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TRACKS: Fonda Speedway Racing Action

26 September 2000

FONDA - It was a pleasant Sunday afternoon drive for Fonda Speedway 358-modified champion Mike Romano.

The Johnstown speedster led green-to-checkers to capture Sunday afternoon's 30-lap, $1,500-to-win special small block modifed event at Fonda Speedway.

Also picking up victories Sunday were Dave Mammise in the 25-lap $300-to-win open street stock event while Carol Parker won the 8-lap Powder Puff event.

Mike Thiessen took a bite out of the field as he captured the rollover event with his shark-like appearing car labeled "Ain't No Moby Dick."

By virtue of their heat race victories, Romano and Craig Criscone brought the 30-car field to the green.

With one lap in the books, a five-car jingle in the fourth turn put the field under the first of seven cautions. David Towns and Dave Sargent were unable to return to the racing action.

A second multi-car accident between turns three and four on the restart put the field back under yellow.

Romano got the jump on the field and quickly distanced himself from the field and by the ninth lap began lapping the backmarkers.

Criscone was running a steady race in second holding off the challenges of Alton Palmer and Tony Pepicelli.

The third caution of the day flew when the engine let go in Jack Gentile's mount on lap 16.

The caution flew on two consecutive restart attempts for spins by cars in the middle of the pack.

With a clear track in front of him, Romano was able to pull away from Criscone and opened up a straightaway lead before the caution flew again for the stopped car of Ancel Collins on the front straightaway.

Hector Stratton made a big move on the lap27 restart to move past the cars of J.R. Heffner and Mike Fusco and into the fifth running spot.

But Romano overpowered the field again on the restart and went on the cruise to his fourth small-block and seventh overall victory at Fonda Speedway this year.

"We've had a good year with this small block series," Romano said in victory square. "I'd like to thank Ric (Lucia, speedway promoter) for putting the series together. I hope we can hold our own at the McDonald's Weekend here."

Criscone crossed under the checkers second and to claim Fonda's second Syracuse guaranteed starters spot for the 358-modified race during Super DIRT Week, Saturday, October 7. Romano secured a spot earlier this season.

Palmer held off Pepicelli for third while Stratton was fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Fusco, Heffner, Tim Clemons, Bob Vedder and Ron Proctor.

The 25-lap street stock feature came down to a two lap shoot out as caution flew on lap 23.

Fonda regular Dave Bayes made a charge at Mammise, who had led every lap, but was unable to get to the front giving Mammise the $300. Victory.

Bayes crossed the line second followed by Joe Mottoshiski, Pete Wiegana and Fonda track champion Dave Horning Jr. Rob VanAernam, Jim Olson, Carol Parker, Ryan Crellin and randy Cannell made up the second five.

Parker came back from her eighth place finish in the street stock event to easily handle the competition in the powder puff race. Kelly Keith followed Parker across the line while Ann Milewski, Catherine Dockerty, Amy Welch, Gabriella Benenstool, Terry Mohrman, Laura Fallis and Rachael Oldick rounded out the field.

Picking up qualifying race victories for the modifieds were Romano, Criscone, Palmer and Heffner. Bayes, Mammise and Mottoshiski won the street stock qualifiers. Bob Vedder and Jerry Pennock, Jr. won the modified consis and Jeff Pastorella and Dave Horning Jr. won the street stock consolation events.

The "Track of Champions" will take a two week break before returning for the season finale "River Rage" 2000 on Oct. 14, and 15.

The 358 modifieds will run Saturday along with the sportsman, open pro stock and open street stock divisions as well as the popular I.M.C.A.s.

Sunday the big block modifieds take to the half mile clay for the annual McDonald's National 200.

Fonda Speedway Results

Sunday, September 24, 2000

358-modified (30-laps) - 1. MIKE ROMANO; 2. Craig Criscone; 3. Alton Palmer; 4. Tony Pepicelli; 5. Hector Stratton; 6. Mike Fusco; 7. J. R. Heffner; 8. Tim Clemons; 9. Bob Vedder; 10. Ron Proctor; 11. Ronnie Holmes; 12. Rick Mill; 13. Paul Luskin; 14. Matt DeLorenzo; 15. John Kollar; 16. Scott Kurtzner; 17. Drew Fallis; 18. Todd Morey; 19. John Alberti; 20. Wes Powell; 21. Arnie Stygles; 22. Ancel Collins; 23. Ray Zemken; 24. Jack Gentile; 25. Kenny Aanonsen; 26. Frankie Caprara; 27. Brian Borst; 28. Jerry Pennock Jr.; 29. David Towns; 30. Dave Sargent.

Street Stock Open (25-laps) - 1. DAVE MAMMISE; 2. Dave Bayes; 3. Joe Mottoshiski; 4. Pete Wiegana; 5. Dave Horning, Jr.; 6. Rob VanAernam; 7. Jim Olson; 8. Carol Parker; 9. Ryan Crellin; 10. Randy Cannell; 11. Dave Horning, Sr.; 12. Don Warner; 13. Mark Saglinbeni; 14. Jeff Pastorella; 15. Scott Wells; 16. Rick Harking; 17. Dave Hewitt; 18. Bob Palmer; 19. Paul Chichester; 20. Bob VanAernam; 21. Wally Engel; 22. Ray Hall; 23. John Babcock; 24. Keith Ackerknecht; 25. Bobby Newman; 26. Dan Rickerd.

Powder Puff (8 laps) - 1. CAROL PARKER; 2. Kelly Keith; 3. Ann Milewski; 4. Catherine Dockerty; 5. Amy Welch; 6. Gabriella Benenstool; 7. Terry Mohrman; 8. Laura Fallis; 9. Rachael Oldick.

Rollover contest - 1. MIKE THIESSEN; 2. Gary Cuthertson; 3. Joe Zinkkan.