Nick Stone wins third annual Hondo Classic at Fonda July 5th, 2008 - By: Ron Szczerba FONDA, NY – Saturday, July 5 was a special evening at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway as the Pro Stock feature was dedicated to the memory of Hondo Carpenter one of its most popular competitors who lost his life on July 4, 2005 in an ATV accident. The racing action that took place in the race could never be justified in print without writing about every lap in the 20-lap event. Between the three and four wide racing and all of the lead changes there wasn’t a spot on the track that you weren’t seeing some great racing action during the event. It was certainly a fitting tribute to the great Hondo Carpenter who was probably looking down on all of us and cheering on all of his former competitors and all of the new ones that have joined the Pro Stock division since with a big smile on his face. The event was a barn burner right from the drop of the green flag as it took two tries to get the race started. On both attempts to start the event John Babcock was the leader from his outside front row starting spot with Shane Henderson in tow. Babcock and Henderson were side by side for the lead on lap two with Babcock able to hold on to the lead at that point. Kenny Martin Jr. was the new second place car on lap three after getting by Henderson but that was short lived as Henderson got back by Martin for the second spot three laps later. On lap six Nick Stone was also able to get by Martin for the third spot after starting seventh. At the halfway point in the 20-lap event Martin suffered a flat right rear tire bringing out the caution. Martin was able to pit for a tire change and get back out before losing a lap. On the restart Henderson and Stone were swapping the second spot while behind them there were cars racing three and sometimes four wide for position. On lap 11 the yellow was out again for Sheldon Martin who spun in turn four. He continued on at the rear of the field. As Babcock continued to lead the event, Stone and Kenny Gates were the new second and third place cars with Gates the only car running down low on the race track. On lap 13 Gates got by Stone for the second position and shortly afterwards was side by side with Babcock for the lead. Babcock was able to hold onto the lead the first time he was challenged but on lap 14 Gates was the new leader after getting by Babcock on the inside of turns one and two. Stone was able to get by Babcock for the second position just before the final yellow in the event came out on lap 17 for Nelson Passino who spun in turn four collecting Henderson in the aftermath. Both were done for the evening at that point but there were no injuries in the wreck. On the lap 18 restart Stone got a run on the outside of the backstretch and got by Gates for the lead going into turn three. Behind Stone, Gates, and Babcock; Chip Smith, Rob Yetman, and Martin who came all the way up through the field after his flat tire earlier in the event were racing three wide for the fourth position. At the checkered flag it was Stone taking the win in the special event with his Syracuse motor under the hood followed by Gates, Babcock, Smith, and Martin. “The last two caution flags in the event came into play for me as I was able to get second and then the lead on those two restarts,” Stone said in victory lane after winning his second feature of the season and the 21st of his career at Fonda. “This event in memory of Hondo is the race that we look forward to all season and it is very important to all of us.” A very dejected Kenny Gates stood next to his car in victory lane shaking his head after finishing second and said “I really thought that we had them covered.” “I needed the race to stay green so that the tires would stay good and hot and that last caution just killed me. I wanted to win this race so bad because Hondo and I raced together probably the most out of anyone. He was such a great guy, a great friend, and a great racer.” Despite ending up in the turn one wall after the checkered flag flew Babcock was a very happy man in victory lane after his third place finish. “That was a great race as a lot of us were racing back and forth for position,” he said. “I have to thank Steve Welch for the motor that was in my car tonight as it is a lot better than the one that was in the car before. The motor was just sitting under his bench for the last five years so he told me to take it because it was just holding down the floor.” PRO STOCK QUALIFYING – 15 total cars – 4 qualify HEAT 1 – Roy Fifield, Nick Stone, Kenny Martin Jr., John Babcock HEAT 2 – Chip Smith, Shane Henderson, Kenny Gates, Dean Charbonneau MORRIS AUTO GROUP/SNAPPLE PRO STOCK FEATURE – THE THIRD ANNUAL HONDO CLASSIC – 20-LAPS – NICK STONE, Kenny Gates, John Babcock, Chip Smith, Kenny Martin Jr., Rob Yetman, Ivan Joslin, Dean Charbonneau, Chucky Dumblewski, Tony Stone, Ken Hartshorn, Sheldon Martin, Nelson Passino, Shane Henderson, Roy Fifield The Friends of Hondo Memorial Society proudly presents the 3rd Annual Hondo Classic July 5, 2008 Fonda Speedway 1st - Winner – Nick Stone $199 from Images by DC $150 certificate from Sign ACTION Sign and Race Design Certificate for a sponsorship/marketing package from Walter Cook (valued at approx. $500) $9, "3rd Annual Hondo Classic Winner" sign & commemorative sticker from DH Graphx Commemorative duffel bag from Roger and Cindy Steele Magic Hat No. 9 beer from Karma Motorsports Magic Hat No. 9 shirt and glasses from Magic Hat Brewery 8 X 10 Photo from Images by DC DVD and movie night pack from Bobco Racing Video Model replica of the winning car by Jeff Karabin Message Cookie from the Gage Racing Family 2nd - Ken Gates 99 from Roger and Cindy Steele $9 and commemorative sticker from DH Graphx Magic Hat No. 9 beer from Karma Motorsports 3rd - John Babcock $89 from Kurt Ladu & Kenn Van Wert IMCA #15 ** Bonus ** $100 from DeLorenzo 3D Racing ** Bonus ** $100 from Hondo’s uncle Andy Forsee $9 and commemorative sticker from DH Graphx Magic Hat No. 9 beer from Karma Motorsports 4th - Chip Smith $79 from Matty Noles $9 and commemorative sticker from DH Graphx 5th - Kenny Martin, Jr. $69 from The Witches of G2C $9 and commemorative sticker from DH Graphx 6th - Rob Yetman $59 from David and Lee Towns 7th - Ivan Joslin $49 from Trevor Gavin and Diana Nelson 8th - Dean Charbonneau $39 from the Broderson Family 9th - Chucky Dumblewski $29 from Shaffer Racing Team ** Bonus ** $20 from Shaffer Racing Team 10th - Tony Stone $19 from MJG Motorsports and Alectric City Tattoo 11th - Ken Hartshorn $9 from Bobco Racing Video 12th - Sheldon Martin $9 from Bobco Racing Video 13th - Nelson Passino $9 from Bobco Racing Video 14th - Shane Henderson $9 from Bobco Racing Video 15th - Roy Fifield $9 from Bobco Racing Video $20 "Hondo's Lunch Money" bonus from George Smith and $25 from Carol Donato Photography ** Lap Leader Bonuses ** The leader of each lap received $9.00 plus the leader of the most laps received the $99.00 "Up to Speed" bonus from Mark “Krash Mender” Krosky. Laps 1-13 Babcock; Laps 14-17 Gates; Laps 18-20 Stone. John Babcock led the most laps ** Heat Race Bonuses ** The top 3 finishers in each heat received $10 from Paul Szmal . Heat race 1: Fifield, Stone, K. Martin. Heat race 2: Smith, Henderson, Gates ** Wild Card Bonuses ** The feature winner drew two finishing positions from a hat. One received $100 store credit from BNC Motorsports (Sheldon Martin) and the other received a voucher for 9% off a future lettering job from DHGraphx (Ken Hartshorn). ** Hard Charger Award ** (To Be Determined) Mark Krosky will also offer a "Hard Charger" award for the driver who passes the most cars. That driver will receive $9 for each car they pass. The Hard Charger will also receive $40 from Mel Thomas “Thomas Video”. ** Hard Luck Award ** Roy Fifield Race Pro Weekly sponsored the "Hard Luck Award". The driver of first car out due to any kind of mechanical failure or incident received two pit passes to Fonda Speedway. That driver also received $25 from Bill McGaffin Photos. ** NYSSCA Bonus ** Nick Stone The first NYSSCA member received a prize pack from the New York State Stock Car Association consisting of a certificate for a free membership for 2009, a NYSSCA hat, yearbook and can cozies. ** Rookie of the Race ** Sheldon Martin The highest finishing first year driver received $60 from Wilder Racing and a special trophy. ** Lap 9 Awards ** The car turning the fastest lap on lap 9 received $25 from Fast Eddie Biittig. (Nick Stone 24.201) The 2nd place car on the 9th lap received $40 from CDS Racing. (Shane Henderson) The 9th place car on the 9th lap received $99 from Darla Davanau. (Chucky Dumblewski) The last car on the 9th lap received $29 from Don and Diane Champion (Nelson Passino) Additionally: Lap 1 $25 from Allied Windows (John Babcock) Lap 2 $25 from Jumpin' Jacks Pro Speed (John Babcock) Lap 3 $25 from All Seasons Motorsports (John Babcock) Lap 4 $25 from Carman Body Works (John Babcock) Lap 5 $50 from RCT Roofing/Stone Racing/Giovanni’s Pizza (John Babcock) $25 from Salisbury Chevrolet (John Babcock) Lap 6 $25 from Carman Body Works (John Babcock) Lap 7 $25 in memory of Joe Moore (John Babcock) Lap 8 $100 from Nicholas Millard (John Babcock) $25 from Carman Body Works (John Babcock) Lap 9 $50 from the Broderson Family (John Babcock) $25 from Trevor Gavin and Diana Nelson (John Babcock) $25 from Carman Body Works (John Babcock) Lap 10 $100 from Winner's Circle (John Babcock) $100 from Andrew Millard (John Babcock) $50 from RCT Roofing/Stone Racing/Giovanni’s Pizza (John Babcock) $50 from Joslin Racing (John Babcock) Lap 11 $111 from Jen and Scott Friers in Memory of Steve Bidwell (John Babcock) Lap 12 $25 from Krug Home Builders (John Babcock) Lap 13 $25 from Trevor Gavin and Diana Nelson in Honor of Frank Gavin (John Babcock) Lap 14 $25 from L.C.B.D.A. (Ken Gates) Lap 15 $50 from RCT Roofing/Stone Racing/Giovanni’s Pizza (Ken Gates) $25 from Salisbury Chevrolet (Ken Gates) Lap 16 $25 from Danny Ody Racing in memory of Mary Smith (Ken Gates) Lap 17 $25 from the Horning Family (Ken Gates) Lap 18 $25 from Racinvideos.com (Nick Stone) Lap 19 $50 each to lap leader, 2nd, and 3rd place runners courtesy of George Smith (Stone, Gates, Babcock)Lap 20 $50 from RCT Roofing/Stone Racing/Giovanni’s Pizza (Nick Stone) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd ANNUAL HONDO CLASSIC JUNE 28th, 2008 FINISH BONUSES 1st - $199 from Images by DC $150 certificate from SignACTION Sign and Race Design Certificate for a sponsorship/marketing package from Walter Cook $9, "3rd Annual Hondo Classic Winner" sign & commemorative sticker from DH Graphx Commemorative duffel bag from Roger and Cindy Steele Magic Hat No. 9 beer from Karma Motorsports Magic Hat No. 9 shirt and glasses from Magic Hat Brewery 8 X 10 Photo from Images by DC DVD from Bobco Racing Video Model replica of the winning car by Jeff Karabin ….. and More! 2nd - $99 from Roger and Cindy Steele $9 and commemorative sticker from DH Graphx Magic Hat No. 9 beer from Karma Motorsports 3rd - $89 from Kurt Ladu & Kenn Van Wert IMCA #15 $9 and commemorative sticker from DH Graphx Magic Hat No. 9 beer from Karma Motorsports 4th - $79 from Matty Noles $9 and commemorative sticker from DH Graphx 5th - $69 from The Witches of G2C $9 and commemorative sticker from DH Graphx 6th - $59 from David and Lee Towns 7th - $49 from Trevor Gavin and Diana Nelson 8th - $39 from the Broderson Family 9th - $29 from Shaffer Racing Team 10th - $19 from MJG Motorsports and Alectric City Tattoo Finishes beyond 10th will receive $9.00 from Bobco Racing Video while the last place finisher will receive a $20 "Hondo's Lunch Money" bonus from George Smith. ** Lap Leader Bonuses ** The leader of each lap will receive $9.00 plus the leader of the most laps will receive the $99.00 "Up to Speed" bonus from Mark “Krash Mender” Krosky. ** Heat Race Bonuses ** The top 3 finishers in each heat will receive $10 from Paul Szmal. ** Wild Card Bonuses ** The feature winner will draw two finishing positions from a hat. One will receive $100 store credit from BNC Motorsports and the other will receive a voucher for 9% off a future lettering job from DHGraphx. ** Hard Charger Award ** Mark Krosky will also offer a "Hard Charger" award for the driver who passes the most cars. That driver will receive $9 for each car they pass. The Hard Charger will also receive $40 from Mel Thomas “Thomas Video” ** Hard Luck Award ** Race Pro Weekly will be sponsoring the "Hard Luck Award". The driver of first car out due to any kind of mechanical failure or incident will receive two pit passes to Fonda Speedway. That driver will also receive $25 from Bill McGaffin Photos. ** Lap 9 Awards ** The car turning the fastest lap on lap 9 will receive $25 from Fast Eddie Biittig. The 9th place car on the 9th lap will receive $50 from Darla Davanau. The last car on the 9th lap will receive $29 from Don and Diane Champion Additionally: Lap 1 $25 from Allied Windows Lap 2 $25 from Jumpin' Jacks Pro Speed Lap 3 $25 from All Seasons Motorsports Lap 4 $25 from Carman Body Works Lap 5 $50 from RCT Roofing/Stone Racing/Giovanni’s Pizza $25 from Salisbury Chevrolet Lap 6 $25 from Carman Body Works Lap 7 $25 in memory of Joe Moore Lap 8 $100 from Nicholas Millard $25 from Carman Body Works Lap 9 $50 from the Broderson Family $25 from Trevor Gavin and Diana Nelson $25 from Carman Body Works Lap 10 $100 from Winner's Circle $100 from Andrew Millard $50 from RCT Roofing/Stone Racing/Giovanni’s Pizza $50 from Joslin Racing Lap 11 $111 from Jen and Scott Friers in Memory of Steve Bidwell Lap 12 $25 from Krug Home Builders Lap 13 $25 from Trevor Gavin and Diana Nelson in Honor of Frank Gavin Lap 14 $25 from L.C.B.D.A. Lap 15 $50 from RCT Roofing/Stone Racing/Giovanni’s Pizza $25 from Salisbury Chevrolet Lap 16 $25 from Danny Ody Racing in memory of Mary Smith Lap 17 $25 from the Horning Family Lap 18 $25 from Racinvideos.com Lap 19 $50 each to lap leader, 2nd, and 3rd place runners courtesy of George Smith Lap 20 $50 from RCT Roofing/Stone Racing/Giovanni’s Pizza For more information, contact Kelley Keefe at (518) 399-0937 or email kellkeefe@aol.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jim Burton Takes Inaugural Hondo Classic at Fonda Speedway July 8th, 2006 FONDA, NY - The Friends of Hondo Memorial Society would like to thank all the sponsors who helped make the 1st Annual Hondo Classic a success. The original date of the race was scrapped because of the flooding at the Track of Champions, and happily the car count nearly doubled for the second attempt. Nineteen cars started the feature on July 8th, but it was a heated battle between Ken Gates and Jim Burton that had the fans on their feet. Many of the drivers, riding high on the emotion of the event, put their pedal to the floor in the attempt to win this inaugural race. Carrying extra emotional weight was Kenny Martin, Jr. driving for Hondo's old team. Dubbed a favorite from the beginning, he started deep in the field in 12th position. Gates started on the outside pole and sprinted to an early lead. Burton started in 8th with Nick Stone in 10th. By halfway it was Gates and Burton battling for the top spot with Stone, Martin and Chip Smith right together for third. On lap 17 Martin and Smith made heavy contact but both were able to continue. Burton was able to hold off Gates for the win, with Stone and Gates neck and neck at the line. Stone got the second spot, Gates, Martin and Roy Fifield. Burton took home the winner's bonus of $199 sponsored by Mayhem Motorsports and Speed Zone Motorsports Radio. Other sponsors for the bonuses through the field were Kristel's Lodge, AFGD Glass, Roger and Cindy Steele, Mark (Krash Mender) Krosky, Fabco Landscaping, All Seasons Motorsports, Kaitlyn Keefe, The Horning Race Team - Dave Sr. & Jr., Bobco Racing Video and Dirt Track Digest. All told, over $800 in bonus money was doled out. On July 1, 18 lucky kids won bikes or helmets provided by Stone Racing, RCT Roofing, Carman Auto Body, Winner's Circle Restaurant, Mark (Krash Mender) Krosky, Rick's Pit Stop, rocket time Websites, and Karma Motorsports. Fred Pangburn was the lucky winner of a Stiletto chopper bike, donated by All Seasons Motorsports. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Friends of Hondo Memorial Society to continue bonuses in his name. Be sure to check out the Hondo Carpenter Tribute site at www.pmmexpress.com/Hondo. Additional support to the Friends of Hondo is provided by BC Designs, Darla Davanau Signs, and Images by DC. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tribute Slated for July 1 at Fonda Speedway FONDA, NY - On Saturday July 1, when the pro stock field takes over the track it will be in tribute to fan favorite Hondo Carpenter. The event commemorates Hondo’s last race at the Track of Champions in the #9 car. The Hondo Classic, a 20-lap main event will pay extra dividends to the whole field. In addition to the usual purse, the winner will receive a $199.00 bonus, donated by Mayhem Motorsports and Speedzone. Second place will receive a $99.00 bonus from Kristel’s Lodge. The bonus money then filters down by $10 increments. Those finishing 11th or worse will receive a $9 bonus. Already this season, the 9th place pro stock each week receives $25 in Hondo’s memory and this night is no exception. The 9th place car will receive an extra $29 plus the $25. In addition, there will be a raffle for a Stiletto Chopper bike, valued at $300 donated by All Seasons Motorsports. Tickets will be sold at 3/$5.00. Proceeds will benefit “The Friends of Hondo Memorial Society”, a fund established to continue bonuses in Hondo’s name. Kids in attendance will also have the opportunity to win one of 9 bikes or 9 bike helmets in a free drawing. Make sure you pick up your raffle ticket at the gate. Other sponsors for the event so far are AFGD Glass (Hondo’s employer), Roger and Cindy Steele, Winner’s Circle Restaurant, Bobco Racing Video, Carman Auto Body, Stone Racing, RCT Roofing, Fabco Landscaping and Kaitlyn Keefe.