The newest NYSSCA Hall of Fame members pose for a photo after the inductions on Sunday in Fonda at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. LtoR Billy Decker, Brian Bedell, seated Margaret Bedell, Jay Castimore, Jim “Rocky” Rothwell and NYSSCA President, Rick Hodge holding Steve Paine plaque. Biittig photo
By Ed & Betty Biittig
Sunday May 4th the New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) held their 2024 Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for six people at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant in Fonda. The class of 2024 inducted on Sunday were three people who have filled many different roles in racing over the years, Brian and Margaret Bedell, Jay Castimore, drivers Billy Decker, Steve Paine and Jim “Rocky” Rothwell.
MC of the event, Dan Martin first introduced NYSSCA President, Rick Hodge who welcomed those in attendance. Dan Martin then began the program and thanked all the sponsors of the Hall of Fame for their support; Meltz Lumber Co., Driven Design and Embroidery, Ghent Wood Products, Hico Fabrications, Race Printing and Package Center and the Winner’s Circle.
Margaret Ann Bedell began attending Lebanon Valley races with her parents in 1957, growing her involvement in racing over time with fan clubs, scoring, writing and in NYSSCA, yearbook writer, and Hall of Fame sponsor through Boomer’s Performance.
Brian Bedell became involved in racing young and has been continuously sponsoring for many years including his NYSSCA involvement as an officer and sponsor of the Hall of Fame along with his sister, Margaret.
Jim “Rocky” Rothwell began his racing career driving for Skip Seymour in a Late Model and recorded his first victory at Five Mile Point during his inaugural year of racing. His 46-year career shows wins in Late Models, 320 Mods, and Sportsman. Rocky is still active in racing.
Jay Castimore is known in many dirt racing circles as the “tire man,” but he has many other roles beyond his expertise with tires. Jay has worked with numerous drivers and teams during his years in racing and is always quick to acknowledge the contributions of everyone on the team and says he values seeing the team's enjoyment when they win, noting "that's why I do it."
Billy Decker, known as the “Franklin Flyer,”went to Fonda to compete in the 320-Mod division, with Jack Johnson serving as his mentor. Billy eventually progressed to big block Modifieds and became a renowned competitor on the DIRT circuit. Currently, he continues to race actively and has accumulated 312 feature wins (279 big block and 33 small block victories).
The sixth member, Steve Paine did not attend the event.
Friday, we returned to Albany-Saratoga for our only racing of the weekend. The first event was the rescheduled Modified race rained out from the week before.
Koby Schroder of Staatsburg NY was thrilled with his first victory at the track in the rescheduled Mod event and praised the track conditions and effort put in by the track crew. Koby has eight wins at Lebanon Valley where he races on Saturday nights.
Demetrios Drellos of Queensbury won the second Mod feature over Jeremy Pitts who had led much of the event prior to the final laps. Pitts came to victory lane to congratulate Drellos and said the incident near the end of the event where Drellos took the lead, was “just racing” and that it could’ve gone either way.
Another first-time winner on Friday was Bodie Marks of Scotia who took the win in the Limited Sportsman division. Marks moved up from Slingshot this season.
The Sportsman winner was another first timer, Donovan Lussier of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec making the trip down to Albany-Saratoga while waiting for the tracks at home to open for the season.
Other winners were Pro Stocks, Pete Stefanski; Street Stocks, P. J. Cram and the Four Cylinder winners were Josh Ramsey, dual cam and Ben Ladd, single cam.
Rain at Utica-Rome forced a delay but management was able to complete the show. Winners were Alex Yankowski, Modifieds; Payton Talbot, 602 Sportsman; Devon Camenga, Pro Stocks; Jacob Kimball, Four Cylinders, dual cam, Wayne Russell, Jr., single cam; Brayden Ketchum, All Star Slingshots and Blake Banek, Junior Slingshots.
Until next week please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com
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