The Fonse Performance/K&S Racecars 8.50 Index team managed to put their newly acquired 1981 Camaro into the winners circle just two weeks after losing their longtime racecar in a violent accident at Atco Dragway. Within a week after the devastating crash the team was able to acquire the Viper Red Camaro from Ken “Birdman” Bird and after two days of testing the Fonse crew had the car dialed in.
On race day the newly energized team had the Camaro clicking on all 8 cylinders and the man behind the wheel, Al Fonse Jr, mowed down Christmas tree like he was a sawyer. Fonse had an easy one in the first round as his opponent Rob Poochigan turned on the red light by leaving before the tree was activated. In round two they eliminated longtime rival Louis Martinez and his Chevrolet Malibu. Fonse went 8.514 to Martinez’s 8.571. It was the next round though that really got the team believing they could take home the big check at the end of the day.
In round three, Fonse brought his nitrous fed Camaro up to the line to square off against Brian Ferrari and his 1966 Chevelle. Fonse was off the line first with a great .007 light, but Ferrari was right behind him with a .015 reaction time. The big Chevelle was out in front at mid track but right before the stripe Ferrari dumped and had to watch Fonse drive by and turn on the win light. Ferrari went 8.506 and Fonse went 8.507, for a margin of victory of just 2 feet! That important round gave Fonse the bye into the finals. In the final round it was all team Fonse as Al Jr cut a .017 light and went 8.513 to Angela Valla’s 8.537 with a .034 light. This gave Fonse Performance their first victory of the year.
The team captain, Al Fonse Sr was very proud of the effort and stated, “Everything about our new car is completely different. From the motor to the transmission to the suspension, it is the exact opposite of what we are accustomed to. To come out here and win the first race says a lot about our crew.”
The victory catapulted the team from No. 5 to No. 2 in points and they are now only 14 points behind the leader Joe Albrecht. So it will all come down to the last race of the year, which takes place at Atco Dragway on October 19th.
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