Auto Racing News - 15 September 2024

Tonight is night two of the annual Fonda 200 Weekend. Gates open at 4:00 pm. with hot laps at 6:00 pm. On the program this evening will be 15-lap qualifying races for the Short Track Super Series modifieds, 12-lap qualifying races for the STSS crate 602 sportsman, a 15-lap 4-cylinder feature and 20-lap pro stock feature. The Rockwood Band will play in the entertainment building from 10:00 pm. until 12:30 am. 

Albany-Saratoga Speedway is holding their postponed John Grady Nostalgia Night, with a 43-lap modified feature paying $4,300. The crate 602 sportsman, pro stock, and limited sportsman will also be part of the program.

 Tomorrow Fonda will host their finale for 2024. The Fonda 200, where the Short Track Super Series will present B-main events for the modifieds and the 200-lap feature. The STSS crate 602 sportsman division will hold B-main events and their feature. The Fonda Speedway Museum will be open for your viewing each race day from 12:00 noon until 6:00 pm.

 This weekend Dodge City Speedway will switch to their Sunday racing schedule. This week DCS will host their annual Car Show beginning at 11:00 am.. with a parade later. Racing will include all regular classes, plus the WCRS and Clone 350.

 On Saturday, the Fox Run Golf Club in Johnstown at 109 Alban Hills Lane will host their Wings & Wheels for HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) with cars, planes, trucks. Food vendors, longest drive contest, music and more from 9:00 am. until 5:00 pm. Big Sky Country will play from 2:0 pm. until 5:00 pm.

 Next weekend is busy with multiple events. The 34th annual Hudson-Mohawk Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society show is next weekend. Located at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds at 162 Prospect Street in Ballston Spa. Saturday & Sunday September 21 & 22.

Gates are open both days from 8:00 am. until 4:00 pm. Admission is only $1, this is a no-pets, no-alcohol event.

 Albany-Saratoga Speedway holds their Malta Massive Weekend starting on Friday with the DIRTcar 358 Series, DIRTcar Sportsman Fall Championship Series, big block modified, hot lap sessions, sportsman, street stocks, and 4 cylinders. Saturday will host the 100-lap $10,000 to win Super DIRTcar Series, pro stocks, & limited sportsman. 

 Utica-Rome Speedway has a two-day event. Friday-Saturday, September 20-21  The Empire State Showdown. Friday's program will consist of a non-winner's race for the crate 602 sportsman. Limited sportsman, SCDRA 4-cylinders, and slingshots. Plus practice for the caret 602 sportsman. Grandstand general admission is $10. Saturday will see the running of the 50-lap Empire State Showdown for the crate 602 sportsman. The SCDRA 4-cylinders, and slingshots. Admission is $15. 

There is a weekend pass available for $20.

 News from the annual Sunflower-50, Race for a Cause that was held a couple of weeks ago. The check presented to the Veterans Community Housing Coalition-Vethelp was for $25,000. Drivers from five area states competed in the event. Crate 602 sportsman driver Brett Mortensen was the winner of the Sunflower-50.

 Results from last Thursday the SDS was north of the border at Brockville Ontario Speedway in Brockville, Ontario, Canada for the Canadian Classic 75. Alex Payne would win his career first SDS feature, followed by Anthony Perrego and Matt Sheppard. Local racer Jack Lehner would finish 14th. 

 Can-Am Speedway near LaFargeville hosted the Super DIRTcar Series on Friday. Mat Williamson started on the pole, lost the lead to Tim Fuller and when Fuller spun in turn three on lap 45. Then  Williamson regained the lead and went on to win the 67-lap R.D. Hutchinson

Memorial feature.  Billy Dunn finished second and Tim Sears Jr. third, Jack Lehner finished 7th.

 Albany-Saratoga Speedway hosted the 3rd. Annual Upstate Chevy Dealers Autism Acceptance Race for the pro stock division.Rob Yetman earned the win in the 49-lap feature over Scott Duell and Kim Duell. The NAPA DIRTcar 35-lap modified division feature was won by Marc Johnson, over Ryan McCartney and Matt Delorenzo. The DiCarlo DIRTcar 358 modified division 25-lap feature was won by Matt Delorenzo, followed by Marc Johnson and David Schilling. Tim Hartman Jr. won the 25-lap Doug Wholey's Ideal Excavating DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman division feature, followed by Craig Wholey and Dan Grignon. In the Haun Welding limited sportsman division 20-lap feature Jordan Hill became the second young lady to win a feature in that division in 2024. Lucas Duncan and Dan Seguin completed the podium. In the 20-lap Cornell’s Auto Parts street stock dealer feature Mark Burch scored the winn over

Chris Stalker and Matt Mosher.  Unfortunately Glen Ridge Motorsports Park cancelled early Sunday afternoon after some heavy showers went through.

G.R.M.P. Track champions for 2024 are Lance Willix in the DIRTcar 358 modified division. DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman Zach Buff, DIRTcar pro stock division Cousin Luke Horning, DIRTcar mini stock division single cam Stephen Walters, dual cam Jordan Ryder, limited sportsman Nick Brundige, street stock Jason Samrov. All-Star slingshot Braxton Dembek, Junior Carson Hamlin. 

Devil’s Bowl also fell victim to the inclement weather. 

 Weedsport Speedway held their Cavalcade Cup Weekend all on Sunday.

The Super DIRTcar Series big block modifieds ran a 75-lap feature. Stewart Friesen pulled the pole position in the redraw and would share the front row with Jimmy Phelps. Friesen would go on to lead every lap green to the checkered. There were a couple of cautions, but Stewart was able to easily fend off his opponents. Alex Payne finished second and Jimmy Phelps third, Jack Lehner finished 5, Brian Calabrese 9, and Rocky Warner 12. As a side note Friesen had left his driver suit at home and ended up borrowing one from Lehner,  The Empire Super Sprint 25-lap feature was won by Jordan Thomas, over Logan Crisafulli and Larry Wight.  Local drivers finished as follows: Danny Varin 7, Chase Moran 13, Jeff Trombley 15. 

 Orange County Fair Speedway ran their SRS Henry Sharp Memorial on Sunday. Peter Britten took the win over Anthony Perrego and Alex Yankowski. With the victory Britton earned the track championship.