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Written by Chris Moore
FONDA, NY – The Big One.
The annual ‘Fonda 200’ is just over one month away, slated for Thurs.-Sat., Sept. 12-14 at the historic Fonda Speedway.
The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco hosts its largest-paying event of the 2024 season, with a 200-lap, $53,000-to-win main event.
The historic event was first run back in 1955 when NASCAR Legend Junior Johnson picked up the win in what was then, a NASCAR Grand National event.
David Pearson and Richard Petty joined Johnson as winners of the historic event in the following years.
Fast forward seven decades and the best in dirt Modified racing converge on the uniquely shaped facility along the Mohawk River in pursuit of the most lucrative winner’s share the sport has to offer.
Since the event’s return in 2019 (following a 17-year hiatus), Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen and Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard have emerged victorious.
Friesen claimed victory in ’19, ’21, and ’23 with Sheppard picking up his lone victory in the ’22 affair. COVID-19 restrictions nixed the 2020 edition.
This year the event takes its part in the River Valley Builders North Region and Ollie’s Overall Championship chases for the STSS.
The weekend kicks off on Thursday, September 12 with the ‘Ultimate Underdog 33’ for the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, a non-winner’s race paying $2,000 to the winner.
The Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman will also be on the racing card and an Open Practice for all other divisions will take place.
On Friday, September 13 the STSS Modifieds take center stage with 15-lap Qualifying Races setting the first set of cars to lock into the ‘Fonda 200.’
This year, the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman will also be on the docket for 12-lap qualifiers for their Saturday main event.
The Leatherstocking Credit Union Pro Stocks, Stone Motorsports/Online Performance Parts Street Stocks, and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders complete the Friday racing program.
It all comes to a head on Saturday, September 14 with B-Mains for the STSS Modifieds and STSS Crate 602 Sportsman preceding their main events.
The STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds go for 200-laps and a $53,000-to-win main event.
The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman battle for 40-laps and a $2,500 minimum top prize.
Sunday, September 15 is reserved as a rain date.
For a complete weekend schedule and tickets and camping information, click on the following link: https://www.thefondaspeedway.com/fonda200tickets/
Since 1953, the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. 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 or follow the speedway on Twitter and Instagram: @thefondaspdwy.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook, @ShortTrack_SS on Twitter or @ShortTrackSS on Instagram.
