by Bryan Autullo – FAST Public Relations
MAUMEE, OH (3-13-10) — In less than two weeks the racing season kicks off in Northern OH at Attica Raceway Park (Friday March 26th) as the FAST contenders will begin tuning up for another run at the Kistler Cup title. Kistler Racing Products FAST points competition will fire up on April 23/24 weekend after the teams have all had time to shake down the cars and work out the bugs at each track. In 2009, Craig Mintz took home the hardware as he held off a late season run by Byron Reed who finished just 51 points behind Mintz when the final checkered flag flew. Mintz will return to defend his title and Reed will be ready to step it up and show why he has earned 8 track championships at Attica and Fremont. Giving them both fits will be the top talent of proven winners such as Brock Mayes, Chris Andrews, Lee Jacobs, Phil Gressman, David Harrison, Mark Keegan, Mike Linder, Bryan Sebetto, Jody Keegan, Brian Smith, Todd Heller, and Brandon Martin. Several other drivers making their way up through the local ranks will also be looking to make their mark in the F.A.S.T. history books. Scott Euler, Kevin Lee, Travis Philo, and Duane Zablocki will be looking for their first feature win in 2010. Two new names will join the 410 ranks in their quest for Rookie of the Year honors – Shawn Valenti and Cody White. Both have plenty of experience behind the wheel of a sprint car and they will show what they are capable of with a 410 under the hood.
2010 F.A.S.T. Series Competitors
(This is not a complete list as other teams may be planning to run for the title)
Chris Andrews #15c
D.O.B.: 4/15/1988
Hometown: Sandusky, Ohio
Chris Andrews returns to the seat of the # 15C for 2010. The 2009 Attica 410 track champion scored 2 wins in F.A.S.T. competition in 2009 (Attica 7/3/09 and Attica 8/7/09). Racing with the motto “It’s what I do”, the 2007 National 410 Rookie of the Year looks to improve on his 4th place finish with the series and add a F.A.S.T. championship to his growing resume.
F.A.S.T. totals: 16 A main starts; 2 wins; 5 top fives; 9 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 35 A main starts; 3 wins; 8 top fives; 22 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 35 A main starts; 0 wins; 5 top fives; 11 top tens
Career 410 totals: 89 A main starts; 5 wins; 20 top fives; 42 top tens
Scott Euler #27
D.O.B.: 6/7/1969
Hometown: Bowling Green, Ohio
Racing a limited schedule, Scott Euler managed to still make 5 starts with the F.A.S.T series in 2009. With an improved qualifying package and lessons learned from added track time at Attica, the #27 team looks to make a charge toward a top ten finish in the series point standings in 2010.
F.A.S.T. totals: 5 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 0 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 10 A main starts; 0 wins, 0 top fives; 1 top ten
Fremont 410 totals: 42 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 2 top tens
Career 410 totals: 56 A main starts; 0 wins; 1 top five; 4 top tens
Phil Gressman #53
D.O.B.: 7/15/1968
Hometown: Helena, Ohio
After spending time with a number of teams the last couple years, Phil Gressman has found a home with the De Genzman owned #53 team. The “Ohio Gasman” started all 11 F.A.S.T. A mains in which he attempted to qualify for in 2009. A proven winner in every kind of sprint car he has ever sat in, Gressman has his sights firmly set on a F.A.S.T. championship in 2010.
F.A.S.T. totals: 11 A main starts; 0 wins; 4 top fives; 6 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 72 A main starts; 4 wins; 19 top fives; 37 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 81 A main starts; 6 wins; 31 top fives; 50 top tens
Career 410 totals: 300 A main starts; 14 wins; 69 top fives; 138 top tens
David Harrison #10
D.O.B.: 10/30/1963
Hometown: Burgoon, Ohio
Known around Northern OH dirt tracks as simply “Super Dave”, Harrison has scaled back his racing program in recent years. That said, the fan favorite still managed to make 9 A main starts with the F.A.S.T. series in 2009. In 2010, David will juggle starts in the familiar #10 with getting son Josh’s career off the ground, and his continued volunteer work with the “Racers Racing for a Cure” program.
F.A.S.T. totals: 9 A main starts; 0 wins; 1 top five; 3 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 137 A main starts; 5 wins; 38 top fives; 78 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 141 A main starts; 8 wins; 42 top fives; 85 top tens
Career 410 totals: 363 A main starts; 23 wins; 128 top fives; 229 top tens
Todd Heller #14h
D.O.B.: 1/30/1969
Hometown: Whitehouse, Ohio
A veteran of both tracks on the F.A.S.T. series circuit, Todd Heller has the experience and knowledge to become a top ten contender. However, prior commitments have kept him from the track on important point nights. Look for this dedicated driver to have several more strong finishes while running a limited schedule again in 2010.
F.A.S.T. totals: 5 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 0 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 93 A main starts; 0 wins; 21 top fives; 58 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 142 A main starts; 1 win; 31 top fives; 73 top tens
Career 410 totals: 373 A main starts; 4 wins; 114 top fives; 219 top tens
Lee Jacobs #24h
D.O.B.: 5/21/1983
Hometown: Dalton, Ohio
In 2009 Lee Jacobs scored a win (Attica 7/10/2009) and a 10th place finish in points while piloting the De Genzman #25 with the F.A.S.T. series. For 2010, the son of Hall of Fame driver Kenny Jacobs, will drive the Hammer Motorsports #24H for car owners Lisa and Randy Hammer. The”Snowman” will also reunite with champion crew chief Aaron Hammer. The duo combined to establish the 1 lap track record at Fremont Speedway in 2003. That record still stands today.
F.A.S.T. totals: 13 A main starts; 1 win; 4 top fives; 8 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 82 A main starts; 3 wins; 21 top fives; 47 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 106 A main starts; 4 wins; 34 top tens; 65 top tens
Career 410 totals: 234 A main starts; 7 wins; 64 top fives; 132 top tens
Jody Keegan #60
D.O.B.: 7/7/1967
Hometown: Fremont, Ohio
A member of the legendary Keegan racing family, Jody has returned to Attica and Fremont the past 2 seasons after a number of successful years racing the Western Pennsylvania circuit. The fulltime school teacher qualified for 12 A mains in 14 attempts in F.A.S.T. competition in 2009. Jody will return to the F.A.S.T. series again in 2010, and compete in as many events as his teaching commitments will allow.
F.A.S.T. totals: 12 A main starts; 0 wins; 2 top fives; 2 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 56 A main starts; 0 wins; 1 top five; 7 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 56 A main starts; 0 wins; 2 top fives; 11 top tens
Career 410 totals: 242 A main starts; 5 wins; 52 top fives; 107 top tens
Mark Keegan #X
D.O.B.: 6/7/1958
Hometown: Fremont, Ohio
Inarguably the most decorated driver on the entire F.A.S.T. series roster, Mark Keegan has a combined 20 410 track championship at Attica and Fremont. Amazingly, Mark has amassed 12 of the 22 Attica track championships awarded at the Ohio speed plant since 1988. His collection of 8 championships at Fremont is second to none in the 59 year history of the famed clay oval on the Sandusky County Fairgrounds. In 2009, Mark was one of only two drivers to qualify for all 17 F.A.S.T. A mains. He parlayed that consistency into a 3rd place finish in points. Mark will return to the F.A.S.T. series in 2010 driving the familiar X car and look to add a series championship to his long list of accomplishments.
F.A.S.T. totals: 17 A main starts; 0 wins; 4 top fives; 10 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 300 A main starts; 55 wins; 177 top fives; 234 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 250 A main starts; 44 wins; 134 top fives; 184 top tens
Career 410 totals: 837 A main starts; 146 wins, 467 top fives; 623 top tens
Kevin Lee #3j
D.O.B.: 3/11/1983
Hometown: Green Springs, Ohio
After a very successful rookie campaign, driver Kevin Lee will return to the F.A.S.T. series in the Jason Deel owned #3J for 2010. Always a fan favorite at both tracks, Kevin was one of 10 drivers to attempt to qualify for all 17 F.A.S.T. races. His 15 A main starts was rewarded with a 9th place finish in points. He also finished second in the running for F.A.S.T. Rookie of the Year by a margin of just 13 points .
F.A.S.T. totals: 15 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 4 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 11 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 3 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 13 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 3 top tens
Career 410 totals: 31 A main starts; 0 wins; 2 top fives; 10 top tens
Mike Linder #312
D.O.B.: 1/15/1973
Hometown: Fremont, Ohio
Of all the famous racing names in Ohio, none are more respected then that of the Linders. Second generation star Mike Linder has lived up to that legacy. The 2005 and 2006 Fremont 410 track champion started 16 A mains and used 8 top ten finishes to power him to a strong 6th place finish in the 2009 point standings. For 2010 Mike will return to the F.A.S.T. series in his orange #312 with help from father Jim and brother /crew chief Steven Linder.
F.A.S.T. totals: 16 A main starts; 0 wins; 4 top fives; 8 top tens;
Attica 410 totals: 87 A main starts; 9 wins; 29 top fives; 50 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 123 A main starts; 8 wins; 45 top fives; 72 top tens
Career 410 totals: 227 A main starts; 19 wins; 78 top fives; 130 top tens
Brandon Martin #11m
D.O.B.: 3/11/1983
Hometown: Attica, Ohio
After leading the F.A.S.T. series point standings for much of the first half of 2009, financial restraints on the team caused Brandon Martin to miss 3 point races near the end of the season. After qualifying for all 14 races attempted, Brandon still managed an 11th place finish in points at seasons end. Look for the Attica native and the family owned #11M team to be back with a vengeance in 2010.
F.A.S.T. totals: 14 A main starts; 0 wins; 3 top fives; 8 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 66 A main starts; 0 wins; 16 top fives; 34 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 69 A main starts; 0 wins; 13 top fives; 32 top tens
Career 410 totals: 226 A main starts: 2 wins; 48 top fives; 102 top tens
Brock Mayes #11b
D.O.B.: 5/17/1979
Hometown: Bucyrus, Ohio
Despite missing 2 point races, Brock Mayes still finished an incredible 5th with the F.A.S.T. series in 2009. His 3 race wins (Fremont 6/6/2009, Fremont 8/1/2009, and Attica 8/29/2009) was second only to point champion Craig Mintz’s 4. Racing his first season as a married man, the 2009 Fremont 410 track champion will be back behind the wheel of the family owned #11B for an attempt at championship stardom with the F.A.S.T. series in 2010.
F.A.S.T. totals: 15 A main starts; 3 wins; 8 top fives; 11 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 60 A main starts; 3 wins; 17 top fives; 28 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 57 A main starts; 3 wins; 25 top fives; 39 top tens
Career 410 totals: 251 A main starts; 7 wins; 58 top fives; 112 top tens
Craig Mintz #09
D.O.B.: 10/24/1985
Hometown: Gibsonburg, Ohio
16 A main starts, 4 wins (Fremont 5/2/2009, Attica 6/5/2009, Fremont 7/11/2009, and Attica 7/24/2009), 10 top five finishes, and 14 finishes in the top ten. Those numbers propelled Craig Mintz to the inaugural Fremont/Attica Sprint Title in 2009. Mintz will be back with the series in 2010, and look to continue his dominance over the Attica and Fremont 410 ranks and repeat as F.A.S.T. champion.
F.A.S.T. totals: 16 A main starts; 4 wins; 10 top fives; 14 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 70 A main starts; 5 wins; 17 top tens; 43 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 86 A main starts; 4 wins; 27 top tens; 53 top tens
Career 410 totals: 188 A main starts; 12 wins; 55 top fives; 109 top tens
Travis Philo #5t
D.O.B.: 4/20/1991
Hometown: Waterville, Ohio
Travis Philo will return to F.A.S.T. competition in 2010 with the hopes of turning potential into 410 success. After qualifying for 6 F.A.S.T. races in 2009, Travis and team 5T look to crack the top ten in points at seasons end. Philo will run a schedule similar to that of 2009.
F.A.S.T. totals: 6 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 0 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 10 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 0 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 5 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 0 top tens
Career 410 totals: 19 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 1 top ten
Byron Reed #5r
D.O.B.: 3/15/1973
Hometown: Monclova, Ohio
Byron Reed used all the knowledge and experience that comes with eight 410 track championships (Attica in 03, 05, 06, 07, 08 and Fremont in 03, 07, 08) to make a strong run at the inaugural Fremont/Attica Sprint Title in 2009. Byron was one of just two drivers to qualify for all 17 F.A.S.T. events. After shaking off early season gremlins, Reed and crew rode 1 win (Fremont 9/12/2009), 5 top fives, and 15 top tens to a 2nd place position in the seasons end point standings. An odds on favorite any time the team unloads the famous black 5R, the “Monclova Missile” figures to play a role when the 2010 championship is decided.
F.A.S.T. totals: 17 A main starts; 1 win; 5 top fives; 15 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 220 A main starts; 22 wins; 113 top fives; 162 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 150 A main starts; 18 wins; 73 top fives; 116 top tens
Career 410 totals: 777 A main starts; 50 wins; 268 top fives; 469 top tens
Bryan Sebetto #16
D.O.B.: 4/16/1983
Hometown: Clyde, Ohio
Known around local racing circles as “Flipper”, Bryan Sebetto raced a 410 sprint car primarily for the first time in 2009. Sebetto was off to an excellent start to the season, collecting his first ever 410 victory when he won the F.A.S.T. series event at Attica Raceway Park on July 31st. Unfortunately, a season ending leg injury put an early end to his championship run soon after. Flipper will return to the seat of the Burmeister #16 and begin another quest for the F.A.S.T. championship in 2010.
F.A.S.T. totals: 11 A main starts; 1 win; 3 top fives; 7 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 16 A main starts; 1 win; 3 top fives; 5 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 26 A main starts: 0 wins; 2 top fives; 7 top tens
Career 410 totals: 47 A main starts; 1 win; 6 top fives; 13 top tens
Brian Smith #2+
D.O.B.: 7/25/1974
Hometown: Fremont, Ohio
Brian Smith gained the distinction of being the winner of the first race ever in F.A.S.T. competition, when he held off World of Outlaw regular Chad Kemenah at Attica Raceway Park on April 24th. The win also marked the first 410 career victory for the driver known as “Punchie”. The Fremont/Attica Sprint Title will be the goal for this veteran when he returns to the 2+ camp with Team CHR in 2010.
F.A.S.T. totals: 8 A main starts; 1 win; 1 top five; 4 top tens
Attica 410 totals: 27 A main starts; 1 win; 2 top fives; 8 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 74 A main starts; 0 wins; 3 top fives; 33 top tens
Career 410 totals: 138 A main starts; 1 win; 10 top fives; 52 top tens
Shawn Valenti #28 (Rookie of the Year Candidate)
D.O.B.:
Hometown: Risingsun, Ohio
Shawn Valenti will move from the 305 to the 410 ranks and compete with the F.A.S.T. series in 2010. Valenti will rely on lessons learned from two successful seasons of 305 racing, as he seeks F.A.S.T. Rookie of the Year honors.
F.A.S.T. totals: 2010 Rookie
Attica 410 totals: 2010 Rookie
Fremont 410 totals: 2010 Rookie
Career 410 totals: 2010 Rookie
Cody White #26 (Rookie of the Year Candidate)
D.O.B.: 1/20/1985
Hometown: Fremont, Ohio
Cody White will be chasing the Rookie of the Year award as he campaigns the family owned #26 with the F.A.S.T. series in 2010. After spending a couple years racing traditional sprint cars at I-69 Speedway in Gas City, Indiana, Cody returns home to challenge a tough group of 410 racers on the Attica – Fremont circuit. White has 6 career A main starts in winged 410 competition and looks for a quick start to the season to help propel him towards F.A.S.T. series success.
F.A.S.T. totals: 2010 Rookie
Attica 410 totals: 2010 Rookie
Fremont 410 totals: 2010 Rookie
Career 410 totals: 2010 Rookie
Duane Zablocki #9z
D.O.B.: 9/9/1983
Hometown: Tiffin, Ohio
“Z Man” Duane Zablocki was one of 10 drivers to have perfect attendance with the F.A.S.T. series in 2009. Duane showed he will be a threat in the 410 ranks for years to come as he drove the #9Z to 9 A main starts with F.A.S.T. during his 410 rookie campaign. Z Man will run a similar schedule in 2010 and look to move into a top ten points position at seasons end.
F.A.S.T. totals: 9 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 1 top ten
Attica 410 totals: 5 A main starts: 0 wins; 0 top fives; 0 top tens
Fremont 410 totals: 6 A main starts; 0 wins; 0 top fives; 1 top ten
Career 410 totals: 14 A main starts; 0 wins, 1 top five; 3 top tens
*Other drivers who may be attending the majority of FAST Championship events include Randy Hannagan, Rob Chaney, Bruce Robenalt, Bryan Lay, Cole Duncan, Aaron Middaugh, and Caleb Helms.
The F.A.S.T. Series is made possible through the contributions of our sponsors and advertisers. Please show them your patronage and give them your business and thank them for their support. Kistler Racing Products, SRP Professional Series Pistons delivered by Engine Pro, Design Graphics Group Inc., KS Sales & Service, All Star Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, Engler Machine & tool, RockAuto.com, Henry Motorsports, Oliver Rods, Black Swamp Media Group, SCS Gears, J&F Construction, MyHeroCards.com, Hoseheads.com, Real Geese, Level Performance, Computer Man Inc., Gressman Powersports, Gaerte Engines, R&R Auto Wrecking, The Kings Den, Reebar Diecasting, New York Life/Jeremy Shambaugh, Mobile Lube, FSR Radiator, Rocket Dog Web Hosting, High Vista Video, Racers Racing for a Cure, NAPA of Bryan, Ohio, Young’s RV Sales, OC Shocks, and PostNet of Fremont, Ohio.
For more information on the FAST Series, log onto www.fastondirt.com and be sure to patronize all of our sponsors. Without them none of this would be possible.