Lebanon Valley-Fonda Challenge Race #1 this Saturday, August 1st at the Fonda Speedway
COLUMN BY: Ron Szczerba – FONDA SPEEDWAY – FONDA, NY – The Lebanon Valley and Fonda Speedway’s come together this Saturday for the first event in a two race series called the Lebanon Valley/Fonda Challenge. Divisions included in the challenge event are the Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds, the 358-Modifieds, the Swagger Factory Apparel Sportsman, and the Leatherstocking Credit Union Pro Stocks.
The second of two events in the series will be held at the Lebanon Valley Speedway on Saturday, August 22.
Looking back at the history of the Lebanon Valley/Fonda Challenge events held in the past, the only thing I could find was that there was one other challenge series held but it was not only Lebanon Valley and Fonda participating, Albany Saratoga Speedway was also involved.
According to the book “Mohawk Magic” edited by Bill Williams, the three track promotion was called the “Capital District Championship Trail” (CDCT). 50-lap features on opening day at all three tracks were part of the challenge along with the 100-lap CRC Qualifiers held later on in the season at each track, giving all drivers a chance to compete in the series at all three tracks to see who the best driver in the Albany, NY area actually was.
The CDCT battle shaped up like this: since a Lebanon Valley car had never won a feature at Fonda, the fans believed that the Fonda boys would have a great shot at winning the title and the six foot trophy that went to the overall winner. Albany-Saratoga was neutral ground, as many of Fonda’s and the Valley’s best were regulars at that facility.
Fonda’s first race was held on opening day April 21, with stars from the Valley in attendance including Tommy Corellis, Chuck Ely, Mert Hulbert, Lou Searing, Goober Schiedell, Stan Wetmore, and Mark Fluery. CD Coville won the thriller in the Perth Lumber Wagon/Jerry Barnowski #61.
It would be Coville’s only Fonda win of the year, after a brilliant seven win campaign in 1978. Fonda cars took most of the top spots, but several of the Valley’s top drivers also got in good finishes at Fonda including Tommy Corellis in third, Lou Searing seventh, and Goober Schiedel ninth.
When the series was over, Dave Lape of Canajoharie, NY was the overall winner, and he made the Fonda fans proud as he brought home the title the “Best Stock Car Driver in the Capital District”. Lape was once again driving for Bob and Karol Grimm in the Kar Kare Special #22.
The top five in each of the CDCT events at each of the three tracks were as follows:
Fonda Speedway April 21, 1979 – 50-laps – CD Coville, Lou Lazzaro, Tommy Corellis, Dave Lape, and Ray Dalmatta.
Fonda Speedway July 24, 1979 – 100-laps CRC Qualifier – Jack Johnson, Alan Johnson, Dave Lape, Kenny Brightbill, and Davey Moore.
Albany Saratoga Speedway April 29, 1979 – 50-laps – Chuck Ely, Tommy Corellis, Ray Dalmatta, Dave Lape, and Butch Jelley.
Albany Saratoga Speedway August 28, 1979 – 100-laps CRC Qualifier – Kenny Brightbill, CD Coville, Tommy Corellis, Butch Jelley, and Art Kiser.
Lebanon Valley Speedway May 5, 1979 – 50-laps – Tommy Corellis, Bill Brooking, Chuck Ely, Ray Dalmatta, and Ed Delmolino.
Lebanon Valley Speedway July 31,1979 – 100-laps CRC Qualifier – Dave Leckonby, Chuck Ely, Tom Hager, Dave Lape, and Art Kiser.
Payouts for the first CDCT event this Saturday at Fonda are as follows:
Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds – 30 laps, $3,575 to win, $700 for 10th, $500 for 20th – Fonda Speedway rules apply – draw for heat-race starting positions/redraw for feature.
358-Modifieds – 25 laps, $1,500 to win – Lebanon Valley Speedway pay structure – DIRTcar 358-Modified rules apply – draw for heat-race starting positions/redraw for feature.
Swagger Factory Apparel Sportsman – 25 laps, $1,250 to win – Fonda Speedway rules apply – draw for heat-race starting positions/redraw for feature.
Leatherstocking Credit Union Pro Stocks – Hondo Classic – Thousands in bonus money – 29 laps plus BOBCO Dash (6 laps) – DIRTcar or Fonda Speedway rules – Hoosiers or American Racers – draw for heat-race starting positions/redraw for feature.
Show-up points (25) for Fonda Speedway Modified, Sportsman & Pro Stocks
FONDA/LEBANON VALLEY CHALLENGE POINT FUNDS
August 1 at Fonda Speedway – August 22 at Lebanon Valley Speedway. Drivers must attend both events to be eligible for point fund money.
Amsterdam Truck Center Modifieds
Position Payout
1 $1,000
2 $750
3 $500
4 $350
5 $325
358-Modifieds
Position Payout
1 $1,000
2 $500
3 $300
4 $250
5 $200
Swagger Factory Apparel Sportsman
Position Payout
1 $500
2 $350
3 $250
4 $200
5 $125
Leatherstocking Credit Union Pro Stocks
Position Payout
1 $500
2 $350
3 $250
4 $200
5 $125
