All About Racing

Andy Graves of Middleburgh celebrates his first career win in his Yurkewecz Auto Crusher sponsored Pro Stock on Saturday at Fonda. Biittig photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

Cody Clark and Alex Yankowski each won a Modified feature at Fonda on Saturday night; Yankowski took the June 28 make-up race, while Clark earned his second win of the season in the Modified main event of the night. Points leader Jack Lehner overcame a flat tire in the second feature and came back to finish sixth. With only two nights left for the points, Lehner now sits second in points, tied with Bobby Hackel, IV. Yankowski is on top of the point standings by 12 points.

The annual Bill Ag Elimination race was also one of the makeup events on Saturday and Jack Lehner took on Ronnie Johnson for the final leg of the match race and was able to move ahead of RJ to win the championship.

Other winners at Fonda on Saturday included Tyler Bobar (Sportsman), Andy Graves (Pro Stocks), Mason Gray (Limited Sportsman), Jay Ingersoll (Four Cylinder, dual cam), and Tim Warner (Four Cylinder, dual cam).

Bobar, Graves, and Warner each celebrated their first victory at Fonda in Victory Lane on Checkerboard Square.

Andy Graves of Middleburgh celebrated his first Pro Stock win at Fonda after 22 years of racing, making his weekend even more memorable. He also took victory on Friday night in the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series at Utica Rome Speedway, driving his father Terry’s vintage Modified and beating Jack Miller. Graves’ win at Fonda was in the Bill and Cindy Yurkewecz owned Pro Stock and Graves thanked them several times in his victory lane interview. Graves’ racing career has encompassed several area tracks where he has recorded wins; Afton Raceway, Brookfield Speedway, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park and Utica Rome Speedway.

This Saturday, August 9, Doug’s Pool & Spa Sales & Service will present the third Thunder on the Thruway Series event of the 2025 for Modifieds ($4,000 to win), Sportsman ($1,500 to win), and Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win) along with all regular divisions. Doug’s Pool & Spa Sales & Service will also award bonuses in the Limited Sportsman division.

Albany Saratoga Speedway hosted Native Pride Night, featuring extra prize money for Modifieds, the 358 Shoot Out, Limited Sportsman, and other divisions. Peter Britten claimed his first Modified win of the 2025 season, while Mike Mahaney took the 358-Mod Shootout. Other winners included Derrick McGrew Jr. (Sportsman), Chris Stalker (Pro Stocks), Adam Tranka (Limited Sportsman), PJ Cram Jr. (Street Stock), Adam Montville (Four Cylinder, dual cam), and Ken Hollenbeck (Four Cylinder, single cam). This was Ken Hollenbeck's first win at the track this season; he and his brother, Kerrie usually competes at Fonda but are out testing the waters at different venues.

Glen Ridge hosted the Sportsman Super DIRTcar Series on Sunday and winner of the event was Gavin Eisele of Lafargeville. Other winners at Glen Ridge were Bodie Marks (Limited Sportsman), C.J. Castelletti, (358 Mods), Slater Baker (Pro Stocks), Adam Montville (Mini Stocks) Carson Hamlin (Junior Slingshots), James Hatch (All Star Slingshots), and Jordan Zakrzewski (500cc Mini Sprints).

As we close, we send our prayers for a speedy recovery to Stewart Friesen who was seriously injured in a racing accident in Canada last Monday. After initially being treated in a hospital in Canada, he was transferred to a hospital in New York this past week where he underwent surgery that went very well, and he is now resting and recovering.

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