Fonda Speedway; A Place Where Great Memories Are Made Every Saturday Night

Column By: RAY ROGERS / RPW – FONDA, NY – Each weekend, fans gather at the “Track of Champions” with hopes of witnessing history. Last Saturday, that’s exactly what they got.

Just like every weekend at the Fonda oval, I started my evening at the Speedway Museum where, as not only a die hard fan but a student of our rich history, I received part of my weekly history lessons. With everyone was enjoying a beautiful afternoon, I had the pleasure of hearing a great story from two legends of our sport, Dave Lape and ‘Super” CD” Coville.

Apparently, one night as Dave and CD were preparing to head out for heat races, CD said to David, “I am gonna knock your bumper off tonight.” Dave thought nothing of it at the time, but as he now recalls, “wouldn’t ya know it he did just that…knocked it right off.”

The two laughed as if it were a childhood prank.

Speaking of bumpers, the Museum has some great new items on display including the pace car bumper Ray Zemken knocked off during pace laps one evening. Carol Palmer stopped and delivered a roof from the 12A of Jumpin Jack Johnson to add to the great collection of roof panels they have on display.

This coming weekend, the Nelson Motorsports #85 piloted by Demetrios Drellos will be on display. The Museum is open every Saturday from 4:00 until race time so stop by and say hello.
Once 7pm rolled around, it was time for Pro Stock heat races, and they went to Josh Coonradt and Kenny Gates. Sportsman heats were won by Brian Pessolano, Jeff Holt and Chad Edwards with the Modified qualifiers going to Jeremy Wilder, Bobby Varin, and Drellos.

Saturdays Street Stock feature went to Jason Samrov while in the Limited Sportsman, Derrick McGrew Jr. picked up his third win of the season.

Josh Coonradt seems to have found his stride in the Pro Stocks at Fonda, picking up his first win at “The Track of Champions.” Jim Normoyle, Chuck Dumblewski, Gates and Cassidy Wilson rounded out the top 5.

The 25-lap Sportsman feature went to Chad Edwards who has struggled a bit in the early part of the season. It seems like he’s getting things back on track as he crossed the line first. Mark Mortensen was second followed by Holt, Josh Demagistris, and Ricky Quick.

“We haven’t been able to get the new car to go like we wanted,” Edwards said after the race. “We switched to last year’s car and it’s right where we left it.”
It was nice to see the Spencer Race Team with the trophy on the hood when I stopped to congratulate the winner.

When the Modifieds took to the famed half-mile, I had no idea that I would witness another historic event. Demetrios Drellos etched his name in the Speedway record books behind the wheel of the Bill and Eric Nelson-owned #85, taking his first feature win at the track. Drellos is the grandson of Fonda royalty, car owner Chris Drellos who fielded cars for Kenny Shoemaker and Pete Corey during the track’s glory days.

Jeremy Wilder scored a second place run followed by Jimmy Davis, Bobby Varin and Darwin Green. Defending track champion Tim Fuller would finish 15th after late race mechanical issues took him out of the lead.

As I climbed down from the grandstands after the feature, I could not help but think back to when two little boys, Eric Nelson and myself, would play with matchbox cars in the sandbox. Even back than, Eric dreamed of one day winning a Modified feature race at Fonda and his dream had just come true.

I made my way to checkered board square where I greeted one of my oldest friends.

“I can’t believe it,” he was saying over and over again. “We just won the Modified feature at Fonda!”

It was at that moment, as I watched the celebration unfold, that I fully understood why men and women all over the country devote so much time and money to auto racing…to stand in victory lane surrounded by family and friends knowing you were the best that night. It appears to truly be an indescribable feeling.
I have now witnessed sweet victory from both sides of the fence and I look forward to seeing it again.

This Saturday, the Speedway pays tribute to another member of Fonda royalty, Doc Blanchard, with Street Stocks, Limited Sportsman, Pro Stock, Sportsman, and a 30-lap Modified feature. Action starts at 7pm with hot laps and heat races.

If you are in the mood for some Sunday short track action, “the Fastest ¼-mile on dirt,” the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, is the place to be for a great night of close quarter action. All weekly divisions will be on the card with the green flag is set to fly at 6pm.