By ED & BETTY BIITTIG
This week we spoke with Ron Proctor and Kenny Tremont in victory lane at the Great Race Place before the racing began.
Ron said at 69-years-old he has spent his entire life at race tracks, first watching his dad, George, race at many tracks in the area. Then when Ron was old enough he got behind the wheel, and has been turning the wheel for 47 years. Ron won the Sportsman feature a week ago and later learned he was the oldest winner at the Malta oval. Ron said what was amazing to him was winning at 69-years-old and having 12-year-old Brock Pinkerous follow him to the checker for second. After talking with Ron, we ran into his father, NYSSCA Hall of Famer, George Proctor who said he wished he had seen Ron’s win the prior week.
Kenny has a similar story, his father has been a car owner for all of Kenny’s life and he’s been racing for 43 years. Combined the two racers from two different racing families have been entertaining race fans for 90 years.
Next we stopped at the Don Ronca pit area where we ran into internet marketing agent, Frank Davis who was checking on marketing on the cars for Tony Mangino. With him was his wife and her daughter, from Columbia, who had never been to a race before but were familiar with the track and the Friday night activities because they live just past the wooded area behind the speedway and said they sit and enjoy the sounds of the track each week from their patio. They were both thrilled to be at the track and were looking forward to the activities in person. We spoke with Frank the following day and he said that they both really enjoyed the racing and realized they were at a dirt track and took the dirt in stride.
This Friday the Super DIRTcar Series comes to Albany-Saratoga for the first time the series event will be held on a regular race night. The event will bring the stars of the DIRTcar series to take on the Malta regulars, running for 71 laps for the top prize of $7000. Also on the card will be the 602 Sportsman and Pro Stocks, and added this past week, the Limited Sports will run a B-Main and a feature.
Racing begins at 7 pm, adult general admission, $28. Check the Albany-Saratoga Facebook page for the latest updates.
Saturday night Fonda hosted one of the most popular events of the season, the Bill Ag Modified Elimination Race sponsored by DTD. Bill was the owner of the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and supported the racing and racers at Fonda for many years. The event began in 2014 and this year a new name was written on the overall winner’s check, Demetrios Drellos in the No. 111 Modified found himself in victory lane at the famed Montgomery County oval. This was not Demetrios first trip to victory lane at Fonda. Four years ago, nearly to the day (6/16/18) he recorded his first career win at the Track of Champions in 
the Nelson No. 85. For many the story might end here but we had to go back a little further, actually 60 years to June 16, 1962, when the Drellos owned No. 111 was in victory lane at Fonda with the one and only, Kenny Shoemaker behind the wheel of the Chris Drellos owned No. 111. Demetrios is the talented grandson of Chris Drellos.
There was other exciting action at Fonda on Saturday, Luke Horning broke Nick Stone’s win streak in the Pro Stock division and Dave Constantino gave car owner, Laudy Hoyenga the thrill of victory in the Modified division.
Hall of Fame Night is coming on July 2 to Fonda and drivers being inducted are A. J. Romano, Tim Clemons and Steve Welch, car owner, Jeff McWalker. The Bruce Dostal Memorial Dedication to Fonda Speedway Museum awards are going to Alton and Carole Palmer and Canajoharie Eagle Club. This night is expected to be a special one because there are always several Hall of Fame members that show up to join in celebrating the new class of inductees.
The next night, Sunday, July 3, the Firecracker 50 comes to Fonda bringing the STSS and $10,000 to win 50-lap Modified event plus 602 Sportsman and huge fireworks display.
July 9 is another popular night at Fonda with the Pro Stock Hondo Classic on the card and this year something new has been added, the BOBCO Memorial Dash for Pro Stocks putting much more cash on the line for the division. Organizing the dash is Mark “Krash” Krosky and as of recently there was already over $2000 in the pot with the promise of a big check and large trophy. It’s also fan appreciation night another $5.00 admission night for all the fans.
Until next week please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com
