A Great Night Of Action At The “Track Of Champions”

Column By: RAY ROGERS / RPW – FONDA, NY – The Fonda Speedway Museum had a special visitor on Saturday…Hall of Fame member and co-author of the book FONDA, Lew Boyd. Lew has been keeping himself busy with The North East Motor Sports Museum located in Loudon, NH which opens to members June 10th and to the public shortly after. If you’re planning to attend one of the NASCAR races in Loudon be sure to make time and pay them a visit. You will be glad you did.

Luckily for me, I just happen to acquire a copy of the book Fonda on Saturday and Lew was happy to sign it for me.

If you would like a copy of the book, Dave and Jackie Lape have them for sale at the museum or you can visit www.coastal181.com for one. Coastal 181 has a great list of literature, artwork, and collectibles related to stock car racing in the Northeast.

The Pro Stocks kicked things off with the first heats of the night on Saturday and those winners were Randy Cosselman, Chuck Dumblewski. Modified heats rolled away next and Shaun Pangman, Jeremy Wilder, and Craig Hanson all took top spots. Sportsman heats were claimed by Tim Hartman, Brian Calabrese, and Adam Mccauliffe.

The first feature of the night went to Street Stock driver Jonny Young, The Cruiser feature winner was PJ Bleau.

EJ McAulliffe scored another Rookie Sportsman victory, making it two-in-a-row. However, after the race, the crew learned he had punctured his radiator and was unable to run in the regular Sportsman feature.

Saturday night was double features for the Pro Stocks and Luke Horning was first to the checkers for both. I spoke with Luke later that evening about his run.

“We had one more set up to throw at it and it responded well,” he said. “Mike Sowle let us come run Fonda in front of the home crowd so I HAD to pick up the win. Maybe he will let me come back and do it again next week.”

Bobby Varin put another check mark next to his name in the history book at the “Track of Champions” with win number 56 of his career, placing him now 4th on the all-time list.

Pep Corradi was second with Ronnie Johnson, Tim Fuller and Stewart Friesen rounded out the top five.

Rocky Warner was once again the class of the Sportsman field, scoring his fourth win of the season. Tim Hartman Jr. had a good night with a solid second place finish. Chad Edwards, Adam McAuliffe, and Ray Zemken were third through fifth.

As I wandered around pit road after thing’s wrapped up, I stopped and talked with Kenny Gates who had been undefeated on the season I. or Stocks until Saturday.

“I am not real happy with the way the first feature went,” he said. “We got bent up a bit, ” but in the second one, we started deep and had a solid top-five finish. We’ll take it, and be back next week.”

Kenny is a true champion and one who is able to make the best out of any situation.

This Saturday, the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series returns to the “Track of Champions” to help pay tribute to Earl Mewhorter. It’s also New York State Stock Car Association Night and the weather man is predicting a fine day for racing, so get there a bit early and then enjoy the show.