Champ Replaces Champ: After Scheduling Conflict Stops Friesen’s Dirt Late Model Debut, Johnson Lands Ride In Chub Frank Car
FONDA, NY – June 19, 2013 – One champion steps away. Another champion steps up.
After defending Fonda Speedway Big-Block Modified titlist Stewart Friesen of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., was forced to abandon his plan to enter the inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at his home track tonight (June 19) due to a schedule conflict, the driver he unseated as the half-mile oval’s champ, Ronnie Johnson of Duanesburg, N.Y., agreed to replace Friesen as the Fonda regular in the full-fender field.
Johnson, 39, will make his dirt Late Model debut in tonight’s 50-lap WoO LMS A-Main at Fonda behind the wheel of a second Rocket Chassis car fielded by tour veteran Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. – the same machine Friesen had been set to drive.
The 29-year-old Friesen consummated a deal with Frank last week that would allow him to run a dirt Late Model for the first time in his career when the WoO LMS visited Fonda, but the sizzling Big-Blocker (three consecutive feature wins at Fonda) had to withdraw from tonight’s action following the postponement of Tuesday night’s Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified event at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway. Friesen is co-promoting (and competing) in New Egypt’s ‘Dirty Jersey 60,’ which was rescheduled for tonight (June 19).
Johnson figures to be a worthy fill-in for Friesen, who sits atop Fonda’s current Big-Block Modified standings. The son of DIRTcar Northeast and Fonda Speedway Big-Block Modified legend Jumpin’ Jack Johnson, Ronnie won the track’s 2011 points crown and is tied for 16th on Fonda’s alltime Big-Block Modified win list with 22 career victories. He is ranked third in the speedway’s 2013 points battle.
Johnson will pull double-duty tonight, competing not only in the headline WoO LMS show but also the supporting 30-lap, $3,000-to-win Big-Block Modified event.
Pit gates for tonight’s program will open at 4 p.m. and spectator gates at 5 p.m. Racing is scheduled to get the green flag at 7 p.m.
General admission is $30. Tickets for children ages 6-11 are $3 and kids 5-and-under will be admitted free of charge.
More information on Fonda Speedway is available by logging on to www.fondaspeedway.net or calling 315-582-3115.
Fonda Speedway is located about 45 minutes northeast of Albany, just off Exit 28 of the New York State Thruway.
For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
Fans can also follow the WoO LMS on Twitter at Twitter.com/WoOLateModels and Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws .
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: American Racing Custom Wheels (Official Custom Wheel), Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), KMC (Official Custom Truck Wheel), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors: Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Edelbrock, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Capital Race Cars, Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis.