All About Racing - 11 September 2025

Autism Acceptance event founder, Jordan Modiano celebrates with winner, Pete Stefanski on Friday at Albany-Saratoga.

Newly inducted Glen Ridge Hall of Fame members pose for photo prior to racing LtoR Betty Biittig, Ray Seffrin and Bill Yurkewicz,(absent from photo, JoAnn Davies).

At Albany-Saratoga the fourth annual Autism Acceptance event played to a huge crown with 46 Pro Stock racers, including Keith McGee from Alaska, gathering to support Jordan Modiano and his daughter Rachel. Rachel started the race, which featured the biggest Pro Stock first-place prize of $10,064. The current track champion, Pete Stefanski, starting fourth, claimed victory for the sixth time this season.  Rich Crane took second, and after Beau Ballard was disqualified for an engine violation, Nick Stone secured third place.

Other winners at Albany-Saratoga on Friday were Marc Johnson (Modified), Tim Hartman, Jr. (Sportsman), Adam Tranka (Limited Sportsman), Chris Murray (Street Stocks), and Adam Montville (Four Cylinder, dual cam) and Ben Ladd (Four Cylinder, single cam). 

The Malta track also honored the non-DIRTcar division champions; Bodie Marks (Limited Sportsman), P. J. Cram (Street Stocks) Adam Montville (Four Cylinder, dual cam) and Ben Ladd (Four Cylinder, single cam).  Bodie Marks debuted in the Limited Sportsman division and at the Malta oval this year, unexpectedly winning the track championship. He plans to advance to Sportsman next season and keep pursuing victories.  

The Super DIRTcar Series (SDS) held its event at Can Am on Friday night, experiencing a delay due to rain moving through New York State. While Betty was at home watching the Autism Acceptance event on DTDTV and the SDS event on DirtVision, Ed attended Albany-Saratoga to collect information about the Autism event and subsequently returned home in time to view the SDS Modified race at CanAm, which concluded at 2am. Winner of the event was two-time Fonda Speedway champion, Alex Yankowski.

Before Sunday’s racing events, Glen Ridge conducted the Hall of Fame induction ceremony that had been postponed due to rain. The inductees included sponsor Bill Yurkewicz; promoter Ray Seffrin; racing columnists Don and JoAnn Davies; and Betty Biittig, who joined Ed, inducted in 2024.

Racing at Glen Ridge on Sunday included all divisions with wins going to Jordan McCreadie (358-Modified), Zach Buff (Sportsman), Steve Cosselman (Pro Stock), Bodie Marks (Limited Sportsman), Adam Montville (Mini Stock, dual cam), Rebecca Hillman (single cam), John Smith, Jr. (Mini Sprints), Preston Trautschold (Junior Slingshot) Carson Hamlin (All Star Slingshot).    

Mini Sprint driver John Smith Jr. made his debut at Glen Ridge on Sunday and took the win. His win may motivate him to return for next week's special event: four features, each offering $1,000, if 24 Mini Sprints are pre-registered. 

Looking Ahead:

Fonda 200 Weekend begins Thursday, Sept. 11 with the “Ultimate Underdog 33” for drivers without a Modified win at any track in 2025.   Also in action are the Limited Sportsman and Online Performance Parts/Stone Motorsports Street Stocks. All other divisions are eligible to practice.

Friday, Sept. 12, the Short Track Super Series (STSS) Modifieds and Sportsman qualifying heat races for the Fonda 200 in addition to Pro Stocks, Four Cylinders and the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Series.

Following the completion of racing on Friday night, the Rockwood Band will perform live on stage starting at 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 13, the schedule includes a pre-race driver autograph session at 3:15 p.m. in the grandstand area.  B-Mains for the Modified and Sportsman, 40-lap Sportsman main, and the Fonda 200 for Modifieds.

Sunday. Sept. 14 is set for the 2025 Fonda Speedway Awards Banquet at the Entertainment Building on the fairgrounds. Doors open at 1 p.m. Sunday is also reserved as a potential ‘200’ rain date.

This Friday at Albany-Saratoga is Nostalgia Night, John Grady Memorial and Fire, Rescue and EMS night with FREE grandstand admission with proper ID.  Racing for all divisions. 

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