One Zee Tees & AIM Autism Present Autism Awareness Night Saturday At Fonda Speedway
Story By: RON SZCZERBA / FONDA SPEEDWAY – FONDA, NY – On Saturday, July 27, the Fonda Speedway will host a regular racing program consisting of the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Crate 602 Sportsman, the Leatherstocking Credit Union Pro Stocks, the Montgomery County Office for Aging Inc. Limited Sportsman, the Fonda Fair Four Cylinders, and the CRSA 305 Sprint Cars.
The “Autism Awareness Night” racing program will be presented by One Zee Tees and AIM Autism and thanks to One Zee Tees the first 20 fans will get a free grandstand ticket!
Before the racing action begins, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Fonda Fair Entertainment Building, there will be events including a $15 chicken dinner, raffles of various items, music by the Rockwood Band, a bounce house for the kids, a dunk tank featuring many of the Fonda Speedway drivers, and more with all proceeds benefitting the Crossroads Center for Children in Schenectady, NY.
There will also be an appearance on Saturday at Fonda by nationally known comedian “Ginger Billy” who will hold an autograph session inside gate two starting at 3:15 p.m. with early ticket sales at gate two beginning at 3:00 p.m. “Ginger Billy” will also join some of the Fonda Speedway drivers in the “Dunk Tank” during the benefit fundraiser for the Crossroads Center for Children.
Saturday will mark the second appearance by Ginger Billy at the Track of Champions in 2024 as he will return to the seat of a custom-painted, Josh Kane-fielded, Limited Sportsman after meeting fans pre-race. In his prior Fonda on-track competition this season, Ginger Billy suffered a transmission failure. He’ll be back for more Saturday in what he is calling his “Back for Redemption” appearance!
The Crossroads Center for Children holds a special place in Stewart and Jessica Friesen’s hearts as their son Parker attended the center after he was diagnosed with Autism. This will be the fourth benefit for the organization held at the Fonda Speedway and organized by the Friesen’s, the first three were a huge success as this one promises to be as well.
After two weeks off, the A-Verdi Storage Containers CRSA Sprints powered by Super Gen Products return to Fonda Speedway for round two of the I-90 Pit Stop Challenge to close out July. Fonda was scheduled to be on the calendar on June 1 of this year for the CRSA 305 Sprint Cars, but that event was eventually canceled, making Saturday’s race their lone trip to “The Track of Champions” in 2024.
Saturday will mark the 30th time the CRSA 305 Sprints have pushed off at Fonda, with its first event run back in 2009. In the 29 previous events held there have been 14 different winning drivers led by Mike Kiser with five wins. Local favorite Danny Varin has four CRSA wins at Fonda while Josh Pieniazek, Cory Sparks, and Jordan Hutton all have three victories. Kyle Smith and Jeff Trombley are next with two wins apiece followed by Dylan Swiernik, John Matrafailo, Tyler Rice, Jordan Thomas, Brett Jaycox, Josh Flint, and Tomy Moreau all have one CRSA 305 Sprint victory at the “Track of Champions”.
The CRSA 305 Sprint cars have raced a total of four times in 2024 leading up to the event at Fonda on Saturday with Jordan Hutton (Thunder Mountain & Weedsport), Matt Rotz (Land of Legends), and Kyle Pierce (Afton) winning those events. The current point standings are led by Tomy Moreau with 934 followed in the top five by Pierce (901), Dalton Herrick and Blake Warner who are tied with 893, Ron Greek with 859, and John Cunningham with 814.
The Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame and Museum will be open during this weekend’s chicken barbecue looking forward to supporting autism awareness and this cause!
Grandstand Gate Two Opens at 3 p.m. – Pit Gate Opens with Early Sales at Noon – Hot Laps at 6 p.m. – Racing at 7 p.m.
Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Reserved Infield Drive-In ($75, up to four passes)
Pit Admission: $40 (Non-Members) – $35 (Members) – $10 Kids (ages 6-12) – $2 Children (ages 5 and under)
If you are a race fan that gets to the track early, be sure to check out the Fonda Speedway Museum & Hall of Fame which is located on the Fonda Fairgrounds at the rear of the parking area going down towards turn four. The museum is open from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on race days and admission is free!
