A Premier Track in New York. The Emphasis is from 1953 -  into the 1980's.

This page does not offer as many photos of Fonda late models as the Fonda Memories late model page.
Nor does it get into some of the later years in the history of that excellent class. I think it does,
however, make it easier to look at photos of some of your favorites in that division. Enjoy !

THE FIRST LATE MODEL CLASS

Courtesy of Scott Belknap

Earlier Years

        In the middle of th3e 1960's, my uncle and I would take some trips to that new track, Albany - Saratoga Speedway. My favorite class there was what they called the Semi Late Model division. I think his came from its parent track, Utica - Rome. The tracks were almost mirror images in that they had the signs out front with cars on top, pretty much the same competitors, much of the same management, etc. I was still more of a dirt track man, so I was delighted when a late model class whioch seemed an awful lot like Malta's SLM's appeared at Fonda soon after. Thew earliest cars at Fonda seemed to almost entirely eithe Malta cars or cars from Midstate Speedway in Morris. My earlier years section is about these first cars.

Ladabouche Collection
This photo is - to me - the poster child for Malta's Semi Late class. Although not with these cars, Jerry Pennock [59],
Don Antolick [43], and the Roerig 99 with Ken Platt all would run Fonda at various times.

Courtesy of Al Fini
The Agawam - built Holiday Magic cars were gone, but I really think at least one resurfaced as a Godfrey Wentzel 03. Also
Most of the Utica - Rome cars except Ralph Holmes and Norm Moyer seemed to not attend many FOnda shows.

Courtesy of Jim Chase
The Midstate cars included the alpha Ford man, Bill Roese, of Central Bridge.

John Grady Photo When the late models first set a tire on the Fonda track, Tribes Hill's Bill Nelson, Jr was the first man out.	John Grady Photo Bill Russell had taken Ed Brockett's SLM Studebaker, redid it, and ran it like his hero, Peter Corey. He even called himself The Burtonville Hillbilly.	Via Mike Cranston Oneida's Norm Moyer was one who moved from Malta to Fonda. Top notch cars like this mad him a frequent, but not aleways popular winner.	Russ Bergh Photo Stillwater's Don Antolick moved from Ford to this slick Plymouth. He sat almost on the floor with legs stright out.	John Grady Photo Taberg's Ken Platt with what would become the famed Roerig brothers team. I don't know whether he drove this car at Fonda. Roerigs had started out with Fords.	Rick Parry Photo Bill Roese, of Central Bridge.
Via Mike Cranston Crescent's Dick Smith was another, like Moyer, who used the older body on his late model. So did neighbor" Gardiner Taylor, for whom I don't have a photo.	Russ Bergh Photo Schenectadian Harry Peek made one of the biggest splashes with the local newcomers to the class. He also made a big splash with the frontstretch wall later in he year.	Via Mike Cranston When Schenectady body man Gene Mangino debutted this car at fonda, it first plowed like a John Deere. He got it going soon enough.	Bergh Photo via Gater Dick Pennock, oout of Warrensburg, was a favorite of mine at Fairmont Speedway. He ran well at Fonda.	Russ Bergh Photo Jim Devine, from Albany had a brilliant career cut short by a traffic fatality.	Rick Parry Photo Jerry Wisnoski, out of Westl Bridgewater, was anothe Midstate regular.
Via Jeff Buell Wayne Perkins, from Greenwich, had left Malta's SLM class to run Fonda on dirt.	Ladabouche Collection Foster Wendell, then from Gloversville, ran Fonda - but not with this car.	Tesiero Family Photo Keith Tesiero came out of Amsterdam with this big, square '59 Ford..	Russ Bergh Photo Bob Deming and his Cobleskill pal Harold "Bugs Bunny" Betts shared this car at Fonda in '68.	John Grady Photo Canajoharie's Joel Canfield, would like his brother John, grow up loving Willie Chest. Joel would run against Willie's son, Bob.	Bob Frazier Photo via Mike RIchards Ronnie Wood was one of the few Vermont drivers at Fonda, at his time. Home was Ludlow, VT,

 
Russ Bergh Photo
The 28 Ford of Bill Roese has a meeting of the minds with Denny Webb's Chevy.

Russ Bergh Photo Via Gater
Bill Roese got the worst end of the wreck with Denny Webb.

Via Rick Parry Art Bradt, Utica.	Russ Bergh Photo Ralph Holmes, from Oneida, with his former Bernie Miller Olds.	Via Scott Belknap Dick Lighthall, from Cobleskill.Brother, Jim, also drove.	Russ Bergh Photo via Orson Griffith Poughkeepsie's Tom Martin almost looks like a Bill Roese  team mate.	Via Scott Belknap Veteran Bruce Havens from Oriskany had driven everything including ice racers.	via Rick Parry Rusty Duell, of Warrensburgh - with a car somewhat newer than what he would have driven in 1968.
Via Scott Belknap Johnstowner Bob Frenyea picks up a win around 1969.	Via Midstate Club Midstate star DIck Schoonover began running Fonda after a season or two.	Via Mike Cranston Harry Coonradt, former Albany-Saratoga SLM runner.	Via Paul Dornburg Joe Johnson, running father. Rollie's number.	Via Paul Dornburg Gerry LaManque, Utica, on the track with  Joe Johnson's 32.	John Grady Photo via John Chris Grady Bob Novak, Amsterdam
Via George Hunt Al Kugler -getting into the next generation of late models.	Via Darlene George Harvey Brundage, a slightly later competiitor.	Via Arnie Ainsworth George Proctor may have run this late model at Fonda.	Chet Bunn, said to be on Fonda in this earlier car.	Conde/Parry Collection Via Chas Hertica Harry Peek's next car.	Via Mark Lester Bill Brooking with what looks a lot like the Don Antolick Plymouth. He's parked nest to Jerry Young, whjo spent a year racing in Vermont and who also had a FOnda LM.

Via Mark Supley
This picture is a handful. Denny Peternell, with a wild - looking late model. Behind him
are Bill King and Tom Hammond. Al DInsmore's fastback Pontiac, Buick or
whatever it was is also visible.

Bartlestt Photo Via Gater
Ralph Holmes is not having a good night at Fonda. Car underneath, even less so.

Bob Frazier Photo Via David Peek The engine size with the Fonda late model allowed Harry Peek [and others] to run Devil's Bowl with the the sportsman class.	Via Rick Parry Another shot of Bob Deming's familiar Chevy #11.	Via Rick Parry RIck Parry Says there was a six cylinder motor in this late model at Fonda. Bob or Ben Murphy [not sure which].	Gater Photo Via Mike Budka Jr Jay Bleser, in the Bill Brooking 43 flanked by Bob Savoie [17] and Mark LaGrange. This is 1976.	Via Mark Lester Bruce Button.	Via Rick Parry Bucky Peek, who found a home with the Fonda LM's.
Via David Kilmartin Buck Peek's earlier entry.	Russ Bergh Photo Via Rick Parry Chris Kupiec. I love this phase of the Fonda LM's.	Via David Kilmartin Getting into a clearly later era: Chuck Wainwright.	Via David Kilmartin Getting into a clearly later era: Colorful Clarence Hibberd.	Via David Kilmartin Getting into a clearly later era: Clem DaBiere.	Via David Kilmartin Legendary Dick Schoonover with the Ford of equally legendary Ralph Raastad.
Via David Kilmartin Getting into a clearly later era: Don Blanchard carrying on the name and number for Doc.	Via David Kilmartin Driver and builder Don Buschbacher.	Via David Kilmartin Perennial divison star Earl Mewhorter.	Ladabouche Photo I'm wondering if sometimes Fonda runner Jerry Young was a friend or admirer of Mewhorter. Look at the resemblance of Young's car at Catamount, 1972. He wrecked this car at Fonda.	Via David Loeffler Warrensburgh's Fast Eddy Keenan, familiar also to D Bowl fans.	Via Rick Parry An earlier Harvey Brundage car..

Russ Bergh Photo Via Mark Lester
Chris Kupiec runs outside of a well -used car 98.

Dave Krantz Photo Via David Kilmartin
Dave Ramsey adjusts a Fonda light pole. He felt it was blinding him and then proved it. [Jus Kiddin']

Via Leighton Shultis Jack Cottrell, one of the key figures in what might be the golden era of Fonda LM's.	Via Rick Parry Another [I'm guessing earlier] Jack Miller car.	Via Scott Belknap Early Belser. Whatta guy !	Via Rick Parry Jerry Christian.	Via Rick Parry Jerry LaManque, with the 4 Brothers car out of Clinton.	Via Pat Bartlett The aforementioned Jerry Young. This is at Thunder Road, however.
Via Arnie Ainsworth A later Jim Devine car.	Via Rick Parry Jim Riggi, with a former Peek car. His cars always looked great.	Via Rick Parry A better shot to see Joe Johnson himself.	Via Rick Parry Joel Canfield, with a later car from Canajoharie.	Via Dave Loeffler John Constantino.	Via Mike Budka Jr John Fleres, with a big Mopar, maybe at Malta.
Via Mike Budka Jr Johny Bruno, of Castleton Corners, VT.	Via K. Tesiero Sr Tesiero on Fonda. Track a little heavy Keith ?.	Via Rick Parry Larry Gallup, likely a 2nd generation driver. Good to still see the Frank's Speed Shop ad.	ViaDave Loeffler Dave Hillis. Unusual body mounting position.	Via Rick Parry 2nd gen. driver Link Pettit, Jr.	Via Mike Cranston Lester Dieterle at Malta. he must have run Fonda too [ I guess].

 
Via David Kilmartin
Harvey Brundage is awarded by Chris Kupiec, who may or may not have been a driver yet.

Via Mike Budka Jr
What a classic matchup - Bleser in Budka's storied Camaro and Cottrell in the Howe.

Via Orson Griffith Mike Arminio, with the ex-Bernie Miller ex- Ralph Hoimes Olds.	Via Mike Budka Jr Mike Budka Sr. One damned important car owner with one damned important car..	Via Mike Budka Jr Master low budget success, Mike Paquin.	Via Arrnie Ainsworth The Bald Bandit in the pits by Bill Roese.	Via Rick Parry Paul Jensen's first car.	Via Rick Parry Phil Carlone hums along with his 6 cylinder Wimble tribute car as Miller chases and Kupiec self destructs.
Via Craig Pritchard Randy Glenski, Early in a great career.	Via Rick Parry Not well known at Fonda at first, Rusty Duell had a huge racing heritage up in Waarensburgh.	Via Walter Newell I have no FOnda photo of New York City native Tim Dykman, who ran Fonda in 1980; but I did letter this car for him when he ran up with us in c car wrenched by Robbie Crouch's father, C.A..	Via Tom Czaban Tom Czaban, with one of his earlier cars.	Via Scott Belknap Tom Hammond, a classic Fonda racing name..	Via David Kilmartin Tom WIlliams' exceptional racing cars. One of the big names in that golden age of LMs.
Via Dave Loeffler Wally Potter.	Via Rick Parry Wayne Perkins, with his second car.	Via Ed Harris An early Wink Hinkley car.	Via Rick Parry Bruce Milo, Castleton, VT	Via Rick Parry Early Jerry LaManque. May or may not have run Fonda with this car.	Via Rick Parry The exceptional Dick Schoonover with another Fonda win.

 
Via Brian James
This photo is the confluence of a lot of racing lore, all in one. T. Billington [first name not sure] is verfy likely the grandfther of the younger
Billington racing now at Devil's Bowl with his father. The eldest Billington ran places like West Glens Falls and Whites Beach [ where
he would have met Stan Burroughs, the owner of this car]. Buroughs, part of the Johnstown bunch that included the Starins, Burroughs,
Jack Harris, and Jerry Jerome must have given Billington a shot in this car. Didn't go well. And then there's the photographer,
former Fonda sportsman backmarker Doc Nellis.

 
Gater Photo by Bob Manieiri Via Ed Harris
Two of the division's all - time greats. Walt Koperda [outside] and Joe Macejka inside.

Via Rick Parry Nick Lazarro. This seems more like an '80's car.	Via Rick Parry Al Kugler with a different car.	Via Rick Parry George Hunt's nifty Camaro is from that great era of himself, Bleser, Cottrell etc..	Via Dick Pennock Another of Dick Pennock's late models.	Via Cliff Haynes Devil's Bowl star Jay Brown ran the Valley. He may have also tried Fonda.	Bob Frazier Photo This stout Johnny Peoples Chevy may have run Fonda in the hands of Foster Wendell.
Via Joe Perrolto Geroge Hall with a car built by Duane Hall.	Via Scott Belknap John Fleres. I recall this car at D Bowl.	Via Rick Parry Joe Johnson with a  gorgeous car.	Via Rick Parry Fast Eddy Keenan.	Via Mike Cranston This Mopar of Bill Brooking ended up at Fonda.	Via Jay FItzgerald COnrad Carey, Galway. He must have run Fonda, too.
Via Don Regimbal Dale Wolcott originally came to Fonda from way up North in the Buck Holliday portion of NY.	Via Don Regimbal Dale Wolcott would later have the dubious honor of having one of Fonda's worst wrecks.	Via Susan Coville SOOP- er CD COville.	Via Mike Budka Jr Dave Hunt.	Via Susan Schoonover Ho hum another Schoonover win.	Via Vogel Collection Earl Mewhorter.

Via Rick Parry
All of these are apart of Rick Parry's amazing trove of Fonda photos.

Via John Fleres Big John, when he had trimmed that Mopar body down a bit.	Via Keith Tesiero Jr Keith Tesiero with a later car.	Via David Lanne Bruce Button.	Via Mike Budka Jr Jay Bleser. I loved this car !	Mike Bruno At some point, Cottrell apparently ran this bruiser.	Via Mike Bruno Tim Baker, Dorset, VT.
Via MIdstate Club 'Nuther Mewhorter rig.	Via MIdstate Club Midstate car Jim Visingard - may have tried Fonda.	Via Fusco Collection Jack Miller wins one.	John Grady Photo Devine wins at the track of Champions.	From Dan Ody's 8MM Old Speedways DVD's Jerry Pennock's LM in 1967.No idea if he ran it at Fonda.	From Dan Ody's 8MM Old Speedways DVD's Ronnie Wood from Ludlow, VT in the same DVD as Jerry Pennock at Devil's Bowl.
Via Steve Judd Old Speedways DVD's Antolick, with a newly - completed car at Fonda.	John Grady Photo Mangino wins at the track of Champions.	John Grady Photo Harry Coondradt, with the car I saw him drive at Malta..	John Grady Photo Keith Tesiero, first car.	John Grady Photo Another shot of the Bald Bandit.	Via Richard LaGrange Jim Riggi.

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