12th Hondo Classic Takes Center Stage At Fonda Saturday
Story By: RON SZCZERBA / FONDA SPEEDWAY – FONDA, NY – On Saturday, July 1 the pro stocks will take center stage at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway as they pay tribute to one of their own. The Hondo Classic is named for Hondo Carpenter, a popular competitor in the division who lost his life in an ATV accident on July 4, 2005.
Each year dozens of supporters of this event contribute to the bonus money that is awarded along with the track purse. This year those bonuses total over $3,300.00 and will likely climb some more before the cars take to the track on Saturday.
According to the competitors, the money is always welcome but the big draw is the bragging rights. Commemorative shirts are made each year and the Friends of Hondo Memorial Society provides each competitor with one. Those shirts list all the names of the previous winners on the back and we all want to know if we will be seeing a new name on next year’s edition or if it will be a repeat winner. T-Shirts will also be available for purchase at the track the day of the race.
The First Annual Hondo Classic was won by Jim Burton in 2006. Nick Stone is a three-time winner of the event in 2007, 2008, and 2016 while Kenny Gates (2009, 2015) and Pete Broderson (2012, 2014) have two wins apiece. Chip Smith (2010), Rob Yetman (2011), and Kenny Martin, Jr (2013) each have one win along with Burton.
Some of the major sponsors of the event are The Wheel People Show with Ed Lamberton, Kelly’s Pharmacy, Bulldog Concrete & Supply, Midtel Communications, Bobco Racing Video, and the New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA). Many race teams contribute to the bonus money as well. Without such support, this event would not be possible.
Each year, the organizers Kelley & Kaitlyn Keefe are asked when the last Classic will be and they respond with “as long as there is interest from the racers and support from the sponsors, we will keep it going”. “We still miss Hondo every day. He loved the pro stock division and so do we. I guess that means no end is in sight.”
For more information on the event, or to see how you can get involved, contact Kelley Keefe at (518) 527-8667 or email kellkeefe@aol.com
Also in action on Benjamin Moore Night at Fonda on Saturday, July 1 will be all regular divisions along with the CRSA Sprint cars. In one previous visit this year at Fonda by the CRSA Sprints, Brett Jaycox was the winner for his first career win at the “Track of Champions”. Starting time for the action packed show at Fonda on Saturday, July 1 will be 7:00 p.m.
For more information about the Fonda Speedway you can go to their website www.newfondaspeedway.com and for more information about the CRSA Sprint cars you can go to their website crsa.myracepass.com
2017 HONDO CLASSIS SPONSORS
Winner
Winner
Winner
Winner
2nd Place Bulldog Concrete
2nd Place Cindy LaRoe In Memory of David Rohs and his friend Harry Peek #27
2nd Place Karma Motorsports Magic Hat #9
3rd Place Edwards Food Service & Michelle Sweet In Memory of Charlie Fox
4th Place
4th Place Ivan Joslin In Memory of Dave Joslin
4th Place Kennedy Racing Team #22K In Memory of Jeff Taber
5th Place Super Suds, Glenville
6th Place
7th Place A-1 Installers & Hollner Racing
8th Place Endress & Hauser
9th Place Mike Fritz – The Ranch #85
9th Place Ivan Joslin In Memory of Dave Joslin
9th Place Jim Ellis
10th Place Jen & Joe Prindle
10th Place Casey Racing
11th Place Jen & Joe Prindle
11th Place Casey Racing
12th Place The Wheel People Show WSPDDB Maverick Radio
13th Place Tom Coughlin In Honor of Dave Lape; In Memory of Tim Coughlin
13th Place Casey Racing
14th Place Cosselman Racing
15th Place A-1 Installers & Hollner Racing
16th Place Rocky Warner In Memory of Don “The Silver Fox” Warner
17th Place Bobco Racing Video
18th Place Bobco Racing Video
19th Place Bobco Racing Video
20th Place Bobco Racing Video
21st Place Bobco Racing Video
22nd Place Tom Coughlin In Honor of Dave Lape; In Memory of Tim Coughlin
23rd Place Bobco Racing Video
24th Place Bobco Racing Video
25th Place Bobco Racing Video
26th Place Bobco Racing Video
28th Place Bobco Racing Video
29th Place Bobco Racing Video
Heat Race 1 Winner J&J Racing and INOC DataCenters
Heat Race 1 2nd Place J&J Racing and INOC DataCenters
Heat Race 1 3rd Place J&J Racing and INOC DataCenters
Heat Race 2 Winner J&J Racing and INOC DataCenters
Heat Race 2 3rd Place J&J Racing and INOC DataCenters
Heat Race 2 2nd Place J&J Racing and INOC DataCenters
Heat Race 3 3rd Place J&J Racing and INOC DataCenters
Heat Race 3 Winner J&J Racing and INOC DataCenters
Heat Race 3 2nd Place J&J Racing and INOC DataCenters
Lap 1 Leader Mortensen 1M Racing
Lap 2 Leader Catalytic Recovery
Lap 2 11th Place Andrew Millard In Memory of his Uncle Robert Sparks
Lap 2 Leader Luke Horning
Lap 3 Leader Gates Racing
Lap 4 Leader Bernie Heald
Lap 4 Leader NYSSCA In Memory of Jim Langenback
Lap 5 Leader NYSSCA In Memory of Jim Langenback
Lap 5 Leader Gates Racing
Lap 6 Leader Billy Peek
Lap 7 Leader Stitched Creations Gift Certificate
Lap 8 Leader Leeann Achzet
Lap 9 Leader B&H Automotive In Memory of Mike Budka, Sr.
Lap 9 Leader J&J Racing and INOC DataCenters
Lap 10 Leader Morrison Auto Repair & Towing
Lap 11 Leader Pepicelli 11A Racing
Lap 12 Leader Morrison Auto Repair & Towing
Lap 13 Leader Haslun Racing
Lap 14 Leader Duell Family Facing
Lap 15 Leader Edwards Food Service In Memory of Charlie Fox
Lap 15 Leader Gates Racing Halfway Bonus
Lap 16 Leader Brian Goss, Jr. In Memory of his dad Brian Goss, Sr.
Lap 17 Leader Dave Horning Sr. & Dave Horning, Jr.
Lap 18 Leader Morrison Auto Repair & Towing
Lap 19 Leader Williams Auto Parts
Lap 19 Leader Tom Czaban
Lap 20 Leader Rick LaGrange
Lap 21 Leader In Memory of Jeff Taber
Lap 21 Leader Betty Filkins In Memory of her dad Charlie Peck
Lap 22 Leader Luke Horning
Lap 22 Leader Kennedy Racing Team #22K In Memory of Jeff Taber
Lap 22 Leader Tom Coughlin In Honor of Dave Lape; In Memory of Tim Coughlin
Lap 23 Leader Fox23 Fast Track Alumni
Lap 24 Leader Speed’s Garage
Lap 25 Leader Brian Goss, Jr. In Memory of his dad Brian Goss, Sr.
Lap 26 Leader Aaron Burton
Lap 27 Leader Stone Motorsports
Lap 28 Leader Morrison Auto Repair & Towing
Lap 29 Leader Thirty One by Melanie
Hondo’s Lunch Last Place Finisher Joe Achzet
NYSSCA Bonus 1st NYSSCA Member In Memory of Jim Langenback
Fastest Lap in Feature The Wheel People Show WSPDDB Maverick Radio
Fastest Lap in Heats Vehicle Maintenance and Vehicle Operations at 109th Stratton Air National Guard Base
Hard Charger The Wheel People Show WSPDDB Maverick Radio
Hard Luck (to a driver that doesn’t make the show) The Wheel People Show WSPDDB Maverick Radio
Highest Finishing Rookie Cosselman Racing
Total $3,317.99
