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Tracks: Mike Romano is the pro on pro circuit night at Fonda

18 June 2000

June 17, 2000- Fonda, NY- The Pro Circuit sponsored modified main event came down to a one lap dash with the top three cars from the Romano stables in Johnstown, NY. When the checkered flag flew is was older brother Mike Romano in the top spot finally breaking his big block loosing streak at Fonda Speedway. Mike powered under brother A. J. on lap 16 and continued on for the win, his 37th overall at the track.

"A. J. was a bit faster but we got a lucky break with the lap traffic," said Romano.

Jim Davis recorded his second win of the season in the Sportsman main event. Pro Stock Champion, Steve Welch picked up his first win of the season. George Catanzano made it five wins at Fonda this season in the IMCA Modifieds. Street Stock winners were Dave Bayes and Jim Olson.

The point leaders a Fonda are Bobby Varin, Modifieds, Jim Davis, Sportsman, Rob Noviczski, Pro Stocks, Jim Olson, Street Stocks and Steve Bidwell, IMCA Mods.

This Thursday, June 22nd come and see the fourth event on the special Fonda 358 Modified Tour along with the Street Stocks and the very popular Powder Puff event. Race time for this special mid week show is 7:00 p.m.

On Saturday, June 24th Kendall Oil/Farrell Oil will sponsor a regular show plus the very first Enduro of the season. Race time is 6:00 p.m.

Randy Hotaling led the 24 modifieds to the green flag and held on until the first yellow flew on lap two. Bob Sitterly grabbed the lead on the restart but was soon overtaken by A. J. Romano.

A.J. Romano quickly pulled away from the pack but by lap six,Mike was moving in. After ten laps of a Romano side by side battle, Mike was able to slip under A. J. on the backstretch.

The red flag came out for the No. 91 of Rick Davis, when the racer flipped in turn four. This closed up the field and once again put A. J. right on Mike's bumper. Ronnie Holmes then got into the three-car battle but was never able to contend for the top two spots.

The Romano brothers continued their dominance of the event, leaving the top five up for grabs to Holmes, Albert and Bobby Varin.

When Craig Criscone stopped against the outside wall of turn four the yellow came out for the final time. This set up a final one-lap dash to the checker. As the top five came to the finish line it was Mike Romano, A. J. Romano, Ronnie Holmes, Bobby Albert and points leader, Bobby Varin.

Modified heat winners were Tim Clemons, Mike Romano, and Bob Vedder. The consi win went to Ronnie Holmes.

The caution plagued Sportsman main event saw seven yellow flags in the first eight laps. Mike Ketchum and Eddie SanSoucie came to the start line side by side but soon SanSoucie showed his experience and pulled away from the rookie. Eventual winner, Jim Davis took the lead on lap three, survived the ensuing cautions and recorded his second win in a row on the 2000 season.

Sportsman qualifying wins went to Jim Davis, Bob Hackel, and Mike Ballestero. There were two sportsman consis and the wins went to Frank Hoard, Jr. and Mike Fraiser.

Joe Duncan led the Pro Stock field to the green and held the lead until lap six. Ken Gates took the lead on the first restart of the event. Gates held the lead until lap 18 when Steve Welch put the big red No. 1 along side Gates and pulled away. Welch continued on to the checker, his first of the 2000 season.

Pro Stock heat wins went to Bubba Tanner, Jim Normoyle and Joe Duncan.

In IMCA action George Catanzano of Ghent, NY took advantage of a first lap caution and grabbed the lead from Jim Rajczi on the restart. Catanzano then put considerable distance between himself and the rest of the field. His closest challenger was point's leader Steve Bidwell. Bidwell could never get close enough to challenge the high flying No. Z1 of Catanzano. Catanzano took the checker for the fifth time of the 2000 at Fonda.

In the first street stock feature of the night, Dave Bayes picked up his second win on the season. Bayes took the lead on lap three from Rocky Warner and held on through two final yellow flags to take the checker.

The second street stock feature of the night was set up to be a bonus night for two of the drivers. Horning and Ackerknecht were in contention for a $400 bonus to be paid to the first one to win three in a row. When it was all over, and after a couple disqualifications, Jim Olson of Gloversville, NY picked up his first win of the season.

Modified finish (30 laps) 1. MIKE ROMANO, 2) A. J. Romano, 3) Ron Holmes, 4) Bobby Albert, 5) Bobby Varin, 6) Bob Sitterly, 7) Randy Hotaling, 8) Tim Clemons, 9) Dave Lape, 10) David Towns, 11) Matt DeLorenzo, 12) Ken Hanson, 13) Bob Vedder, 14) Frank Hoard, 15) Lee Nutting, 16) Jerry Pennock, Jr., 17) John Kollar, 18) Craig Criscone, 19) Alton Palmer, 20) John Marsh, 21) Ancel Collins, 22) Rich Pennock, Jr., 23) Rick Davis, 24) Mike Dillenbeck.

Sportsman finish (20 laps) 1. JIM DAVIS, 2) Mike Ballestero 3) John McAuliffe, 4) Eddie SanSoucie, 5) Craig Boehler, 6) Mike Fraiser, 7) Robert Perry, 8) Steve Akers, 9) Ryan Odasz, 10) Mike Ketchum, 11) Frank Greco, 12) Joe Rando, 13) Jeff Jones, 14) Jessica Zemken, 15) Frank Hoard, Jr., 16) Drew Fallis, 17) Tony Farone, 18) Ray Zemken, 19) Nick Nichols, 20) Bobby Hackel, 21) Jeff Holt, 22) Rich Wozniak, 23) Tim Mayne, 24) Joe McCallion, 25) Dan Trombley.

Pro Stock finish (20 laps) 1. STEVE WELCH, 2) Ken Gates, 3) Chris Morris, 4) Rob Noviczski, 5) Jerry Patrick, 6) Jim Normoyle, 7) Hondon Carpenter, 8) Phlan Hart, 9) Nick Stone, 10) Mike Fritz, 11) Mark Sullivan, 12) Dave Viall, 13) Kerry Jordan, 14) Chuck McSpirit, 15) Steve Burega, 16) Mike Noble, 17) Tom LaPlante, 18) Jay Resch, 19) Jim Duncan, 20) Joe Duncan, 21) Jim Burton, 22) Bubba Tanner, 23) Bryan Jordan, 24) Luke Klob, 25) Mark Lighthall.

IMCA finish (15 laps) 1. GEORGE CATANZANO, 2) Steve Bidwell, 3) Mike Bungay, 4) Kevin Priest, 5) Jim Rajczi, 6) Joe Locorini, 7) Aaron Jacobs, 8) Kevin Buff, 9) Bud Hernberg, 10) John Conway, 11) Dan Krajewski, 12) George Proctor.

Street Stock "A" finish (12 laps) 1. DAVE BAYES, 2) Eric Harper, 3) Dan Rickard, 4) Guy Klob, 5) Joe Donato, 6) Joe Smith, 7) Don Oldick, 8) Rocky Warner, 9) Carl Biallargeon, 10) John Johnson, 11) Ellis Shaffer.

Shawn Simmons and Mark Saglimbeni DQ’d (motor)

Street Stock "B" finish (12 laps) 1 JIM OLSON, 2) Ken Barth, 3) Dick Nichols, 4) John Babcock, 5) Paul Chichester, 6) Dave Hewitt, 7) Jerry Pepper, 8) Don Warner, 9) Keith Ackerknecht, 10) Randy Cannell, 11) Dave Horning, Jr.

Bob VanAernam and Rob VanAernam DQ’d (oversized pulley)