By Ed & Betty Biittig
Saturday the Fonda Speedway Museum and Hall of Fame had scheduled their induction ceremony, rain or shine, and all went off as planned.
The seven new members were:
John Bacon worked as an inspector focusing on safety at Fonda in the late '70s.
Orville “Bud” Countryman held various positions over 30 years, including fourth turn flagger, track steward, and trophy presenter, always with a smile.
Les Kellerhouse was an early official who always wore his white uniform, parked cars, lined up heats, and served as chief steward, attending NASCAR meetings and training every February in Daytona.
Bob Lansing became a fan as a child, later involved in auto racing with several teams, eventually becoming a published photographer.
Mike Ketchum contributed to Fonda Speedway as a crew member, car owner, motor builder, and tech inspector. He formed Ketchum Brothers Racing, winning races and championships with driver Tim Clemons and car owner Tommy Spencer.
Paul Jensen competed at Fonda in Late Models and 320-Modifieds, earning several wins and the Late Model championship. He ranks sixth in all-time Late Model wins and fourth in 320-Mod wins at Fonda. Jensen gathered 135 wins across ten speedways during his career. Known for his innovation and gentlemanly demeanor, he helped anyone in need. In 2016, he was inducted into the New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA).
Walter “Pepper” Eastman was a well-known dirt racer in Western New York before coming to Fonda in the late fifties and although he never had a win at Fonda, he became popular in his blue and yellow No. 181 built by Ray and Ron Hedger. Sadly in 1965 Pepper Eastman became Fonda’s fourth fatality.
Fonda was able to get their show in the books and winners were: Stewart Friesen, Modifieds; Chad Edwards, 602 Sportsman; Shane Playford, Pro Stocks; Randy Cosselman, Limited Sportsman; Jay Ingersoll, Four Cylinder, dual cam and Ken Hollenbeck, single cam.
MVVDMS winners were: Doug Matthewson, Antiques; John Roese, Late Model; Joe Rando, Mystique; Jack Miller, Modifieds and Jipp Ortiz, Sportsman.
Local notables at Fonda on Saturday were Pro Stock, Beau Ballard, fourth; Ivan Joslin, seventh and Andy Graves, ninth. Limited Sportsman, Bobby Rhinehardt, eighth. Will Reed finished third in the MVVDMS Late Model division.
Glen Ridge completed all preliminary events and had two Slingshot features in the books before heavy rain came to cancel the show. The winners of the two features were Carson Hamlin, JR Slingshots and Lucas Cole, All-Star Slingshots.
The Super DIRTcar Series raced at Weedsport Speedway on Sunday and Stewart Friesen picked up the 100-lap Hero’s Remembered event. Also on the podium were Mike Mahaney and Mat Williamson.
The Short Track Super Series (STSS) Sportsman was at Brookfield Speedway on Monday and Butchie Irwin of Climax was the winner of the Sportsman feature. Other winners were Kenny Gates of West Winfield Pro Stock winner, Owen Mosso of Hastings won the 600 Modified event, Slingshot victors winners Sullivan Dickey (All Star) and Blake Banek (Junior) and the Four Cylinders event was won by Collin Mills (dual cam) and Hank Wedgren (single cam). Steven Hoke won the 50-lap Enduro.
Until next week here’s hoping that the weather will be on racing’s side this coming weekend. Please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com.
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