Independence Holiday Tradition: ‘Firecracker’ Set For Fonda Speedway Wednesday Night
Story By: BRETT DEYO / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – FONDA, NY – It’s become an Independence Day week tradition at Fonda Speedway: the Firecracker 50.
On Wednesday, July 2, the historic Track of Champions comes alive with the first Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco visit of 2025.
The power STSS Modifieds of the HYTORC of New York North Region are set for a 50-lap, $7,776-to-win event offering $1,000 for 10th and $500 to take the green flag plus special awards and bonuses.
STSS Sportsman battle 30 laps with $1,776 on the line, competing for Madsen Overhead Doors Inc. North Region points.
Both the STSS Modifieds and Sportsman North Region title fights have a single event in the books during a rain-marred spring: Vt.’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway for the Modifieds and N.Y.’s Brookfield Speedway for the Sportsman.
Since 2019, the Firecracker 50 has been an annual summer stop for the STSS at Fonda. Stewart Friesen won the first four editions of the event, while Matt Sheppard snagged the most recent two in Modified competition.
Firecracker Sportsman competition has seen five different winners: Payton Talbot (’24 and ’23), Rocky Warner (’22), Cody Clark (’21), Chad Edwards (’20) and Tim Hartman Jr. (’19).
Online Performance/Stone Motorsports Street Stocks ($500 to win) and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders ($150 to win Dual and Single Cam) complete the program.
Fonda Speedway ‘Firecracker 50’ Event History: 2019-Present
Modified
July 3, 2024: MATT SHEPPARD – Mat Williamson – Anthony Perrego – Alex Yankowski – Tyler Dippel
July 17, 2023: MATT SHEPPARD – Stewart Friesen – Alex Yankowski – Matt DeLorenzo – Mat Williamson
July 3, 2022: STEWART FRIESEN – Matt Sheppard – Mat Williamson – Danny Creeden – Rocky Warner
July 4, 2021: STEWART FRIESEN – Billy Decker – Matt Sheppard – Mat Williamson – Mike Gular
July 5, 2020: STEWART FRIESEN – Larry Wight – Mike Maresca – Adam McAuliffe – Jessica Friesen
July 3, 2019: STEWART FRIESEN – Matt Sheppard – Erick Rudolph – Anthony Perrego – Rocky Warner
Sportsman
July 3, 2024: PAYTON TALBOT – Brian Calabrese – Chad Edwards – Ricky Quick – Brendan Gibbons
July 17, 2023: PAYTON TALBOT – Brian Calabrese – Michael Ballestero – Tanner Warner – Tyler Peet
July 3, 2022: ROCKY WARNER – Troy Zilles – Payton Talbot – Tanner Warner – Mark Mortensen
July 4, 2021: CODY CLARK – Chad Edwards – Mark Mortensen – Tanner Warner – Tim Hartman Jr.
July 5, 2020: CHAD EDWARDS – Brian Calabrese – Matt Meade – Ricky Quick – Tim Hartman Jr.
July 3, 2019: TIM HARTMAN JR. – Brian Calabrese – Adam McAuliffe – Chad Edwards – Mark Mortensen
