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THE MOST ANTICIPATED EVENT OF THE 2019 SEASON AT FONDA STARTS ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – Just after Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media took over the reins of the “Track of Champions� Fonda Speedway about one year ago, he announced that the “Fonda 200� would make a return to Fonda after a 17 year absence. It was one of if not the most talked about subjects all year and now the time is here for the biggest event of the 2019 season at the “Track of Champions�.

A complete schedule of events for the Fonda 200 weekend follows at the end of this release along with a list of past winners of the prestigious event.

After a 17-year absence, an auto race built on tradition returns this weekend at the legendary “Track of Champions� Fonda Speedway. A new chapter will be written in the legacy that is the “Fonda 200� Thursday-Saturday Sept. 26-28.

The historic return of the “Fonda 200� is a race competitors and fans have earmarked on their calendars since the announcement last fall.

While the Sunoco Modifieds are the headline, a full plate of racing will be offered to include the Patriot Sprint Tour 360 Sprint Cars, Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, Algonkin Motel Pro Stocks, Trackside Body Works Street Stocks and Four Cylinder Cruisers.

This weekend, $53,000 awaits the winner of the 200-lap Sunoco Modified event that headlines the three-day racing festival. This is the single richest event in the history of Fonda Speedway with an A-Main purse structure of $125,675 minimum.

The list of past winners includes pioneers, legends and Hall of Fame drivers who have been able to conquer the “Track of Champions� for 200 laps.

Brett Hearn has enjoyed more success than any other driver in the 200 with four victories including the most recent edition in 2002. It is quite possible that Hearn will be the only past winner in the field this weekend.

Many new names would like nothing more than to put their name on the win list for the 200.

Below are the names of drivers who have officially entered the event as of the time this press release was written. In parenthesis are some statistics of the drivers who have had past success at the “Track of Champions� Fonda Speedway with wins and championships.

Brett Hearn – (Fonda 200 winner in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002; 26 Modified wins; 7 358-Modified wins)

Danny Varin – (10 Modified wins, 1 Open Sportsman win, 4 CRSA Sprint wins, 3 ESS Sprint wins)

Jessica Friesen – (1 360 Sprint win, 1 ESS Sprint win)

Bobby Varin – (Modified Track Champion 2000, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2018; 65 Modified wins; 1 358-Modified win)

Rocky Warner – (Modified Track Champion 2019; Crate 602 Sportsman Track Champion 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017; Pro Stock Track Champion 2011; Street Stock Co-Champion in 2005, Champion in 2007; 6 Modified wins; 25 Crate 602 Sportsman wins; 12 Pro Stock wins; 25 Street Stock wins)

Matt DeLorenzo – (Modified Track Champion 2007; 358-Modified Track Champion 2004, 2006; 37 Modified wins; 2 358-Modified wins; 1 Open Sportsman win)

Demetrios Drellos – (1 Modified win)

Matt Sheppard – (4 Modified wins)

Stewart Friesen – (Modified Track Champion 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015; 59 Modified wins; 1 358-Modified win; 1 360 Sprint win; 1 Patriot Sprint win; 1 ESS Sprint win)

Mike Mahaney – (3 Modified wins)

Billy Decker – (3 Modified wins)
Tim Fuller – (Modified Track Champion 2017, 3 Modified wins)

Dave Constantino – (Crate 602 Sportsman Track Champion 2013, 1 Modified win, 10 Open Sportsman wins, 17 Crate 602 Sportsman wins)

Danny Johnson – (11 Modified wins)

Brian Pessolano – (4 Crate 602 Sportsman wins)

Craig Hanson – (7 Modified wins)

Pep Corradi – (1 Modified win)

Josh Hohenforst – (3 Modified wins, 1 Open Sportsman win)

Steve Akers – (2 Open Sportsman wins)

Other entrants include Roger Henion Jr, Allison Ricci, Mike Gular, Andy Bachetti, Anthony Perrego, Alex Yankowski, Brian Gleason, Scott Huber, Aaron Jacobs, Alex Tonkin, Matt Hitchcock, Dylan Scribner, Michael McClinton, Korey Wilder, David Schilling, and Brett Tonkin.

Special Awards and other activities for the weekend event:

The winning trophy for the “Fonda 200� was created by Tonkin Fabrications LLC

Bob Hilbert Sportswear will present the winner of the Fonda 200 a one of a kind custom jacket and will also sponsor a “Hard Luck Award� consisting of a team wear t-shirt package worth $300!

The Rockin’ Country band Tomkins Drive will be performing at the Entertainment Building on Friday evening at the completion of the racing activities.

The Orange County Fair Speedway will present a “Hard Charger Award� of $500 to the driver gaining the most positions in the “Fonda 200�.

A brand new Teo Pro Car will be given away on Saturday in a drawing with drivers from the Fonda Speedway with perfect attendance during the 2019 season all eligible to win the prize.

There will be a “Helmet Drive� on Saturday with the proceeds to benefit Bobco Racing Video’s own Bob James (Bobco) who has had some health issues recently.

Fonda 200 Weekend Schedule of Events: Thursday-Saturday Sept. 26-28, 2019

Thursday, September 26
8 a.m. – Camper Staging Begins
9 a.m. – Camper Parking Begins (coordinated by Fonda Speedway staff)
2 p.m. – Pit Gates Open
6 p.m. – Drivers’ Meeting
6:30 p.m. – Open Practice (rotating by division)
Algonkin Motel Pro Stock
Sunoco Modified
Swagger Factory Apparel Sportsman
Trackside Body Works Street Stock
Four Cylinder
Patriot Sprint Tour 360 Sprints
9 p.m. – Open Practice & Camper Parking End

Friday, September 27
9 a.m.-7 p.m. – Camper Parking
3 p.m. – Gates Open
5:15 p.m. – Mandatory Drivers Meeting & Sunoco Modified Qualifying Race Draw
5:45 p.m. – Patriot Sprint Tour Engine Heat followed by Hot Laps
Algonkin Motel Pro Stock
Patriot Sprint Tour 360 Sprint Car
Sunoco Modified
Trackside Body Work Street Stocks
Four Cylinder Cruisers
6:55 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies & National Anthem
7 p.m. – Racing
Patriot Sprint Tour 360 Sprint Car Make-Up Feature from May 25 (25 laps)
Trackside Body Works Street Stock Heats (6 laps, with more than 15 cars)
Algonkin Motel Pro Stock Heats (8 laps)
TRACK PREP (IF NEEDED)
Sunoco Modified Qualifier No. 1 (15 laps)
Patriot Sprint Tour 360 Sprint Car Heats (8 laps)
Sunoco Modified Qualifier No. 2 (15 laps)
Four Cylinder Cruiser Feature (12 laps)
Trackside Body Works Street Stock Feature (15 laps, $500 to win presented by Roberts Towing & Recovery)
Patriot Sprint Tour 360 Sprint Car Dash
Patriot Sprint Tour 360 Sprint Car B-Main, if needed
Sunoco Modified Qualifier No. 3
Algonkin Motel Pro Stock Feature (20 laps)
Sunoco Modified Qualifiers No. 4 & 5 (15 laps, if needed)
Patriot Sprint Tour 360 Sprint Car Feature (25 laps)
10-10:30 p.m. – Tompkins Drive Band LIVE at Entertainment Building

Saturday, September 28
1 p.m. – Gates Open
5 p.m. – Hot Laps
Crate 602 Sportsman
Sunoco Modified
5:50 p.m. – Welcome
6 p.m. – Racing
Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman Heats (8 laps)
Sunoco Modified B-Mains (15 laps)
Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman Consolations (8 laps)
BRIEF BREAK – TRACK PREP
Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman Feature (25 laps, $1,500 to win)
FONDA 200 DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
CANADIAN & AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEMS
DRIVERS, START YOUR ENGINES
Sunoco Modified ‘Fonda 200’ (200 laps – $53,000 to win!)

Since 1953, the ‘Track of Champions’ Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. Now under the management of BD Motorsports Media LLC, the speedway will operate weekly on Saturday nights from April through August plus several special events. Fonda Speedway is located on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds off New York State Thruway Exit No. 28 at 21 S. Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068.

Fonda Speedway is on the web at www.thefondaspeedway.com. To learn more, call the office at 518.915.4395, like Fonda Speedway on Facebook www.facebook.com/thefondaspdwy or follow on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy.

Fonda 200 History of Winners
1955: Junior Johnson (NASCAR Grand National)
1963: Steve Danish
1964: Bill Wimble
1966: David Pearson (NASCAR Grand National)
1967: Richard Petty (NASCAR Grand National)
1968: Richard Petty (NASCAR Grand National)
1969: Lou Lazzaro
1970: Harry Peek
1983: Charlie Rudolph
1984: Jimmy Horton
1985: Charlie Rudolph
1986: Jack Johnson
1987: Kenny Brightbill
1988: Jack Johnson
1989: Mike Romano
1990: Doug Hoffman
1991: Doug Hoffman
1992: Bob McCreadie
1993: Bob McCreadie
1994: Jimmy Horton
1995: Brett Hearn
1997: Brett Hearn
1998: Brett Hearn
1999: Steve Paine
2000: Kenny Tremont
2001: Doug Hoffman
2002: Brett Hearn
2019: ???

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