All About Racing

Camron Hotaling of Schoharie celebrates his second win of his first season of racing at Fonda Speedway on Saturday. Biittig photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

First and foremost, we begin this writing with an update on Stewart Friesen’s condition after he was involved in a multi-car accident at Autodrome Drummond in Quebec, Canada on Monday night. Stewart suffered multiple injuries including multiple breaks in his pelvis and a fractured right leg. The latest update just prior to this writing indicated he is still in serious but stable condition at a hospital in Quebec. He will be transferred to a hospital in New York on Wednesday where he will undergo multiple surgeries. His wife Jessica continued by thanking the racing community for the outpouring of support as they continue to work through the next steps in his recovery.

To win you only need to lead one lap, the final lap and that’s what Ronnie Johnson of Duanesburg did on Friday at Albany-Saratoga Speedway. The big block Modified win was Johnson’s first this season, his last big block win came on July 14, 2023.

Other winners on Friday were Tim Hartman, Jr. (Sportsman), Rich Crane (Pro Stock), Bodie Marks (Limited Sportsman), Andrew Firzgerald (Street Stock), and Adam Montville, (Four Cylinder).

On Saturday night at Fonda Speedway the Pro Stocks were in the spotlight as the 20th annual Hondo Classic a memorial event to honor popular driver, Hondo Carpenter and the fourth annual Bobco Memorial Dash, honoring videographer, Bob James took center stage. There was big money on the line in both events due to sponsorship from dedicated sponsors. Organizers were Kelly and Kaitlyn Keefe who have spearheaded the Hondo Classis since its inception and Mark “Krash Mender” Krosky the driving force behind the Bobco Memorial Dash.

Winner of the 20th annual Hondo Classic was Luke Horning, his third Hondo Classic win, followed by Beau Ballard and Andy Graves to complete the top three. The winner of the Bobco Dash was Ivan Joslin.

Other winners at Fonda were Rocky Warner (358-Mod), Tyler Peet (Sportsman), Camron Hotaling (Limited Sportsman), Jay Ingersoll (Four Cylinder-dual), Wayne Russell, Jr. (single cam).

For Camron Hotaling of Schoharie the win was his second Limited Sportsman win this season at Fonda, his first full year in open wheel racing. Previously, a go-kart racer at Dodge City since age five, he aimed for a top ten finish each week but has exceeded expectations. He was named Hot Lap Hero for his division during the July 2 STSS event and led 15 laps of the main event before tire trouble. With his second win he now sits third in points with three more weeks remaining in the point season at Fonda.

Hotaling gets support from his crew Jimmy Burns, Brandon Gibbons, and his father Dale, with sponsorship on the car from his dad’s business, Home Magic. Camron also works as a heavy equipment operator at Amtrak to help fund his racing.

At Lebanon Valley on Saturday, Chris Curtis won the big block Mod, Andy Bachetti won the 358-Mod. Other winners were Tommy Dean (Pro Stock), Tim Hartman, Jr. (Sportsman), Ray Royals (Limited Sportsman), Dave Streibel (Street Stocks).

Looking Ahead:

This Friday, August 1, at Albany-Saratoga it’s Native Pride Night, $3000 to win for Modifieds, $2000 to win for 358-Mods Shootout, $500 to win Limited Sportsman, plus all other divisions.

Saturday, August 2, at Fonda the RUSH Late Models will make their second appearance plus the remainder of the Bill Ag Elimination event rained out on June 28 will be completed, plus all other divisions in action.

Saturday at Lebanon Valley, no racing, Monster Trucks on schedule both Friday and Saturday, August 1 & 2.

This Sunday at Glen Ridge the Sportsman Super DIRTcar Series will headline the action, CDRA Points race and all weekly divisions.

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