An Event Built On Legends: Iconic Fonda 200 Set For Short Track Super Series This Weekend

Story By: BRETT DEYO / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – FONDA, NY – An event built on legends.  Since 1955, the Fonda 200 has produced memories for fans and lore for its winners. A 100-mile, 200-lap grind that has withstood the test of time, the Fonda 200 at historic Fonda Speedway is set for its 32nd running this weekend: Thurs.-Sat. Sept. 12-14.

$53,000-plus awaits the winner of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco ‘200’ on Saturday night, the culmination of a jam-packed three-day weekend of speed at the Track of Champions.

NASCAR pioneer driver Junior Johnson won the very first Fonda 200 in 1955, run as a NASCAR Grand National event. It wasn’t until ‘63 that the second edition was held, with Steve Danish in Victory Lane. Bill Wimble, like Danish a one-time winner of the event, topped the ‘64 edition.

The ‘Silver Fox’ David Pearson was the ‘66 winner as the ‘200’ returned following a year off. From ’66-’68, the event returned to the NASCAR Grand National schedule.

The ‘King of Stock Car Racing’ Richard Petty put the iconic Petty Blue No. 43 into Fonda Speedway Victory Lane with back-to-back conquests in ‘67 and ‘68, the final two NASCAR Grand National events run at the speedway.

Lou Lazzaro and Harry Peek – Fonda legends – won in 1969 and 1970 before the ‘200’ took a break of more than a decade.

In 1983, the Fonda 200 returned and Western New York’s Charlie Rudolph won his first of two events, also besting the ’85 edition.

New Jersey’s Jimmy Horton was best in ’84. Ten years later, he won again in ’94.

Jumpin’ Jack Johnson is a two-time winner, taking the ’86 and ’88 editions.

Pennsylvania’s Kenny Brightbill earned the ’87 victory, his sole conquest in the ‘200’ event.

Like Brightbill, local standout Mike Romano is a one-time winner in ’89.

Keystone State driver Doug Hoffman conquered the ‘200’ on three occasions: ’90, ’91 and 2001.

‘Barefoot’ Bob McCreadie took back-to-back triumphs in ’92 and ’93.

‘The Jet’ Brett Hearn spun off three ‘200’ victories in a row from ’95-’98 (the ’96 event fell to weather) and again in 2002.

‘The Hurricane’ Steve Paine and ‘Sand Lake Slingshot’ Kenny Tremont were ‘200’ winners in ’99 and 2000, respectively.

The event went silent from ’02 until BD Motorsports Media LLC took over Fonda Speedway in 2019.

Stewart Friesen has topped the 200 on three occasions since, with wins in 2019, 2021 and 2023. Matt Sheppard earned the 2022 triumph. COVID-19 stopped the 200 in 2020.

Who will it be this weekend? 200 laps will write the next chapter of the Fonda 200.

Three days of racing are set for the Fonda Fairgrounds this weekend.

Thursday (Sept. 12) kicks off with the ‘Underdog 33’ for non-winning 2024 Amsterdam Truck Center Modified drivers ($2,000 to win) plus Montgomery County Office for Aging Limited Sportsman ($500 to win) and Online Performance Parts/Stone Motorsports Street Stocks ($500 to win). All teams are welcome for open practice rounds.

Friday (Sept. 13) features 15-lap “mini-feature” Qualifiers for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Modifieds ($500 to win each), 12-lap Qualifiers for the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman ($150 to win each), Leatherstocking Credit Union Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win) and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders ($150 to win Single and Dual Cam plus bonuses).

A pre-race Fonda Speedway track champions’ celebration and post-race live music ‘The Rockwood Band’ are also on Friday’s agenda.

Saturday (Sept. 14) kicks off with STSS Modified and STSS Crate 602 Sportsman B-Mains before the Sportsman 40-lap, $2,500-to-win program and Modified 200-lap, $53,000-to-win classic.