News Director 
Story By: RON SZCZERBA / FONDA SPEEDWAY – FONDA, NY – What more could a race car driver or race fan ask for than what the Fonda 200 offers.
The historic event offers a big payout for the winner along with the honor of adding their name to the win list of the prestigious event.
For the fans, the event produces memories of big name drivers who come and compete in the event that they don’t normally see on a regular Saturday night.
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, Thursday through Saturday September 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”.
Thursday, September 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 last year’s winner was Michael Arnold) and Online Performance Parts/Stone Motorsports Street Stocks ($500 to win last year’s winner was Jason Meltz).
All teams are also welcome for open practice rounds.
Previous winners of the “Underdog 33” event include Brett Haas (2021), Jack Lehner (2022), and Danny Varin (2023).
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 last year’s winner was Kenny Gates) and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders ($150 to win Single and Dual Cam plus bonuses last year’s winners were Ken Hollenback SOHC & Jay Ingersoll DOHC).
Friday night’s (Sept. 13) portion of Fonda 200 weekend sets the stage for Saturday’s Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Modified and Crate 602 Sportsman main events.
Qualifying Race partners have been obtained for each of the events.
- STSS Modified ($500 each)
- STSS Modified No. 1 – One Zee Tees
- STSS Modified No. 2 – Fastline Performance
- STSS Modified No. 3 – Bedell Racing Engines
- STSS Modified No. 4 – DVR Portable Restrooms
Last year in 2023 the STSS Modified heat race winners were Alex Yankowski, JaMike Sowle, Stewart Friesen, and Steve Bernier.
- STSS Crate 602 Sportsman ($150 each)
- STSS Crate 602 Sportsman No. 1 – Parillo Services
- STSS Crate 602 Sportsman No. 2 – Madsen Overhead Doors
- STSS Crate 602 Sportsman No. 3 – Ted’s Body Shop
- STSS Crate 602 Sportsman No. 4 – Emerick Associates
- STSS Crate 602 Sportsman No. 5 – Belmont’s Garage
Last year in 2023 the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman heat race winners were Troy Zilles, Jeff Higham, John DuMond, Joe Toth, Chip Constantino, and Michael Ballestero.
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 (Payton Talbot was last year’s winner), and Modified 200-lap, $53,000-to-win classic (Stewart Friesen was last year’s winner).
