All About Racing

Beau Ballard celebrates his win in the Thunder on the Thruway Series, Pro Stock event on Wednesday at Fonda. Biittig photo

Tim Deffer of Delanson celebrates with his family after winning the Limited Sportsman main event at Lebanon Valley on Saturday. Internet photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

All the Capital District tracks were back in action this past weekend.

Fonda started their weekend early last Wednesday with a rescheduled Thunder on the Thruway Series event and repeated on Saturday with a second Thunder on the Thruway Series event. Wednesday’s Modified race was won by Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, Sportsman event winner was Chad Edwards of Gloversville, and the Pro Stock portion saw Beau Ballard of Stamford on Checkerboard Square at the Track of Champions.

For Saturday’s event Rocky Warner of Gloversville drew the number one starting spot for the 30-lap Modified feature and jumped out to the lead until the final laps when a caution and subsequent restart put Stewart Friesen on his tail. Warner pulled out in front for the final laps and stayed ahead of the hard charging Friesen to take the win, his first since 6/10/23 and needless to say he was happy.

Other winners on Saturday were Tyler Peet (Sportsman), Rocco Constantino (Limited Sportsman), Kerrie Hollenback (DOHC) and Ken Hollenback (SOHC) in the Four Cylinder division. Kenny Gates took the Pro Stock feature celebrating his 100th win in the division at the track, his first win coming on 7/12/1997.

The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS) was also in action on Kenny Shoemaker/Frank Trinkaus Memorial night two legends of Fonda from the 1950’s and 60’s. The night included extra money for the members of the MVVDMS, and winners were Mike Wheeler Antiques, Will Reed, Late Models, Harry Baldwin, Mystiques, Jack Miller, Modifieds, and Jipp Ortiz, Sportsman.

Albany-Saratoga continues to celebrate the 60th anniversary and winner of the Modified feature on Friday Don Ronca of Clifton Park is part of the tradition of the track starting with his father, Nick, who was working across the street when the speedway was being built sixty years ago and also raced at the track. At 66-years-old, Ronca has two championships to his credit at the Malta oval and 15 wins.

Other winners on Friday at the Great Race Place were Mike Mahaney (358 Mod Shoot Out event), Tim Hartman, Jr. (Sportsman), Pete Stefanski (Pro Stock), Dan O’Dell (Limited Sportsman), P.J. Cram Jr. (Street Stock) and Adam Montville (Four Cylinder) first single cam finisher was Kyle Lanfear.

At Lebanon Valley on Saturday Brett Haas claimed his first ever double, winning both the Modified and 358-Modified events. “It’s one of those bucket list childhood dreams” he said after the race. According to the Lebanon Valley statistician, Brian Bedell, only six guys have ever won both events on the same night.

Tim Deffer of Delanson also had a memorable night when he celebrated in victory lane with his family after winning the Limited Sportsman event at The Valley this past Saturday. Deffer says he races for fun when his schedule allows, and he decided to try the high banks of Lebanon Valley at the urging of family friend Lance Sharpe. The decision paid off on Saturday when his new Hig Fab chassis proved to be the right set up and he took the checkered flag in only his second time at track.

Other winners at Lebanon Valley were Nick Giardini (Sportsman), Chris Stalker (Pro Stock, 20th Annual Bubba Tanner event), Anthony King (Street Stock) and Jason Peck (Four Cylinder).

The Super DIRTcar 358-Modified Series moved into Glen Ridge on Sunday and Brian Calabrese of Johnstown bested all the invaders and series regulars to claim his first ever SDS win. Calabrese said, “this is a dream come true, these guys are no slouches.” Other winners at Glen Ridge on Sunday were Derrick McGrew, Jr., (Sportsman), Bodie Marks (Limited Sportsman), Steve Cosselman (Pro Stock), Shane Wetherington (Street Stock), Adam Montville (Mini Stock-dual cam, Daniel Joubert Mini Stock-single), Justin House (All Star Sling Shot), Preston Trautschold (Junior Slingshot)

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