When Fonda Speedway promoter Ric Lucia dug up enough sponsorship to make his new five-race “Go Green NMX Fonda Thunder Series” feasible, he expected numerous outsiders would challenge his modified regulars for race wins and the series’ point fund money.
The 40-lap opener and another 40-lapper in late June sported a $4,000 winner’s share, with upcoming 50-, 60- and 100-lap events set to pay $5,000, $6,000 and $9,500 to win, respectively. And the top three in points are guaranteed $4,000, $3,000 and $1,500.
With most central New York tracks paying $1,500 to win, observers expected 10 or 12 outsiders for the series. But the region’s all-time leading winner, Brett Hearn, was the only “name” to appear.

“Race car guys live to complain, mostly about money,” said the disappointed Lucia. “Then, when the real deal comes to town, they don’t show up. Why do they complain about purses all the time, then go race for $500 or $1,500 to win? They need to sit down and be quiet. They complain about money, but that can’t be the real issue. Otherwise, they’d show up.”
If it’s not money, then what is it that attracts racers to a particular track?
“Whether they admit it or not, guys are results oriented,” said Lucia. “They’ll tell you it’s money, but they’re looking to go somewhere they know they can win, or at least get a deal. But if we’re trying to elevate the sport, and everyone tells you that’s what they’re trying to do, you can’t race where it’s easy or for the perks, the extra $100 the promoter gives you not to go somewhere else. You’ve got to go race for the purse. And besides, only the chosen few get the perks anyway.”
According to Lucia, his regular Saturday night purse is in the $9,800 to $10,200 range, with the 40-lap specials paying some $14,860.
“It’s hard to get guys to move around on a Saturday night for any amount of money, though one of the five is a mid-week show and another is on a Sunday, so it’s not all Saturdays,” offered Hearn. “I came because I think if a promoter puts up that kind of money, plus a point fund, you should come. And you’d think the guys running for $1,500 to win, who can’t possibly win a track title because they’ll miss races for some DIRTcar Tour events would be here, too.”
Former champion Bobby Varin, who along with defending Fonda titlist Matt DeLorenzo and Ronnie Johnson tops the local contingent, agreed with Hearn.
“There should be more cars here,” he declared. “A purse like this deserves more cars. I’m glad to be involved with a track trying to make things better for everyone and I hope it works out for Ric in the long run.”
Lucia’s frustration was obviously stoked by the lack of newcomers, but that wasn’t the initial source. He’s been upset since another track opened nearby and, because it was new, offered much smaller purses than the long-established Fonda. And when Varin’s owner, who Lucia says has complained for years that Fonda should pay more, took over the track last season, things got worse.
“This is all about taking care of my local guys, both the racers and the fans, by giving them series events without them having to travel all over and buy a lot of gas,” said Lucia. “But it’s a world of double standards. I still can’t understand how guys can buy a new TEO chassis and a good Enders small block and go over there to race for $500 to win. And how can a car owner say I don’t pay enough, then pay a fraction of my purse at his track?
“Why wouldn’t it make sense for everybody to cut their purse? If this series doesn’t succeed in drawing cars and people, why shouldn’t I cut my winner’s share to $1,500 like the DIRT tracks in central New York, or even lower, down to what Glen Ridge pays?
“If we’re not careful about managing our sport differently, we’re looking at a sunset for racing as we know it. You can’t have all this fragmentation, with guys racing for $500 and $4,000 to win a couple of miles apart. It’s not a great time for the sport.”
DeLorenzo won round one and Pat Ward took the second event in the series.
“The bottom line?” summed up Lucia. “I can’t make it any easier for guys to race for extra money.”