Auto Racing News

The Monkees, custom 1966 Pontiac GTO is one of many Pontiac-Muscle Cars currently on display at the Saratoga Automobile Museum.

By Tom Coughlin

The Adirondack Motor Enthusiast Club will hold its Racers Reunion on Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Cowboy Up Event Center, 230 Stevers Mills Road in Broadalbin. Reservations should be made by Dec. 1. This free night will be filled with reminiscing, storytelling, and food. The club turns 72 in 2026, and currently, 110 people have signed up to attend. Those interested should contact Dave Burnham at racing48@nycap.rr.com.

Royal Mountain Ski Area at 3072 Route 10 in Caroga Lake will host the 2025-2026 Renegade Racing Snowmobile Racing Series on Saturday, Dec. 13. The Snow Drag series will also be held at Royal Mountain on Jan. 24 and March 7. Sign-up will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., with test passes at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. Divisions are available for various age and skill levels.

Fonda Speedway season passes are available for the holidays. Passes are valid for the Jan. 1 Enduro and all stock car racing events, including the Fonda 200 weekend, but excluding Fair events or the Monster Truck show. The track is offering a "Five for Four" special for pit passes in 2026; purchasing four results in a fifth for free, a savings of $650. Grandstand season passes are available for $300, or $280 for seniors. Applications are available at www.thefondaspeedway.com. Registration is also open for the 50-lap, $500-to-win "Chill Factor" Enduro on Jan. 1, 2026.

The North East Racing Products Trade Show/Auction/Swap Meet will take place Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21-22, in the Exposition Center at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Friday hours are 1 to 8 p.m., and Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the auction at approximately 2 p.m. Additionally, the 32nd annual Indoor Karting Championship will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7, in the Center of Progress building at the Fairgrounds.

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, is the date for the Utica-Rome Speedway 2025 awards banquet at the Haven in Chittenango. More information will be released soon.

With the Saratoga Automobile Museum hosting the Pontiac exhibit, visitors can learn about John Z. DeLorean, Pontiac’s chief engineer who was influential in the development of the GTO. The museum is now on its winter schedule, open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The 2026 Andy’s Speed Shop Racing Seminar is approaching. Friday, Jan. 9, will feature a presentation on Advanced Tire Preparation with Jay Castimore. Saturday, Jan. 10, will include presentations by Super DIRTcar Series champion Matt Sheppard, Randy Williamson of Bicknell Racing Products, tire specialist Jay Castimore, and shock absorber specialist Mike Walton. The seminar will be held at Varin Enterprises/Supply Wagon Rentals, 212 Stoner Trail Road in Johnstown. Friday's program runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with a fee of $50. Saturday runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for $100, including lunch. A two-day package is available for $125. To reserve a spot, call 518-762-1333 or email andysspeedshop97@gmail.com.

The inaugural class of the Vermont Motorsports Hall of Fame will be inducted on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Vermont Sports Car facility in Milton, Vermont. Doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. and awards at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at www.vermontmotorsports.net/halloffame.

The Empire Super Sprints celebrated their 42nd year at their awards banquet at Vernon Downs Raceway in Verona on Saturday. Jordan "The Canadian Cannon" Poirier was crowned the 2025 E.S.S. champion for the fourth consecutive year. Dylan Swiernik finished second and Davie Franek third.

On Friday night, Super Late Models competed in the Peach State Classic at Senoia Raceway in Georgia. Jonathan Davenport earned the win in the 50-lap, $20,000 feature. Tim McCreadie of Watertown finished second and Devin Moran third. On Saturday night, in the 75-lap feature paying $30,000 to win, Davenport claimed the checkered flag again, finishing ahead of Ryan Gustin and Hudson O'Neal.