Brian Calabrese of Johnstown celebrates with his daughter Bella after winning the Sportsman portion of the Firecracker 50 on Thursday at Fonda

Racing was cancelled early at both Fonda and Lebanon Valley due to impending weather and that was the trend throughout much of New York State on Saturday.    

Fonda Speedway held the rescheduled Firecracker 50 on Thursday, July 16 and Matt Sheppard of Savannah, NY held off the challenges of Fonda two-time track champion, Alex Yankowski and four-time track champion, Stewart Friesen to take his 60th win in the Short Track Super Series a race paying $7776 for the win.  It was Sheppard’s 11th win at Fonda Speedway.  Other winners at Fonda were Brian Calebrese, Johnstown, Sportsman; Jason Samrov, Street Stock and Jay Ingersoll, Hagaman, Four Cylinder, (dual cam) with Bruce Liddle, Sloanville, Four Cylinder (single cam).

Friday at Albany-Saratoga Brian Calabrese of Johnstown, celebrated his first DIRTcar Big Block Modified win at the Malta track.  Other winners were Nick Brundige, Sportsman; Rich Crane, Canaan, Ct., Pro Stock; Walter Cook, Waterford, Limited Sportsman; Andrew Fitzgerald, Street Stock.  Danny Varin of Fonda was the winner in the 25-lap Empire Super Sprint main event. 

On Sunday at Glen Ridge Andrew Buff of Latham was the winner of the 358-Modified main event followed by Dylan Madsen, Spencertown and Tony Farrone, Rotterdam rounding out the top three.  Other winners were Zach Buff, Amsterdam, Sportsman; Connor Hearn, Fonda, Limited Sportsman; Steve Cosselman, Bleecker, Pro Stock; Adam Montville, Saratoga, Glen Ridge Mini Stocks; Collin Mills, Deposit, SCDRA Mini Stocks; Tucker Pollock, Fultonville, All Star Slingshot; Harlan Heroth, Ft. Plain, Junior Slingshot; Kim Duell, Ballston Spa, IVRA Vintage, Late Model, Scott Hornbeck, True Antique; IVRA Vintage, Tony Paes, Fultonville, Steel Body Modified, Jason Campione, Little Falls, Vintage Modified, Larry Ricci, High Falls, Vintage Sportsman. 

On Sunday, Utica-Rome ran the Bill Shea Memorial, one of the special big-block modified events scheduled for this season.  The event began early to accommodate the remaining portion of the Richie Evans Memorial that was cancelled on lap six due to rain on May 31.  With the completion the winner was Stewart Friesen followed by Alex Payne and Alex Yankowski to complete the top three. 

The Bill Shea Memorial winner was Mat Williamson of St. Catherine, Ont. Canada.  Williamson started on the front row and took the lead at the green and led every lap while heavy racing and position swapping took shape behind him.  Following Williamson to the checker was Matt Sheppard and Erick Rudolph.  Other winners were Matt Yorker, Central Square, Limited Sportsman; Marc Minutolo, Newark, NY, Street Stocks; Andrew Hennessey, Picton, Ont. Canada, Crate 602 Sprint. 

Racing Tidbits:

The annual New York Stock Car Old Timers (NESCOT) steak and chicken bake will be held on August 23 at the Nassau Sportsman’s Club, 370 Boyce Rd., Nassau, NY.  Tickets to this popular event are available by contacting a NESCOT officer or trustee.  This year’s Superior Achievement in Motorsports (SAM) Award recipients are Don Ackner, Dickie Larkin, Ed Delmolino and Alton and Carole Palmer. 

Looking Ahead:

Friday, July 24 at Albany-Saratoga is the sixth annual Stan Da’ Man Night that includes all weekly divisions plus Four Cylinder. 

Saturday, July 25 at Fonda is Autism Awareness Night featuring activities from 1-4 including chicken barbecue, dunk tank, live music, silent auction, four-wheeler raffle and more.  All proceeds will be donated to Crossroads Center for Children in Schenectady. Racing will feature all weekly divisions.

Saturday, July 25 at Lebanon Valley features weekly racing plus IVRA Vintage Mods.   

Sunday at Glen Ridge all weekly racing divisions will be in action. 

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