Jack Miller of Schoharie poses in victory lane after his win in the Vintage Modified division on Friday at Utica-Rome. Vintage photo
John Roese of Middleburgh celebrates his Vintage Late Model victory at Utica-Rome on Friday. Vintage photo.
On a beautiful night for racing, competitors filled the pit area, and fans filled the stands Friday at Albany-Saratoga. Jack Lehner of Saratoga Springs became the first repeat winner in Modified this season and recorded his sixth career win in the division at the track.
Other winners were Chris Crane, Jr., Canaan, Ct., Sportsman; Alex Smith, So. Glens Falls, Limited Spts.; Chucky Dumblewski, Amsterdam, Pro Stock; Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt., Street Stock; Josh Ramsey, Green Field Ctr., Four Cylinder; Chris Murray, Fair Haven, Vt., 410 Sprint.
Local Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series competitors, Jack Miller of Schoharie and John Roese of Middleburgh each won their respective division main events on Friday at Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY.
Other winners at Utica-Rome Luke Horning, Gloversville, Pro Stock; Alex Yankowski, Covington Twp, Pa., Modified; Matt Guererri, Waterloo, Sportsman; Preston Trautschold, Roscoe, Limited Sportsman; Chris Duffney, Jr., Corinth; Four Cylinder.
Saturday held another racing dilemma for Fonda, the forecast predicted storms near race time and when we arrived for the special awards ceremony given by the New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA), the skies were clear and things looked like racing was on.
Hosted by NYSSCA board members, Ron Szczerba and Bonnie Mortensen, the ceremony was held in the Fonda Hall of Fame and Museum building where fans can always find something to bring back memories of the Track of Champions.
Receiving the 2025 awards was Bill and Erik Nelson, Dedication to Racing in Memory of Harry Peek. Deb Ward and Corky Warner received the Humanitarian Award in Memory of Chaplain David Miller. Kenn VanWert was awarded the Lifetime Contribution to Racing award in Memory of Kenny Shoemaker. Kenny Gates received the Dedication to Racing in Memory of Jim Langanback and Dylan Madsen the Outstanding Performance award.
Word came over social media that storms hit Lebanon Valley and they were also cancelled.
Sunday, Glen Ridge cancelled the Super DIRTcar Series 358 Modified event scheduled due to wet track from overnight rain and forecast of more storms.
This week, local racer, Andy Graves posted on social media that due to time consuming projects this summer he will not have the time needed to spend in the garage nightly and will be absent from the weekly Pro Stock scene for the remainder of the season. He thanked his car owners, Bill and Cindy Yurkewecz for providing him with the opportunity to race the past few seasons and emphasized there are no hard feelings, they are still friends. However, Andy will still be involved at Fonda on race night to help others and will also be full time behind the wheel of the Graves family owned No 96 Modified racing with the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified
Looking ahead:
Albany-Saratoga, the SCoNE Sprints are in action along with all other weekly divisions.
Fonda Saturday is the 75th Anniversary Legends Night including meet & greet session from 3:30-4:30 under the covered grandstand including a commemorative poster for autographs. Drivers and other racing personalities expected to attend include Danny Johnson and Matt DeLorenzo who will also race. Author and publisher of the Fonda book, Lou Boyd, columnist and publisher, Dick Berggen, drivers, C.D. Coville, Brett Hearn, Rob Noviczski and car owner, Jake Spraker. A special admission price of $10 will be available from 3-4 pm. After 4 pm $20 with rain checks from last week being honored.
Saturday at Lebanon Valley has a full card of racing plus the first Cannonball event of the year.
The next event to mark on the calendar at The Valley is Mr. DIRT Track USA on Tuesday, June 16. This is a Super DIRTcar Modified Series event paying $15,000 to win featuring Big Blocks, Small Blocks and Pro Stocks.
The racing community was saddened once again this week with the passing of Hall of Fame, personality, NASCAR Champion and broadcaster, Ned Jarrett.
