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FONDA SPEEDWAY TRACK CHAMPIONS HONORED AT ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
By: Ron Szczerba
FONDA, NY – On Sunday evening November 4 in the ballroom at Mallozzi’s Restaurant in Schenectady, the 2007 Fonda Speedway Track Champions in all divisions were honored by speedway management for their accomplishments this season. Many other awards were also given out in other categories as drivers, car owners, sponsors, and fans celebrated the conclusion of the 2007 racing season at the Track of Champions.
After dinner was served, Fonda Speedway promoter Ric Lucia started off the awards ceremony saying: “What a difference a year makes as last year we lost nine events to rain while this year we only lost one. Wherever Fonda Speedway drivers travel to race statistically they always run well. I feel that we have one of the best groups of drivers in the Northeast and in New York State . I feel that the sport of racing in Fonda isn’t going anywhere and that we should all quit worrying about where we’ve been, look at where we are and work together to keep Fonda Speedway successful.”
POINT STANDING AWARDS IN ALL DIVISIONS
The first awards given out on the night by Fonda Speedway announcer Mike Mallett and assistant announcer Paul Szmal were the point awards in all divisions where Bobby Varin finished second in Modified points followed by Ronnie Johnson, Dave Camara, Jack Johnson, Craig Hanson, Tony Pepicelli, Jim Davis, Ryan Odasz, Ray Zemken, Donnie Corellis, and Alton Palmer completing the top twelve.
Overall Modified Track Champion Matt DeLorenzo was then given his hardware for his first ever Modified title at Fonda and said: “I have to thank my entire family for this including my brother Mike who sets up the race car and always tells me to just worry about driving it and not about anything else. I thought that we were in the hunt for the title in 2006 but I ended up hitting the wall late in the season and not only knocked my brains out but also knocked myself out of any chance at the title.”
Next up were the Sportsman drivers where John McAuliffe finished second in points followed by Derrick McGrew, Danny Varin, Robert Perry, Luke Munroe, Dave Constantino, Mark Kislowski, Jeremy Wilder, and Mark Mortensen completing the top ten.
Another first time Track Champion David Towns was then given his award and said: “To go out and win ten races who would have ever thought that would happen. It was definitely a great season. We’re not sure about 2008 yet. We are bringing the car down to Bobby Hearn this week but we aren’t sure whether or not we are going to run in the Modified or Sportsman division next year. Not only am I leaving everyone guessing I am also leaving myself guessing as well.”
Nick Stone finished second in Pro Stock points followed by Roy Fifield, Kenny Martin Jr., Chip Smith, Phil Pearson, Ivan Joslin, Dean Charbonneau, Tony Stone, and Chuck Dumblewski completing the top ten.
Co-Champions Rob Yetman (first ever point title at Fonda) and Kenny Gates (second title after winning it back in 2004) were then called to the stage to receive their championship awards.
“I made the decision to come to Fonda and didn’t really know what to expect,” Yetman said after competing in his first ever full season at Fonda. “To run against guys like Kenny (Gates) who is respected by a lot of people this is a great honor for me to stand up here next to him.”
“It means a lot to me to have the respect of guys like Rob (Yetman) who is a multiple time Track Champion at Lebanon Valley ,” Gates said. “I lost my dad last year and I would like to dedicate this season and this Track Championship to him.”
Danny Ballard finished second in points in the IMCA division followed by Aaron Jacobs, Kevin Buff, Danny Ody, Bob Banks Jr., Beau Ballard, JoJo Donato, Bill Casey, and Howard Smith completing the top ten while Jeremy Cramer collected his first ever IMCA Track Championship at Fonda.
“I never could have done this on my own and I have to thank my father, my brother, my fiancée, family, crew, and sponsors for this championship,” Cramer said. “Steve Bidwell helped me when I first started racing as did George Catanzano and when I beat George earlier this year for the win it was very special.”
Dave Horning Sr. and Jr. finished second and third in Street Stock point standings followed by Neil Cosselman and Chuck McSpirit in the top five. Rocky Warner was crowned the 2007 Track Champion after being the Co-Champion with John Bradt back in 2005.
“I was sweating it out for most of the season as we didn’t lead the points until real late,” Warner said. “I had that bad wreck towards the end of the season and it took an entire week to get the car back together and I couldn’t have done it without my car owner, crew, family, and sponsors.”
SPECIAL AWARDS
Many special awards were also given out in different categories with the winners as follows:
Rookie of the Year Modified – Erik Nelson
Rookie of the Year Sportsman – Anthony Denny
Rookie of the Year Pro Stock – Shane Henderson
Rookie of the Year IMCA – Howard Smith
Rookie of the Year Street Stock – Cody Bleau
Most Improved Modified – Brett Graham
Most Improved Sportsman – Jason Memrick
Most Improved Pro Stock – Tony Stone
Most Improved IMCA – Jeremy Cramer
Fonda Speedway 2007 Crowd Pleaser Award – BBL Night on July 28
Pit Crew of the Year – Car #3D of Matt DeLorenzo who finished every race this season with crew members including Tom DeLorenzo, Mike DeLorenzo, Dan Carpenter, Steve Crounse, and Al Maccica
Media Award in Recognition of Dedication and Professionalism – Noreen Hiltsley
Excellence in Journalism – Robin Yasinsac
LUCIA CLOSES OUT THE EVENING WITH TWO VERY SPECIAL AWARDS
“When I talk about this person I talk about places like Menands and Pine Bowl so we know that he is old,” Lucia said. “This person raced at places like that and was the first person to ever flag at Syracuse for the big race. He has dedicated his whole life to the sport and he’s been in many positions in many different places. The one thing he did when nobody else would come to Fonda the first year that we took it over was that he stepped up and said that he would help. This years Dedication to Racing Award goes to Marty Beberwyk .”
“I have been looking forward to this part of the night but I know that I am going to have a tough time with it because I really love kids,” an emotional Ric Lucia said. “I waited many years to see the “King of the Outlaws Steve Kinser” race at the Fonda Speedway. I brought this picture of him and I’d like every driver in this room to sign it before they leave tonight. At this time I would like Bill and Erik Nelson to come up.”
“I told my wife Laura that I wanted to do a Fonda Heroes Award this year. There is a 14 year old young man that has been battling cancer his whole life and he is Bill’s grandson and Erik’s nephew. The first ever Fonda Heroes Award is going to go to Dylan Roy and I’d like everyone to sign this picture so that I can give it to Dylan. I wish Dylan, Bill, Erik, and their entire family all the best because we know how lucky we are to be able to do what we love all summer long.”
Look for announcements on the 2008 season at Fonda as they are announced over the winter months by going to www.fondaspeedway.com
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