All About Racing - 10 May 2024

Mike Hill and Beau Ballard will be regulars this season at Albany-Saratoga in team Pro Stocks cars owned by Kenn VanWert.  Biittig photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

Mike Maresca was the winner of the Lou Lazzaro Memorial event at Fonda on Saturday night, picking up $4,444 for the win and much more in lap money.  The win was his first since July 13, 2017.  Following Maresca across the line to complete the top five were, Alex Yankowski, Chris Curtis, Jack Lehner, and Ryan Odasz.

In 2020 Maresca was crowned the track champion without recording a win, so Saturday night’s win was special for the Potsdam, NY native.  “It’s awesome, the whole week I was excited to get back to Fonda. It had character tonight; it was tough but we’re racers and we race. We’re having a Memorial race for a real racer here, so you gotta race. This car stayed together, I have an extremely good team, the best one in the pits. I’ve had a good season so far, but I haven’t won yet, so I’m pumped.”

 Other winners at Fonda were Chad Edwards, Crate 602 Sportsman, Luke Horning, Pro Stocks, AJ Greco, Limited Sportsman, Jay Ingersoll DOHC and Wayne Russell Jr. SOHC in the rain delayed Four Cylinder feature from 4/27 and Adam Montville DOHC and Russell Jr. SOHC in the regularly scheduled event.

The track at Fonda has been plagued with a poor racing surface since a resurfacing effort starting last Fall and Saturday night track crew and management spent a lengthy amount of time trying to remedy the problems so that the night’s racing could be completed. 

NOTE: In a Facebook post from Fonda promoter, Brett Deyo, on Tuesday prior to this writing, he said that his team is all in on getting Fonda Speedway back on track. He then thanked Jeremie Corcoran for jumping in to help.  We wish them well. 

Last Friday we made our regular trip to Albany-Saratoga and while walking through the pits ran into a couple familiar faces all though not usually seen at the Malta oval. 

Beau Ballard of Andes and Mike Hill of Margaretville have formed a Pro Stock team for this season with owner, Kenn VanWert.  Both racers have a considerable amount of experience on their resumes and will be regulars at the “Great Race Place” this season and also take their talents on the road to follow the Super DIRTcar Pro Stock Series this summer.   

Beau says he has only raced at the Malta oval about five times prior to this season, while Mike will be behind the wheel of his No. 15m Pro Stock for the first time this season. Mike raced once in a Sportsman at Malta.   

Beau’s racing experience comes in 14 years of racing and has netted him 40 career wins which, according to Beau, is also his age.  He has also claimed four track championships, one at Afton and Glen Ridge and two at Utica-Rome. 

Mike has raced in the All-Star Slingshots at Glen Ridge where he has 17 wins and three championships.  He also has eight wins in a Limited Sportsman at Glen Ridge and one win at Fonda. 

Racing Around the Region:

This Friday at Albany-Saratoga a $3000 to win for Modifieds, $1000 to win Pro Stocks and Sportsman plus Four Cylinders. 

At Fonda on Saturday May 11 will be Dollar Night with double features for Modified.  All other regular divisions will also be in action.

Sunday at Glen Ridge is their opener for the season and on schedule, Mother’s Day Get Away.

We can only hope that Mother Nature cooperates with racing this weekend. 

Until next week please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com.