Tim Fuller Nabs First Victory At Historic Fonda Speedway
Column By: RAY ROGERS / RPW – FONDA, NY – Saturday night proved to be another one for the record books as Tim Fuller claimed his first feature win at the “Track of Champions.”
As I made my way thru the pit area, taking my weekly inventory, I stopped to chat with Mike Maresca. The Fayetteville, NY driver is making Fonda his home track on Saturday nights this season. I asked him why Fonda?
“My teammate (Tim Fuller) and I wanted to run Big Blocks on Saturday and there is no place up north to run so Fonda was an easy choice,” he said. “I like running here. It’s a fun fast track. I’m starting to get the feel of it here.”
With his teammate taking the checkers Saturday night, this young driver just may be next to add a Fonda victory to his resume this season.
I also caught up with fan favorite Nick Stone on Saturday night. Nick has been letting his daughter Gianna turn laps in his pro stock on Saturday nights. But this week, he was suiting up.
“I’ve been so busy this season working on everyone else’s cars that I’ve had no time to wrench on my own,” he said. “I’d love to be able to spend more time on my own stuff, but someone has to pay the bills.”
The one-handed wonder has yet to pick up a win this season, but knowing Nick, I am sure the will change.
Saturday’s heat races rolled along fast and furious with Ivan Joslin, Jim Normoyle and Nick Stone grabbing the Pro Stock wins. Sportsman winners were Doug Hancock and Dave Constantino with Justin Boehler and Stewart Friesen taking the Mod heats.
The Cruiser feature went to Ken Hollenbek and the Street Stock main was won by Steve Cosselman. Limited Sportsman feature winner was Larry Niemiec.
Ivan Joslin and Josh Coonradt put on a super early race show in the Pro Stock feature. Coonradt would eventually fade and be forced pit side with mechanical issues. Joslin went on to claim the victory followed by, Kenny Gates, AJ Walters, Nick Stone and Gus Hollner.
The “Empire Executioner,” Tim Fuller, added his name to the Fonda Speedway record books with his first feature win at the Track of Champions on Saturday. Stewart Friesen was second and coming on strong with a late race charge, but just ran out of laps.
Defending Track Champion Ronnie Johnson was third as Justin Boehler and Josh Hohenforst rounded out the top 5.
“Damn Kid” Dave Constantino was the class of the Sportsman field Saturday with Chad Edwards, Rocky Warner, Nick Scavia, and Tim Hartman Jr completing the top 5 spots.
I caught up with Dave shortly after his 15th career win at Fonda.
“This one is bitter sweet,” he said, “This cyclone Chassis is driving like a dream right now, but I gotta take a step back. Racing three nights a week is just too much. I need to spend some quality time with my family so I am gonna take Saturday’s off”
Dave went on to say he still plans to run Fridays at Albany-Saratoga and will be a regular on Sundays at the Ridge.
Speaking of the Ridge, next Sunday, the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park will return to racing action with Crate Modifieds, Limited Sportsman, Pro Stocks, 4-Cylinder, Slingshots, plus Lucas Oil POWRi Midgets. Racing starts at 6pm so come out and spend your Sunday evening at the fastest 1/4 mile on dirt!
If you can’t wait until Sunday, the Fonda Speedway will be back in action on Saturday with one of my favorite events of the year The 3rd Annual Bill Ag Modified Elimination Race. Fonda’s top Modified drivers will duel it out in a special event plus a full card of racing.
Summer is here, so pack up the kids and get out to the races. We’ll see you there!
