Auto Racing News

By Tom Coughlin

It's getting down to that critical time when you need a gift for someone, maybe even something for yourself and you just can't think of anything that will be just right. Now you have a couple more items to choose from: Fonda Speedway and Utica-Rome Speedway are now offering their 2025 season pass packages. Available are season grandstand passes and season pit passes. Both tracks are offering the five-for-four incentive on pit passes. If you purchase four pit passes you get the fifth one for free. If you are interested in either the grandstand passes, pit passes, or a pit license. The necessary forms can be found on each track's website at www.thefondaspeedway.com. And www.uticaromespeedway.com.

Saturday, January 18, 2025 will be the annual Andy’s Speed Shop Seminar program. Featured Speakers include: Jay Castemore on Tire Prep, Dennis Palmatier from Integra Shocks by Race Prep, Bob Slack from Bicknell Racing Products Chassis, and Champion modified driver Peter Britten on What it Takes to Win. Guest Segments include: Dave Ely from Diversified Machine Inc., Terri Mohrman from the Teal Suit Safety Team, and Ryan Susice on Springs and Spring Smashing What You Need to Know: When: Saturday, January 18, 2025, Where: Varin Enterprises (212 Stoners Trail Road) Johnstown, N.Y. 12095. Times: (All Times Are Tentative, Please Plan Accordingly) 9:00 am.-12:00 pm.

Morning speakers, 12:00 pm.-12:30 pm. Lunch, 12:30 pm.-3:00 pm.

Afternoon speakers, Question & Answers session with ALL speakers to follow. Open house at Andy's Speed Shop following Q&A. All payments must be in by January 6th. Cost per person for the day is $100 with luncheon included and plenty of Give-a-Ways and Door prizes. To reserve your seat and get any additional information please call the speed shop at 518-762-1333.

Utica-Rome Speedway has started to leak out a few teasers about their 2025 racing season. Friday, April 11 will be an open practice for all divisions and Sunday, April 13 will begin the racing season with the annual "Honoring Alex" for the modified division headlining the program. Fonda Speedway is also scheduled to hold an open practice on Saturday, April 12 with their season opener on Saturday, April 19.

The membership of the Eastern Motorsports Press Association has just completed voting on the recipients of their 2024 awards.

The Hall of Fame inductees for this year include dirt modified driver Jimmy Horton III, Journalist Mark “Bones” Bourcier, dirt modified driver Alan Johnson, sprint car driver Sammy Swindell, NHRA Funny Car driver Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, and NASCAR Cup Series driver Steve Park. The Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Driver of the Year on Asphalt will go to Justin Bonsignore and the Richie Evans Driver of the Year on Dirt will go to Mat Williamson. The Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the year on Asphalt is NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson and the Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the Year on Dirt is World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion David Gravel. The 2024 John Blewett III-Young Gun Award will be presented to multi-talented dirt and pavement racer Corey Day. Earning the Chris Economaki Memorial Newsmaker of the Year Award is veteran sprint car and NASCAR Cup Series driver Dave Blaney. The Junie Donlavey Memorial Spirit of the Sport Award recipient is Ryan Flores.

The EMPA Promotional Effort of the Year recipient is Doug Rose, who currently operates the Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey. The World Racing Group has named BAPS Motor Speedway owner Scott Gobrecht as the recipient of the Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution to Sprint Car Racing Award. Elections also took place for the EMPA-Board of Directors and retaining their seats were were current EMPA Vice-President Karl Fredrickson and Secretary Carol Houssock.

During the formal awards dinner presentations in January the EMPA will recognize the Jim Hunter Memorial Writer of the Year and the Ace Lane Sr. Memorial Photographer of the Year, along with others whose talents are recognized in the EMPA Pocono Raceway Writers Contest and the Brice's NAPA Auto Parts Photo Contest.

The 31st. Annual New York State Indoor Kart Championship took place last Saturday & Sunday at the NYS Fairgrounds in Syracuse. A number of area drivers from various divisions were on hand to test and improve their skills during the cold December weather. In no particular order area drivers attending included Marc Johnson who won in the Pro Champ Animal Black division, Kirsten Swartz, Joey Williams who won in the Junior Clone Green division, Brexley Hartman, Brayden Stratton who won in the Junior Sportsman 206/champ 325 division, Derrick McGrew Jr., and Tim Hartman Jr.