Auto Racing News - 20 March 2024

The weather this weekend is looking good for an opportunity to attend an indoor car show and that will allow you three days to check out all the hallways of the Via/Port Mall on West Campbell Road in Rotterdam. Friday and Saturday hours are 10:00 am until 7:00 pm. and Sunday hours are 11:00 am. until 5:00 pm.

 Every weekly division competing at Fonda Speedway in 2024 will be represented from big block/ small block modifieds, crate 602 sportsmen, pro-stocks, and 4-cylinder cruisers. There possibly will be a winged sprint car. And you can expect to see some Go-Karts and slingshots from Dodge City Speedway, which is celebrating 50 years of racing with the Montenaro family in 2024.

 Last Friday, down at the Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, Pennsylvania there were approximately 61 Short Track Super Series modifieds signed in, along with 81 STSS crate 602 sportsmen, and 16 pro-stocks.

  Five heat races were held for the modified division, six heat races for the crate 602 sportsman division, and two heat races for the pro-stock division.

 Saturday would start with consolation races being run to complete the starting fields for the main events.  Three races were held for both the modified division and the sportsman division. 

 The features started off with the 25-lap pro-stock division feature. Rich Crane would earn the victory over Canadian driver Bruno Cyr, Jay Fitzgerald, Kenny Gates, with Devon Camenga completing the top five. Jason Casey would finish 6, followed by Jay Casey 7, Shane Playford 8, Steve Cosselman 10,  Cousin Luke Horning 12, Bret Belden 14, and Ivan Joslin 16. Joslin suffered with motor issues all weekend.

The 50-lap crate 602 sportsman feature was taken by Logan Watt over Joe Toth and Kyle Smith. Area drivers competing were Payton Talbot who finished 11, Brian Calabrese 13, Michael Ballestero 25, Dylan Madsen 27. Unfortunately, Chip Constantino and Brendan Gibbons did not qualify.

 For the 75-lap modified feature, Ronnie Johnson was early leader from his pole starting position until Ryan GoDown was able to make the pass for the lead.

 Matt Sheppard would eventually take the lead and was able to conserve his tires and hold on for the win over Billy Decker and Louden Reimert. Local driver Jack Lehner ran a great race and finished in sixth, with Marc Johnson 7, Alex Yankowski 8, Anthony Perrego 10, Mike Mahaney 13, Bobby Hackel IV 21, Jessica Friesen 22, Michael Maresca 23, Willy Decker 30, Ronnie Johnson 31, and Rocky Warner 36. Tires and suspension parts played major factors in the feature outcome.

 Not qualifying for the main event were Chris Curtis, Darwin Greene, Neil Stratton, Danny Varin and Peter Britten.

 While at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was competing. Stewart Friesen was running a steady race near the front, however during the third stage of the 250-lap feature driver Nick Sanchez tried to squeeze his truck between Friesen’s no. 52 and the outside wall, where obviously there was not enough room. The contact from the Sanchez truck forced Friesen’s truck to turn to the right, slamming the right front corner of his Toyota into the outside wall and eliminating Friesen's chances of a top-ten finish. Stewart would be credited with a 22nd place finish.

 Driver E.J. Gallup will not have his car ready for the car show, However, he will hold a pre-season race party next week on Friday, March 29 at Perry Lanes at 1 Maple Avenue in Johnstown. Where the Gallup car will be on display from 4 pm. until 9 pm. Raffles, food, and drinks will be available