob Banks Jr. started the IMCA feature event in the fourth position but made a fantastic move between Bill Casey and Beau Ballard to take the lead when the green flag fell to start the event. George Catanzano started the event in the 14th position and was passing cars in pairs as he was in the sixth spot at the completion of lap one after getting by both Casey and Danny Ody.
By lap four Catanzano was in the second position after getting by both Danny and Beau Ballard with the yellow out shortly afterwards for Danny Ballard who was in the wall in between turns one and two. He was done for the evening but was not injured. On the outside of turn four on lap five, Catanzano was the new leader and pulled away from the field from that point on.
The best race on the speedway for the rest of the event was for the second position between Kevin Buff and Jeremy Cramer who swapped the position many times until the checkered flag flew. Catanzano went on to his second win of the season and the 39th of his career at Fonda over Cramer, Buff, Ody, and Banks.
“The car was pretty good,” Catanzano said. “”I have to get out and do this more though as I am whipped right now. This race reminded me of many of the races that I ran with Steve Bidwell.”
Cassidy Wilson led lap one of the street stock feature before Jeff Crosier took over the point on lap three. Wilson retook the lead on lap four but shortly afterwards he spun his car in turn two handing the lead back to Crosier. With the yellow out for the spinning car of Wilson , Rocky Warner pitted under caution to cool down an overheating racecar. He rejoined the field in the rear.
On the restart a six car pileup ensued in turn two with Cody Bleau and Luke Horning two of the cars involved. As stated earlier Bleau was transported to the hospital for observation but returned to the track later in the evening. Dave Horning Jr. was second on the restart and pressured the leader while Warner was already up to the fourth position by lap eight.
Warner took over the second position from Horning on lap 12 and two laps later he was pressuring Crosier for the lead. On the inside of turn two on lap 14, Warner was the new leader and he went on to his sixth win of the season and the 21st of his career at Fonda.
Horning, Crosier, John Babcock, and Chuck McSpirit completed the top five.
“I was fortunate that the caution came out so early in the event because it gave me a chance to pit and cool the car down as it was overheating,” Warner said in victory lane. “I had to slow down in the turns to get underneath everyone and I have to thank Tim Lynch for the new motor this week along with my sponsors and everyone else who works on this car.”
Howard Smith led the first three laps of the 6-lap Wilma Smith Memorial Dash for Cash until Beau Ballard got by for the lead and the win on lap four. Smith, Aaron Jacobs, Carol Parker, and Dan Clemens completed the top five.
“I have to thank Howard (Smith) for putting on this event,” Ballard said. “I kind of tapped him in order to get by for the lead but it feels great to be here in victory lane for the first time.”
On Saturday, July 28 at Fonda a very special racing program will be presented by BBL Companies and the United States Air Force. On tap will be a 50-lap modified feature with $5,000 going to the winner. All other divisions will also be in action and The United States Air Force will also present a fly over at 7:01 p.m. Fireworks are also a part of the racing program with no increase in admission from a regular Saturday evening show. Starting time will be 6:00 p.m.
MODIFIED QUALIFYING – 29 total cars – 6 qualify – 4 handicapped
HEAT 1 – Donnie Corellis, Craig Hanson, Stewart Friesen, Alton Palmer, Ronnie Johnson, Tony Pepicelli
HEAT 2 – Pat Ward, Robert King, Bobby Varin, Ray Zemken, Elmo Reckner, Jim Davis
HEAT 3 – Mike Fusco, Jack Johnson, Matt DeLorenzo, Dave Camara, Paul Cirincione, Steve Akers
MODIFIED FEATURE – 30-LAPS – MATT DELORENZO, Jack Johnson, Ronnie Johnson, Bobby Varin, Craig Hanson, Dave Camara, Donnie Corellis, Tony Pepicelli, Mike Fusco, Jim Davis, Steve Akers, Ray Zemken, Elmo Reckner, Josh Pieniazek, Dustin Purdy, Brett Graham, Kory Gurney, Ed Harris, Paul Cirincione, Pat Ward, Robert King, Ed Pieniazek, Todd Morey, Stewart Friesen, Alton Palmer
ESS QUALIFYING – 29 total cars – 6 qualify
HEAT 1 – Justin Barger, Jeff VanDusen, Steve Poirier, Jared Zimbardi, Jessica Zemken, Tommy Wickham
HEAT 2 – Mike Stelter, Jeff Cook, Tim Kelly, Doug Emery, Blake Breen, Michael Parent
HEAT 3 – Lance Yonge, Bubby Kerrick, Jason Barney, Cory Sparks, Alain Bergeron, Anthony Cain
WALTS HOBBY DASH FOR CASH PRESENTED BY GABRIEL IGA SUPERMARKETS – 4-LAPS – Justin Barger, Mike Stelter, Jeff Cook, Lance Yonge, Jeff VanDusen, Bubby Kerrick
ESS B-MAIN – 4 qualify to “A” Main – Bobby Breen, Russ Bennett, Warren Alexson, Normand Beaudreault
EARL HALAQUIST MEMORIAL ESS FEATURE – 25-LAPS – JUSTIN BARGER, Steve Poirier, Cory Sparks, Jared Zimbardi, Mike Stelter, Jason Barney, Jeff VanDusen, Doug Emery, Alain Bergeron, Tim Kelly, Michael Parent, Jeff Cook, Tommy Wickham, Russ Bennett, Warren Alexson, Anthony Cain, Normand Beaudreault, Lance Yonge, Blake Breen, Bobby Breen, Bubby Kerrick, Jessica Zemken
SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING – no heat races were run - top 15 in points guaranteed to start in feature – top 12 in points were handicapped – remaining cars fall in behind in the starting lineup according to points
SPORTSMAN FEATURE – 20-LAPS – LUKE MUNROE, John McAuliffe, Danny Varin, Jason Memrick, Dave Constantino, David Towns, Mark Mortensen, Derrick McGrew, Chad Edwards, Jeremy Wilder, Mark Kislowski, Jim Meka, Anthony Denny, Bill Wilder, Pete Sisler, Mark Bishop, Tony Farone, Tom Funk, Robert Perry, Ricky Quick, John Constantino, Vinnie Sanganetti
PRO STOCK QUALIFYING – no heat races were run - top 15 in points guaranteed to start in feature – top 12 in points were handicapped – remaining cars fall in behind in the starting lineup according to points
PRO STOCK FEATURE – 20-LAPS – KENNY MARTIN JR., Rob Yetman, Chip Smith, Roy Fifield, Nick Stone, Kenny Gates, Dean Charbonneau, Jim Burton, Ivan Joslin, Shane Henderson, Frank Twing Jr., Tony Stone
IMCA QUALIFYING – no heat races were run - top 15 in points guaranteed to start in feature – top 12 in points were handicapped – remaining cars fall in behind in the starting lineup according to points
IMCA FEATURE – 20-LAPS – GEORGE CATANZANO, Jeremy Cramer, Kevin Buff, Danny Ody, Bob Banks Jr., Aaron Jacobs, Beau Ballard, Eric Stumpf, JoJo Donato, Bill Casey, Dan Clemens, Carol Parker, Jeff Jones, Danny Ballard, Howard Smith
STREET STOCK FEATURE – 15-LAPS – ROCKY WARNER, Dave Horning Jr., Jeff Crosier, John Babcock, Chuck McSpirit, Dave Horning Sr., Neil Cosselman, Randy Moore, Reuben Kennedy, Dan Pollock, Sam Surnear, Rob VanAernam, Joe Smith, Steve Oleksak, Luke Horning, D.J. Brundage, Cassidy Wilson, Brian Haas, Eric Sbrega, Cody Bleau
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