FONDA - Kenny Gates had come close in the three previous Hondo Carpenter Classics at Fonda Speedway.
Saturday night it looked like he was destined to be a bridesmaid again when Chucky Dumblewski wrestled the lead away from him with seven laps to go.
However, Gates' luck changed as Dumblewski jumped the berm with two laps to go leaving an opening for Gates to charge back to the front. The West Winfield driver held off a last-lap charge from Roy Fifield to garner his third straight pro stock feature win and first victory in the Hondo Classic.
"I wanted to win this race more than anything," Gates said. "I have finished third and second twice in the last three years. I wanted to win this trophy so much for Roger and Cindy Steele. They were so close to Hondo. He was a friend and always someone I could talk to. I wanted to win this for him and I finally did and got to yell out that big Hondo."
Carpenter died in a ATV accident in July of 2005. He was a well-known competitor at the track. Each year since his death, his memory has been honored with the race.
Joining Gates with victories Saturday night were Danny Ballard (Wilma Smith Memorial/IMCA) Bobby Varin (modified), David Towns (sportsman), Cassidy Wilson (street stock) and Jeremiah Munson (602 limited sportsman).
Chip Smith jumped out to the early lead in the 20-lap pro stock feature before Rocky Warner found his way to the front on lap five.
The first caution of the event flew on lap seven with Warner, Smith, Shane Henderson, Dumblewski and Bernie Companion making up the top five with Gates sixth.
Gates made the most of the restart to ride the low line into second before the caution flew on lap nine for Rob Noviczski, Buddy Hencke and Luke Horning.
Warner and Gates crossed the line in a dead-heat on lap 10 with Gates gaining the advantage a lap later.
Dumblewski was on the move on the high side of the speedway and took the lead on lap 13, leaving Gates and Fifield to battle for second.
The top three entered turn one with two laps to go in a tight group with Gates on the bottom and Dumblewski on the outside and Fifield looking for racing room in the middle.
When the white flag flew, Gates had a car-length lead over Dumblewski and maintained the advantage for the final circuit for the victory.
"I thought 'Oh God, not second again," Gates said of Dumblewski's pass. "Then I just ran my race. It looked like he kept getting higher and higher. I thought maybe if I could hold on I might have a chance. With two laps left, he jumped the cushion and I was there."
Fifield crossed the line second followed by Pete Broderson, Smith, Henderson, Lori Langevin, Warner, Companion, Nick Stone and Dean Charboneau.
Dave Lape backed up a strong run in his heat race by leading the opening four laps of the 30-lap modified feature.
A pair of quick cautions brought the field up to his back bumper, with Danny Varin taking over the lead on lap six before Jeff Trombley found his way to the front on lap seven.
The third caution flew on lap seven when Matt DeLorenzo stopped in turn four with a flat left-front tire. He was able to get the tire changed and remained on the lead lap but at the rear of the field.
Trombley maintained his lead with Ronnie Johnson pulling into the runner-up spot on lap 10 with Danny and Bobby Varin battling for third.
Trombley's night came to an end on lap 15 when the engine broke in the 21J, sending him pitside and putting Johnson in front, with Bobby Varin second and Danny Varin third.
The caution came out again on lap 16 for Ryan Odasz's disabled racer and a light rain shower that quickly passed.
Johnson held Bobby Varin at bay on the restart, but Varin dove to the inside entering turn three on lap 23 to take the lead.
DeLorenzo had made his way back to the front of the field and was closing in the final laps but came up short as Varin claimed his sixth win of the season.
Johnson crossed the line in second, followed by DeLorenzo, Danny Varin and Alton Palmer. Dave Camara, David Constantino, Tony Pepicelli, Lape and Elmo Reckner rounded out the top 10.
Kevin Buff led the early laps of the Wilma Smith Memorial for IMCAs. He maintained his advantage over Ballard for the first seven laps until the caution flew, bunching up the field.
Ballard slipped into the lead on the restart, with Jeremy Cramer taking over third and Dan Hartgraves fourth.
With the race running under the green, Ballard opened a five-car lead and held the advantage at the checkers. Buff finished second, followed by Jeremy Cramer, Jimmy Cramer, Hartgraves, Danny Ody, Howard Smith, Corky Brochman, Carol Parker and Ken VanWert.
Drew Fallis showed the sportsman field the fast way around the speedway for the first five laps before Towns gained the lead after a full lap of side-by-side racing with Fallis.
Luke Munroe picked his way into the second spot on lap eight and began to reel in Towns. With five laps remaining, Munroe was up to Towns' back bumper but could not find a way past as Towns grabbed his first checkers of the season.
Munroe was second, followed by Jason Memrick, Fallis and Vinny Sanganetti.
Matt Johnson set the pace in the early going of the 15-lap street stock feature with Neil Cosselman and Dan Pollock pressuring him.
Chuck McSpirit found his way to the front on lap seven and engaged in a lead-swapping battle with Wilson until Wilson pulled in front on lap 11.
The race came down to a one-lap dash as the caution flew on lap 14.
Wilson fought off a strong finish from Dave Horning Sr. for the win, Rob VanAernam got up for third and Reuben Kennedy fourth.
In the final race of the night, Munson came from mid-pack to beat out last week's winner, Ray Zemken, for his sixth win of the season.
Mike Ketchum was third, followed by Bodie Bellinger, Scot Straight, Adam McAuliffe, Jim Nagle, John Calcagn Jr. and Bert Film.
