FONDA SPEEDWAY A Premier Track in New York Whose Drivers Often Drove in Vermont

Early Fonda Speedway Sportsman and Modifieds - Up to Around 1959 - This Page
Fonda Speedway Sportsman and Modifieds Up to Around 1970 - Click Here
Fonda Speedway Late Model Division Up to Around 1970 - Click Here
Fonda Speedway Grand National Show Photos - Click Here
The Fonda Speedway 1954 Driver Roster Page - Click Here

There had not been very much auto racing at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds race track when, in 1947 New York promoter Jack Kochman [known for his auto thrill show] got the idea of tapping into the newly - burgeoning sport of stock car racing. Kochman came up with the Speed Corporation of America with support from some figures from New York City. Kochman's unrealistic plan was to have top modified teams run a weekly circuit wherein they would travel from the home base of Fonda, to venues Lewiston, ME; Allentown, PA; Dover, NJ; Palmyra, NY; and Kingston, RI. To make a long story short, the teams could not keep up with the withering travel and the series fell apart within a number of weeks. The fairgrounds track, which would become Fonda Speedway, was left with some nice facility improvements and not much else.

In the part of Vermont where I came from, NASCAR was not sanctioning any tracks. But, when we traveled to either the small Otter Creek Speedway in Vergennes, or if we ventured over to Fonda, I would get to see stars from Fonda Speedway, the track which was arguably the mecca for racing in our region - in the era of the 1960's. Ed Feuz and Jim Gage decided to field stock car races at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds race track.

In this promotional photo from the first year, [from left - Walt Roberts, Herb Root, Spence Parkhurst, and Steve Danish pose with their cars to raise area interest in the new track. By this time, Roberts, Danish, and Parkhurst had all competed at Vermont tracks like Pico Raceway and Stateline Speedway. Root may have, too.

Prior to the 1953 opening of Fonda, races were already being held in a number of New York locations, as well as West Brattleboro, Vermont; Pico Raceway, in Rutland, Vermont; Fairmont Motor Park, in Fair Haven, Vermont, and Mettowee Speedway, a Granville location that was very near Vermont. Pico was seeing the likes of Steve Danish [Cropseyville], Spencer Parkhurst [Saratoga Springs], Walt Roberts [Poughkeepsie ?], Howard "Jeep Herbert [Rotterdam]; Pete Corey [Crescent], "Jollie Ollie" Palmer [Westmere], and a host of other New Yorkers who were looking for places to race in their new, burgeoning sport. Stateline was hosting these runners and more - including George Baumgardner [Saratoga], Joe Wunderlich [West Sand Lake], Link Pettit, and more.

New Yorker Walt Roberts, in a 1952 lineup at Pico Raceway.
Several of the New Yorkers who frequented Pico ended up at Fonda.

It became evident, early on, [even before races commenced] that Fonda was going to be a prima location for New York racing; and the enthusiasm was tangible. Hence, everyone in the region who wanted to be in the ground floor of the operation made a mad dash for the first gatherings at Fonda. Les King, one of the Northeast's premier racing photographers tells how he, Chet Hames [the flagger], and a local announcer named Wildy would make a circuit of local tracks, handling those necessary duties for the various managements.

Chuck Kotwicka, of Utica, Fonda's first ever feature winner, is trophied by
co-promoter Ed Fuez, left, and by Sally Whitbeck Gage, wife of co-promoter Jim Gage.
Racing tends to entwined with families. The Whitbecks - particularly Bob -
were prominent, especially as car owners and builders.

When the word of Fonda reached them , the trio was ready to jump. Hames and Wildy headed for Fonda and King, for an unknown reason, missed their departure. Desperate to get the Fonda photographer's stand gig, he began hitchhiking to Fonda. Just before Les made it to the Montgomery Fairgrounds location, Russ Bergh, a rival, sought out Gage or Feuz and got the job.

There are likely some duplicate photos on this page - it is hard to keep checking back.

Lew Boyd Collection
Spectators sneaking a free look were one of the banes of Feuz and Gage's existence until one was killed by debris. Then sight barriers and
a determined security presence kept the freeloaders off the Route 30A fence thereafter.

E
Ed Feuz Collection
Co - Promoters Jim Gage [left] and Ed Feuz clown it up during the first season at Fonda.

George Hunt Collection
Jeep Herbert and Pete Corey were early Fonda standouts.

After a rough start, with small fields and some track surface issues, the track grew incredibly fast into what came to be known as "The Track of Champions", and deservedly so. And, when some of its great stars would make occasional forays into Vermont to race somewhere and go home with the locals' prize money, it was a treat [at least for the fans]. Steve Danish won one of his last features in Fair Haven; Jerry Townley won one of his only wins in the #108 in Rutland; New Yorker and future Fonda regular Jerry Cook had his car [driven then by Ken Meahl] win one of its first races at Vergennes. These are a few of the stories that furthered the Fonda mystique in Vermont. Ironically, today, Vermonters like Dave Camara and Johnny Scarborough go to Fonda and come back with the prize money - frequently.

Jerry Townley, when with the Thomas Chewins 108, took a fairly easy win at
the Vermont State Fair track in the early 1960's, beating out a field
of out-gunned locals. At Fonda ? Mostly a field filler.

Bittig Collection
This wonderful shot across the infield shows the stands in their full glory. Evident in the pits is the 54 of Willie Chest and Johnny Miller's 502.

Courtesy of Scott Belknap
This great shot shows Fonda regular driver Jeep Herbert coaching Kurt Feuz, son of Fonda's promoter.

Danish Family Photo Steve Danish, Cropseyville, NY Drove at Pico, Fairmont, Stateline, Mettawee, Ashland Park	John Grady Photo Jeep Herbert, Rotterdam, NY One of JR Earl's sedans Drove at Pico, Fairmont, Stateline, Mettawee	John Grady Photo Pete Corey, Crescent, NY Bob Mott's 3 Drove at Fairmont, Stateline, Mettawee	Photographer Unknown Ken Shoemaker, Schenectady, NY Ted Vogel's 95 Drove at Fairmont, Stateline	Schenectady Collection Hoppy Redner. Young/Vine 75	Bob McDowell Photo via Conde & parry Site Chuck Mahoney, Utica, NY
Photo from Bob Novak George Baumgardner, Saratoga, NY Jim Young/Ray Vine 75 Drove at Pico, Fairmont, Stateline, Mettawee, Otter Creek, Ashland Park	McDowell Photo Courtesy of Phil Miller Walt Roberts, Albany, NY Drove at Pico, Stateline, Mettawee	Fonda History Bk. Photo Spence Parkhurst, Saratoga Spr., NY Drove at Pico, Fairmont, Stateline, Mettawee, Ashland Park Courtesy of CJ Richards	McDowell Photo Jolly Ollie Palmer, Albany, NY Drove at Pico, Fairmont, Stateline, Mettawee	Courtesy of the Starin Family Ronnie Quackenbush, Fultonville, NY The former Oscar Porath 3	Courtesy of Otto Graham Nick Carter, Dolgeville, NY The Racin' Detective
Otto Graham Site Photo Tom Kotary, Rome, NY Theron Moore's 112 Drove at Stateline, Otter Creek	Courtesy of Rick Luke Jim Luke, Utica, NY Hal Kempeny's 113 Drove at Airborne.	Otto Graham Site Photo Dutch Reed, Glens Falls, NY Bill King's 90A Drove at Fairmont, Stateline, Mettawee, Dutch Reed, Dev.Bowl	Courtesy of Mike Russo Irv Taylor, Crescent, NY Richard Welch's 77 Drove at Otter Creek.	Otto Graham Site Photo Lynn DeLong, Glens Falls, NY Delongs Drove at Fairmont, Stateline, Mettawee, Ashland Park, Otter Creek	Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Unknown driver Might have been named Bob Gessinger but it doesn't look like him.
John Grady Photo Don Hendenberg, Lee Ctr., NY One of 1st Dave McCredy Cars	Fonda History Bk Photo Don Courtney, Schenectady, NY Walt Roberts' Car	Fonda History Bk Photo Cliff Kotary, Rome, NY Mike Michaels' Car TA car from this Mike Suraske team ran at Otter Creek.	From Fonda Book, Fuez Collection Chuck Kotwicka, Utica, NY	Otto Graham Site Photo Otto Graham, Burlington, NY Theron Von Benschoten's 20	Courtesy of the Starin Family Doc Blanchard, Gloversville, NY The Herb Roots 271 with number changed. Wrecked in the Jerry Jerome crash in 1958.
Fusco Collection John "Smokey" Stover, Glens Falls, NY Drove at Ashland Park. Along with Parkhurst, he was in on the ground floor in founding McGregor Speedway in Wilton.	Otto Graham Site Photo Joe Ciganenko, Richfield Spr., NY Frank Trinkhaus' 62	From Fonda Book Johnny Miller	Fonda Book Photo Herm Buttery Sharon Springs, NY. Notice the infamous grave yard in the background.	Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Fred Shepard, Cambridge, NY. The car ran at Stateline and Fairmont.	Courtesy of the Starin Family Jack Harris, Broadalbin, NY Starin's 550
John Grady Collection Larry Norgrove, Colonie, NY	Schenectady Collection Willie Chest, Canajoharie, NY	Courtesy of Dan Ody Ken Shoemaker, Westmere, NY Red Knoblauch's 13 Drove at Pico, Fairmont Stateline, Mettawee	Schenectady Collection Johnny Perry, Ephrata, NY Red Knoblauch's 13 Also Drove Al Paerry's F84 in early years.	Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Howie Westervelt, Ravena, NY. Cliff Wright's and Bob Zautner's 24 The team ran at Stateline	Courtesy of the Starin Family Carl "Leadfoot" Taber Russ Bergh Photo via Otto Graham
John Grady Collection According to John Grady, Rollie Johnson owned the"Miss Pauline" #77 before Richard Welch. This shows Rollie and Ed Pieniazek. Need help with the others. Photographer Drove at Otter Creek	John Grady Collection Guy Chartrand, Montreal, Can. Drove at Fairmont, DBowl, Catamount, Airborne	John Grady Collection Ray Sitterly, Amsterdam, NY Ray always had nice cars. Drove at Fairmont, DBowl	John Grady Collection Paul Marshall, Schenectady, NY A huge man. Warren Daniels' 711Jr Drove at Otter Creek. Lefty Coogan's car.	Ladabouche Collection Pete Corey, Crescent, NY Bob Whitbeck's 22	Courtesy of the Starin Family Jerry Jerome, Johnstown, NY
Moody Collection Wes Moody, Saranac Lake, NY Former Don House XL-1 Drove at D Bowl	Russ Bergh Photo via Bill Fifield Lou Lazarro, Utica, NY Vinnie Maugeri's 4 Drove at Catamount,	Russ Bergh Photo Lee Millington, Palatine Bridge, NY Dick Bennett's 71	John Grady Photo Doc Blanchard, Gloversville, NY Drove at Otter Creek and Devil's Bowl Source Unknown	Dwyer Family Collection via the Fonda Book Chuck Dwyer	Courtesy of the Starin Family George Gallup
John Grady Collection Jeep Herbert Schenectady, NY. Sam Kitler / Gibby Wolfe 37 The car ran at Pico & Stateline - often with Jeep driving.	John Grady Collection Gigi Conover was a sponsor, supporter, and official for years. Ladabouche Collection Conover's familiar Jeep is seen in the background of this Jeep Herbert shot.	Courtesy of Midstate Club Site Cliff Kotary, Rome, NY	Courtesy of The Dave Brooks Family Al Danish May have run Fonda in its earliest years.	Ed Feuz Collection Perennial backmarker Red Knoblauch won a heat [and a bet] with Fonda officials Dave Talmadge and Pete Slovik. He won a wheelbrrow ride from them.	Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham George Welch, Schenectady, NY
Courtesy of Midstate Club Site Larry Nye, Preble, NY Usually a Watertown and Waterloo driver	Dan Ody's 8MM DVD Al Parry, Saratoga, NY	Dan Ody's 8MM DVD Bob Zimmerman, Albany, NY	Fred DeCarr Collection Tom Wilson, Rome, NY Charlie Pierce's P13	Dan Ody's 8MM DVD Herb Roots, Gloversville, NY Various Drivers	Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Don Wayman, Cobleskill, NY
Courtesy of CJ Richards Charlie Morse, N. Adams, MA Ed Winn 467. A very dominant early '50's team.	Ed Feuz Collection Bill Fake's charred car. He was barely rescued in time by Bob Whitbeck. Rick Parry Collection The Fake car before.	Ed Feuz Collection Bill Wimble, Lisbon, NY Hal Kempeny's 113	Ed Feuz Collection The Top Wop, Ron Narducci, East Haddam, CT	Don Radbruch Collection Bob Whitbeck, Canajoharie, NY Actually winning a Fonda race with a roadster. He went on to be a car owner extraordinaire and track official.	Lew Boyd Collection Early Fonda figures Carl "Leadfoot" Tabor, Hoppy Redner, and Tony Achzet.

Ed Feuz Collection Pete Corey in Bob Whitbeck's flaming 22 beats out Dutch Hoag in the 113 he sold to Hal Kempeny.	Herbert Collection Jeep Herbert [shown here with wife, Dee] won the points title with J.R. Earl some time in"the '50's.	Ed Feuz Collection The Christmas 1954 card was a warning of sorts for the fateful following season. It didn't go well with the Buick.	Ed Feuz Collection 1955 was not a red letter year for Steve Danish. He tried Buick power that year, which may or may not have contributed to that.	John Grady Collection Doc Blanchard, from nearby Gloversville, drove in a number of cars at Fonda. This is Miller's Studebaker.	Ed Feuz Collection Don Hendenberg One of Dave McCredy's first S33 drivers.
Ed Feuz Collection Popular driver Howard "Jeep" Herbert, Rotterdam, NY Here with Bob Mott's 3	Ed Feuz Collection Ed Ortiz, Ransomville, NY	Ed Feuz Collection Paul Marshall, Schenectady, NY A gentle giant of a man.	Midstate Club Collection Pepper Eastman, Madison, NY This shot likely at Morris, NY.	Lew Boyd Collection George Gallup With Dave McCredy's S33	John Grady Collection George Welch Bert Welch Collection
Johnny LeClaire Collection Wayne Coon, Delanson, NY. George Hall 74 out of Rotterdam.	Courtesy of Jack Eaton Otis Eaton, Ephrata, NY He had survived dangerous roadster racing only to be sadly the first Fonda fatality. Ed Feuz Collection Somber track workers clear up the wrecked Otis Eaton S-5 after his fatal 1955 crash.	Courtesy of John Chest Willie Chest, Canajoharie, NY Rare color photo	Courtesy of Annette Achzet-Ltaif Red Knoblauch, Johnstown, NY _{The playful team made the car extremely similar to Corey's 3 NY just to mess with the fans watching for the cars to come off the bridge to the track.}	Courtesy of Mary Lou Farina-Caprara Irv Taylor, Rexford, NY _{A rare shot of the Rollie Johnson 77 with a very different graphic package.}	Courtesy of Johnny Leclaire Jeep Herbert, The same car, now owned by Richard Welch, in its final season.
Courtesy of Rick Parry Spiffy and new, the Clark Bros. 45 - apparently ready for Steve Danish to drive.	Courtesy of Jim Kelly A very early Fonda entry, said to belong to Luke McDeen.	Courtesy of Rick Parry The Mike Suraske 10-10 Studebaker arrives to be driven by either Clifrf Kotary or Irv Taylor.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap An early Danish photo.	Courtesy of Tim Warner Sr. Ron Quackenbush, using Cecil Warner's 82 to damage some Fonda infrastructure.	Courtesy of John Danish Al Danish may have driven in a few races at Fonda.
Courtesy of Scott Belknap Carl "Leadfoot" Taber with car owner Tom Argersinger.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Al "Suicide" Sanders.	Kim E. Humbert Collection Courtesy of Jeff Carter A very early photo of Lee Millington and crew.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Bill King's 90 afire; Al LaGreca was the driver then.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Barney Barnard with the mysterious Henry J that has been newly discovered.	Courtesy of Ed Sindoni Steve Danish with a win when he was trying the Buick engine in his car.

Ed Feuz Collection
Bob Zimmerman leads the Rollie Johnson 77 [probably Ed Pieniazek], Harold Betts [inside], and Steve Danish.

Courtesy of the Starin Family
Chet flags off a 1950's feature. Jerry Jerome [far left] leads in the #777 which would become the 550Jr. The second car may be the Vogel 95 with Shoemaker aboard. The S-55 was Johnny Perry; the 62 was Joe Ciganenko in Frank Trinkhaus's entry; the 37 was likely Jeep Herbert; the 32, Paul Brozyna; the 3NY, Pete Corey; and Harold Betts was in the 40.

Photo Source Unknown
A good part of the Fonda contingent during the Golden Years. I recognize several: [Bottom row- Doc Blanchard, Unk., Unk., Unk., maybe Howie Westervelt, George Baumgardner, maybe Jack Roode, Don Wayman, Tom Kotary, and Unk. [Top Row- Ollie Palmer, Unk. Earl Maille, maybe Geo. Gallup, maybe George Welch, Bill Wimble, Ken Shoemaker, Steve Danish, Jim Luke, Paul Marshall, Buck Holliday, unk., and Lou Lazarro. Probably Corey and Jeep are in there, but I can't see them.

MORE FONDA STARS AND CARS FROM JAY LAIS COLLECTION
Some of These Are Bound to be Repeats. Sorry.

Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Bobby Adams Utica, NY	Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Carl FInk Albany, NY Brother - in law Bob ZImmerman's nice coach, soon to be trashed. Courtesy of Jay J. Lais	Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Cecil Warner's 82 in trouble. Unknown driver.	Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Rene Charland Agawam, MA During the championship years.	Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Rene Charland Agawam, MA Likely a Godfrey Wenzel car	Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Pete Corey Cohoes, NY [At that time] A win with Bob Whitbeck's 70 that became the car Jerry Jerome wrecked at Fonda.
Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Somebody piled'em up.	Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Pete Corey Crescent, NY A pose at Fonda with that gorgeous Mustang	Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Ed Ortiz Ransomville, NY	Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Ed Ortiz Ransomville, NY	Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Ernie Gahan gets a jacket from his Fonda fan club.	Probable Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Ernie Gahan Dover, NH One of his 2 Koszella sportsman coupes.
Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Ernie Gahan Dover, NH I see Dutch Reed [90A], Gahan [15], Danish [61], theTrinkhaus 62, and Ronnie Battaglia [34]. This is likely 1963. Willie Chest may be way on the outside.	Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Ollie Palmer trashes one version of Bill Fowler's 27 Jr.	Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Corey, and mostly likely Jack Farquhar get into danish here -with George Janoski as a witness to the crime.	Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Jack Farquhar again - this time with Jeep. No wonder they called his car Kalamity Jane.	Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Janoski again. Hardly worth the tow all the way from Stafford Springs, CT.	Courtesy of Jay J. Lais St. Lawrence River town neighbors go at it: Wimble [Lisbon] and Holliday [Waddington].
Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Ray Sitterly of Amsterdam trashes one of his great looking C-88's. *I'm happy to say I was in attendance the night Ray won his feature at Fonda.*	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Phil "PJ" Spiak Troy, NY Just look at the colors and the "Bad News" reference. Then look at the driver. It has to be.	Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Ernie Gahan Unknown sedan 14 wrecking.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais A recovering Pete Corey joins Buck Holliday in Vic Lane. Corey may have been smiling but Fonda regular HATED having the northern guys like Holliday and Nephew come down and win. They were accepting of Wimble.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Unknown driver looks on as they clean up his mess.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais George Janoski Stafford Sprgs, CT
Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais janoski again. Hope they came with a trailer.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Irv Taylor Rexford, NY *Mike Suraske's 10-10*	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Jack Farquhar Ephrata, NY *Teresco & Mancini 685*	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Bad night for Jeep in Vince Barbuto's beautiful 2 NY.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Jeep Herbert, Pete Corey and an unknown presenter.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Jeep and Wimble, two of the gentlemen of the sport.
Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Ollie "Jolly Ollie" Palmer Westmere, NY I remember seeing him race at Pico Raceway in 1952.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Jim Luke Utica, NY *Floyd "Pop" WIlcox 32*	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Jerry Townley Catskill, NY *Tom Chewins' 108*.	Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Jim Hoyt Saranac Lake, NY *Son of the Saranac Lake Speedway owner, Hoyt had gotten building advice from Ed Bellinger, Sr. The car was a pavement setup and it flying the night he had one of Fonda's worst crashes.*	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Hank LeClaire Schenectady, NY	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Shoemaker and Corey, the season they were actually team mates.
Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Robbie Kotary Rome, NY Ward Pettit 148	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais This sure looks like Paul Marshall; I apologize if wrong.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Here Lee Millington takes his turn wrecking Dick Bennett's 71.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Otto Graham Burlington Flats, NY My dear departed friend and inspiration for my website.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Pepper Eastman Madison, NY Immensely popular; left way too soon.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Hey fella, didja happen to get the number of that truck ?
Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Spence Parkhurst Saratoga Sprgs, NY	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Another Parkhurst at unknown location.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Skip Roots Gloversville NY A different look; I was used to his three window coupe.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Tom Douglas Amsterdam, NY	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Godfrey Wenzel's sedan out of Agawam,MA Don Wayman or Jim Luke; can't quite tell	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Roger Gauthier Fort Edward NY Charles Habreck 53
Courtesy of Jay J. Lais Corey sitting atop another car with the early version of the Falcon.	OTHER FONDA PHOTOS FROM OTHER CONTRIBUTORS	Frank Simek Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Chuck Kress's car after a bad wreck.	Frank Simek Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap 1964: Future great battles current great. Jack Johnson and Pete Corey.	Russ Bergh or John Grady Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Jerry Pennock in a later era with Tony VIllano's Falcon.	Russ Bergh or John Grady Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Jerry Pennock in a later era with Tony VIllano's coupe.
Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Ken Shoemaker and Jeep Herbert stage a fake fight over the Miss America Night trophy. They had this car at the Albany airport to welcome her in.	Allen Mott Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap The Joe Romano 97 outside Fonda Speedway about the time Andy took over driving.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap DIck Bennett's 71 afire in the infield pits.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap DIck Bennett's 71 afire in the infield pits 2.	John Grady Photo Don Stumpf wins in a shocker with a Wall stadium pavement car.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Corey nips George Welch in the Smith 22.
Doc Nellis Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Henry Bergen's 25 sits on its side with Shoemaker's Mazz_ owned car inforeground. A later era photo	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Pepper loses wheel; Wimble spins.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Dutch Hoag [Kempney 113] vs Corey [Smith 22].	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Chip Fusco Skip Roots in his earlier Ford H2 hits Roger Gauthier in the Romano 97.	Jim Campbell Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Irv Taylor's T&M 1 entering Fonda.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Joe Grossetti Jack Harris with one of the Starin/Abel 550's. Team car to the ill - fated Jerome 550Jr.
Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Jeep Herbert in Fonda Vic Lane with the whole Kittler/ Wolfe team. Bob Whitbeck, who built the car, is at Jeep's left.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap One of Jeep Herbert's J.R. Earl megateam cars on the trailer at Fonda.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Dave Bitucci Jeep wins another with the then - red - hot Kittler/ Wolfe 37.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Dave Bitucci Jeep wins yet another with the then - red - hot Kittler/ Wolfe 37.	Courtesy of Harry Heimbach The Kittler/Wolfe 37, ready to tow to Fonda.	Courtesy of Edward B. Brown III One of Lou Lazzaro's 1960's cars.
Courtesy of Edward B. Brown III Closeup of Corey in the post - Studebaker coupe.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Harry Heimbach Popular Jack Farquhar, with the Teresco & Mancini 685.	Jim Campbell Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Irv Taylor, pulling into Fonda with his T&M #1.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap A Lee Millington S22, said to be built by Bob Whitbheck.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Johnny Perry with one of the Smith - owned cars in the mid '50's.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Lou Smith, with the Trinkhaus during the fatefull 1965 season.
Courtesy of Chas Hertica Maynard Forrette in the giggly weeds with Roerigs' 99.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Paul Marshall in the Villano 37 with a black flag.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Robbie Kotary wins one with Ward Pettit's 148.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Tom Douglas Amsterdam Doesn't this look a lot like Doc's car at right ?	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Doc Blanchard Gloversville Both Dick Diamond cars in the background. That's not Lazzaro.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Bob Sitterly
Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Johnstown friends - Andy and Joe Romano with Bruce Dostal.	Amsterdam Evening Recorder Courtesy of Scott Belknap Bob Whitbeck with Corey and the hole - ridden car "Jerry Jerome finally killed off years later. Corey hated it.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Dave Lape Canjoharie	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Starin Family Doc Blanchard, with the car Skip Roots would drive later. Trashed in the Jerome wreck.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Ed Feuz Collection Don Wayman - same wreck.	Courtesy of Janice Shaw Rounds Fonda parade lap.
Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Edw. B. Brown III Paul Marshall wins a qualifier in the low budget but highly effective Allie Swears 51.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Skip Roots wins one in the family car once driven by Doc Blanchard. [A different H2 than above].	Chest Family Photo Courtesy of John Chest Raymond Chest, with brother, Willie's car at Canajoharie.	John Grady Photo Courtesy of MIke Cranston Lee Millington with a much later version of the Frank Trinkhaus 62.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Rick Parry Ken Shoemaker wins one for Trinkhaus in one of the 62's of this era.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Gater and Edwrd B. Brown III A rare win for popular Cohoes body man Ken Canestrari.

TEAM NAME	Driver	Driver	Driver	Finish
Fonda Speedway	Lou Lazzaro	Ron Narducci	Dick Clark	1.
Albany - Saratoga Speedway	Rene Charland	Jerry Cook	Andy Romano	2.
Nazareth Speedway	Frankie Schneider	Will Cagle	Bob Rossell	3.
Flemington Speedway	Dick Havens	Whip Mulligan	Stan Ploski	4.
Norwood Arena	Bugs Stevens	Leo Cleary	Fred DeSarro	5.
Islip Speedway	Fred Harbach	Mousey Kempster	George Peters	6.
Orange County Speedway	Buzzie Reutimann	Bob Malzahn	Jackie Evans	7.
Wall Stadium	Tommie Elliott	Gil Hearne	Bob Vaughn	8.

Courtesy of the Lazzaro Family
All Star League poster said to be from 1968. Notice the Fonda team retained only Narducci from '67.
Lazzaro would be the star of the year.

Courtesy of Otto Graham, the Lazzaro Family, and Unknown
The '68 ASL Fonda Team: Dick Clark, Lou Lazzaro, and Ron Narducci.

From the Romano Family Collection
This All Star League lineup is from the race at Fonda in 1968. The Shoe isn't in his uniform. I believe this is when he had in th middle of
the team personnel shirts after the Corey/ NASCAR flap and after he may have lost the Wright / Zautner ride. If this is the whole bunch
that night, a lot of League team members were not in attendance. It's confusing because I though most of that was in 1967.

1969 - The Fonda Track Does Not Participate.
Clark, Lazzaro, and Narducci moved, as a unit - to the Catamount Stadium team.

Courtesy of John Grady Family and Unknown Source
The '71 ASL Fonda Team: Rene Charland and Ron Narducci - both savvy veterans fo the ASL. This was Fonda's last year in the League.

Ladabouche Collection - Gater Racing News Photo by Russ Bergh
Gil Hearne [29NJ] apparently ran over the outside front of the Ray Sitterly in the 1968 Fonda All Star show.
I would guess Sitterly may have been spinning at the time.

bizpaedia.com Some legal information on the Speed Cororation of America, that used Fonda as one of its bases, as well as one of its tracks.	Lost Maine Speewdways Photo Maine's Ken Littlefield was one of the regulars on the short - lived SCOA circuit. He ran at Fonda .	Fortune City.com Photo Promoter Jack Kochman was not realistic in what hhis touring drivers could maintain..	Craig Collection Johnny Rogers with the W.O. Taylor NASCAR modified #89. Al Keller would also drive this car in NY for a bit. Both became NASCAR officials.	Ed Samples Collection Buddy Shuman, a southerner, was clearly the most successful at Fonda in the few SCOA races that were held. Here he relaxes after winning the first Fonda race in 1948.	International Motorsports Hall of Fame Photo Rhode Islander Sammy Packard was a SCOA regular who appeared at Fonda in 1948.
Jeff Hardifer Collection NJ's teenage sensation Wally Campbell, in the Wally Marks #1 was the real star of the opening Fonda show.	Don Radbruch Photo Canajoharie's Bob Whitbeck placed 2nd in he "hot rod" support race at the first SCOA show in 1948.	Pinterest Photo Rocky DiNatale, Trenton, NJ Mentioned as hitting the fence in the first 1948 SCOA show.	Frank Smith Photo via NOTARC and Jeff Hardifer Al Keller, Trenton, NJ Drove the famed W.O. Taylor cars out of Paterson, NJ. He was likely at the Fonda shows.	Ed Samples Collection Bill Snowden, a Floridian was one of the more consistent competitors in the short life of the circuit.	Russ Dodge Collection via Jeff Hardifer Driver Frank "Rebel" Munday with famed mechanic of that period Joe Wolf [right]

Bill Ladabouche Photo Looking from the stands toward Turn 4	Bill Ladabouche Photo The announcer's and judges' stand. The dragstrip is seen behind and the Mohawk River is in the distance.	Bill Ladabouche Photo Gigi Conover's junker cars prepare to go out and run in the track. The road to the Thruway is in the distance, and the famous Graveyard is that white line over the 2nd car from left.	Bill Ladabouche Photo The water truck would run for hours and hours, turning the track into what would appear to be an undrivable quagmire.	Bill Ladabouche Photo Looking to Turn 1. That tractor thing with multiple tires is running in the track surface. You can also see the ticket entrance.	Bill Ladabouche Photo Early arrivers find ways to pass the time.
Bill Ladabouche Photo Looking at Turn 4, and the Cow Palace behind it, as the Conover Auto Parts cars run in the track.	Courtesy of Dan Ody Steve Danish's car sits in the background in this mid 1950's view of the infield.	Dan Ody's 8MM DVD The old ticket entrance around 1958.	Dan Ody's 8MM DVD Another angle.	Bill Ladabouche Photo Jean-Guy Chartrand arrives at Fonda after rains caused a cancellation. The entrance is slightly changed here.	Muldowney Site Photo Famous drag racer Shirley Muldowney got her start at Fonda. This is that same entrance.
Dan Ody's 8MM DVD Car 555 runs in the track.	Dan Ody's 8MM DVD A full - bodied Car 73 running in the track. This is Johnny Miller.	Dan Ody's 8MM DVD Willie Chest[54] and Lynn Delong [2nd] are among the cars running in the track before a 1955 show.	Dan Ody's 8MM DVD Jim Luke in Hal Kempeny's 113 and Paul Marshall in the Warren Daniels 7-11 Jr run in the surface.	Dan Ody's 8MM DVD Bennett's 71, with its driver du jour running in the track. It is likely Ken Jones of Canajoharie.	Muldowney Site Photo The infield drag strip was very short.
Ed Feuz Collection A recuperating Pete Corey awards northern NY invader Buck Holliday around 1960.	Ed Feuz Collection Utica's wild man, Chuck Mahoney rams Lynn Delong while driving for Dave McCredy.	Ed Feuz Collection Bill Wimble wins one with Hal Kempeny's 113, a former Dutch Hoag car.	Ed Feuz Collection Bob Fiske wins with the Clartk Bros. 45 sedan.	Ed Feuz Collection Pete Corey, in the Bob Whitbeck - built flaming 22, outdoes Dutch Hoag in Hal Kempeny's 113. That Harold Smith - owned 22 was the inspiration for Dave Lape's flaming 22's.	Lew Boyd Collection Pete Corey was darned nigh unbeatable in Bob Mott's 3 until NASCAR decided tp enforce their ban on pre - 1936 bodies.
Ed Feuz Collection Huge Don Hendenberg was a good driver in the McCredy S33 before being killed at work.	Ed Feuz Collection Corey flies the checkers in the hole - ridden Bob Whitbeck 70. Corey hated the 2nd car. It went through other drivers before Jerry Jerome ended it in possible the most spectacular crash in Fonda history. Courtesy of Starin Family	Lew Boyd Collection Corey nips George Welch in Frank Trinkhaus' 62NY.	Ed Feuz Collection A recuperating Pete Corey is forced to wach from the announcer's staand in 1960.	Ed Feuz Collection In 1955 Steve Danish scrapped his familiar six in favor of a Buick V-8. The experiment and the year were both disasters.	Danish Collection Steve Danish with one of his seven 1953 Fonda feature trophies.
Ed Feuz Collection A 1950's visit from the Sports Car Owners & Drivers' Club [SCODA].	Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Don Stumpf, Bellamawr, NJ He won an upset at Fonda, running it like a paved track. Caused a change in philosophy about which grooves to run @ Fonda.	Ed Feuz Collection A young Ed Pienazek, probably with Johnson's 77 at that time.	Ed Feuz Collection Johnny Gruner rams into Lee Millington [7] as Larry Larrabee goes over while subbing for another driver.	Ed Feuz Collection An unidentified Henry J competed in 1953.	Lew Boyd Collection Freeloaders used to steal a show from outside the fence on Rte 30A until one was killed.
Romano Collection Herb Dunleavy was the first hired driver for Joe and Andy Romano.	Ed Feuz Collection George Welch had a promising career cut short when he was killed flagging at Empire Raceway.	Ed Feuz Collection Fonda aerial shot in the earlier pre -dragstrip era.	Lew Boyd Collection George Gallup spent time in both McCredy's S33 and Frank Trinkhaus' 62NY in this early era	Ed Feuz Collection Chet Hames flags off a finish with Red Knoblauch [13], S-5 Johnny Perry [middle] and 777 Jerry Jerome. Otis Eaton would be killed in the S-5 and Jerome would spectacularly wreck that car, later numbered 550.	Ed Feuz Collection Herb Root leads Walt Roberts at Fonda's very first practice session.
Ed Feuz Collection Irv Taylor goes through the fence in the Tony Palutti 75A.	Ed Biitig Collection Jim "Trapper" Morse, Troy, NY	Ed Feuz Collection Jim Luke wins one with the Burns & Wilson 100 around 1954.	Williams Collection Johnny Perry, with the new Bob Whitbeck 22.		Ed Feuz Collection Ken Jones of Canajoharie hangs an early Dick Bennett 71 on the fence.
Vogel Family Collection Kenny Shoemaker, in full oppositelock with Ted Vogel's 95 coupe. He isn't spinning out - he simply drove Ted Vogel's car that hard.	Geroge Caruso Lee Bliss with a 1953 win in the Frank Michaelson 51 NY.	Ed Feuz Collection Paul Brozyna with an early win for Hal Kempeny.	Ed Feuz Collection Habitual backmarker Red Knoblauch won a race [and a bet]. Fonda officials had to chauffeur him around Fonda in a wheelbarrow.	Ed Feuz Collection The Fonda book has this early driver of McCredy's S33 as Don Hendenberg. I think it is Racin' Grayson Smith.	Johnson Family Collection Rollie Johnson, an early Fonda car owner [red #77] and father of Jack and Joe.
Ed Feuz Collection Track photographer Russ Bergh, Middleburg, NY Ed Feuz Collection Russ' checkerboard stand is seen in the background here. Otto Pade was likely inside.	Marc Schultz Photo Rollie Johnson and the #77 "Miss Pauline" crew. I believe Rollie is 3rd from right. Driver Eddie Pieniazek is center and photographer Tony Farina is at far right. I thin Pauline was Farina's wife, maybe.	Lazzaro Collection Lou Lazzaro's Italian brain trust from Utica, NY: Lou, Johnny Veletto, Jr. Bianco, and Jan Manazzi. Bianco was his inseparable pal for years.	Dan Ody Collection 'Ol Red Knoblauch's 13 never ran faster than the night young Kenny Shoemaker goaded it to a win at Fonda.	Blackjack at Oldies But Goodies A Fonda scrum involving Danish Gahan and others.	Gerry LaVallee Collection Ken Jones of Canajoharie was likely the first in a long line of drivers in Dick Bennett's Bernie's Liquor Shop 71. But his propensity for wadding it up got him replaced.
Jim King Collection via Gerry LaVallee Ken Jones of Canajoharie was introduced to the Fonda barriers.	Courtesy of Mike Russo Don Wayman was also an early Bennett 71 driver for hire.	Courtesy of Cameron Gray Bob Bruno would sometimes drive Allie Swears' 51 at Fonda.	Courtesy of Bill Fifield Irv Taylor drove in dozens of cars, including Mike Suraske's 10 - 10 Studebaker.	Maynard Johnson Photo Hal Kempeny's 113 was an important early Fonda entry.	Courtesy of Craig Revelle Bob Ziegler, of Boonville was an infrequent visitor to Fonda from Watertown.

Osterhoudt Collection Lynn Delong crashes his car nicknamed "The Picker Six" after having already survived being rear-ended by Chuck Mahoney earlier in the season. [See above]	Osterhoudt Collection Track workers look it over to determine how to remove it from the racing surface. John Osterhoudt is one of those workers shown here.	Starin Family Collection The wrecked Delong car as it sat at Sonny Starin's afterward.	Starin Family Collection The wrecked Delong car as it sat at Sonny Starin's afterward.	Starin Family Collection The wrecked Delong car as it sat at Sonny Starin's afterward.
	Starin Family Collection Gawd, Lynn - Ya did it up good !.	Starin Family Collection The wrecked Delong car as it sat at Sonny Starin's afterward.

Duke McSpirit Collection A young Bill Kollar with an early K71.	Duke McSpirit Collection The Bill Kollar K71 under construction.	Andrew McCartney Collection Jollie Ollie Palmer with an early ride in this 333.	Danish Family Collection Steve Danish signs autographs for excited fans on the back of his always - immaculate #61.	Swaim Family Collection Chuck Mahoney would occasionally run the well - backed Hollebrand 53 at Fonda in the earlier days.
Lori Harris Michaels Collection I think that is Jack Harris getting hit by a car 5 in this very early action.	David Kilmartin Collection A great early color aerial of the track.	George Hunt Collection 1958 saw a visit from Miss America......	George Hunt Collection ......and from the less attractive SCCA cars.	Rick Parry Collection Frank's played a major role at the track for decades.
Lori Harris Michaels Collection This is Jack Harris on a better day than above.	Rick Parry Collection Kurzon "Moose" Cary runs Frank Trinkhaus' heavy Chevy against Robbie Kotary in a Joe Romano 97 in this very early action.	Rick Parry Collection Bystanders marvel how Kurzon "Moose" Cary wasn't hurt worse after doing this to Frank Trinkhaus' heavy Chevy. A similar accident cost Corey a leg.	Van Slyke Family Collection This is driver Van Slyke with an early Fonda entry.	Rick Parry Collection Art Gelorian's 58 was at least an occasional entry in the early Fonda years with drivers Sanders and Gerow.
Rick Parry Collection Bernie Ingersoll was one of the first drivers for the prominent 1950's Burns & Wilson 100 team.	Russ Bergh Photo Keith Shoemaker Collection Buck Holliday at Fonda, with the Geary/Bacon C38.	Russ Bergh Photo Bill Kollar Collection via Scott Belknap Buck Holliday takes a win at Fonda, with the Geary/Bacon C38.	Tim Warner Sr Collection Early Fonda driver Cecil Warner.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap A former driver himself, Art Spore [Spoar?] fielded this car for a young Pete Corey.

Courtesy of George Hunt Earl Maille W. Glens Falls, NY One of the drivers to bring a win to Henry Caputo.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap UNK car 105 hits the wall but avoids the graveyard.	Frank Simek Photo Doug Gallup [Maybe]	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Photographer Russ Bergh Jackie Ruger [Maybe]	Courtesy of Rick Parry Russ Bergh Photo Car 75 could be having a better night. Not Young/Vine 75	Courtesy of Rick Parry Car 52 not doing much better.
Courtesy of Rick Parry Jack Rugar wrecking his 107 car.	Courtesy of Rick Parry More Rugar misfortune.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap The end of the Rte 30A freeloading.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Otis Eaton accident article. What was it with the 5's ? 1955 was a disaster and so was 1965.	Courtesy of Rick Parry George Gallup with an early Trinkhaus car.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Red Cromer's car was running hot for Baumie that night.
Courtesy of Rick Parry An early Trinkhaus team photo. I think: Ciganenko, House, Frank, UNK kid, and UNK crewman.	Courtesy of Rick Parry Red Knoblauch puts one of his 13's on her side. Poor Red probably didn't think it was as funny as these guys did.	Courtesy of Rick Parry Rolling her back over.	Courtesy of Joe Macekja, Jr. Jolly Ollie finds success with one of Jim Brush's cars.	Courtesy of Frank Simek George Emden aka Jerry Jerome. The former Whitbeck car.	Courtesy of Rick Parry Jeep Herbert with one of Frank Trinkhaus' experiments.