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FRIESEN SCORES $7776 FIRECRACKER 50 WIN AT FONDA

By: Ron Szczerba

Fonda, NY – On Wednesday evening at the “Track of Champions” Fonda Speedway, the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By GoSunoco made their first visit of 2025. Thirty STSS Modifieds of the HYTORC of New York North Region lined the pit area for a 50-lap, $7,776-to-win event, and when it was all said and done Stewart Friesen took his fifth win of the event after winning the prestigious race four years in a row back in 2018-2022.

For Friesen it was his fourth win of the 2025 season at Fonda, the 98th of his career at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds track, and the 53rd win of his career on the STSS series.

“We had another great race car tonight, Tommy and the guys and everybody at Halmar International made the right calls and got us up front,” Friesen said in victory lane. “Just a great race team, we are rolling real good, and it feels good to get a big win here on Fourth of July week.”

Forty-eight STSS Sportsman attempted to qualify for the 30-lap $1,776 to win Firecracker 30, competing for Madsen Overhead Doors Inc. North Region points. At the checkered flag it was Fonda Speedway regular Tyler Peet taking the win for his third win of the 2025 season at Fonda, fourth of his career at the “Track of Champions”, and first on the STSS series.

“I can’t even believe it,” Peet said after his win. “I feel like I’ve been trying to win one of these STSS races my whole life. I don’t know, we’ve been good here, but I feel like we’ve been good at other STSS races too. I just haven’t been able to put it all together as a driver.”

Other divisions in competition in a special midweek racing program were Jay Ingersoll (DOHC Fonda Fair Four Cylinders), Ken Hollenback (SOHC Fonda Fair Four Cylinders), Jason Samrov (Online Performance/Stone Motorsports Street Stocks), and Harry Shaffer (Holmes & Kugler Towing Slow Down Move Over Dash) for the Sportsman cars.

Fonda Speedway flagger Joe Kriss performed the Canadian Anthem during opening ceremonies while Mimi Lazzaro sang the National Anthem after Pastor Greg Nitz said the evenings prayer. The Fonda Speedway 50/50 girls Rose, Julie, and Heather performed just as well as the race cars on this night, collecting $2,985 for a first prize, which hasn’t been claimed as of Thursday morning so check your tickets!

A draw for starting positions placed two invaders on the front row for the start of the Firecracker 50, Michael Trautschold and Alex Payne with Trautschold taking the early lead. An early yellow slowed the field when Daniel Morgiewicz slowed in turn three with Trautschold leading on the restart.

Stewart Friesen started the event in the 12th position and by lap ten he was already up to the fifth position after getting by Cody Clark for the spot. Friesen and sixth place starter Matt Sheppard were side by side for the fourth position when the yellow came out again on lap 15.

Trautschold chose the inside for the restart and maintained the lead position while Friesen took the fourth position away from Sheppard. Both Friesen and Sheppard got by Payne for the third and fourth positions respectively, and lap by lap after that point Friesen got by cars one at a time, moving into the second position on lap 22 after getting by Anthony Perrego.

Friesen had a run on the outside of Trautschold on the backstretch on lap 23, taking the lead away as the cars entered turn three and pulling away. At the halfway point the top five consisted of Friesen, Trautschold, Perrego, Sheppard, and Payne. Lap traffic came in to play on lap 26 with Perrego’s good run coming to an end when he slowed on lap 28 to bring out another caution.

While Friesen pulled away on the restart, perhaps the best race on track was for a position outside the top five with ninth place starter Alex Yankowski and fourth place starter Jack Lehner. Lehner fell back at the start of the event and he and Yankowski were racing side by side, lap after lap for position, which Lehner was able to maintain at that point.

While Lehner moved up to the fourth position on lap 36 after getting by Payne for the position, Yankowski was stuck just outside the top five with the final yellow of the event coming out with ten laps to go for Payne who dropped out of the event while running fourth.

Friesen restarted on the inside of the front row and again maintained the lead position on the restart with Sheppard getting by Trautschold for the second position and Yankowski moving up on the restart to the fourth spot. Sheppard never got close to Friesen to challenge for the lead, settling for the second position at the checkered flag while Friesen survived late race lap traffic for the win in the Halmar #44.

“I just wanted to fire off good on the restart,” Friesen said. “There was a little bit of traction coming back in turn four, so I wanted to get that launch and get back to rolling clean laps.”

Sheppard, Yankowski who got by Trautschold for the third position with five laps to go, Trautschold, and tenth place starter Chris Raabe completed the top five at the checkered flag.

“The track prep on the top brought the track back to life,” Friesen told Jeff Ahlum in victory lane. It was greasy in three and four, we could still use it a little bit, but it wasn’t quite there. Once we got rolling I kind of figured out where I needed to be.”

“It was a good run for us,” Matt Sheppard said of his second place run. “As good as Stewart has been here and everywhere else he is tough to beat right now but second is a great run for us. We’ll take it and move on to the next one. We don’t get here a lot, but it seems like we are always in the hunt.”

“It was weird, I think the tires got hot and everybody felt like they were super free there,” Yankowski said after his third place finish. “So cool to be back at Fonda and get this Wilcox Construction #84Y to the front. It’s big, a top three, this race is really important to us, and we are enjoying an up front run, but we just want to get some wins. There are just so many people that help us so thank you.”

The 30-lap “Firecracker 30” for the 602 Sportsman started with Mark Mortensen and Camron Hotaling on the front row after drawing for positions with Mortensen taking the early lead. Mortensen pulled away at the start to a comfortable lead until lap two when the yellow was out for John DuMond who spun in turn two.

Mortensen led two more laps until Hotaling got by him for the lead on the outside of turn four to complete lap four. While Hotaling pulled away, Mortensen and Chad Edwards put on a great race for the second position, which Edwards was able to take over on lap thirteen from Mortensen.

Edwards quickly caught the leader after taking over the second position and at the halfway point took over the lead from Hotaling. A new challenger was making his way to the front after starting eleventh as Tyler Peet got by Mortensen for the third position on lap seventeen and was up to the second spot shortly afterwards.

Peet was right on Edwards’ rear bumper for the lead one lap later and found his way by Edwards for the lead on lap twenty-one on the inside of turn four. Peet pulled away after taking the lead and scored his third win of the season and fourth of his career at Fonda in the Ted’s Body Shop #12T. Edwards ended up second with Dylan Madsen, Mortensen, and seventh place starter David Hackett completing the top five.

“The track was rubbering up in turn four so I knew I couldn’t try the top down there which is where I got a little lucky and got by some guys early,” Peet said after his win. “My dad and my uncle gave me a great car, so I just sat in there and drove it. I knew that I couldn’t get out of the rubber, or I was gonna be doomed.”

“I’ve done a lot of learning here,” Peet continued to say. “This place has kicked me down more than it has picked me up. So, this feels good, winning from eleventh makes it feel even better.”

Jay Ingersoll led all twelve laps in the Fonda Fair Four Cylinder feature event for his seventh win of the season and the sixteenth of his career in the division in the DOHC class while Ken Hollenback was the SOHC winner after finishing second overall. For Hollenback it was his sixth win of the 2025 season and the 110th of his career at Fonda. Kerrie Hollenback, Rudy King Jr., and Stephen Burka completed the top five.

Jason Samrov led all twenty laps of the Online Performance/Stone Motorsports Street Stock feature for his second win of the 2025 season at Fonda and the nineteenth of his career in the division. Matt Wells, Matt Mosher, Rob VanAernam, and Andrew Fitzgearld completing the top five.

Harry Shaffer led all six laps in the Holmes & Kugler Slow Down Move Over Dash with Mike Block, Butchie Irwin, Brett Mortensen, and Jonny Feagles completing the top five. Sponsors the “Slow Down Move Over Dash” included Holmes & Kugler Towning, AC’s, Capital Hauling M.W. Roosevelt, Interstate Northeast, Tow Away, Essentials, and Ligget’s Towing. Guilderland Towing sponsored a Hard Charger Award while Wilson’s Towing presented an award to the first car on the hook or last place.

Fonda Speedway will be back in action on Saturday on Palmer’s Service Center Night with all regular divisions in action. It will also be New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) Night with monetary awards given out by the organization. Racing will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.

If you are a race fan that gets to the track early, be sure to check out the history of the Fonda Speedway at 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!

Fonda Speedway weekly feature winners, their race teams, and sponsors are invited the following week to display their cars at the museum and watch their feature win on Flo before the races. The victorious car display can begin as early as 3:00, and you are welcome to arrive and stay as late as your schedule allows.

Please message the Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame and Museum Facebook page to RSVP or with any questions!

All Fonda Speedway events are broadcast LIVE on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv).

Since 1953, the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway has hosted the best in stock car racing. The speedway operates weekly on Saturday nights from April through August plus several special events. Fonda Speedway is located on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds off New York State Thruway Exit No. 28 at 21 S. Bridge Street Fonda, NY 12068.

Fonda Speedway is on the web at www.thefondaspeedway.com. To learn more, call the office at 518.915.4395, like Fonda Speedway on Facebook or follow the speedway on Twitter: @thefondaspdwy or Instagram: @fondaspeedway.

“FIRECRACKER 50” PRESENTED BY HOLMES & KUGLER TOWING RESULTS SUMMARY – FONDA SPEEDWAY JULY 2, 2025
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Modified HYTORC of New York North Region Round No. 2 Feature Finish (50 laps): 1. 44-Stewart Friesen[12]; 2. 9S-Matt Sheppard[6]; 3. 84Y-Alex Yankowski[9]; 4. 28T-Michael Trautschold[1]; 5. 01-Chris Raabe[10]; 6. 02-Jack Lehner[4]; 7. 4-Cody Clark[5]; 8. 97-Bobby Hackel IV[14]; 9. ONE-David Hebert[13]; 10. 21C-Brian Calabrese[17]; 11. 2RJ-Ronnie Johnson[18]; 12. 1Z-Jessica Friesen[11]; 13. 79-Rocky Warner[8]; 14. 6S-Matt Stangle[24]; 15. 82S-Will Shields[19]; 16. 27B-Robert Bublak[15]; 17. 16-Louden Reimert[22]; 18. 21P-Luciano (Pep) Corradi[16]; 19. 27-Jason Reome[23]; 20. 76-Jamike Sowle[20]; 21. 71-Eric Mack[26]; 22. 70A-Alex Payne[2]; 23. 4P-Anthony Perrego[3]; 24. 24P-Brian Pessolano[7]; 25. 35-Francois Bellemare[25]; 26. 15M-Daniel Morgiewicz Jr[21]; 27. (DNS) 20C-Craig Hanson

Did Not Qualify: 55J-Ancel Collins; 16-Aaron Jacobs; 22c-Cedric Gauvreau

American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire Certificate): Jack Lehner (sixth) & Matt Stangle (14th)

ATL Fuel Cell Hot Lap Hero ($100): Stewart Friesen (19.219 seconds)

Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($50): Stewart Friesen (Redrew 12th)

Emerick Associates Heat & Consolation Winners ($50 Each): Michael Trautschold; Chris Raabe; Alex Payne (Heats) & Will Shields (Consolation)

Henry’s Exhaust Power Position ($50 Certificate): Ronnie Johnson (11th)

MD3 Most Laps Led ($100 Certificate): Stewart Friesen (27 laps)

Michael Keyser Memorial Top Fonda Speedway Regular ($76): Stewart Friesen (first)

Online Performance Parts Certificate ($100): Mike Trautschold (fourth)

Palmer’s Service Center Hard Charger Award ($600): Stewart Friesen (12th to 1st)

PEM Engineering Bonus (FREE Gear Set): Alex Yankowski (third)

Penske Racing Shocks Bonuses: Stewart Friesen ($150 certificate – first); Matt Sheppard ($100 certificate - second); Alex Yankowski ($75 certificate - third)

Swift Springs Hard Luck Award (FREE Spring Certificate): Anthony Perrego

Wilwood Brakes ‘Lucky 7’Bonus ($100 Certificate): Cody Clark (seventh)
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Sportsman Madsen Overhead Doors Inc. North Region Round No. 2 Feature Finish (30 laps): 1. 12T-Tyler Peet[11]; 2. 10%-Chad Edwards[3]; 3. 89-Dylan Madsen[4]; 4. 1M-Mark Mortensen[1]; 5. 82H-David Hackett[7]; 6. 78-Tanner Warner[12]; 7. 98-Camron Hotaling[2]; 8. 7-Dave Constantino[8]; 9. 9-Joe Toth[15]; 10. 25-Stephen Gray[9]; 11. 00X-Josh Coonradt[6]; 12. 7J-Dan Santabarbara[5]; 13. 74-Matt Perry[22]; 14. 27-Michael Ballestero[17]; 15. 12P-Connor Prokop[13]; 16. 84-Ricky Quick[20]; 17. 349-Garrett Chillot[21]; 18. 5C-Randy Cosselman[10]; 19. 9K-Blaine Klinger[18]; 20. 117-Butchie Irwin[25]; 21. 44-Rocco Constantino[24]; 22. 12B-Tyler Bobar[14]; 23. 31J-John Dumond[23]; 24. 123-Dale Welty[26]; 25. 797-Corky Warner[19]; 26. 1D-Kyle Dingman[27]; 27. 1B-Brett Mortensen[16]

Did Not Qualify: 164-Brock Miller; 42H-Kadon Hohensheldt; 1H-Harry Shaffer; 1-Steve Akers; 88W-Michael Wagner Fitzgerald; 19Z-Dylan Scribner; 6M-Pat Mann; 12-George Schweigart; 4-Al McCoy; 26-Mason Gray; 63-Chip Constantino; 15-Greg Havlicek; 2K-Michael Kalkbrenner; 2-Michael Block; 618-Bobby Rhinehardt; 11-Josh Persse; 216-Phil Arnold; 99-Clyde Peek; 314-Clayton Dumond; 27R-Rusty Baumes; 55-Jonny Feagles

American Racer/Lias Tire Bonus (FREE Tire Certificate): Tanner Warner (sixth)

Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($25): Randy Cosselman (Redrew 10th)

Greco’s NAPA Hard Charger ($100 Certificate): Tyler Peet (11th to 1st)

JLR Technologies/Bloomfield’s Florist Hot Lap Hero ($100): Camron Houghtaling (20.006 seconds)

Henry’s Exhaust Power Position ($50 Certificate): Josh Coonradt (11th)

Michael Keyser Memorial Top Fonda Speedway Regular ($76): Tyler Peet (first)

Online Performance Parts Certificate ($100): David Hackett (fifth)

Swift Springs Hard Luck Award (FREE Spring Certificate): Kyle Dingman

Holmes & Kugler Towing ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ Dash (6 laps): 1. 1H-Harry Shaffer[2]; 2. 2-Michael Block Sr[1]; 3. 117-Butchie Irwin[3]; 4. 1B-Brett Mortensen[5]; 5. 55-Jonny Feagles[4]; 6. 26-Mason Gray[6]; 7. 7J-Dan Santabarbara[8]; 8. 42H-Kadon Hohensheldt[7]; 9. 15-Greg Havlicek[9]; 10. 1M-Mark Mortensen[10]

1 - $1,000 (Holmes & Kugler): Harry Shaffer
2 - $500 (AC’s Towing & Recovery): Michael Block Sr.
3 - $300 (Capital Hauling): Butchie Irwin
4 - $400 (M.W. Roosevelt & Son/Roosevelt’s Towing): Brett Mortensen
5 - $200 (Interstate Northeast): Jonny Feagles
6 - $200 (Tow Away): Mason Gray
7 - $150 (Essential’s Towing & Recovery): Dan Santabarbara
8 - $150 (Liggett’s Towing): Kadon Hohensheldt
9 & 10 - $100 (Holmes & Kugler): Greg Havlicek & Mark Mortensen
Dash Hard Charger - $200 (Guilderland Towing): Harry Shaffer
1st on the Hook or Last Place - $100 (Wilson’s Towing): Mark Mortensen

Online Performance Parts/Stone Motorsports Street Stock Feature Finish (20 laps): 1. 24V-Jason Samrov[2]; 2. 39-Matt Wells[4]; 3. 91-Matt Mosher[1]; 4. 71-Rob VanAernam[3]; 5. 50-Andrew Fitzgerald[5]; 6. 54-Shane Wetherington[8]; 7. 08-Lou Gancarz[6]; 8. 711-Jason Barrett[9]; 9. 44-Malcum Warner[7]

The Junk Couple Lap One Leader ($20): Jason Samrov

Fonda Fair Four Cylinder Feature Finish (12 laps): 1. 97JD-Jay Ingersoll[4]; 2. 12S-Ken Hollenbeck[6]; 3. 33D-Kerrie Hollenbeck[5]; 4. 666D-Rudy King Jr[11]; 5. 8S-Stephen Burka[1]; 6. 54S-Wayne Russell Jr[3]; 7. 29JD-John Ray[9]; 8. 26D-Len St Andrews[7]; 9. 212S-TJ Marlitt[8]; 10. 57S-Jeremiah Paro[10]; 11. 223S-Josh Beals[2]

KKH Auto Sales Top Dual Cam ($150): Jay Ingersoll

KKH Auto Sales Top Single Cam ($150): Ken Hollenbeck

Cobleskill Collision 2nd Dual Cam ($100): Kerrie Hollenbeck

Cobleskill Collision 2nd Single Cam ($100): Stephen Burka

KKH Auto Sales Bonuses ($50 each): Ken Hollenbeck (second); Kerrie Hollenbeck (third); Rudy King Jr. (fourth); Stephen Burka (fifth)

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