RPW Exclusive: The Northeast Race Car Show Now Has Everyone Pumped For Racing In 2019

Column By: RAY ROGERS / RPW – ROTTERDAM, NY – Racing season unofficially kicked off in New York’s Mohawk Valley with the Northeast Race Car Show held this past weekend in Rotterdam, NY.

Fans from all over the capital district flocked to the Via Port Entertainment Center for the annual Mall Show. Bob James of Bobco Video and his crew did a fantastic job putting everything in place for what has become the “unofficial” start to the racing season in the Mohawk Valley.

Racers from the ‘Track of Champions,’ the Fonda Speedway, were well represented, giving fans a chance to preview some of this seasons paint schemes and sponsors for this season.

Fonda’s Modified track champion, Bobby Varin, will be returning this season to defend his title aboard the Alton and Carol Palmer-owned #76 Teo Pro Car.

“We are ready to go and looking forward to getting started,” Varin told me on Friday.

Varin currently sits fourth on the Modified all-time wins list at Fonda with 63 wins. He also tied Dave Lape last season by collectin his seventh championship at the speedway.

Last season’s runner-up in Modified points, Josh Hohenforst, didn’t have his 2019 ride ready for the show, but was present on Saturday. He states that he’ll be returning this season as he chases the track title.

“We are a little behind on getting the car ready this season,” Hohenforst said. “My crew is hard at work and we are looking forward to the 2019 season.”

Hohenforst went winless last season but consistency and determination paid off as he finished just four points out of the top spot.

Dave Constantino had his #34 Hoyenga Racing Modified on display this past weekend. Constantino is no stranger to the Modified ranks, scoring a win at the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park and a runner up finish at the Fonda Speedway in previous years.

“I’m really looking forward to this season,” Constantino said. “This is the best equipment I’ve had and our DKM Cyclone Chassis are proven winners. It’s going to be a great year I feel.”

Defending Sportsman track champion Chad Edwards will be returning this season with Hall of Fame car owner Tommy Spencer and his #37 Troyer. Edwards had a bit of a rough start to the 2018 season, but once things got rolling, he was the one to beat at the Track of Champions.

Chad is looking forward to another great season with a sharp new paint scheme on a new Troyer so you can count on him to be tough to beat this season.

Tony Farone will be back at Fonda this year with a brand-new Bicknell as he looks to score his first track championship. The “Flyin’ Onion” had an up and down season last year but came on strong late to finish fourth in points.

JaMike Sowle will be returning to the Sportsman division in 2019 aboard the #711 Yurkewecz Auto Crusher machine. Sowle took 2018 off from racing but is looking forward to getting sideways at the Fonda Speedway this year.

“Mr. Seven-Time<” Kenny Gates, had his familiar blue and white #35 Pro Stock at the show this past weekend and will be hunting for his eighth title along the Mohawk this season. Gates sits atop the all-time Pro Stock wins list at the speedway with 80 checkered flags to his.

While Gates is looking to add to that list, he also plans to run all of the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series events in 2019.

Rookie of the Year for the Pro Stocks in 2018, Buck Gasner, is set to return this season with a brand-new set up under the Hal-Gaz Motorsports #99. Gasner will be running an experimental four coil suspension built by Stone Motorsports.

I spoke to Buck on Saturday and he was pretty excited to get things going this year.

“I’ve always like the four coil setup,” Gasner said. “My vintage car had the coil set up and it always worked well for me, so I think it’s the way to go for us looking forward.”

Luke Horning has made a change this season, switching his car number from the familiar 2h to #97 in tribute to the late Don Warner. Horning will be looking to improve on his sixth place points finish from one year ago at Fonda and “Cousin Luke” is always a threat wherever he runs. Be sure to watch for the 97 as he works towards the front this season.

Fonda’s Street Stock Champion from 2018, Johnny Young, has also made a big change this season as he will be skipping over the Pro Stock and climbing into a Sportsman.

“It’s been a lot of work putting this deal together,” Young said. “However, I have some great people behind me and we’re really looking forward to the opportunity.”

Jamie and Denise Page, part of the Fonda Speedway management team, were on hand at the show, meeting fans and answering any questions that people may have. The Page’s will be handling day-to-day operations at the historic half-mile this season and are already working hard to make the “Track of Champions” the place to be for racers and fans in 2019.

If you were unable to make it to the show last weekend, don’t worry. There will be plenty of opportunities to get the all-new Fonda Speedway apparel at the track this season.

Now that we’ve had a chance to scratch the racing itch, it’s almost time to put heat in the engines and get this season rolling. Everything kicks off at Fonda with an open practice on April 13th. Grandstands will be free to the fans while the pit gate will be $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Gates will open at 2 pm and practice for all divisions will be from 4-7 pm.

Then, the following week, the season officially kicks off with a full card of racing. Gates open at 3:30 pm and hot laps take to the track at 5:30. First green flag of the season will fall at 6:30 and be that way for all April events.

It’s going to be a great year for race fans in the Mohawk Valley and we look forward to seeing you all at the races!