Fonda Speedway, Short Track Super Series

A FONDA FIRST: SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES INVADES TRACK OF CHAMPIONS JULY 3

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FONDA, NY – There are very few ‘firsts’ left for a facility with a storied history such as Fonda Speedway.

On July 3, however, there will be something all-new to the famed Track of Champions.

The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco makes its debut at Fonda on Wednesday, July 3 in one of the most lucrative ‘per-lap’ payouts in New York State dirt Modified racing

The Fuccillo Automotive Group ‘Firecracker 50’ presented by Teo-Pro Car offers a $10,000 winner’s share for the STSS Modifieds on the eve of Independence Day from a total posted purse structure of $32,770.

And there’s more. Every one of the event’s 50 laps has been sold for a minimum of $100, adding an additional $5,005 to the pot for racers thanks to the efforts of John Lakata. This lap money will be spread through the field from the leader to last-place, ensuring bonus money for competitors throughout the field.

A number of other cash awards and contingency awards will further sweeten the pot for competitors.

Short Track Super Series Modifieds will sport sail panels, unique to the speedway at Fonda.

The night’s program will be recorded for broadcast nationally on MAV-TV with a September air date targeted.

The ‘Firecracker 50’ marks the fifth of nine STSS Halmar International North Region events with a $12,500 championship looming at year-end. Following his win at Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, N.Y., on June 19, Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, N.Y., sits atop the standings.

Fonda is set to be the 16th different track to host a Short Track Super Series Modified event in Race No. 72.

Also on the docket are the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman racing 25 laps for $2,000 to win! This is the third of sixth STSS North Region events. Tim Hartman Jr. of Niskayuna, N.Y., is leading the series into its midway point.

Gates will open at 4 p.m. Hot laps hit the track at 6:20 p.m. and racing gets underway at 7 p.m.

Adult admission is $22. Seniors (ages 65 and up) pay $20. Kids 11 and under are FREE. Pit admission is $30 for Fonda members and $35 for non-members.

Complete ‘Firecracker 50’ race information has been posted on the web: http://shorttracksuperseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FondaSpeedwayRaceInformation.pdf

Fonda Speedway is located at 21 S. Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068. To learn more, contact the speedway office at 518.915.4395 or visit the official website at: www.thefondaspeedway.com.

To learn more about the 2019 Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit   e-mail www.shorttracksuperseries.com, by e-mail at bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Insinger Performance, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Halmar International, Velocita-USA, Design for Vision/Sunglass Central, Rob Sherlock Roofing, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Beyea Custom Headers, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, EIBACH Springs, Escape RV, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, HyperCo, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Land Hoe Maintenance, K&N, MJK Home Maintenance, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, QA1, Racing Optics, Superior Remodeling, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO, Velocita, WELD Racing & Wilwood.

Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco 2019 Schedule


Modified Halmar International North Region

Sunday, April 7 – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, N.Y. – Hard Clay Open – WINNER: MATT SHEPPARD

Sunday, May 26 – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, N.Y. – Lightning on the Mountain – WINNER: BILLY DECKER

Tuesday, June 4 – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, Pa. – Anthracite Assault – COMBO – WINNER: MATT SHEPPARD

Wednesday, June 19 – Outlaw Speedway/Dundee, N.Y. – Outlaw Showdown – WINNER: STEWART FRIESEN

Wednesday, July 3 – Fonda Speedway/Fonda, N.Y. – Firecracker 50 – $10,000 to win!

Tuesday, July 9 – Accord Speedway/Accord, N.Y. –Battle of the Bullring

Tuesday, August 13 – Woodhull Raceway/Woodhull, N.Y. – Hustlin’ the High Banks 55

Friday-Saturday October 11-12 – Afton Motorsports Park/Afton, N.Y. – American Racer Cup Short Track SuperNationals 12

Thursday, October 24 – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, N.Y. – Hard Clay Finale – $10,000 to win – CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

Oswego Speedway

Otto Sitterly Passes Aric Iosue on Late Restart to Become First Repeat Novelis Supermodified Winner of 2019

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OSWEGO, NY (June 23, 2019) – Defending track champion Otto Sitterly became the first repeat Supermodified winner of 2019 when he passed race long leader Aric Iosue with eight to go and captured his 44th career victory on Helena-Agri Enterprises Night at Oswego Speedway.

Making up the front row for the 50-lap main event were Lou LeVea Jr. and Iosue. Despite LeVea Jr. taking the lead at the green flag, it took Iosue less than a lap to go under the No. 83 and thus begin to build a humongous advantage over the field.

One of the earliest cars on the move was the Brandon Bellinger No. 02. Bellinger started sixth, but had gone around both Dan Connors Jr. and Dave Danzer with two laps in the books, moving him into the fourth spot.

Second generation Canadian pilot Logan Rayvals was the next to make an early bid inside the top five. The fourth starter put his No. 94 to the inside of LeVea and took over second place with five laps in, but Iosue was already way out in front.

For the next eight laps, Bellinger and Danzer worked LeVea over for third. On lap 13, the door opened as Bellinger got to the inside going into turn three with Danzer following through. It was now Iosue, Rayvals, Bellinger, Danzer, and LeVea making up the top five.

On lap 15, the driver of the No. 7 car decided it was “time to go.” Using the extreme outside lane of the speedway, Sitterly made an unbelievable move to go by four cars in one lap including Joe Gosek, Dave Shullick Jr, Connors Jr, and LeVea Jr. to get up to sixth.

Meanwhile, Dave Gruel had gone by the LeVea No. 83 as well, moving his No. 50 into fifth place. With twenty laps in the books, Iosue had since built a half track lead over Rayvals, Bellinger, Danzer, Gruel, and Sitterly.

At halfway, the second and third place cars began to close in on the Iosue No. 11 as he was now maneuvering through heavy lapped traffic. That is also when Sitterly went around both Gruel and Danzer to grab fourth.

With Sitterly on the charge, Iosue continued his march through lapped traffic without hesitation. The fourth year driver gave no ground to second and third place running Rayvals and Bellinger, who had begun to battle for position.

When Rayvals and Bellinger got hung up in lapped traffic in the midst of their duel for second, this allowed Sitterly to close almost instantly. On lap 30, both Bellinger and Sitterly worked by the Rayvals No. 94, dropping him back to fourth.

On lap 37, Sitterly drew to Bellinger’s back bumper as the No. 02 had difficulties getting by a lapped car. When Bellinger hesitated going into turn three, Sitterly went underneath both of them to inherit the runner-up spot.

At this point, it appeared as if Sitterly was the fastest car on the race track, but he only had a mere thirteen laps to catch Iosue who was still at least a half track ahead. That was only until the yellow flag flew with seven to go for a jam up just outside the top five.

On lap 43, Shullick and Rayvals got together in turns one and two, sending the No. 94 around. This also collected the Connors No. 01 and the Gosek No. 00, both of which ended up out for the night. Rayvals was able to continue on, but the spin threw out a sure top five finish.

The caution flag also proved to be very costly for Iosue, as his gigantic lead was thrown away as well, bringing Sitterly right to his back bumper. On the restart, Iosue got sideways coming off of turn two, allowing Otto to capitalize and drive right on by up high.

With three laps to go, Iosue was able to close back in on the Sitterly No. 7, but the yellow flag came out twice on lap 47. First, Keith Shampine spun in turn two. One lap later, Gruel’s strong run ended in the foam in between turns three and four.

Iosue had one last shot at Sitterly on the final restart, but this time around it was ‘Ottomattic’ as Sitterly picked up the race win over Iosue in second and Bellinger in third. Shullick finished in fourth and Danzer in fifth.

Completing the top ten were Alison Sload, Michael Barnes, Rayvals, Shampine, and Jeff Abold. Snyder, LeVea Jr, rookie Jack Patrick, and Gosek rounded out the top fifteen.

Sitterly was the D&S Landscaping Hard Charger for yet another week, coming from row six to pick up the win. Rayvals picked up his second Lighthouse Lanes Up & Comer Award of the year as he recovered for an eighth place run.

Oswego Speedway is off this Saturday, June 29, but its 69th Season will continue with the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Prix Special on July 6 featuring the Novelis Supermodifieds, Pathfinder Bank SBS, and 350 Supermodifieds.

For more information on Oswego Speedway, you can visit the track’s website online at OswegoSpeedway.com. Fans can also FOLLOW on Twitter @OswegoSpeedway or LIKE on Facebook at Facebook.com/OswegoSpeedway.

About Oswego Speedway: Oswego Speedway is a 5/8 mile semi-banked pavement racing oval located off the shores of Lake Ontario in scenic Oswego, NY. The speedway has been a continuously run weekly racing venue since August 1951. The premier open-wheel pavement short track cars in the world, Supermodifieds, run weekly at the Oswego Speedway making it the only weekly Supermodified racing venue in the world. The Small Block Supermodifieds and 350 Supermodifieds accompany the full blown Supers on a weekly Saturday night schedule which runs from May through September. Oswego Speedway is mentioned in racing circles as the “Indy of the East,” as no fewer than a dozen past and present competitors have competed at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway including Mario Andretti, two-time Indy 500 champion Gordon Johncock, and former International Classic Champions Bentley Warren, Joe Gosek, and Davey Hamilton.

BOX SCORE

Helena Agri-Enterprises Night

Oswego Speedway

Oswego, NY

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Novelis Supermodifieds

Feature (50-laps): 1. 7 OTTO SITTERLY, 2. 11 Aric Iosue, 3. 02 Brandon Bellinger, 4. 95 Dave Shullick Jr, 5. 52 Dave Danzer, 6. 39 ® Alison Sload, 7. 68 Michael Barnes, 8. 94 Logan Rayvals, 9. 55 Keith Shampine, 10. 05 Jeff Abold, 11. 0 Tim Snyder, 12. 83 Lou LeVea Jr, 13. 90 ® Jack Patrick, 14. 50 Dave Gruel, 15. 00 Joe Gosek, 16. 01 Dan Connors Jr, 17. 54 ® Camden Proud, 18. 56 Hal LaTulip

Heat 1 (12-laps): 1. 01 Dan Connors Jr, 2. 83 Lou LeVea Jr, 3. 94 Logan Rayvals, 4. 11 Aric Iosue, 5. 39 ® Alson Sload, 6. 90 ® Jack Patrick

Heat 2 (12-laps): 1. 0 Tim Snyder, 2. 02 Brandon Bellinger, 3. 95 Dave Shullick Jr, 4. 55 Keith Shampine, 5. 00 Joe Gosek, 6. 56 Hal LaTulip

Heat 3 (12-laps): 1. 52 Dave Danzer, 2. 50 Dave Gruel, 3. 7 Otto Sitterly, 4. 05 Jeff Abold, 5. 68 Michael Barnes, 6. 54 ® Camden Proud

Group Time Trials: 1. 00 Joe Gosek – 15.918, 2. 39 ® Alison Sload – 16.016, 3. 50 Dave Gruel – 16.029, 4. 95 Dave Shullick Jr. – 16.046, 5. 11 Aric Iosue – 16.112, 6. 7 Otto Sitterly – 16.164, 7. 55 Keith Shampine – 16.189, 8. 94 Logan Rayvals – 16.225, 9. 52 Dave Danzer – 16.303, 10. 0 Tim Snyder – 16.328, 11. 01 Dan Connors Jr. – 16.349, 12. 68 Michael Barnes – 16.369, 13. 02 Brandon Bellinger – 16.528, 14. 54 ® Camden Proud – 16.670, 15. 90 ® Jack Patrick – 16.768, 16. 83 Lou LeVea Jr. – 16.849, 17. 56 Hal LaTulip – 17.734, 18. 05 Jeff Abold – 18.378

Bob Clark Photo 

Chemung Speedrome

Charlie Sharpsteen Scores Third Consecutive Sunoco Modified Win; Robinson Wins NYSS at Chemung”

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by Carol Houssock” (Chemung, NY) Some say they’ve seen it all at a race track. Damon Frutchey’s wild ride in his Sunoco Modified proved they hadn’t, at Chemung, until Friday night. What they also saw was Nick Robinson parked in the Midstate Basement Authorities victory lane after winning the New York Super Stock 50-lap feature. Other winners included Charlie Sharpsteen (Sunoco Modifieds), Ricky Lane (4 Cylinders) and Kyle Youngs (INEX Legends), along with Josh Duke (INEX Bandolero Outlaw) and Kaden Rogers (INEX Bandolero Bandit). A week ago, Charlie Sharpsteen turned heads by winning a pair of 40-lap Sunoco Modified features on a night when many of his family members weren’t there to see it. Friday night he won again, capturing his third win in a row, and they were all there. As spectacular as that was, what turned heads Friday night occurred two laps into the 40-lap feature.


Heat winner Pat Judson and Damon Frutchey made up the front row with Judson leading the way. The pair had contact on the front stretch, which damaged Frutchey’s car to the extent that he had no brakes and little steering capability. He headed down the turn one access road leading to the car hauler parking lot not knowing what would stop him. Everyone watched in disbelief as he partially slid off a retaining wall and slammed into Jeff Noe’s pickup. Corner official JD Lewis got there immediately and reported that Damon was ok, but the truck was not. Noe’s bandolero on the attached trailer was also ok.


Racing resumed after a lengthy red, with Judson and Zack Curren on the front row. Curren led lap three but officials showed him the black flag due to gas pouring out of his car. He spun off turn two bringing out the first of four cautions. Gene Sharpsteen inherited the lead with his cousin Charlie Sharpsteen restarting alongside. Charlie’s power move off turns two and four put him atop the leaderboard, a place where he would stay for the remaining 30 laps.
Charlie was near perfect again, putting distance between himself and the battle for second between Gene and Zack Knowlden. Just short of the halfway point G. Sharpsteen and Keith Youngs got together, a situation that brought Zane Zeiner and Judson to the second row for the restart. The final caution came out when Youngs’ car broke. That brought Tim Gullo up to third with Judson beside him in row two.


Knowlden had his final opportunity to get the better of Sharpsteen on the restart but the veteran driver’s car and talent behind the wheel were just too much again for everyone else. Sharpsteen scored his third win in a row, this time over Knowlden, Zeiner, Gullo and Judson.


“We really haven’t changed anything on the car and I’m just glad I have a job running this for another week,” he joked in front of a huge gathering of family and other supporters. Regarding Frutchey’s spin, he said “it’s tough not knowing anything until you get the word over the radio that your fellow competitor is ok.”


In New York Super Stock action 30 cars signed in and ran the four heats, won by Nick Robinson, Frank Chapman, Robert Fink and Lee Sharpsteen. Luck of the draw set the field, which placed Robinson on the outside of the front row with Scott Wylie on pole. Robinson every lap but faced intense pressure from Wylie, who remained in second. The race was slowed by five caution periods, the most impactful coming when Tim Gullo and Jim Steffenhagen hit the front stretch wall coming off turn four. Both had been running in the top five at the time. On the final restart Wylie had his last shot at Robinson, whose car was handling anywhere he chose. Robinson scored the big win of the Gary Marshall Memorial over Wylie, Lee Sharpsteen, Chapman and Zach Willis. The series will return to Chemung on August 16th.


Ricky Lane celebrated a career-first win in the 4 Cylinder division, becoming the third driver in the class to do so this year. Lane started the 20-lap feature in second but powered his way around Alex Brown to lead the opening lap. This one was slowed just once when DJ Shaw got tapped and turned by Ben Perry. During that caution Greg Moldt made a quick pit stop and started last when racing resumed with five laps to go. Lane stayed in front of Mark Taylor, who got passed by Moldt late in this one. Lane celebrated his first win, over Moldt, Taylor, Shaw and Perry. “Third isn’t so bad, this feels pretty good” is about all he said from victory lane before recognizing those who help him. Lane ran third and crossed the stripe third, but apparent winner and runner up, Monica Green and Joey Bevacqua, came up light on the scales after the race ended.


Kyle Youngs swept the action in the INEX Legends division. Daniel Carter started from the pole, but caution came out before the lap was completed. Both Jody Buckley and Youngs spun and the field was reset for a second attempt to get going. This time, when the field hit turn two Gary Ham and Youngs went three-wide with Carter in the middle. Youngs emerged with the top spot. He pulled away while Ham and Carter ran together battling for second. That’s how it stayed for the final 15 laps and when it was over Youngs had his second win of the season. “I haven’t touched the car since the first day and this race really wasn’t much different from my win two weeks ago,” he said. Ham finished second, followed by Carter, Chelsea Sellars and Buckley.


Josh Duke scored his fifth feature win in a row In the Carpenter’s Karts INEX Bandolero division. Chase Sinsabaugh led early, however his spin coming off turn four with four laps complete brought out the only caution. Duke and Kaden Rogers made up the front row for the restart and it was classic Duke, who pulled away and was never challenged. Noe took second from Rogers but that’s as far as he would go. Duke got the win as an Outlaw, followed by Noe, Bandit winner Rogers and Sinsabaugh.


This Friday Chemung closes out the month of June with Fan Appreciation Night, sponsored by McDonald Contracting. All five regular divisions will be in action. Admission has been cut to $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for kids ages 6 to 12, and free to kids ages 5 and under. Pits open at 5 PM, with practice and grandstand gates at 6 PM and racing starting at 7 PM.


For information, log on to the track’s website: chemungspeedrome.net, ‘like’ us on Facebook: Chemung Speedrome – Racing at the Drome, or call Ray Hodge, Promoter, at 607-483-3468.


Of Note:During intermission 21 boys and girls won bicycles.The 50/50 winner said this was a first, after buying tickets for 40 years! He left with $386.  Two lucky fans won pizzas donated by Coach’s Pizza in Waverly. Another fan won a prize package for having the lucky number in the program book.

Results: Sunoco Modifieds (40 Laps):  CHARLIE SHARPSTEEN, Zack Knowlden, Zane Zeiner, Tim Gullo, Pat Judson, Gene Sharpsteen, Bill Chandler, Steven Sherwood, Keith Youngs, Zack Curren, Damon Frutchey, Teddy Bowen (DNS)Heats:  Curren, Judson New York

Super Stocks (50 Laps):  NICK ROBINSON, Scott Wylie, Lee Sharpsteen, Frank Chapman, Zach Willis, Robert Fink, Joel Gleason, Josh Hunter, Dylan Bancroft, Jesse Hurley, Bill Frisbee, Jason Dinzler, Dennis Beardslee, Amber VanOrden, Jimmy Steffenhagen, Aaron Higgins, Ron Underwood, Tim Gullo, JP Harbst, Nate Peckham, RJ Zacharias, Jake Wylie, Andy Cryan, Brianna Dinzler, Cole Hicks, Garrett Zacharias. DNS: Brian Hallet, Jim Lamoreaux, Jason Duke, Tim FaroHeats:   Robinson, Chapman, Fink, Sharpsteen 

4 Cylinders (20 Laps):  RICKY LANE, Greg Moldt, Mark Taylor, DJ Shaw, Ben Perry, Tyler Harbst, Jason Peck, Alex Brown, Brett Bourdette, DQ – Monica Green, Joey BevacquaINEX Legends (15 Laps):  KYLE YOUNGS, Gary Ham, Daniel Carter, Chelsea Sellars, Jody BuckleyHeat:  Youngs Carpenter’s KARTS INEX Bandoleros (10 Laps):  JOSH DUKE (Outlaw), Jeffrey Noe, Kaden Rogers (Bandit), Chase SinsabaughHeat:  Duke

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