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STSS Race Day at Fonda: Firecracker 50 Storylines, Stars & Sleepers

Written by Chris Moore

FONDA, NY - For the first time in 32 days, it™s Race Day!

The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco reignites tonight with the Fuccillo Autoplex of Nelliston Firecracker 50™ at Fonda Speedway.

The STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds will go for 50-laps for a minimum of $10,000 to the winner.

This years Firecracker 50™ will be the third running of the event since its inception in 2019 and is Round No. 4 of the Hurlock Auto & Speed North Region.

THE STORYLINES

It has been over a month since the STSS last ran at Pa.™s Penn Can Speedway on June 1. Drivers and teams are rounding into form and finding their stride as the calendar turns to July, which could change the outlook of the North Region standings in the next month of racing.

Currently, Middletown, N.Y.™s Anthony Perrego and King Ferry, N.Y.™s Mike Mahaney are separated by just one point atop the North Region standings, with the Penn Can winner, Savannah, N.Y.™s Matt Sheppard, just 14 points behind.

Sprakers, N.Y.™s Stewart Friesen has claimed each of the first two editions of the Firecracker 50.™ Can anyone stop the Fonda Speedway kingpin?

THE STARS

Not only has he won the first two running™s of the Firecracker 50,™ Stewart Friesen has only lost twice since the beginning of 2020 at Fonda Speedway, including winning seven of his eight races this season. Friesen currently sits at 75 career Fonda wins, fourth on the Speedway™s all-time list.

Johnstown, N.Y.™s Rocky Warner is the only driver to win a Fonda Speedway race in 2021 that Stewart Friesen attended. Warner is also coming off a runner-up this past Saturday (to Friesen) at Fonda. Warner also won the $12,000 payday at the Montgomery County Open back in April at Fonda.

Anthony Perrego, like Rocky Warner, is the only other driver to beat Stewart Friesen at Fonda since the beginning of 2021. Perrego was triumphant in the season finale at Fonda last season. Perrego™s consistency has been impeccable on the 2021 STSS Tour and has rewarded him with two wins already this season.

THE SLEEPERS

Duanesburg, N.Y.™s Ronnie Johnson has never been an STSS regular, and just returned as a regular at Fonda Speedway this season. However, RJ™ has been fast and consistent throughout the 2021 campaign at the Track of Champions.™ A crowd favorite, Johnson will be in the hunt to thrill the picturesque grandstands at Fonda.

Unadilla, N.Y.™s Billy Decker last won at Fonda Speedway in 2015. The 2018 STSS North Region champion always shows consistency, and currently sits ninth in STSS North Region points.

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.™s Jack Lehner is having a breakout season in the Modified division. That breakout season includes a win this season at Fonda, and currently sitting second in the point standings at the Track of Champions.™

ALSO IN ACTION

The Crate 602 Sportsman will run Round No. 2 of the Precision Hydraulic & Oil North Region. The 25-lap race will pay a hefty $2,000 to the winner.

A huge fireworks display will complete the program.

GATES AND PRICES

For the July 4 event, all gates open at 4 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6 p.m. with racing following at 7 p.m.

Adult grandstand admission is $24 and $22 for Seniors (ages 65 and over). Kids 11 and under get in FREE.

Pit Admission is $35 for Non-Members and $30 for Fonda Speedway Members

HOW TO WATCH

The Firecracker 50™ will be streamed live on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv).

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.

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out Short Track Super Series™ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Insinger Performance, FloRacing, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Hurlock Auto & Speed, Velocita-USA, Design for Vision/Sunglass Central, Behrent™s Performance Warehouse, Beyea Custom Headers, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Penske Racing Shocks, Danny™s Pizza Pizzazz, Algonkin Motel, Henry™s Exhaust, Hig Fab, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Belmont™s Garage, Superior Remodeling, Spyder High Performance Filters, Fastline Performance, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO, WELD Racing & Wilwood.

STSS FIRECRACKER 50™ HISTORY: PAST EVENT WINNERS

July 3, 2019 STEWART FRIESEN Matt Sheppard Erick Rudolph Anthony Perrego Rocky Warner

July 5, 2020  STEWART FRIESEN Larry Wight Mike Maresca Adam McAuliffe Jessica Friesen

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