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By: Ron Szczerba
FONDA, NY – After a very successful car show at the Rotterdam Square Mall a few weeks ago when approximately 60 cars filled the mall to capacity, Fonda Speedway now looks forward to the 2008 season opener on Saturday, April 12 at 4:00 p.m. On the racing card for opening day of the 57th year of competition at the Track of Champions will be the annual 40-lap Ice Jam event for the Modifieds along with a $750 to win Sportsman Open and warm-ups for all divisions.
“We moved the starting time for our opening day event to 4:00 p.m. this year,” promoter Ric Lucia said. “I didn’t want to have a day race because I don’t like the way the track comes up so that is the reason for the change in the starting time.”
The 2008 point season begins for all divisions on Saturday, April 19.
Last year “The Doctor” Danny Johnson made a house call to Fonda and won the Ice Jam event followed by Ronnie Johnson, 2007 Fonda Speedway Modified Track Champion Matt DeLorenzo, Stewart Friesen, and Dave Camara.
In opening day events at Fonda held over the last 56 years, Jack Johnson leads the way with eight opening day victories in 1972, 1976, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1991, 1992, and 1994. Following close behind with seven opening day wins is Lou Lazzaro who won events in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1977, and 1978.
Two drivers have taken home five opening day wins as Dave Lape (1981, 1984, 1989, 1993, and 1995) and Pete Corey (1955, 1956, 1959, 1962, and 1967) both accomplished the feat. Jeff Trombley has four opening day victories in 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2002 while Bobby Varin (2001, 2005), Jim Luke (1954, 1957), C.D. Coville (1979, 1980), and Danny Johnson (1990, 2007) have won two times apiece.
Drivers who have one victory in opening day events at Fonda are Buddy Shuman (1948), Chuck Kotwica (1953), Irv Taylor (1958), Bill Wimble (1960), Tom Kotary (1961), Ken Shoemaker (1965), Don Wayman (1968), Rene Charland (1970), Maynard Forrette (1973), Dave Pelczar (1974), Pep Pepicelli (1975), Jimmy Horton (1985), Bob McCreadie (1986), Mike Romano (1987), Pat Ward (1996), Dave Camara (1998), Brett Hearn (2003), Tim McCreadie (2004), and Mitch Gibbs (2006).
The most talked about event on the 2008 Fonda Speedway schedule is definitely the Go Green NMX Fonda Thunder Series for Modifieds. The five race series begins on Saturday, May 24 at 6:00 p.m. with a 40-lap $4,000 to win event. The other four events will take place on Saturday, June 21 at 6:00 p.m. (40-lap $4,000 to win), Saturday, July 26 at 6:00 p.m. (50-lap $5,000 to win), Tuesday, August 5 at 7:00 p.m. (60-lap $6,000 to win), and Sunday, September 21 at 2:00 p.m. (100-lap $9,500 to win).
If one driver is fortunate enough to win all five of the series events that would be a total of $28,500 in winnings. There will also be a separate point fund for the five race series to reward the drivers who follow it.
“Right now we are committed to a point championship payout for the series of $4,000 for first, $3,000 for second, and $1,500 for third but we will try to build on the point fund as other sponsors commit to the series to make the point fund as attractive as possible,” Lucia said.
Be sure to come to the Track of Champions in 2008 to “Feel the Thunder”. Fonda Speedway is located off of exit 28 of the New York State Thruway. For more information you can call (518) 382-3115 Monday through Friday, (518) 853-4235 on race day or you can go to their website at www.fondaspeedway.com |
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