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

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.

Midstate Club Photo
No more sneak peeks.

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 Frank Blum'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 Frank Blum,	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	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.
		Kim E. Humbert Collection Courtesy of Jeff Carter A very early photo of Lee Millington and crew.

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.

Source Unknown
Ron Narducci and the first -year driver Andy Romano roll by the announcer's stand and Chet Hames [on track by guard rails] during
slow warmups at Fonda around 1963.

FONDA HOSTED A NUMBER OF NASCAR GRAND NATIONAL
NORTHERN TOUR RACES PRIOR TO 1970

Ladabouche Collection
A handout advertising the 1967 Grand National race at Fonda.

Ladabouche Collection
A handout advertising the 1966 Grand National race at Fonda. As you can see, there
were a few big names and the rest were field fillers. Paul Connors was actually a
Vermont native.

John Grady Collection
Richard Petty won the 1967 [and perhaps final] Grand National race at Fonda. Below - Junior Johnson
won what was probably the first GN race there in the 1950's.

Ed Feuz Collection

SOME MORE GOLDEN ERA CARS


Courtesy of Mike Gray Collection
Another shot of Bill Kollar
and his K71.
Courtesy of John Jansen
Bob Rees' well -seasoned
coupe, at home.
Courtesy of Ralph Caprara
Pete Corey with an early
photo of the final A.C.
Caprara 37 that was eventually sold to Tony Villano. Here, the
tail end of the body hasn't been bobbed off yet.


Courtesy of Scott Belknap
Up from the late model class
was Art Bradt with this
sharp coupe.
Courtesy of Alan McDOnald
A classic Wimble shot.
Courtesy of Mohawk Valley
Vintage Dirt Mod SIte
Bob Bruno and Vic Wolfe did not run at FOnda much
but they left an impression when they did.

Courtesy of Mohawk Valley
Vintage Dirt Mod SIte
Bob Emsminger
Courtesy of Mohawk Valley
Vintage Dirt Mod SIte
Bruce Dostal
Courtesy of Rick Parry
This is thought to be
Lefty Quant of Schenectady.
Ladabouche Photo
Hank LeClaire,
Schenectady, NY
An occasional entry who may have had some connection to
Quant.

Courtesy of Johnny LeClaire
via Scott Belknap
This is what happened to the LeClaire car when it was
lent to Guy Chartrand.
Courtesy of Johnny LeClaire
via Scott Belknap
This is what happened to the LeClaire car when it was
lent to Guy Chartrand.

Courtesy of Duke McSpirit
Corey with the
last A.C. Caprara
car.
Courtesy of Scott Belknap
Charland, with a Godfrey
Wenzel coupe during his
National Sportsman
Championship reign.

Courtesy of Mohawk Valley
Vintage Dirt Mod SIte
Bob SItterly
Courtesy of Scott Belknap
Charland, in the Roland Belanger 302.
Courtesy of Scott Belknap
Charland, winning in the overheating Roland Belanger 302.
Courtesy of Three Wide
Picture Vault via
Flemke.com
Corey, in 1964 with the Drellos team.

Courtesy of Dave Peek
Ed Pieniazek, witht Charles Habreck's 53 - before it was sold to Bucky Tesiero.
Courtesy of Scott Belknap
Dave Lape with the Rosner
built Chevy II.
Courtesy of Rick Parry
Dave Buanno, at the
end of the Golden Era, with
his new tubular chassis
coupe.

Courtesy of Scott Belknap
Corey, with the unique
post-Studebaker coupe
he also ran at Langhorne.
Courtesy of Mohawk Valley
Vintage Dirt Mod SIte
Doc Blanchard
Courtesy of Mohawk Valley
Vintage Dirt Mod SIte
Jack Farquhar with
Vince Barbuto's car - before
they moved on to the Valley.

Courtesy of Scott Belknap
Jerry Pennock did a great
job driving for Tony Villano.
Courtesy of Jim Conlon
Jerry Cook in Vic Lane.
Courtesy of Duke McSpirit
Jack Johnson, during his
Stinit with Tom Douglas.
Courtesy of Jim Kelly
Looking at Mel Austin's
car embedded into the
Victoria announcer's stand and it isn't hard to figure where Ton Douglas' 1st car came from.

Ladabouche Photo
First Douglas car.
Courtesy of Mohawk Valley
Vintage Dirt Mod SIte
Jerry Townley grabbed
this Fonda win in Pop
Wilcox's 32 before the
team moved to the Valley.

Courtesy of Keith Shoemaker
The Shoe with his most
familiar car, the Caputo
Drellos 111.
Courtesy of G. Bogart
The Shoe with a later
ride, the Greene
Electric 24.

Courtesy of Scott Belknap
Jim Johnson, Jr. in
the Azchet 81a.
Courtesy of Mohawk Valley
Vintage Dirt Mod SIte
Jim Johnson, Jr in the
familiar 77 sedan.
Courtesy of Keith Shoemaker
The Shoe was responsible
for many of Trinkhaus' wins.
Courtesy of George Hunt
Lou Smith,
Munnsville, NY

Courtesy of Mohawk Valley
Vintage Dirt Mod SIte
Local man Skip Roots
takes a qualifier.
Courtesy of Scott Belknap
Phil Becker lands the Ward
Pettit148 on top of Dick Bennett's
71 [likely Millington].
Courtesy of Scott Belknap
Joel Thomas,
Sherrill, NY
Former Norm Moyer car.
Courtesy of Mike Cranston
Lou Smith in 1965 with
the ill-fated Trinkhaus
car.

Courtesy of A. Ainsworth
Jim Johnson, Jr. inRay Sitterly's hugely poular Fonda win.
Courtesy of Scott Belknap
Steve Luse in a
coupe at Fonda.

Courtesy of Jim Szcur
This could possibly be
veteran Manchester, VT
driver Gege Tetreault.
Courtesy of John Gallant
TAl "Buck" Peek

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.	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 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.

Ladabouche Photo Jack DuBrul, Shelburne, VT Drove at Catamount Otter Creek, TRoad Courtesy of Bob Novak	Russ Bergh Photo Howie Westervelt, Ravena, NY A Wright/Zautner car	Russ Bergh Photo Don Wayman, Cobleskill, NY A Wright/Zautner car	Bill Fifield Photo Robbie Kotary, Rome, NY Ward Petit's 148	John Grady Photo Ron Narducci, E. Haddam, CT Drove at Fairmont and Devil's Bowl	Shaney Lorenzent Photo Courtesy of Andy Fusco Russ Betz, Hartford, CT
Ladabouche Collection Jack Farquhar, Euphrata, NY Teresco & Mancini 685	Ladabouche Collection Bill Wimble, Lisbon, NY Dave McCready's 33 Drove at Otter Creek	Courtesy of Mike Watts Buck Holliday, Waddington, NY Floyd Geary's C38 Drove at Otter Creek	Ladabouche Collection Skip Roots, Gloversville, NY	Shaney Lorenzent Photo Courtesy of Andy Fusco Bob Leach, Stafford Springs, CT	Frank SImek Photo Jerry Townley, Catskill, NY Pop Wilcox 32 Drove at Rutland Fairgrounds
From Dave Dykes' Site via the HAMB Site George Janoski, Stafford Sprgs, CT Drove at W.Brattleboro in early days.	Courtesy of Bob Novak Doc Blanchard, Gloversille, NY Doc ran this former Ray Vine car at Fonda around 1961. He brought it to Otter Creek around 1962.	Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Ken Meahl Lockport, NY Jerry Cook's 38 Drove at Otter Creek	John Grady Photo Gaston Desmarais, Tupper Lake, NY Drove at Airborne and Catamount	Frank Simek Photo Pete Corey, Crescent, NY A. C. Caprara's and later Tony Villano's 37 Drove at Pico & Fairmont.	Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Jerry Townely Catskill, NY Drove and won at Rutland Fair, 1964.
Mike Watts Photo Bob Bruno, Morrisonville, NY Vic Wolfe's 66 Drove at Otter Creek, Catamount, Airborne.	Ladabouche Collection Dick Nephew, Mooers Forks, NY. Allie Swears' 51 The car ran at Fairmont, Airborne, & Otter Creek	John Grady Photo Al Sanders, New Hartford, NY.	Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Dutch Reed, Glens Falls, NY. Joe Romano's 97 The car ran at Otter Creek	John Grady Photo Ken Canestrari, Cohoes, NY. John Grady Photo	Ladabouche Photo Jolly Ollie Palmer, Westmere, NY While not his first 27Jr, this was Bill Fowler's first sportsman.
John Grady Photo Chuck Mahoney, Rochester, NY Peter Hollebrand 53	Ladabouche Collection Jack Farquhar, Ephrata, NY. Vince Barbuto's 2	Ladabouche Photo Lou Smith, Munnsville, NY.	Ladabouche Photo Mike Michaels [Suraske], Oriskany, NY. The car ran at Otter Creek	Ladabouche Photo Howie Fassett, Canajoharie, NY.	John Grady Photo Tiger Tom Kotary, Rome, NY. Joe Romano's 97 The car ran at Otter Creek
Courtesy of Steve Judd Ron Quakenbush, Fultonville, NY.	Courtesy of Conde & Parry Website Tom Kotary, Rome, NY. Kotary Family 12 Ran the Romano 97 at Otter Creek	Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock Charlie Trombley, Mooers Forks, NY The Ross McNaughton 5 7/8 The car ran at Catamount and Thunder Road	Ladabouche Photo Ernie Gahan, Dover, NH. Koszella's 15CT	John GradyPhoto Pepper Eastman, Madison, NY	Gater News Photo Rene Charland, Agawam, MA Czepiel's 888 He ran at Catamount, and Thunder Road.
Frank Simek Photo Johnny Kollar, Johnstown, NY. The car ran at D. Bowl	Courtesy of Cho Lee Andre Manny, Laval des Rapides, QC The car ran at Catamount and Thunder Road	Courtesy of Cho Lee Bernie Miller, Canastota, NY Primarily a pavement driver. Did run Catamount.	Courtesy of Otto Graham Bill Rafter, Clarence Center, NY. Gil Bruss''s 22	John Grady Photo Bob Emsminger, Gloversville, NY. Bruce Dostal - built	John Grady Photo Bruce Dostal, Johnstown, NY
NE Vint Mod Site Photo Several Drivers The Godfrey Wentzel 03	Courtesy of Cho Lee Jean-Paul Cabana, Beloeil, QC The car ran at Catamount and Thunder Road	D. Bowl Program Photo Will Cagle, Tampa, FL Occasional only.	John Grady Photo Cam Gagliardi, Lockport, NY Occasional only.	Frank Simek Photo Charlie Peters, Delanson, NY Charlie ran afoul of the turn one wall with his unique coach whick kinda" reminds me of Norm Scarborough's car at Fairmont, 1965. . Ladabouche Photo	John Grady Photo Charlie Peters, Delanson, NY The Car ended up as Dick Diamond's 8Ball
Russ Bergh Photo via Otto Graham Steve Danish, Cropseyville NY A man of stature deserves more photos but all his cars looked the same. The car ran at Fairmont.	Ladabouche Collection This shot of Rene Charland with the Russ Betz 59 shows the Dick Diamond 8 Ball in the background [white].	Russ Bergh Photo via Otto Graham Ed Pieniazek, Schenectady, NY Tony Villano 37 The car ran at Fairmont.	Ladabouche Collection Pete Corey Crescent, NY The fabled Falcon The car ran at Fairmont.	Ladabouche Collection Pete Corey Crescent, NY The Studebaker - good for 1/2 a season.	Ladabouche Collection Pete Corey Crescent, NY The post - Studebaker a coupe .
Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Bob SItterly, St. Johnsville, NY	Russ Bergh Photo Ladabouche Collection Ed Ortiz, Ransomville, NY	Courtesy of Jeff Ackerman Dick Clark, Munnsville, NY The car ran at Airborne.	John Grady Photo Doc Blanchard, Gloversville, NY Actually this is his pavement car. The driver ran at Otter Creek.	Russ Bergh Photo Ladabouche Collection Ernie Gahan, Dover, NH One of the former Chris Drellos team cars.	Ladabouche Collection Jack Johnson, Duanesburg, NY The Tony Villano 37 - his 1st ride. The car ran at Fairmont and Devil's Bowl.
Russ Bergh Photo via Otto Graham Jeep Herbert, Rotterdam, NY The Vince Barbuto 2	Russ Bergh Photo Ladabouche Collection Jack Farquhar, Ephrata, NY Vince Barbuto 2 lowered.	John Grady Photo Jeep Herbert, Rotterdam, NY The Hammond & Strong 56 CT The car ran at Fairmont.	Russ Bergh Photo Jeep Herbert, Rotterdam, NY The Drellos backup car - it was a dog. Jeep ran at Pico and Fairmont in the '50's.	Russ Bergh Photo via Otto Graham George Welch, Schenectady, NY George was killed flagging at another track.	Russ Bergh Photo via Bill Fifield Irv Taylor, Rexford, NY I was inducted into Weedsport with Irv.. . a wonderful man. The team ran at Otter Creek.
John Grady Collection Bob Adams, Utica, NY Once I thought this was a photo of Lefty Quant.	Fifield Collection Bob Adams, Utica, NY An earlier Adams entry from the earlier 1960's.	Courtesy of Rick Parry Bob Adams, Utica, NY The final car at Fonda as far as I know.	David Kilmartin Photo Bob Deming, Cobleskill, NY A Midstate Speedway regular like Bob Adams.	Ladabouche Collection Jerry Cook, Lockport, NY I was inducted into Weedsport with Jerry.. . we had a good time. The first variation of this car appeared and won at Otter Creek, with Ken Meahl driving, in 1963 [see right] The car ran at Otter Creek	Ladabouche Collection Ken Meahl, Lockport, NY Jerry Cook's 38 The car won at Otter Creek Courtesy of Jo Towns via Otto Graham Ken Meahl, Lockport, NY Jerry Cook's 38 The car won at Otter Creek. Photo is above.
A Xerox of a John Grady Photo Jerry Pennock, Warrensburgh, NY Tony Villano 37 Jerry ran at Devil's Bowl.	Courtesy of Wes Moody Jim Hoyt, Saranac Lake, NY This car was involved in one of the worst wrecks in Fonda history.	Conde & Parry Site Jim Kuke, Utica, NY The Pop Wilcox 32	Russ Bergh Photo Ladabouche Collection Jerry Townley, Catskill, NY Thomas Chewins 108 The car ran at Rutland Fairgrounds.	Cavalcade of Racinge Photo Bob Ziegler, Boonville, NY An occasional invader of Fonda from the Watertown area.	John Grady Photo Bruce Dostal, Johnstown, NY This Falcon ended up in pieces at Fonda Russ Bergh Photo
Rick Parry Collection Andy Romano, Johnstown, NY Andy ran at Devil's Bowl with the Valiant.	Russ Bergh Photo Ladabouche Collection Andy Romano, Johnstown, NY The injected sedan.	Mike Gray Collection Bill Kollar, Johnstown, NY	Mike Anop Photo Another Bob Ziegler	Ed Feuz Collection Bob Zimmerman leads\| Danish and the Welch 77 around Harold Betts' 40.	Mike Gray Collection Al Peek, Rexford, NY
Rick Parry Collection Bucky Tesiero, Amsterdam, NY	Walter Mateer Photo Joe Grossetti Collection Carl Fink, Albany, NY This might have been the program in which he wrecked the xcar spectacularly.	John Gallant Collection Rene Charland, Agawam, MA He ran this Russ Betz 59 on dirt and asphalt.	Brad Charland Collection Charland again One of thre many who drove Bill Fowler's 27Jr cars.	Bergh Photo Mike Ambrosino Coll. Lee Millington, Palatine Bridge, NY	Lou Lazarro Collection Chuck Kress, Schenectady, NY
Richard Charteand Collection Probably Irv Taylor in a Falcon, hit by Jeep as Chartrand gets by.	Ladabouche Photo The Drellos car for Pete Corey arrives at Fonda. Pete Corey Jr. Collection Another look at the Corey Drellos car.	Russ Bergh Photot Boyd Collection Dave Buanno, Fort Johnson, NY David Kilmartin Collection Buanno's later tube chassis car.	Mike Budka Jr. Collection Corey spilling the Falcon.	Russ Bergh Photo via Dave Dykes Corey with a less familiar look for the Falcon. He may not have been done with the body yet.	Rick Parry Collection Corey stayed with he 37 team when it went from A.C. Caprara to Tony Villano.
Ed Feuz Collection 3 rather significant Fonda figures: Corey Leading Danish and Lazarro.	Rick Parry Collection The 1964 Drellos team: Shoemaker and Corey.	Rick Parry Collection Corey with a rare win driving for Frank Trinhaus. Looks like the former Drellos 111 Frank bought.	Rick Parry Collection Corey and Shoemaker having a discussion. Corey still has the Caprara jacket while SHoe has a Drellos one.	Rick Parry Collection Jack Farquhar, Ephrata, NY The Cross Family 47.	Jim Kelly Collection Steve Danish - around 1963.
Rick Parry Collection Dave Lape, Canajoharie, NY The first car.	Russ Bergh Photo Ladabouche Collection The Rosner - built Chevy II	Courtesy of James Howard A 1965 win for Ernie Gahan, with his own 50NH. He would also run Fonda with the Koszella 15 CT	Courtesy of Boyd Collection In 1967 Fonda had the remarkable luck to have both Ernie Gahan [1966 NASCAR National Modified Champion] and Don MacTavish [1966 NASCAR National Sportsman Champion] in the same show. Ironically, both men came from New England towns called Dover.	John Grady Collection Dick Diamond, Sloansville, NY Seen behind Doc Blanchard's 49.	Otto Graham Collection Another peek at a Dick DIamond car - the white Buick Special in the background behind the Champ.
Otto Graham Collection Skip Roots, Gloversville, NY	Bergh Photo Courtesy of Melissa Jordan Jolly Ollie Palmer, Westmere NY A slightly later 27Jr.	Cavalcade of Racing Photo by Russ Bergh Don Wayman, Cobleskill, NY Godfrey Wenzel's Smith & Son Jewelers 00	Ladabouche Photo A seldom seen Midstate car. The great Joe Donahue sometimes drove this car at Midstate, Morris, NY	Courtesy of Bob Novak Doc Nellis, Little Falls, NY Doc ran this former Trinkhaus car at Fonda when he wasn't helping out Otto and Russ with photos. Credits Unknown	Mike Cranston Collection Dick Clark, Munnsville, NY One of the Hugh Hedger cars.
Ladabouche Photo Lou Lazarro, Utica, NY One of my favorite photos - Louie entering Fonda with Blackie in the car.	Bergh Photo via Lou Lazarro Lou Lazarro, Utica NY 1960. Said to be Lou's first maroon and white 4.	Bergh Photo David Kilmartin Coll. Lou Lazarro, Utica, NY A Lou variation. I don't know if this is before the photo ar left.	Bergh Photo Shoemaker Book Ken Shoemaker, Westmere, NY Shoemaker had a stint in Tony VIllano's Falcon. This is said to be the only win the car had.	Rick Parry Photo Another Millington - driven Bennett car. The team had many drivers.	Ladabouche Photo Guy arrives to find it has rained out. An earlier 901 car.
Ladabouche Photo Jean Guy Chartrand, Montrreal,QC His most familiar 901 car.	Courtesy of Slot Car Fever,com Gaston Desmarais, Tupper Lake, NY Gaston would run this car in when he wasn't busy promoting the Plattsburgh track in 1964..	Courtesy of Jack Gornewicz Fred Hurst, Ste. Catherines, ONT	Courtesy of Bill Rowland Fran Kitchen, Waterville, NY Fran occasionally brought this "Texas Flathead" to Fonda.	Courtesy of Ed Feuz George Janoski, Stafford Springs, CT One of my faves - Old School..	Bill Fifield Collection Irv Taylor, in the Caputo 111 later driven by Shoemaker.
Russ Bergh Photo Ladabouche Collection Irv Taylor, Crescent, NY His own T&M sportsman..	Ed Biitig Collection Irv Taylor, Crescent, NY Irv's Falcon I don't know if the one below is the same car. Apparently now owned by the Cross family. Courtesy of Rick Parry		Bill Fifield Collection Irv Taylor, Crescent, NY The Mike Suraske Studebaker also driven by Ciff Kotary.	Keith Tesiero Sr. Collection Bill Wimble, An earlier win with guest flagger, Chet Hames protege Danny Rumpf of Saratoga.	Courtesy of Russell Earl Pete Corey Crescent, NY Right after being declared ready to race again, with a brand new A.C. Caprara 37.
Boyd Collection Irv Taylor, again. The Richard Welch 77 was run by almost evry available Fonda veteran.	Bergh Photo Ladabouche Collection Jeep Herbert, Rotterdam, NY The first driver of the beautiful Vince Barbuto car out of Schenectady.	Bergh Photo Ladabouche Collection Jack Farquhar, Ephrata, NY The second driver of the beautiful Vince Barbuto car as the team left for Leb. Valley.	Jim Kelly Collection Jack Johnson, Duanesburg, NY His second ride was this Tom Douglas Falcon.	Bergh Photo Dave Dykes Collection Jack Johnson, Duanesburg, NY The Tony VIllano Falcon was one of Jack's next rides.	Bergh Photo Otto Graham Collection Jeep Herbert, Rotterdam, NY Jeep was one of the many drivers of the Frank Trinkhaus car out of Fly Creek.
Ladabouche Photo Ken Meahl, East Amherst, NY When Jerry Cook brought this car in to Fonda, he was not old enough to drive it himself.	Edw. Brown III Collection Jerry Cook, Lockport, NY A year later, old enough now.	Bergh Photo Rick Parry Collection Jerry Pennock, Warrensburgh, NY One of many drivers of the Tony Villano Falcon now owned by contributor Rick Parry.	Bergh Photo Da. Kilmartin Collection Jerry Pennock, Warrensburgh, NY One of the many drivers of this Bill Fowler 27 Jr. sedan.	Ladabouche Photo The Floyd "Pop" Wilcox enters Fonda around 1962. The first driver of this car out of New Berlin was veteran Jim Luke of Utica.	Chuck Ely Photo Jerry Townley, Catskill, NY The second driver of the car, Townley took over as Wilcox left Fonda for Leb. Valley. But the team did run Fonda for a while.
Frank Simek Photo Mel Austin, Vails Mills, NY In the background you can see the former 36 of Spence Parkhurst, now driven by George Voekler.	John Kollar Collection Johnny Kollar, Johnstown, NY This is the car he bought from George Voekler and which he turned into the first 10%.	Frank Simek Photo The former 36 of Spence Parkhurst,/ the former George Voekler 36. Now, with some body work, it is Johnny's first sportsman.	Mike Cranston Collection Johnny Kollar, Johnstown, NY Although this is Malta, he ran dirt as well.	Bergh Photo Shoemaker Book Ken Shoemaker, Westmere, NY A lot history befpre this shot. Shoemaker had been very strong with the Drellos 111 before the team disbanded. The Wright/Zautner team produced this, their most advanced car in 1964.	Bergh Photo Shoemaker Book Ken Shoemaker, Westmere, NY Shoemaker spent some time in the Frank Trinkhaus 62, as did most Fonda drivers at one point or another. I think this is the old 111 he used to drive for Drellos..
Courtesy of Rick Parry Maynard Smith, Clinton, NY The driver du jour with the Cross 47 - before Townley and maybe after Farquhar.	Courtesy of Alan McDonald Jerry Townley, Catskill, NY The driver du jour with the Cross 47. He put it out of its misery later that year.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Junior Villano, Schenectady, NY The team car to Jack Johnson's first ride.	Ladabouche Collection Jack Johnson, Schenectady, NY Pitted next to Steve Danish in the latter's last season. With that being Johnson's first ride - it was one legend starting and the other leaving.	Russ Bergh Photo Maynard Smith with a car of his own at Fonda.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Allie Swears' modestly funded 51. Glens falls NY Not sure who was driving at this point.
Courtesy of HAMB Site The tempestuous and innovative Pete Corey came up with this Falcon around 1964.....	Courtesy of Mike Russo The Falcon was dispatched at some point late .... and he created a '36 Chevy coupe body that would fit the frame he had under the Falcon....	Russ Bergh or John Grady Photo .... and he created a '36 Chevy coupebody that would fit the frame he had under the Falcon [no small feat, body - wise].	Russ Bergh or John Grady Photo He apparently sold that unusual - bodied car to Ron Quackenbush.	Courtesy of Bob Simons The first Andy Romano car, one he had taken over from Tom Kotary after he had convinced dad, Joe, that he could drive with less damage than Tiger Tom had wreaked.	Courtesy of Edw. B. Brown Northern NY invader Bob Bruno wins one with the economy - budget Allie Swears 51 out of Glens Falls.
Courtesy of Rick Parry Thanks to Rick Parry, we now have a photo of the hard - to - fin Lefty Quant, from Schenectady. The car was Hank LeClaire's.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap According to the Cavalcade of Auto Racing, Charland would have driven this coupe at Fonda occasionally around 1963.	Courtesy of Rick Parry Driver for hire Irv Taylor with the Frank Trinkhaus 62.	Courtesy of Keith Shoemaker The same Trinkhaus team, with a victory with Ken Shoemaker.	Courtesy of Mike Cranston The same Trinkhaus team with Lou Smith and the 1965 version.	Courtesy of A. Ainsworth A popular win for Ray Sitterly in the era just before the cars went to fuel injection.
Courtesy of John Gallant Al "Buck"Peek, Rexford, NY	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Ed Biitig Coll. Driver Bob SItterly [and father of supermod driver Otto] dispatched his sportsman coupe here.	Courtesy of Duke McSpirit Delanson's Charlie Peters had this Buick Special for a while before selling it to Dick Diamond.	Courtesy of Andrew McCartney The car 333, likely with Ollie Palmer.	Courtesy of Duke McSpirit Rene Charland at Fonda qith Russ Betz's 59.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap With the ever present Cigarette, Pete Corey poses with his unnique Stuidebaker early in the season.
Courtesy of Duke McSpirit Munnsville's Dick Clark with Hugh Hedger's 16 coupe.	Courtesy of Duke McSpirit Popular local journeyman driver Edward "Doc" Blanchard.	Courtesy of John Gallant Doc Blanchard wins a qualifier with the Red Knoblauch sportsman out of Johnstown.	Courtesy of Linda J. Staroba via John Gallant Yet another Trinkhaus driver Don Wayman.	Courtesy of Duke McSpirit Henry Bergen, Fort Plain, NY	Courtesy of Robert Bergen Another, better Henry Bergen shot.
Bill Williams Collection Courtesy of Scott Belknap The great Jim Hurtubise, N. Townawanda, NY	Courtesy of Rockefeller Coll. via Scott Belknap Jerry Pennock with Tony VIllano's Falcon.	Courtesy of Duke McSpirit As Mike Valchovic would intone: "Geee Shar -trayund" from Montreal".	Courtesy of John Gallant More Guy, causing a sh&%$ storm with the Fonda lights.	Courtesy of Pat Bartlett Jerry Young, whom we knew as a late model driver at Catamount - then hailing from the Northeast Kingdom town of Barton, VT.	Courtesy of John Danish A familiar sight in the 1960's - John Danish watching dad. [When not getting into mischief with Kurt Feuz]
Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap Ken Platt wins one with the Well - used Roerig Falcon..	Frank Simek Photo Courtesy of Keith Shoemaker Ken SHoemaker not only won with the Romano backup car, but he was very hard on most any equipment he drove.	Courtesy of John Gallant An all - too familiar sight with Louie.	Courtesy of John Gallant Popular Peppy Peppecelli with a freshly - finished coupe.	Courtesy of Gallant Ray Sitterly posing with Checkers; but he did earn those checkers that year - with that car.

Courtesy of Frank Simek Rebel Ross [H1] tries to get around Bruce Dostal as Skip Roots follows and Dave Lape closes in. One of my absolute favorite Fonda photos.	Russ Bergh Photo A nice start photo with the Walt Cross 47 on the inside pole and Pepper Eastman outside. Also seen are George Janoski [inside 2nd row] and Louie.	Russ Bergh Photo A dramatic start photo with Romano inside and Bobby Adams on the outside.	Ed Feuz Collection Another start photo with what I consider a mistake inthe Fonda book. The 36 is George Voekler of Ballston Lake with Spence Parkhurst;s old car. This car would end up as John Kollar's 1st car. The outside pole is Ron Quackenbush.	Bergh Photo Ed Feuz Collection Ken Meahl is a little loopy as he is helped after one of Fonda's worst crashes. Meahl was driving the Red Snediker 28 in a long distance race.	Likely a Frank Simek Photo via Mike Gray Jeep clobbers Irv, as Chartrand sneaks by.
Courtesy of Lou Lazarro A nice start photo with Lou Lazarro and Wimble on pole.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Corey sits atop Gahan with Pepper Eastman involved.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Shoemaker wads up the Wright/Zautner 24 with an unknown car 10.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Bob Bruno tests the fence with the Vic Wolfe sedan in which he had much success at Fonda.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Corey, at speed with the Studebaker.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Two Glens Falls teams: Corey takes the Drellos 11 around someone in the Allie Swears 51.
Courtesy of Frank Simek Another great shot in which Frank captures less - photographed drivers like Buck Peek [68].	Gater Racing News Photo Courtesy of Black Jack Racing Gahan is again involved - this time with Mr. Danish and others.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Wimble leads Lape in his first car, along with Ray Sitterly.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Corey chases Wimble in 1964.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Bruce Dostal in the 69 inside what may be a Harry Alexson car. Narducci gives chase.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Corey's earlier Falcon variation battles Shoemaker in the Advanced design Wright / Zautner 24.
Courtesy of Frank Simek Simek captures Otto or Russ shooting this mixup with an early Cheuck Kress car.	Courtesy of Frank Simek It is rumored that Charlie Peters came to Fonda with the first big block. Whatever he had here, it wasn't handling.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Mr. Danish and Irv Taylor in the Falcon that might have become a Cross 47.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Ed Ortiz's potent B&M motor gave Fonda regulars trouble. Here, it may have been too potent. Rare shot of Lee Millington S22 behind.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Nice shot of field out of four. I can't recognize the white car in the foreground.	Courtesy of Frank Simek A white coupe already setting up for turn one.
Courtesy of Frank Simek What looks like Harry Alexson soldiers on as Charlie Peters starts the sedan wreck.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Irv Taylor with his own #1 Falcon. What's with the plasticked - up driver window ?	Courtesy of Frank Simek A Dick Bennett 71 crewman approaches warily as Guy Chartrand has himself a track wiring predicament. Robbie Kotary is involved.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Gahan loses a wheel and causes all kinds of havoc.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Two popular old hands going at it: Jeep in the newly - built Villano Ford and Irv in his Falcon.	Courtesy of Frank Simek A nice color shot captures Jim Luke on it with the Wilcox 32 not long before he was replaced by Townley.
Courtesy of Frank Simek Andy Romano with his first sedan, and Jerry Townley, now having replaced Luke in Wilcox'x 32.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Before leaving for Wilcox, Townley did manage to put John Cross's 47 out of its misery.	Courtesy of Frank Simek Mike Michaels leads either Jeep or Baumie here in 1964.	Russ Bergh Photo Interesting 1963 mixup: From left - Gahan, UNK, Danish, someone in a primered Trinkhaus 62,Willie Chest, and Ronnie Battaglia.	Russ Bergh Photo Bob Bruno leads with the Allie Swears 51 as someone in the Cross 47 chases.	Russ Bergh Photo This is a classic. Luke, UNK, Danish, Gauthier or battaglia 12A, and Corey.
Courtesy of Keith Shoemaker The Shoe on the outside in the very early 80s's.	Courtesy of John Gallant This 1965 shot shows Pete Corey atop the Bob Zimmerman 72 of Pepper Eastman.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Bucky Peek meets the barrier as the S22 [either Bergen or Millington] looks to get by.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap The one and only Cyclone Forrette wrought havoc here with the Roerig brothers' 99.	Gater Racing News Photo Courtesy of Scott Belknap This Fonda wreck shows the 27Jr ridden into the wall by Buanno and Cook goes by.

Courtesy of Greg Rickes Larry Hess brought the unique Rambler entry, as well as another more standard GN car.	Taylor Warren Photo via Tom Neff JIm Paschal was at the 1955 GN race with one of the Hellzafire Olds entries.	Frank Simek Photo via Hemmings Motor News Elmo Langley bumps inside of Buddy Baker in a mid 1960's GN show.	Frank Simek Photo via Hemmings Motor News J.T. Putney crashes as Jimmy Helms gets the 53 by in a 1960's GN show. The 88, a Buck Baker car, is driven by Vermont native Paul Conners.	Russ Bergh Photo Courtesy of Ed Biitig Bobby Allison ran a consistent top five in his Chevelle at one of the mid 60's shows.	Courtesy of Andy Towler Wendell Scott was there with his gorgeous, high dollar Ford.
Courtesy of Mark Valchovic Tim Flock with one of the big dollar Kiekhaefer Mopars, gets the pole in one of the 1950's shows.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection A photogrpaher takes publicity 8MM footage on the Fonda track in the '50's.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection Rene Charland has his own entry in one of the earlier '60's shows.	Courtesy of Gater Racing News Petty looped it and handed the 1966 race to David Pearson.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection Petty at speed during the 1966 race.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection Buck Baker with one of the three cars he brought to Fonda.
Courtesy of Feuz Collection Journeyman driver and Hollywood stuntman Neal "Soapy" Castles would drive a Baker car after Buck had his pick first.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection Petty in a lineup with J.T. Putney, whose 1965 Chevy suggests this was the 1966 race.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection Tiny Lund with the '64 Ford he ran at Fonda in 1966.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection David Pearson in the 1966 Victory Lane.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection Wendell Scott used the same tired '65 Ford in 1966 and '67.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection The Grand National pits in the infield at Fonda - supposedly in 1966.
Courtesy of Feuz Collection J.T. Putney had a newer Chevelle for the 1967 race but was knocked out by Tiny Lund in an altercation.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection Tiny Lund, with a newer Ford for 1967, leads Petty for a while. he had to borrow a brake part off from a fan's pickup before the race.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection Bobby Allison used Donnie's Chevelle at\| Fonda in 1967.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection Petty goes by Lund as Allison keeps pace in 1967.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection The startof the 1967 race.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection Petty collecting the hardware for the 1967 win.
Courtesy of Fusco Collection Buddy Baker got to drive a Ray Fox factory Mopar at the 1968.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection By 1968, Bobby Allison had a factory ride, but he used a family Chevelle for the Northern Tour.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection The well - financed Nord Krauskopf 71 of Bobby Isaac is worked on near Fonda's famous Cow Palace.	Courtesy of Fusco Collection J.D. McDuffie ran his independent Buick at Fonda after some hospitality from the Fusco family.	Courtesy of Feuz Collection David Pearson's high profile H&M Ford was fast qualifier; but, I think Petty won the race.

Courtesy of Mike Gray Collection Another shot of Bill Kollar and his K71.	Courtesy of John Jansen Bob Rees' well -seasoned coupe, at home.	Courtesy of Ralph Caprara Pete Corey with an early photo of the final A.C. Caprara 37 that was eventually sold to Tony Villano. Here, the tail end of the body hasn't been bobbed off yet.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Up from the late model class was Art Bradt with this sharp coupe.	Courtesy of Alan McDOnald A classic Wimble shot.	Courtesy of Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Mod SIte Bob Bruno and Vic Wolfe did not run at FOnda much but they left an impression when they did.
Courtesy of Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Mod SIte Bob Emsminger	Courtesy of Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Mod SIte Bruce Dostal	Courtesy of Rick Parry This is thought to be Lefty Quant of Schenectady.	Ladabouche Photo Hank LeClaire, Schenectady, NY An occasional entry who may have had some connection to Quant.	Courtesy of Johnny LeClaire via Scott Belknap This is what happened to the LeClaire car when it was lent to Guy Chartrand.	Courtesy of Johnny LeClaire via Scott Belknap This is what happened to the LeClaire car when it was lent to Guy Chartrand.
Courtesy of Duke McSpirit Corey with the last A.C. Caprara car.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Charland, with a Godfrey Wenzel coupe during his National Sportsman Championship reign.	Courtesy of Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Mod SIte Bob SItterly	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Charland, in the Roland Belanger 302.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Charland, winning in the overheating Roland Belanger 302.	Courtesy of Three Wide Picture Vault via Flemke.com Corey, in 1964 with the Drellos team.
Courtesy of Dave Peek Ed Pieniazek, witht Charles Habreck's 53 - before it was sold to Bucky Tesiero.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Dave Lape with the Rosner built Chevy II.	Courtesy of Rick Parry Dave Buanno, at the end of the Golden Era, with his new tubular chassis coupe.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Corey, with the unique post-Studebaker coupe he also ran at Langhorne.	Courtesy of Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Mod SIte Doc Blanchard	Courtesy of Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Mod SIte Jack Farquhar with Vince Barbuto's car - before they moved on to the Valley.
Courtesy of Scott Belknap Jerry Pennock did a great job driving for Tony Villano.	Courtesy of Jim Conlon Jerry Cook in Vic Lane.	Courtesy of Duke McSpirit Jack Johnson, during his Stinit with Tom Douglas.	Courtesy of Jim Kelly Looking at Mel Austin's car embedded into the Victoria announcer's stand and it isn't hard to figure where Ton Douglas' 1st car came from.	Ladabouche Photo First Douglas car.	Courtesy of Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Mod SIte Jerry Townley grabbed this Fonda win in Pop Wilcox's 32 before the team moved to the Valley.
Courtesy of Keith Shoemaker The Shoe with his most familiar car, the Caputo Drellos 111.	Courtesy of G. Bogart The Shoe with a later ride, the Greene Electric 24.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Jim Johnson, Jr. in the Azchet 81a.	Courtesy of Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Mod SIte Jim Johnson, Jr in the familiar 77 sedan.	Courtesy of Keith Shoemaker The Shoe was responsible for many of Trinkhaus' wins.	Courtesy of George Hunt Lou Smith, Munnsville, NY
Courtesy of Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Mod SIte Local man Skip Roots takes a qualifier.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Phil Becker lands the Ward Pettit148 on top of Dick Bennett's 71 [likely Millington].	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Joel Thomas, Sherrill, NY Former Norm Moyer car.	Courtesy of Mike Cranston Lou Smith in 1965 with the ill-fated Trinkhaus car.	Courtesy of A. Ainsworth Jim Johnson, Jr. inRay Sitterly's hugely poular Fonda win.	Courtesy of Scott Belknap Steve Luse in a coupe at Fonda.
		Courtesy of Jim Szcur This could possibly be veteran Manchester, VT driver Gege Tetreault.	Courtesy of John Gallant TAl "Buck" Peek