Tracks: Lazzaro Memorial event packs the house at Fonda
7 May 2000
Modified Checkers to GanoMay 6, 2000, Fonda, NY- The checkered flag flew on the 29th lap of the modified feature, before a packed house, at Fonda on Saturday night and Seth Gano of Davenport, NY was the winner of the emotion packed Lazzaro tribute race.
While the song "We are the Champions" by Queen boomed over the loud speakers the Lazzaro No. 4 symbolically completed the 30th lap of the modified feature and then made it's way to checkerboard square where the No. 4 was retired at Fonda Speedway in the modified division.
The entire night at Fonda Speedway was full of emotional tributes by the fans, drivers, and friends that knew and loved "The Monk" Lou Lazzaro. A section of Checkerboard Square was emblazoned with the No. 4 on a background of maroon and white. Banners hung all over the grandstands and the No. 4 stickers were placed on all the cars. Long time Montgomery County Fairboard Secretary, Jake Sammons said, "Lazzaro packed the house one last time, tonight."
The night began with a memorial service led by Pastor Wells on Checkerboard Square. "Lou Lazzaro was my hero since I was ten year old," said Promoter Ric Lucia in his thank you to the Lazzaro family for the many years that they shared their father with the racing community.
The drivers also took their helmets to the stands and collected over $4300 to help defray the medical costs and funeral expenses incurred by the family.
Other winners on Saturday were Jeff Holt in sportsman, Chris Morris, pro-stocks, Steve Bidwell, IMCA. Andrew Snider and Steve Vrooman were the street stock winners and Brian Dumigan picked up the checker in ELS sprint action.
In modified action Seth Gano and Brian Purdy led the field to the green. Gano grabbed the lead on the first lap. Only two cautions slowed the action, the first for a three car tangle in turn two involving Bob Sitterly, Ken Hanson and Dave Sargent.
Gano still held the lead on the restart and pulled away from second place runner, Purdy. By the halfway point Tim Clemons was in the hunt in the 2nd place position. Clemons would remain there.
The final caution came when Harry Shaffer pulled his No. 1H to the pits after a stop on the backstretch. This closed up the field and gave Clemons and Mike Romano,now 3rd , their shot at the lead. Gano held them off and went on to record his second win at the track.
Modified heat winners were Jerry Pennock, Jr. Tim Clemons, Harry Shaffer, II, and Bob Vedder. Consolation wins went to Ronnie Holmes and Frank Hoard, Sr.
The sportsman action began with Ray Zemken in the lead at the green. Zemken held the lead until lap nine when the caution flew for Ryan Odasz and Bob Hackel who nudged each other first in turn two and then in turn four with the end result being a spinning Bobby Hackel.
Jeff Holt came across the line inches ahead of Zemken on the restart. They raced for two laps side by side until Holt was finally able to pull away from Zemken.
Holt went on for the win followed by Mike Fraiser who got by Zemken on the final lap. Zemken, Fallis and Perry completed the top five.
Sportsman qualifying wins went to Ray Zemken, Frank Hoard, Jr. and Nick Nichols in the heats with the consi win to Mike Ballestero.
The pro stocks gave the fans their usual side by side racing action right from the start. Mark Sullivan and Tom Denton crossed the line at the start side by side. Eventual winner, Chris Morris, Rob Noviczski, Chuck McSpirit, and Steve Welch were four wide on the frontstretch.
Denton and Morris battled for positions until Morris took over on lap five. Then Denton and Rob Noviczski took over the battle for second followed by a good run by Jeff Patrick for fourth.
Morris held on for his first ever win at Fonda followed by Noviczski, Denton, Patrick and Mike Fritz.
Three yellow flags flew during the 20-lap event. The worst being when Mark Sullivan rode his No. 28s for a violent flip against the backstretch wall on lap 14. Sullivan was reported to be okay.
Pro-Stock heat winners were Mark Sullivan, Tom Denton and Jeff Patrick. The consi win went to Jay Resch.
The caution free, IMCA action saw Pete Campione lead the first lap. Current point leader Steve Bidwell then took the lead on lap two and continued on for his second win of the season at Fonda. Bidwell was chased for the entire 15-lap event by George Catanzano who came close to Bidwell's bumper with one lap to go but was caught behind a lap car. The top five finishers were Bidwell, Catanzano, Priest, Bungay and Campione.
Street Stock "A" action was led to the green by Dan Rickard. Rickard held on until lap three when eventual winner Andrew Snider took over. Snider survived a 10th lap caution to record his first ever win at Fonda.
Street Stock "B" action started with four wide racing at the green and Jerry Pepper in the lead. On the next lap the No. 3 of Dave Bayes. On lap four Steve Vrooman grabbed the lead from Bayes and continued on to the checker.
Modified finish (29 laps) (Only Lazzaro No. 4 completed symbolic 30th lap) 1) SETH GANO, 2) Tim Clemons, 3) Mike Romano, 4) Brian Purdy, 5) Jerry Pennock, Jr., 6) Bobby Albert, 7) Bobby Varin, 8) Matt DeLorenzo, 9) Dave Lape, 10) Craig Criscone, 11) Bob Savoie, 12) A. J. Romano, 13) Ron Holmes, 14) Mike Fusco, 15) Alton Palmer, 16) Lee Nutting, 17) Jack Johnson, 18) Tony Pepicelli, 19) Bob Vedder, 20) John Marsh, 21) Ken Hanson, 22) Frank Hoard, 23) John Kollar, 24) Dave Sargent, 25) Harry Shaffer, II, 26) Bob Sitterly.
Sportsman finish (20 laps) 1) JEFF HOLT, 2) Mike Fraiser, 3) Ray Zemken, 4) Drew Fallis, 5) Robert Perry, 6) Jim Davis, 7) Nick Nichols, 8) Ryan Odasz, 9) John McAuliffe, 10) Mike Ballestero, 11) Tony Farone, 12) Joe Rando, 13) Johnny LeClair, 14) Rich Wozniak, 15) Bobby Hackel, 16) Joe Geniti, 17) Frank Hoard, Jr., 18) John Constantino, 19) Jeremiah Munson, 20) Steve Akers, 21) Mike Ketchum, 22) Craig Boehler, 23) Tim Mayne, 24) Jeff Jones.
Pro Stock finish (20 laps) 1) CHRIS MORRIS, 2) Rob Noviczski, 3) Tom Denton, 4) Jeff Patrick, 5) Mike Fritz, 6) Ken Gates, 7) Steve Welch, 8) Phlan Hart, 9) Bubba Tanner, 10) Dave Viall, 11) Bryan Jordan, 12) Jim Burton, 13) Chuck McSpirit, 14) Kerry Jordan, 15) Steve Burega, 16) John Roese, 17) Jay Resch, 18) Mike Noble, 19) Hondo Carpenter, 20) Jim Normoyle, 21) Nick Stone, 22) Jamie Proctor, 23) Mark Sullivan, 24)
Mark Lighthall.
IMCA finish (15 laps) 1) STEVE BIDWELL, 2) George Catanzano, 3) Kevin Priest, 4) Mike Bungay, 5) Pete Campione, 6) Joe Locorini, 7) Bud Herberg, 8) Aaron Jacobs, 9) George Proctor.
Street Stock "A" (12 laps) 1) ANDREW SNIDER, 2) Dan Rickard, 3) Guy Klob, 4) Ken Barth, 5) Chris White, 6) Bob VanAernam, 7) John Babcock, 8) Eric Harper, 9) Keith Ackerknecht, 10) Randy Cannell, 11) Scott Wells, 12) Shaun Simmons, 13) John Johnson.
Street Stock "B" (12 laps) 1) STEVE VROOMAN, 2) Jim Olsen, 3) Jerry Pepper, 4) Dick Nichols, 5) Dave Bayes, 6) Skip Pabis, 7) Mark Saglimbeni, 8) Don Warner, 9) Charlie Krause, 10) Jim Carroll, 11) Rob VanAernam, 12) Dave Horning, Jr., 13) Rocky Warner.