FONDA, N.Y. — Coming into the night, Danny Varin had won six straight Empire Super Sprint main events at the Fonda Speedway.
It looked like he would extend his streak once again, but a late-race charge from Shawn Donath was too much for the driver of the No. 01 to handle. When the checkered flag flew it was Donath who crossed the line first, earning his first tour victory of the season.
Pinnacle Investments Pole Sitter Matt Tanner and Danny Varin would bring the 24-car starting field to the green flag. Tanner jumped out to an early lead, but before a lap could be completed the yellow flag flew for the No. 1hd of Cory Sparks, who had made contact with the backstretch wall and rolled to a stop.
On the ensuing restart, Varin was able to get past Tanner on the high side of turn two and immediately pulled out to a good-sized lead over Tanner and third running Joe Trenca.
Lap six saw 5th-place starting Donath make a move to the inside of Tanner for second. He immediately began tracking Varin, and was closing rapidly on the No. 01 until the duo reached lap traffic on lap 10.
A third caution flew on lap 14, this time for 22nd starting Jason Barney.
A late-race restart again put the No. 53 of Donath on the tail tank of Varin, and on lap 22 Donath was able to get around Varin on the high side of turn three and never looked back.
“He (Varin) is so good here, I’m surprised we beat him,” said an elated Donath in victory lane. “He seems invincible here, I’m super stoked.”
Varin was able to hold on for a second-place finish.
“We just got lucky with where we started,” said Varin “We just weren’t good all night – we have some homework to do. Hats off to him (Donath). We just need to be better next time.”
Polesitter Tanner held on for third to complete the podium. Jordan Poirier and Davie Franek rounded out the top five.
Feature Finish
53-SHAWN DONATH [1], 2) 01-Danny Varin, 3) 90-Matt Tanner, 4) 28-Jordan Poirier, 5) 28f-Davie Franek, 6) 9-Josh Pieniazek, 7) 7c-Dylan Swiernik, 8) 98-Joe Trenca, 9) 32b-Kyle Smith, 10) 79-Jordan Thomas, 11) 4p-Chase Moran, 12) 89-Robbie Stillwaggon, 13) 41-Dalton Rombough, 14) 10h-Kelly Hebing, 15) 3a-Jeff Trombley, 16) 22-Jonathan Preston, 17) 14b-Brett Wright, 18) 87-Jason Barney, 19) 5d-Jake Dykstra, 20) 11j-Chris Jones, 21) 10-Jeff Cook, 22) 42-Jesse Pruchnik, 23) 5z-Zack Burd, 24) 1hd-Cory Sparks