THE BERNIE

     The first time I ever got to visit the legendary Fonda Speedway was right around 1962. My uncle and I had gotten there really early, had watched every detail of the track preparation, and were getting a little sick of sitting there by the time warmups and practice laps were beginning. I had visions of Danish, Corey, Herbert, and Lazarro swimming in my head; and I had actually seen the likes of George Baumgardner and Dutch Reed performing in Vermont at the old Otter Creek Speedway earlier that year.
    The very first car to appear out on the track, however, was an unfamiliar red and white 1937 Ford coupe, being identified by announcer Mike Valchovic as "Leeeeeeee MILL -in - tunnn, from Palatine Bridge". Ever since I have a soft spot in my heart for that first Fonda car I ever saw. I have seen the owner's name spelled a number of different ways, but I will go with Bernie Maruska.
    Apparently, the main wrench [and perhaps the actual owner] of the car was Dick Bennett. I just recently [March 2011] found a number of photos from Gerry LaVallee, which I am gratefully placing here. CLICK HERE for those.

Ladabouche Collection Photo by Russ Bergh
Leeeee MILL - ing- tunnn ! with that first car I ever saw on Fonda.

Source Unknown Mr. Lee	From Otto Grahams Site An earlier version of the 71 with either Irv Taylor or maybe Millington.	John Grady Photo Lee, around 1962.
Gater Racing News Photo Around 1964, with a Chevy . Looks like a wreck with Robbie Kotary.	Steve Judd Photo Lee and that later Chevy version of Bernie's car	John Grady Photo My favorite shot of Lee and car.

Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Lee Millington wins	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Lee Millington with the 1967 version.	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Lee Millington with the Dick Bennett Valiant	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Lee Millington 1960's
Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Robbie Kotary wins	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Ken Jones, with a 1950's version.	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee A rare Jim Luke sighting in that car.	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Don Wayman, Berni Maruske, Dick Bennett, as the Fonda "Ford Champions".
Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Bennett, Maruske, Wayman, and crewman.	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Don Wayman wins	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee In the wall at Fonda.	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee A fire in the pits.
Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Dick Bennett and Bill Kollar, Sr..	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Lee Millington wrinkles the 71 at Fonda.	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Showing Jerry Cook the way around Fonda.	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Jack Johnson, at speed.
Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Jack Johnson wins	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Lee Millington missing some of the roof.	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Mr. Lee, in color.	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Lee Millington, 1967.
Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Jack Farquhar with the Valiant.	Courtesy of Gerry LaVallee Jack Farquhar with the Valiant.

Courtesy of Lew Boyd
My buddy Lew Boyd, with the car in the 70's. The three window coupe reminds me of one such
car that made the rounds among Gloversville area owners in the 1960's.

Gater Racing News Photo
Lee wads up one of Dick's 71's in a clash with the Ward Petit 148 of Robbie Kotary.