Racing Around: Friesen to honor Johnson at truck race on May 6

The Halmar 52 truck of Stewart Friesen will be carrying a bright orange paint scheme (Photo courtesy Chad Ofiara/Halmar Friesen Racing)PHOTO COURTESY OF: HALMAR FRIESEN RACING (CHAD OFIARA)

After winning the Montgomery County Championship honoring Jack Johnson Sunday night at Fonda Speedway, Stewart Friesen told the fans, “This is Jack’s house and it feels great to win a race in his honor.”

He also told fans there would be an announcement coming soon concerning the throwback paint scheme for the truck that he will be racing May 6 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.

Wednesday, Friesen unveiled the paint scheme on his Facebook page.

The Halmar 52 will be carrying a bright orange paint scheme with a checker band that was sported by Jack Johnson on his B.R. Dewitt big-block modified in 1983.

“For our Darlington Throwback, we decided to have an auction with the proceeds going to Aim Autism and the highest bidder could pick our scheme for an idea and layout for our Throwback truck,” Friesen said in a video he posted on his Facebook page. “Shawn and Billie Beckhorn were the highest bidders with a $4,000 bid going to Aim Autism, which we are greatly appreciative for. They picked a Jack Johnson car that was one of my favorites when I was a kid growing up. It is really cool to be able to

represent Jack and the Northeast modified history and racing in the Camping World Truck Series at Darlington.”

The four-time Fonda Speedway modified champion has honored Johnson on his cars before, including sporting a 12A in the paint scheme of modified for the initial running of “The Jack.”

RIDGE OPENER

Following the cancellation of last Sunday’s open practice session, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park is ready to open its gates for the season Sunday.

The Ridge will honor the 2021 track champions during a pre-race ceremony starting at 4 p.m.

Fans will be treated to $1 hot dogs, compliments of the Main with the Red Chair, and free popcorn, courtesy of Jay Fitzgerald Racing and Classic Muscle Parts.

Gates open at 3 p.m., with hot laps hitting the track at 5:30 p.m.

HONORING ALEX

Utica-Rome Speedway drew 66 teams to last Friday’s open practice session and is now ready to drop the green flag on its 2022 racing season.

Friday night, the modifieds will battle in the inaugural $6,800-to-win, 30-lap main event honoring the late promoter and competitor Alex Friesen.

A full regular race card including 602 sportsman, pro stocks, limited sportsman and 4 cylinders, will run under the newly installed LED lighting.

PIT NOTES

After winning the season-opening modified feature last Saturday night at Lebanon Valley Speedway, Andy Bachetti made the trip to Fonda Speedway Sunday. Bachetti was fast, but his night ended quickly as his engine detonated exiting the fourth turn in his heat race, sending flames trailing under and behind his modified before he brought it to a stop in turn three. He quickly exited the car and looked on as the track safety crew extinguished the flames.

It was a big weekend for “Lightning” Larry Wight. Wight rallied to win last Friday’s modified feature at Albany-Saratoga Speedway before making the trip to Orange County Speedway Saturday to split the twin modified feature victories with Mat Williamson.

“Happy” Harry Shaffer made his first start since 2019 Saturday night in the 602 sportsman division. Shaffer will be sharing the 1H this season with limited sportsman driver Zach Dufel.

Bobby Varin is off to a fast start at Outlaw Speedway in Dundee. Varin has picked up a pair of third-place finishes in the first two weeks of competition. He was a regular Friday night runner at Outlaw last season and missed bringing home the track championship by a single point.

The Don Gras Memorial for the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modifieds that was postponed last Saturday has been added to this week’s race program at Fonda Speedway. Several of the cars will be on display at the Fonda Speedway Museum at the fairgrounds starting at 2 p.m.