By Brian Liskai
FREMONT, Ohio – Though the track is blanketed in snow, plans are being finalized to help make the 60th anniversary of Fremont Speedway a special season in 2011. Former sprint car racers and successful businessmen Larry and Shane Helms have joined Rich Farmer to form a new promoting team to steer “The Track That Action Built” into the future.
“Larry and Shane know dirt and frankly, I needed help in preparing the track,” said Farmer. “They have the equipment, knowledge and enthusiasm to help put on the best show we can for the fans and race teams.”
The Helms own and operate Helms & Son Excavating of Findlay. They have been instrumental in helping to bring racing back to Millstream Speedway, and in 2010, after significant rainfall left Fremont Speedway in bad shape, they helped Farmer get the track back into shape.
“I have so many fond memories of racing at Fremont and when Rich asked us to get involved it was a no-brainer. The fans and race teams are so loyal and knowledgeable and we are truly honored to be a part of such a historic and significant track,” said Larry, who piloted a sprint car throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Larry’s son Shane, himself a sprint car driver in the 1980s and 1990s, now fields a car for his son, Caleb.
“I’m excited about the team we have. Rich is a hard worker and has a lot of good ideas and knows racing and what it takes to make this track successful. I literally grew up at Fremont Speedway and to be a part of the promotional team is a dream come true,” said Shane.
Fremont Speedway is set to kick off its 60th season in April 2011. Part of the celebration with include the World of Outlaw Sprint Cars on Oct. 15.
For more information go to www.fremontohspeedway.com