Fonda Speedway’s Set To Kick 70th Consecutive Season Of Racing Off In Style Saturday Night
Story By: RON SZCZERBA / FONDA SPEEDWAY – FONDA, NY – There is nothing like the excitement of a new racing season, for drivers, crews, and fans and the opening event of the 2021 racing season at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway this Saturday, April 17 will be no different.
Adding to that excitement and making it a must-see event for any race fan will be Ronnie Johnson who has confirmed that he will be in attendance on Saturday evening at Fonda to address the crowd and share some memories of his legendary father Jumpin’ Jack Johnson who passed away recently. It stands to be one of the most memorable and emotional moments in the history of the “Track of Champions”.
Pre-Race ceremonies will be live on the Fonda Speedway Facebook page for fans who are unable to attend. The racing program will also be televised live on Flo Racing, the official Live Stream Partner of the Fonda Speedway. Don’t miss a lap of our 2021 action at Fonda with a subscription to Flo Racing by going to their website.
All new Jumpin’ Jack Johnson Memorial products will also be on sale at the Ronnie Johnson souvenir trailer.
Alton & Carole Palmer of Palmer’s Service Center will sponsor opening day 2021 at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway. On a normal basis opening day at Fonda consists of a single racing program with all divisions in competition.
Last year a two-day opening weekend was held with separate divisions running each day. It was the latest start to a racing season ever in the history at the Fonda Speedway and was all due to the COVID-19 pandemic putting the area “On Pause”.
This year in 2021, opening day will be back to normal with all regular divisions running the same evening including the Sunoco Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, the Algonkin Motel Pro Stocks, the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman, and the Fonda Fair Cruisers.
Last years opening weekend winners at Fonda were Stewart Friesen (Sunoco Modifieds), Nick Scavia (Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman), Nick Stone (Algonkin Motel Pro Stocks), Brett Mortensen (Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman), Al Relyea (first career win in the Trackside Body Works Street Stock Division), Justin Pope (DOHC) and Zach McSpirit (SOHC) who were both first time winners in the Four Cylinder Cruiser division.
In opening day events at Fonda held over the last 69 years, Jack Johnson leads the way with eight opening day victories in 1972, 1976, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1991, 1992, and 1994. Following close behind with seven opening day wins is Lou Lazzaro who won events in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1977, and 1978.
Two drivers have taken home five opening day wins as Dave Lape (1981, 1984, 1989, 1993, and 1995) and Pete Corey (1955, 1956, 1959, 1962, and 1967) both accomplished the feat. Jeff Trombley has four opening day victories (1997, 1999, 2000, and 2002) along with Stewart Friesen (2015, 2016, 2018, and 2020) while Bobby Varin (2001, 2005, and 2010) has three wins. Jim Luke (1954, 1957), C.D. Coville (1979, 1980), Danny Johnson (1990, 2007), Pat Ward (1996, 2009), and Matt Sheppard (2014,2019) all have two wins apiece.
Drivers who have one victory in opening day events at Fonda are Buddy Shuman (1948), Chuck Kotwica (1953), Irv Taylor (1958), Bill Wimble (1960), Tom Kotary (1961), Ken Shoemaker (1965), Don Wayman (1968), Rene Charland (1970), Maynard Forrette (1973), Dave Pelczar (1974), Pep Pepicelli (1975), Jimmy Horton (1985), Bob McCreadie (1986), Mike Romano (1987), Dave Camara (1998), Brett Hearn (2003), Tim McCreadie (2004), Mitch Gibbs (2006), Ronnie Johnson (2011), Mike Mahaney (2012), Justin Boehler (2017).
