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NIGHT OF FEATURES CLOSES THE 2007 REGULAR SEASON AT FONDA THIS SATURDAY
By: Ron Szczerba
FONDA , NY – On Saturday August 18 at the Fonda Speedway, track champions in all divisions will be crowned as the grueling 2007 point season comes to a close with the “Night of Features”. Fonda Speedway promoter Ric Lucia started the “Night of Features” format in his first year of promoting the speedway back in 1997.
Looking back over the years here are all of the different drivers who have won feature events on the “Night of Features” in the modified, sportsman, and pro stock divisions. Over the 10 year span the “Night of Features” consisted of two feature events for each of those divisions with a total of 20 feature events being held in each of the three classes.
In the modified division, A.J. Romano leads the way with four “Night of Features” victories including a sweep of both events back in 2002. Bobby Varin is next with three wins followed by Dave Camara, Jeff Trombley, Tony Pepicelli, Mike Romano and Dave Lape each with two wins apiece; while Alton Palmer, Ronnie and Jack Johnson all have one win apiece.
In the sportsman division Michael Ballestero leads the way with four “Night of Features” victories followed by John McAuliffe, Tim Clemons, and David Towns with two wins apiece; while Jim Senzio, Alton Palmer, Brian Gathen, Craig Boehler, Tony Farone, Kenny Martin Jr., Tim Dwyer, Justin House, Jeremiah Munson, and John Scarborough all have one win apiece.
In the pro stock division (was known at the street stock division back in 1997 until changing to pro stocks in 1999) Kenny Gates leads the way with six “Night of Features” victories including a sweep of both events back in 2004 followed by Rob Noviczski and Nick Stone (Stone swept both events back in 2006) with three wins apiece; while Steve Brownell, Dave Viall, Mark Sullivan, Jim Normoyle, Jim Burton, Chris Morris, Butchie Irwin, and Kenny Martin Jr. all have one win apiece.
In 2007 the “Night of Features” will bring the same excitement to all of the fans in attendance as drivers in all five regular divisions look towards the 2007 Track Championship. The modified, sportsman, and pro stock divisions will run two feature events while the IMCA will run a single event due to the rules in their sanctioning body.
The street stock competitors will run an “A” and a “B” feature as they have in the past few weeks of the season. All feature events will award single points with the modifieds running two 20-lap features while the sportsman and pro stock divisions will be running two 15-lap events.
The top 12 in the modified and sportsman points going into the night on August 18 will be handicapped. Positions 13th, 14th, and 15th in points will start the first feature event in the 13th, 14th, and 15th starting spots. Drivers in point positions 16th and down will be lined up in a “B” Main event which will qualify nine more cars for the first modified and sportsman feature events.
The top 10 in pro stock points will be handicapped for the first feature event while point positions 11th and down will be lined up according to points to run a “B” Main event. If the “B” Main isn’t needed drivers in point positions 11th and lower will be handicapped according to money won.
At the conclusion of each of the first modified, sportsman, and pro stock feature events the winner will draw the number of positions (1-10) that will be inverted for the second feature event. Any additional spots in the second feature will be filled by the alternates from the “B” feature events.
The top five in modified division points going into this Saturday’s “Night of Features” racing program are Matt DeLorenzo with 874, defending track champion Bobby Varin with 840, Ronnie Johnson with 802, Dave Camara with 702, and Jack Johnson with 654.
In the sportsman division David Towns is the current point leader with 895 followed by John McAuliffe with 824, Derrick McGrew with 764, Danny Varin with 738, and Robert Perry with 718.
Fonda Speedway rookie driver Rob Yetman leads the way in the pro stock division points in his first year as a regular at the Track of Champions with 876 followed by Kenny Gates with 874, Nick Stone with 848, defending track champion Kenny Martin Jr. with 847, and Roy Fifield with 818.
Leading the way in IMCA points is Jeremy Cramer with 606 followed by defending track champion Danny Ballard with 601, Aaron Jacobs with 589, Kevin Buff with 572, and Danny Ody with 561.
Street stock points are currently led by Rocky Warner with 895 followed by Dave Horning Sr. with 892, Dave Horning Jr. with 881, Neil Cosselman with 790, and Chuck McSpirit with 750.
If DeLorenzo wins the modified point title it would be his first overall modified title after winning the small block title back in 2004 and 2006. For Towns, Yetman, and Cramer it would also be their first title in their respective divisions. Warner on the other hand was the co-champion in the street stock division back in 2005 with John Bradt.
Also on Saturday at Fonda the Driver’s Point Fund will hold their annual Memorabilia Raffle with the proceeds going to the 2007 Driver’s Point Fund. Many autographed items from different drivers in all divisions will be raffled off and you can bid on any item of your choice.
It will also be Banner Night at Fonda this Saturday sponsored by the Fonda Futures Kid’s Club. Kid’s 13 years old and younger are eligible to participate in the banner contest and you do not have to be a member of the Fonda Futures Kid’s Club to participate. Trophies will be awarded for the best banners.
So come to the Fonda Speedway this Saturday and see who will be crowned the 2007 Track Champions! Screen for Life will be sponsoring the action packed racing program with pit gates opening at 3:00 p.m., front gates at 4:00 p.m., with racing starting at 6:00 p.m.
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