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FONDA, NY – Just one day after the final on-track activity of 2026, Fonda Speedway closed the curtain on the season Sunday afternoon (Sept. 20) with the Awards Banquet.
The renovated Entertainment Center on the Fonda Fairgrounds served as the backdrop for the afternoon affair with Earl Hoon from FloRacing as the master of ceremonies. Brooks House of BBQ provided a delicious dinner.
Speedway promoter Brett Deyo, completing his eighth year at the Track of Champions, addressed the crowd and thanked all teams for outstanding car counts in ’26, recapped the 75th anniversary season highlights and congratulated Fonda regulars Stewart Friesen (Modified) and Tyler Peet (Sportsman) as overall American Racer Cup presented by Sunoco champions. It marked the first time both champions have represented Fonda.
Stewart Friesen was crowned the Amsterdam Truck Center Modified champion for the fifth time in his career and first title since 2015. The Sprakers, N.Y., driver earned seven wins in 14 points-paying events and capped his season with a victory in the famed Fonda 200 on Saturday.
Friesen’s previous titles came in four consecutive seasons: ’12, ’13, ’14 and ’15.
Alex Yankowski, a three-time ’26 winner, was the runner-up in points followed by Jack Lehner, Jessica Friesen, Rocky Warner, Ronnie Johnson, Bobby Hackel, Cody Clark, Robert Bublak and Jackson Gill.
For the first time in his career, Tyler Peet was recognized as the Swagger Factory Apparel Sportsman champion. Peet, of Lake Ariel, Pa., used a trio of feature wins and nine top-five finishes in 13 points events to secure the title.
Like Friesen, Peet concluded his championship season with a win on Fonda 200 weekend.
It was a perfect season for Peet and his Dakota Gajewski Motorsports team, taking the Fonda title, American Racer Cup overall crown and Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Madsen Overhead Doors Inc. Sportsman North Region title.
Chad Edwards, Stephen Gray, Tanner Warner, Clayton DuMond, A.J. Greco, Ricky Quick, Mark Mortensen, Corky Warner and Brett Mortensen completed the top 10.
Kenny Gates was lauded for his ninth Leatherstocking Credit Union Pro Stock title. The West Winfield, N.Y., driver won two features and posted 11 top-five finishes in 12 points-paying events.
Gates previously recorded championships in ’24, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’09, ’08, ’07 (co-champion) and ’04.
Nick Stone, with a division-leading six wins, finished second in points, followed by Ivan Joslin, Jason Morrison, George Cushman, Luke Horning, Nick Santuccione, Hayleigh Gates, Beau Ballard and Nick Danna.
The top-15 drivers in the final Pro Stock standings were entered into a drawing courtesy of Online Performance Parts/Stone Motorsports for a ‘Manimal’ Pro Stock chassis with inner and outer tin plus powder coat ($7,000 value). The recipient was 10th-place points finisher Danna.
Lance Hill of Cobleskill, N.Y., broke through as Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman champion with one win and 12 top-five finishes. Brian Nelson, Steve Wagoner, Nick Ryder, Mike Hill, Kirsten Swartz, Josh Persse, Owen Mormile, Chayton Young and John West rounded out the top 10.
Jay Ingersoll of Hagaman, N.Y., (Dual Cam) and Dave Reedy of Schenectady, N.Y., (Single Cam) earned the Fonda Fair Four Cylinder champions. For Ingersoll, it marked his third consecutive title, while Reedy took his first.
Tomek Kowalczyk, Bruce Liddle, John Ray, Wayne Russell Jr., William Liberatore, Len St. Andrews, Joshua Leonard and Blake Smart finished third through 10th, respectively.
Fonda drivers from the Fonda Speedway-Lebanon Valley (N.Y.) Speedway Challenge were recognized for their achievements:
· Modified – Ronnie Johnson (second), Jason Reome (fourth) and Rocky Warner (fifth)
· 358-Modified – Ronnie Johnson (first) and Rocky Warner (second)
· Sportsman – Tanner Warner (first) and Chad Edwards (second)
· Pro Stock – Ivan Joslin and Luke Horning (first – tied) and Nick Stone (fourth)
Fonda Speedway now goes silent until New Year’s Day – Jan. 1, 2027 – with the second annual ‘Chill Factor’ Enduro.
The Track of Champions Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing for 75 seasons. The speedway operates 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 (X): @thefondaspdwy or Instagram: @fondaspeedway.
