All About Racing

Hall of Fame racer Bob Vedder of Schoharie greeted fans at the Fonda Speedway Museum Saturday during a signing for his book “Thoughts to Live By.” Biittig photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

Ronnie Johnsons was the winner of the Thunder on the Thruway Modified main event at Fonda on Saturday giving him three wins this season bringing his total at Fonda to 35 career wins. Other winners include Chad Edwards (Sportsman), Ivan Joslin (Pro Stocks), Corky Warner (Limited Sportsman), Jay Ingersoll (Four Cylinder, dual cam) and Wayne Russell, Jr., (Four Cylinder, single cam).

With just one Saturday night remaining before the Fonda championship, defending Modified track champion Alex Yankowski holds an 18-point lead over Bobby Hackel IV, followed by Jack Lehner (-22) and Ronnie Johnson (-38). The final points race takes place this Saturday to determine the champions.

In the Sportsman division, Chad Edwards leads Tyler Peet by 37 points. Beau Ballard is ahead of Ivan Joslin by 24 points in Pro Stocks. Corky Warner maintains a 71-point advantage over Mason Gray in Limited Sportsman, while Jay Ingersoll leads Wayne Russell Jr. by 62 points in Four Cylinder competition.

For Corky Warner, Saturday night was special because it was his birthday and then he made it even more special by winning the Limited Sportsman feature, from the rear, in a borrowed car, after losing a wheel on his own No. 797 during his qualifying event.

Before the race at Fonda, we stopped by the Fonda Museum for a book signing with former competitor and Hall of Fame member Bob Vedder. Since retiring, Vedder has published a book of inspirational quotes, which he now promotes at local events.

Jessey Mueller was the winner of the Modified main event at Albany-Saratoga on Friday by holding off Felix Roy of Canada to record his first win of the season.

Other winners were Scott Bennett, Jr. (Sportsman), Dan Sequin, (Limited Sportsman), Sloan Cherko, (makeup Limited Sportsman), Kim Duell, (Pro Stock), Dan Madigan, (Street Stocks) and Jordan Zakrzewski, (500cc Mini Sprints).

Winners at Glen Ridge on Sunday were, Andrew Buff (makeup 358 Modifieds), Adam Montville (makeup Mini Stock feature, dual cam & Daniel Joubert, single cam), Alex Cosselman (Junior Slingshots), Brayden Ketchum (All Star Slingshots), Chip Constantino (358 Modifieds), Luke Horning (Pro Stock), Taylor Watson (Sportsman), Bodie Marks (Limited Sportsman), Adam Montville (Four Cylinder, dual & William Liberatore, single cam), Ron Tollner (Crown Vic)

August marks the start of special events and travel for the Super DIRTcar Series (SDS). SummerFast runs from Sunday, August 17 at Weedsport, followed by Brewerton on Monday, August 18, Land of Legends on Tuesday, August 19, and Fulton on Wednesday, August 20. All events are available on DirtVision. The series concludes August 28 with Mr. Dirt Track USA at Lebanon Valley.

The Short Track Super Series (STSS) hosts events on August 21 at New Egypt Speedway, NJ, and August 31 at Afton Motorsport Park, NY.

In closing we send thoughts and prayers to Stewart Friesen who is now recovering at home and Fonda Hall of Famer, John Kollar who was injured in a highway accident in July and is currently in the hospital.

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