By Brian Liskai
FREMONT, Ohio – Fremont Speedway wrapped up its 61st season at a gala banquet Saturday, Nov. 17 at Ole Zim’s Wagonshed. The top 10 drivers in points in the track’s weekly four divisions were honored along with several special awards.
Fremont Speedway Promoter Rich Farmer thanked the fans, drivers, race teams and owners and all of the dedicated track employees. He presented worker Brian Sabo with a special service award and presented the Alex Burkett Business Award to Vision Quest of Elmore and Adkins Sanitation and Fence of Fremont.
Randy Mapus, curator and director of the Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame, presented Johnny Auxter with a special plaque commemorating the 40th anniversary of his Fremont Speedway track championship. He also announced the induction class for the hall of fame for 2013 – drivers, Al, Steve and Dick Liskai, Paul Dewald, Bill Hahn, Gordon Holbrook and Randy Ford; mechanics Sonny Conger and Mervin Keegan; car owners Larry Keegan and Don Eckhardt; and special service Phil Huss (aka Smokey the Clown). Mapus said the Hall of Fame is working to raise funds for a wheel chair lift to help fans reach the viewing area in the historic covered grandstands.
Emcee Brian Liskai – the track’s announcer and public relations director – then handed out the prize money to the drivers.
In the Fort Ball Pizza Palace 410 Sprints, Gibsonburg, Ohio’s Craig Mintz took home his second track championship. Mintz, the track’s 2010 champion, also earned the track title at nearby Attica Raceway Park in 2012. Mintz competed in 18 of the 19 feature events in 2012, missing only the end of the year event. Mintz, the 2009 Fremont Attica Sprint Title (FAST) champion, scored nine top five feature finishes in 2012 and 14 top ten runs. During a stretch from July 7 through Sept. 8, Mintz finished no worse than third and scored four runner-up finishes in a row. For the season Mintz, who has five career feature wins at “The Track That Action Built, scored an incredible six runner-up finishes and his average A-main finishing position was seventh.
“I have to thank my dad and mom for all the sacrifices they have made for me to race. I have to thank my crew…these guys work their tails off all year. I have great sponsors in Real Geese Decoys, Wasserman Construction, R2C Filters, Erie Shore Propane, Keller Chevrolet, Design Graphics Group, KS Sales and Service….without their support we couldn’t do this,” said Mintz, who is getting married next month.
“We will be back to defend our title next year and hopefully pick up some wins,” added Mintz.
Fremont’s D.J. Foos claimed the title in the Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprints. Foos, who also claimed the 2012 FAST championship for the division, scored six feature wins at Fremont to take his career total to nine. During a stretch from May 27 through Sept. 8, Foos finished out of the top four only once – a 10th place finish on June 27. To go with his six wins, Foos recorded three third place runs while racking up 12 top five finishes and 14 top ten runs. He competed in 18 of the 19 features during 2012, missing only the final race of the year. Foos’ average feature finishing position was sixth.
“I’m excited for next year as the Genzman family has given me the opportunity to drive their 410 sprint,” said Foos.
“I have to thank my dad and mom and my brother for all their support and hard work. We were able to accomplish what we did thanks to the great support of our sponsors Buckshot Farms, Automatic Fire Protection, Schiets Motorsports, Gyro Motorsports, Pit Stop Carryout, Crown Battery, Kistler Racing Products, Linder’s Speed Equipment, Level Performance and the Jet Express,” added Foos.
At the age of 74, Tiffin, Ohio’s Art Ball showed no signs of slowing down as he picked up his second straight championship in the Fremont Fence Dirt Trucks. Ball, a former two time Fremont Speedway late model champion, has now recorded 25 track titles in his 51-year racing career. Ball scored three wins at Fremont in 2012 to take his career total to 74 as he remains the all-time feature win leader at the track.
Even more remarkable, of the 18 features Ball competed in at Fremont in 2012, he never finished worse than seventh in 17 of them. Ball racked up an incredible 14 top five finishes and 17 top ten runs. His average A-main feature finishing position was fourth.
“I have to thank Keith Pierce and my crew, particularly my son Gary. They work very hard on that truck…I knew it was capable of winning every night,” said Ball. “I want to thank our sponsors Kear’s Speed Shop, Chaney Roofing and Maintenance, Distel’s Septic Service, Nye Farms, Harley and Bev Lee, Ritzler Accounting, Faber Sub-contracting, the Lash Family and everyone who helps out,” said Ball, adding he would be back for season #52 in 2013.
In the Surfin’ Sweepstakes Internet Café Sports Compacts, Brandon Myers, 17, of Grand Rapids, Ohio, took home the championship for the division’s inaugural season. Myers competed in all 7 features in 2012, scoring a pair of wins. He never finished worse than 7th all season and had an average A-main finishing position of third.
“It was a lot of fun and a lot of work. Between racing, school and football it took a lot of time and effort. I have to thank my mom and dad and my grandpa and my sponsors, BG Radiator, Mark Shultz Signs and R&R Repair,” said Myers.
For more information on Fremont Speedway – which will open for its 62nd season in April 2013 – go to www.fremontohspeedway.com
Following is a look at the rest of the top 10 in points in the Fort Ball Pizza Palace 410 Sprints:
2. Byron Reed, Monclova. Byron competed in 18 of the 19 features in 2013, missing only the last race. Byron, a three-time Fremont champion and the 2010 FAST champion, scored 6 top five finishes and 11 top ten finishes. Byron, who has 23 career wins at Fremont, finished second three times and scored a third place run. Byron’s average A-main finishing position was 9th.
3. Mike Linder, Fremont. Mike a two-time Fremont champion, competed in 18 of the 19 features in 2012, missing only the May 12 event. Mike scored his 13th career Fremont win on July 7. He recorded 7 top fives and 12 top tens. Besides his win, Mike had a pair of seconds and four third place runs. Mike’s average A-main finishing position was 9th.
4. Phil Gressman, Fremont. Phil competed in 17 of the 19 features in 2012, missing the June 27 speedweek show and the last race. Phil, who has 11 career Fremont wins, scored 4 top fives and 10 top tens. He scored a season-best runner-up finish on May 12 and a pair of third place runs. Phil’s average A-main finishing position was 11th.
5. Chris Andrews, Sandusky. Chris, with a new team in 2012 – the Burmeister Racing #16 – competed in 17 of the 19 features in 2012, missing only the May 26 All Star event and the final race of the year. Chris scored a pair of wins this season – Aug. 11 and Sept. 29 to run his career total to 5. Chris recorded 5 top five finishes and 9 top tens. Chris’ average A-main finishing position was 10th.
6. Brian Smith, Fremont. Brian, the track’s 2004 305 champion, competed in 16 of the 19 A-mains in 2012. Brian scored his 4th career Fremont win to close out the season on Oct. 6. Brian recorded two top fives and 9 top 10 finishes and had numerous hard-charger honors. Brian’s average A-main finishing position was 11th.
7. Stuart Brubaker, Fremont. The rookie of the year for the 410 sprints is a three time 305 sprint track champion. Stuart competed in 16 out of 20 events, including the non-wing BOSS feature. Stuart recorded two top fives, including a runner-up finish in the non-wing event, and 7 top 10 runs. Stuart’s average A-main finishing position was 12th.
8. Dean Jacobs, Wooster. Dean scored two wins at Fremont in 2012 to run his career total to five. Dean competed in 16 of the 19 features, missing the July 7, Aug. 11 and final event of the year. Dean recorded 5 top five finishes and 9 top ten runs. Dean’s average A-main finishing position was 9th.
9. Bryan Sebetto, Fremont. Bryan, the track’s 2011 champion, claimed his second consecutive FAST championship thanks to 9 feature wins in 2012, including five at Fremont. Sebetto, competing with a new team – the Hammer racing #24h – ran in 16 of the 19 events in 2012, missing the July 7, Aug. 11 and final race of the season. After a season-opening last place run, Bryan reeled off six straight top four finishes, including two wins and two runner-up finishes. Overall Bryan scored 11 top five finishes and 13 top 10 runs. Bryan’s average A-main finishing position was a remarkable 5th.
10. Jody Keegan, Fremont. Jody, the track’s 1992 Fun Car champion and 1996 305 sprint champion, competed in 13 of the 19 features in 2012. Jody, who has 4 career wins at Fremont, recorded a season-best fourth place finish on Sept. 8. Jody’s average A-main finishing position was 15th.
Following is a look at the rest of the top 10 in points in the Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprints:
2. John Ivy, Fremont. John, a three-time 410 champion and former 305 champion, scored two wins in the 305 sprints in 2012 and three in the dirt trucks to run his career total to 36 to sit 9th on the track’s all-time win list. John competed in 18 of the 19 features in 2012, missing only the final race of the year. He started the year hot, finishing no worse than 8th through July 7. Besides his 2 wins, John scored 4 runner-up finishes and three third place runs. John recorded 12 top 5 finishes and 16 top tens. John’s average A-main finishing position was 6th.
3. Nate Dussel, Bradner. Nate competed in 17 of the 19 features in 2012, missing only the 305-360 challenge and the final race of the year. Nate scored one win at Fremont, his 7th career victory on June 27. He opened the season strong, finishing no worse than seventh in the first six races. Nate recorded an incredible 10 top five finishes and 14 top tens. Beside his win, Nate scored four runner-up finishes, including the first three races of the season. The 2012 Attica champion had an average A-main finishing position of 6th.
4. Dustin Dinan, Port Clinton. Dustin competed in 18 of the 20 shows, including the BOSS nonwing race. He missed only the 305-360 challenge and the final race of the year. Dustin recorded his fourth career Fremont win on May 27. He racked up 7 top five finishes, and 15 top tens. Beside his win, he scored a pair of runner-up finishes. Dustin’s average A-main finishing position was 6th.
5. Jamie Miller, Fostoria. Jamie competed in 18 of the 20 features in 2012, including winning the non-wing BOSS event on May 12 and scoring his 11th career Fremont win on May 26. Jamie started the year strong, finishing no worse than 9th through June 27. He recorded 8 top five finishes and 15 top tens. Jamie’s average feature finishing position was 8th.
6. Jason Keckler, Fremont. A former rookie of the year, Jason competed in 16 of the 19 features in 2012. He recorded a season-best third place run on July 21 and racked up 7 top ten finishes. Jason’s average A-main finishing position was 11th.
7. Jimmy Colvin, Bellevue. Jimmy competed in 17 of the 20 features in 2012 including the non-wing BOSS event. Jimmy recorded four top five finishes including a season best fourth on May 5. He also scored 9 top 10 finishes. Jimmy’s average feature finishing position was 10th.
8. Alvin Roepke, Elmore. Alvin competed in 15 of the 19 features in 2012. He scored a runner-up finish on Sept. 14 to add to his 7 top five finishes and 11 top ten runs. Alvin’s average A-main finishing position was 8th.
9. Jess Stiger, Sycamore. Jess competed in 16 of the 19 features in 2012. He recorded two top ten finishes. Jess’ average A-main finishing position was 14th.
10. Tyler Gunn, Napoleon. The 2012 rookie of the year competed in 15 of the 19 features this season. Tyler recorded a season best finish of 8th on Sept. 14 and had two top 10 finishes. His average feature finishing position was 14th.
Following is a look at the rest of the top 10 in points in the Fremont Fence Dirt Trucks:
2. Dan Roepke Jr., Woodville. The 2011 rookie of the year competed in 18 of the 19 features, missing only the last race of the year. Dan scored three wins in 2012, on June 16, June 27 and Sept. 8, taking his career total to six at Fremont. He posted 10 top five finishes and 16 top ten runs. During a stretch from May 12 through July 21, Dan finished no worse than eighth. Besides his three wins, Dan also recorded a pair of runner-up finishes and a pair of thirds. His average A-main finishing position was sixth.
3. Cory Ward, Bellevue. Fremont’s 2007 truck champion competed in 18 of the 19 features in 2012, missing only the final race of the year. He scored three wins in 2012, on May 27, June 9 and July 28, to take his career total at Fremont to 21, moving him to 25th on the track’s all-time win list. Cory racked up 9 top five runs and, and 14 top tens. His average feature finishing position was 7th.
4. Kent Brewer, Fostoria. Kent competed in all 19 features in 2012. He scored his second career Fremont win on Sept. 14 and posted 11 top five finishes and 16 top tens. During a stretch from June 30 through Sept. 15, Kent’s worse finish was ninth. His average A-main finishing position was 7th.
5. Dustin Keegan, Fremont. Dustin competed in 17 of the 19 features in 2012, missing only the Sept. 29 event and the final race of the season. Dustin posted a division leading four wins – on May 5, May 19, June 30 and July 21 – the first wins of his career at Fremont. Dustin recorded 6 top five finishes and 10 top ten runs. His average feature finishing position was 8th.
6. Brian Sorg, Fremont. Brian competed in 18 of the 19 features in 2012, missing only the final race of the year. Brian recorded a season best pair of thirds on his way to racking up six top ten finishes. His average A-main finishing position was 11th.
7. Keith Sorg, Fremont. Keith competed in 18 of the 19 features in 2012, missing only the final race of the year. Keith recorded a season best fifth on July 21 to go along with his five top ten runs. His average feature finishing position was 12th.
8. Steve Sabo, Fremont. A four time Fremont truck champion, Steve competed in 16 of the 18 features in 2012 in addition to driving his late model on the final night of season. Steve posted four top five finishes, including a season best runner-up on the opening night. He also posted 11 top ten finishes. Steve’s average feature finishing position was 9th.
9. John Ivy, Fremont. A three time 410 sprint track champion and former 305 champion, John competed in 14 of the 19 features in 2012. After missing opening night, John finished no worse than ninth through June 27. John scored three wins in the trucks in 2012 – May 26, Sept. 15 and Sept. 29 and now sits 9th on the track’s all-time win list with 36 victories. Besides his three wins, John had three runner-up finishes on route to racking up 11 top five finishes and 12 top tens. John’s average A-main finishing position was 5th.
10. Brad Mitten, Fremont. Brad competed in 15 of the 19 features in 2012. He recorded 10 top 10 finishes. Brad’s average feature finishing position was 10th.
Rookie of the year – Brian Melnek Jr., Woodville. Brian finished 19th in the truck points and competed in 8 of the 19 features in 2012. He posted a pair of top 10 finishes, including a season best 7th on Sept. 8.
Following is a look at the rest of the top 10 in points in the Surf’n Sweepstakes Internet Café Sports Compacts:
2. Steve Pocock, 17, Clyde. Steve competed in 6 of the 7 events in 2012, missing only the final race of the year. He scored his first career Fremont win on July 28 and never finished worse than sixth. Steve had an average feature finishing position of third.
3. Chevy Farmer, 15, Fremont. Chevy competed in five of the 7 events in 2012. He scored a season-best finish of third on July 28 and had an average A-main finishing position of fifth.
4. Tyler Sherman, 15, Clyde. Tyler competed in five of the 7 events in 2012. He scored his first career win on Sept. 8 and had an average feature finishing position of fifth.
5. Amanda Shammo, 16, Gibsonburg. Amanda competed in five of the 7 events in 2012 and scored her first career win on Sept. 29. Amanda’s average feature finishing position was fifth.
6. Erik Paulson, 18, Fremont. Erik competed in 5 of the 7 events in 2012. His best finish was a third on July 6. Erik’s average feature finishing position was fifth.
7. Kyle Farmer, 13, Fremont. Kyle competed in four of the 7 events in 2012. His best finish of the year was a second on July 21. Kyle’s average feature finishing position was fifth.
8. Derek Genzman, 12, Fremont. Derek competed in four of the 7 events in 2012. His best finish was a third on July 21. Derek’s average feature finishing position was fourth.
9. Kelsey Ivy, 16, Fremont. Kelsey competed in 3 of the 7 events in 2012. Her best finish was a second on Sept. 15. Kelsey’s average A-main finishing position was 6th. She also scored the truck powder puff win on Oct. 6.
10. Trent Laird, Fremont. Trent competed in one event in 2012 and recorded a fourth place finish on Sept. 15.