FONDA, N.Y. – Dave Constantino secured his first modified triumph at Fonda Speedway Saturday night.
Constantino, who took over the Laudy Hoyenga Motorsports No. 34 this year, took the lead early in Saturday’s modified feature before pulling away to victory.
“I want to thank Laudy for putting me in this car,” Constantino said in victory lane. “This is a childhood dream come true an emotional Constantino said in victory lane.
The 30-lap Sunoco Modified feature began with Danny and Bobby Varin on the front row with Danny taking the early race lead at the drop of Joe Kriss’ green flag. Dave Constantino started on the outside row in the fourth position and quickly showed his hand as he was quick on the outside and in the second position as lap one was completed.
On the outside of turn four coming down to complete lap three, Constantino got by Danny Varin for the lead and by lap seven he was already out to a straightway advantage. One lap later Constantino was in lap traffic, trying for numerous laps to get by Willy Decker as Danny and Bobby Varin closed in on his back bumper.
At the halfway point the Varin’s were right up to challenge the leader with David Schilling and Ryan Odasz the fourth and fifth place cars behind the battle for the lead. On lap 16 Constantino finally got by Decker and was able to open up his lead again as the Varin’s raced amongst themselves for the second spot with the two swapping the position with 10 laps to go in the event.
Bobby Varin took over the second position from his son Danny on lap 22 while Constantino had three lap cars and a nice lead at that point. Constantino took the victory and is now the 132nd different driver to win a Modified feature at Fonda in its 68 year history.
Bobby Varin, Danny Varin, David Schilling, and Josh Hohenforst completed the top five in the event.
Other winners on Saturday at Fonda were Adam McAuliffe (Swagger Factory Apparel/Eric Orozco Racing 602 Crate Sportsman), E.J. McAuliffe (Montgomery County Office for the Aging Limited Sportsman), Luke Horning (Algonkin Motel Pro Stock) and Dave Horning Sr. (Trackside Body Works Street Stock).