While Friesen Is Away, The Field Will Play At The Fonda Speedway
Column By: RAY ROGERS / RPW – FONDA, NY – Last Saturday night at the Fonda Speedway, I decided to take it easy…just be a race fan and not even go in the pits looking for a story.
I started my evening at the Speedway Museum, chatting with the old timers, hearing some great stories and having a laugh.
While I was chatting with everyone, I was Introduced to a gentleman of Latin decent by the name of Eric from Amsterdam. It turns out, this was Eric’s first time to the stock car races. I asked him why more Latinos from the area don’t come to the races?
“I think many of them just don’t know about it and those that do feel they may not be welcomed,” he said.
I assured him that wasn’t the case as everyone is welcome at the races. With Daniel Suarez making waves on the Cup side, you would think more Latinos would be coming to the races. However, that just isn’t happening. We need more diversity in the stands in order for our sport to grow. If you have someone who has never been to the races, bring them and let them know everyone is welcome to join us.
Once I made my way inside, I strolled down the front stretch and, man I gotta say, the racing surface looks fantastic. Promoter Pete Demitraszek and his staff have done a great job each week preparing the facility. I have also noticed a lot more youngsters in the stands this season. That may be due to the adjustments in ticket prices which allow kids 12 and under free admission. This is a great way to get the next generation of racers and fans in the stands.
On my way to my perch, I ran into my teammate “Fast Eddie” who was at the old home track interviewing Nick Scavia for a future episode of ‘In the Pits’ on the RPW TV Show. Check out this week’s episode of Race Pro Weekly (by clicking here) for all the latest highlights from the local dirt track scene.
Speaking of highlights, here is a rundown of Saturday’s heat races at “the Track of Champions.” Pro Stock heats went to Cassidy Wilson, Chuck Dumblewski. Sportsman winners were Mark Mortensen, Dan Santabarbara and Josh Demaggistris. Modified heats were won by Rocky Warner, Bobby Varin and Jeremy Wilder.
When the features began, it was Derrick Mcgrew Jr picked up another Limited Sportsman win and Jason Samrov scoring the Street Stock checkers Saturday night.
During the intermission, I caught up with my new friend Eric who was clearly having a good time.
“Except for the dust, this is great ” he said to me.
I told him next time, sit in the grandstands with me…a lot less dust.
“I’ll do that the next time I come,” he said.
That’s a good sign he will be back and I do hope to see him again.
The Pro Stocks rolled onto the well-groomed racing surface for the first of three main events on the evening, and they did not disappoint. Cassidy Wilson added his name to the Fonda record books as a Pro Stock winner after a hard-fought 20-lap battle. Josh Coonrandt would come home second followed by, Kenny Gates, Chuck Dumblewski and Ivan Joslin.
With Stewart Friesen being the cat to beat in the opening weeks at Fonda, it seems that when he’s away, the mice will play. The field got to play as he was at Orange County. Bobby Varin was able to take charge and pick up his first win of the season, moving one step closer to David Lape on the all-time win list at “The Track of Champions.”
Defending track champion Tim Fuller charged his way to a second place finish with Josh Hohenforst settling for third. Rocky Warner improved his finish this week coming to the line fourth and Jeremy Wilder rounded out the top 5.
Saturday’s Sportsman feature turned out to be a real barn burner with Mark Mortensen and Cody Clark giving the fans a real show. Mortensen would come to the checkers first with Clark, who battled him hard in the closing laps, came home second. DeMagistris was third, Dan Santabarbara fourth and Tony Farone, who was sent to the rear of the field during the main, drove his way to a top 5 finish.
What a great night it turned out to be…top notch racing in every division and smiling fans all over.
This Saturday, the Speedway welcomes everyone for another fantastic night of racing with a full card including the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series. Racing starts at 7pm. The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series will have many cars on display at the Fonda Museum from 3:3o to 5:30pm. Stop by to check them out or get more info on the Museum’s Facebook page.
Sunday night, The Glen Ridge Motorsports Park welcomes the return of the Modifieds for a one-night Big Block / Small Block throwdown. Several top teams have thrown their hats in the ring so it should be a great addition to the regular show. Grandstand opens at 4pm and racing is set to kick off at 6.
Lots of great things happening on the local racing scene in the coming weeks. Stick with us at RPW for all the latest news on upcoming events and I hope to see everyone at the races!
