All About Racing

Glen Ridge Hall of Fame members inducted on Sunday, Justin Knight, Chuck McSpirit, Charlie Hogan and Ed Biittig, Sr. Biittig photo

Bruce Liddle of Sloansville celebrates his win in Mini Stock Single division on Sunday at Glen Ridge. Biittig photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

Stewart Friesen won his third in a row Modified main event at Fonda on One Zee Tees Aim Autism Awareness Night at Fonda on Saturday. The win brought his win total for the 2024 season to six and to 94 wins overall at the track.

The annual barbeque and Autism Awareness fund raiser was held including a barbeque, auction, dunk tank and many other activities to raise money for Crossroads Children Center. A total of $38,416 was raised at the fundraiser held during the day and after a donation of $11,584 by Halmar International the total amount raised for Crossroads Center for Children was $50,000!

Other winners on One Zee Tees Aim Autism Night included Mark Mortensen, Crate 602 Sportsman, Kenny Gates, Pro Stocks, Tim Wilmot, Limited Sportsman, Ken (SOHC) and Kerrie (DOHC) Hollenbeck in Four Cylinder division, and Jordan Hutton, CRSA Sprints.

For Mortensen it was his 27th career win in the Crate 602 Sportsman division, his last on 4/30/2011, putting him first on the Crate 602 Sportsman All-Time Win list at Fonda.

Another milestone was reached on Saturday for Jay Castimore tire specialist and crew member for three different dirt race teams in his career, Brett Hearn, Keith Flach, and Stewart Friesen.

Castimore reached his 800th career victory in the sport on Saturday and he was in victory lane with Friesen to celebrate.

Local notables on Saturday at Fonda were Cody Clark who finished third in the Hoyenga No. 34 in Modifieds, Jessica Friesen was ninth and JaMike Sowle finished 12th in the Palmer Service Center owned No. 76. Ivan Joslin was fourth in Pro Stocks and Andy Graves was seventh in the Yurkewecz Auto Crushers. Jim Mallia was tenth in Limited Sportsman. John Napoli was fifth in Four Cylinder dual, and Jeff Trombley was the runner up in the CRSA Sprint feature.

Winner at Albany-Saratoga on Friday were Modified, Mike Mahaney, 602 Sportsman Zach Buff, Pro Stocks, Rich Crane; Limited Sportsman, Steve Burch; Street Stocks, Matt Mosher and Four Cylinder, Slappy White, dual and Kyle Lanfear, single cam.

Sunday, Glen Ridge held their Hall of Fame inductions and prior to the ceremony also honored their 2023 top five in points in all divisions. Locally honored was Bruce Liddle of Sloansville, 2023 Track Champion in Mini Stock, Single division. Jamie Warner of Gilboa was second in points.

Inductees to the Hall of Fame included, Chuck McSpirit, Pro Stock and Street Stock driver, Justin Knight, Pro Stock driver, Charlie Hogan, Glen Ridge Staff, (official gate keeper) and Ed Biittig, Sr., Media.

Winners on Sunday at Glen Ridge were 358 Modified, Lance Willix, Sportsman, Zach Buff; Limited Sportsman, Mason Gray; Pro Stock, Steve Cosselman; Street Stock, Josh Samrov; Mini Stocks, dual, Jordan Ryder, Bruce Liddle, single; JR Slingshot, Alex Cosselman; All Star Slingshot, Brayden Ketchum.

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