All About Racing

Michael McCallion of Sharon Springs poses next to his new Sportsman division racer on Friday at Fonda. Biittig photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

This year’s favorable weather conditions have provided excellent racing, benefitting the end-of-season extended distance and high-paying events.

Fonda Speedway concluded its 2025 season with the Montgomery County Open, a two-day event featuring the 358-Modifieds on Friday and the Modifieds and Sportsman of the Short Track Super Series (STSS) on Saturday, with races added to both days.

On Friday, Rocky Warner of Gloversville picked up the victory in the 50-lap 358 Modified race after trailing Matt Stangle for much of the competition. Stangle lost control after encountering a rut in turn four, allowing Warner to take the lead in the closing laps. Additional winners included Mason Gray in Limited Sportsman; Jay Ingersoll (dual cam) and Stephen Burka (single cam) in the Four Cylinders; and Jason Samrov in the Online Performance/Stone Motorsports Street Stocks division.

Saturday’s program saw Matt Sheppard of Savannah, NY take an early lead on lap three of the 50-lap STSS North Region Modified event, maintaining his advantage until a caution was called on lap 43 due to a reported torsion bar failure on Danny Varin’s No. 93, resulting in Varin landing on his roof in turn three. Varin was fortunately uninjured. When the race resumed Sheppard continued to dominate, claiming his second win of the season at Fonda Speedway and tenth overall in his career. Jack Lehner placed second and Bobby Hackel III finished third.

Other Saturday winners included Tyler Peet of Lake Ariel, PA in the STSS Sportsman, joined on the podium by Camron Hotaling and Bobby Hackel III. Ivan Joslin won Pro Stocks, while Justin Guyle (dual cam) and Stephen Burka (single cam) prevailed in the Four Cylinders division.

Michael McCallion of Sharon Springs returned to competition at Fonda this past weekend and expressed satisfaction with the performance of his new car. He recorded the second fastest lap during Friday practice and achieved a top ten finish in Saturday’s Sportsman event. After sustaining a season-ending crash last year, Michael had not competed until this past weekend.

Utica-Rome Speedway also hosted a two-day event; Friday’s Victoria 50 was won by Erick Rudolph of Ramsonville, NY. A.J. Walters claimed the Jim Normoyle Memorial for Pro Stocks, while Chuck Lowe won the Limited Sportsman race.

On Saturday, Alex Yankowski of Covington Township, PA won the New Yorker 50. The New York 25 for Sportsman was won by Payton Talbot of South New Berlin, and the Street Stock event was won by Casey Cunningham of Georgetown, NY.

Andy Graves of Middleburgh was the winner in the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modifieds Series, Modified division, with Joe Rando taking victory in Mystiques and Frank Hoard Jr. winning the Late Model event.

The racing community experienced the loss of four members over the past week. Guy Madsen, sponsor and car owner, was also the grandfather of current Sportsman driver Dylan Madsen. Ray Hedger served as a car owner, fabricator, and crew chief, and was the brother of Ron Hedger, long-time racing columnist. Janice Faulkner, mother of former driver, Ray Zemken, grandmother of Jessica Friesen, was a Fonda Speedway fan who supported Jessica throughout her racing career. June Keyser, mother of Carole Palmer, co-founded the Fonda Speedway Kid’s Club with her late husband, Ed, and they operated it for many years; the Keyser family also managed the infield concession stand. Condolences are extended to the families and friends of these individuals.

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