Big Money On The Line In The Return Of The Fonda 200 At The “Track Of Champions”`
Story By: BRETT DEYO / FONDA SPEEDWAY – FONDA, NY – It’s an event fans and racers have been talking about since the initial announcement in late September. The Fonda 200 is back.
A long-standing tradition at the ‘Track of Champions’ won by many of the sport’s iconic figures, the Fonda 200 has been absent for 17 years. That will change in a big way! Fonda Speedway’s BD Motorsports Media LLC management team is bringing back the ‘200 weekend’ on Sept. 26-28, 2019.
A hefty payout structure for the Sunoco big-block/small-block Modified portion of the weekend has been established with a base total of $78,675.
The 200-lap main event pays $20,000 to win, with $76,175 earmarked for 36 starters. The entire pay structure is as follows: 1) $20,000; 2) $10,000; 3) $7,500; 4) $5,000; 5) $3,500; 6) $2,500; 7) $2,250; 8) $2,000; 9) $1,750; 10) $1,500; 11) $1,400; 12) $1,300; 13) $1,200; 14) $1,100; 15) $1,000; 16) $900; 17) $800; 18) $775; 19) $750; 20) $740; 21) $730; 22) $720; 23) $710; 24) $700; 25) $675; 26) $650; 27) $625; 28-36) $600.
Prior to the 200, there will be a B-Main. The top-six drivers will transfer to the 200 in starting positions 31-36. From seventh on back, non-qualifiers will be paid. Drivers finishing seventh through 20th in the B-Main will receive $150 cash. The 21st through last-place drivers will earn $100 cash. Should the B-Main start 24 cars, the payout is $2,500.
Leading up to the 200 weekend, Fonda officials will be actively pursuing lap money and other specialty cash awards with a goal of reaching $100,000 to be distributed to Sunoco Modified racers during the weekend.
The first 200 in Fonda history took place on June 18, 1955 with moonshiner-turned-racer Junior Johnson taking the victory under the NASCAR Grand National banner. A total of four 200s at Fonda were NASCAR-sanctioned: David Pearson was victorious on July 14, 1966 with Richard Petty scoring back-to-back wins on July 13, 1967 and July 11, 1968.
The 200 was run in 1955; 1963-1964; 1966-1970; 1983-1995; and 1997-2002.
Currently, the Fonda 200 is slated as a three-day racing festival.
Camper and trailer parking gets underway on Thursday, Sept. 26. Open practice with incentives will take place on Thursday, as well.
Friday (Sept. 27) will consist of Sunoco Modified time trials and qualifying races, an invasion by the 360 Sprint Cars of the Patriot Sprint Tour (PST), Pro Stocks racing for $1,000 to win, Street Stocks in a $500-to-win event sponsored by Roberts Towing & Recovery and Four Cylinder Cruisers.
Saturday (Sept. 28) will feature the Sunoco Modified B-Main and 200 and a Crate 602 Sportsman special offering $1,500 to win.
Sunday is set aside as a rain date in the event of inclement weather.
Fonda 200 History of Winners
1955: Junior Johnson (NASCAR Grand National)
1963: Steve Danish
1964: Bill Wimble
1966: David Pearson (NASCAR Grand National)
1967: Richard Petty (NASCAR Grand National)
1968: Richard Petty (NASCAR Grand National)
1969: Lou Lazzaro
1970: Harry Peek
1983: Charlie Rudolph
1984: Jimmy Horton
1985: Charlie Rudolph
1986: Jack Johnson
1987: Kenny Brightbill
1988: Jack Johnson
1989: Mike Romano
1990: Doug Hoffman
1991: Doug Hoffman
1992: Bob McCreadie
1993: Bob McCreadie
1994: Jimmy Horton
1995: Brett Hearn
1997: Brett Hearn
1998: Brett Hearn
1999: Steve Paine
2000: Kenny Tremont
2001: Doug Hoffman
2002: Brett Hearn
2019: ???
