From Brian Liskai
Fremont, OH — (February 12, 2016) — It’s no secret the fans are THE most important part of racing – without them there would be no tracks or race teams. That’s why Fremont Speedway has a fun-filled 2016 schedule that will not only reward the race teams with many great paying races, but throughout the season the fans (short for FANTATICS) will have opportunities to get heavily involved in the fun. The 66th racing season at “The Track That Action Built” kicks off Saturday, April 16.
“When we sit down each year to plan the schedule, we always are trying to figure out innovative ways to compliment the great racing with interactive events for the fans. We want them to leave each night feeling that they were entertained and had a lot of fun. We have some very unique events in 2016 for the fans and race teams. We’re excited for the 65th anniversary season of racing at Fremont Speedway,” said Rich Farmer, Fremont Speedway Promoter.
On the racing side, “The Track That Action Built” has several HUGE events including three that will pay the winner $10,000. The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series featuring the best sprint car driver sin the world, will challenge the tough Fremont weekly competitors and other regional stars on Friday, June 3 for the Kistler Engines Smack Down. Tony Stewart’s Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions will visit “The Home of the All Stars” three times in 2016, including the $10,000-to-win 34th Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek finale on Saturday, June 25 (rain date of Sunday, June 26). While the third $10,000-to-win event doesn’t feature the weekly sprint, trucks and late model divisions, it will bring in racers from around the United States – the War on Wheels Demo Derby on Oct. 29th.
“We haven’t finalized all the plans yet for the Ninth Annual Jim Ford Classic, but I will say it will be the biggest in the event’s history,” said Farmer.
There are also five $5,000-to-win sprint car events at Fremont Speedway in 2016. The first is the 122nd appearance in the track’s history of the All Stars on Saturday, May 28th. That is followed the next night – Sunday, May 29 – with the $5,000 to win Mike Hensel Memorial featuring the Mo Vaughn Transportation Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series with the non-wing sprints and the winged Fort Ball Pizza Palace 410 Sprints gunning for $5,000 to win as well. The 9th Annual Jim Ford Classic – paying homage to the former promoter who brought Fremont Speedway back from the brink of extinction – will kick off Friday, Sept. 16 with the Kistler Racing Products FAST (Fremont Attica Sprint Title) Championship Series Presented by KS Sales and Service championship night paying the winner $5,000. The following night – Saturday, Sept. 17, the All Stars will be in town.
Other special racing events in 2016 include three appearances of the BOSS non-wing sprints (May 7, May 29 and Oct. 1). The 8th Annual Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame Induction will kick off the third Legends Race on June 11. Many legends of sprint car racing return to the cockpit of Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprint Cars for this poplar event. And, the fire-breathing machines of the National Tractor Pullers Association will visit “The Track That Action Built” on Saturday, June 4.
On the fan side, here’s a look at the fun in 2016:
-Saturday, April. 16 – Level Performance/Gressman Powersports Night featuring the Fort Ball Pizza Palace 410 Sprints, Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprints, McCullough Industries 602 Late Models, and Burmeister Trophy Dirt Trucks. It is Fan with a Can Night where fans are asked to a canned good to benefit the Liberty Center of Sandusky County, a homeless shelter, and receive $2 off their general admission ticket price. It is also the season opener for the Kistler Racing Products FAST Championship Series Presented by KS Sales and Service.
-Saturday, April 23 – Tanks Meats Night featuring the FAST 410 and 305 sprints, late models and dirt trucks. Free camping will be available for fans in the lots across from North Street and it is also Make It Fit Autism Awareness Night.
-Saturday, April 30 – Adkins Fence and Sanitation Night featuring the FAST 410 sprints, 305 sprints, late models and dirt trucks. The mascots from area businesses and schools have been invited to attend.
-Saturday, May 7 – Smith Family Foods Night featuring the BOSS non-wing sprint cars, 305 sprints, late models and dirt trucks. It is Future Driver Night. With the area go-kart tracks not racing, many of tomorrow’s racing stars will be on hand with their go-karts along the midway.
– Saturday, May 14 – Baumann Auto Group Night featuring the FAST 410 and 305 sprints, late models and dirt trucks. It is the Race into Summer Night – over 10,000 free tickets were given to students in Sandusky County school districts.
-Saturday, May 21 – Roots Poultry Night featuring the 410 and 305 sprints, dirt trucks and late models. It is Armed Forces Night, paying tribute to all those who have served their country with $5 general admission with a valid military ID.
– Saturday, May 28 (rain date of Monday, May 30) – Custom Chrome Plating Night featuring the All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Cars, 305 sprints and dirt trucks. Fans will get the opportunity to meet the All Star drivers during an autograph session prior to the racing action.
– Sunday, May 29 – Budweiser Maple City Ice/Mike Hensel Memorial Night featuring the BOSS non-wing sprint cars vying for $5,000 to win, and the winged 410 sprints competing for $5,000 to win. (Note: there is the possibility of a bonus should the same driver win both of these features). It is also a $1,000-to-win JLH General Contractor FAST 305 Sprint event and the 602 late models will also be in action. There will be an autograph session for the fans to meet the BOSS drivers prior the racing action.
-Friday, June 3 – Kistler Racing Engines Smack Down featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series for $10,000 to win along with the 305 sprints and late models.
-Saturday, June 4 – National Tractor Pullers Association
-Saturday, June 11 – Vision Quest Night featuring the FAST 410 sprints, the 305 Race of Legends, late models and dirt trucks. Prior to the night’s racing, the Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will take place and the vintage race cars will be on hand.
-Saturday, June 18 – closed
-Saturday, June 25 – Ludwig Propane Night featuring the $10,000-to-win finale of the Ohio Sprint Speedweek (9 straight nights of racing across Ohio) with the All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Cars, the 305 sprints and dirt trucks.
-Saturday, July 2 – closed
-Saturday, July 9 – Crown Battery Night featuring the 410 and 305 sprints, late models and dirt trucks. This is Fan Favorite Night where fans will get the chance to cast their electronic vote for their favorite driver (only one vote per person permitted) and the driver with the most votes will win a all the racing products and certificates crammed into the Baumann Auto Group Fremont Speedway Pace Truck.
-Saturday, July 23 – Miller Rigging Night featuring the FAST 410 sprints, 305 sprints, dirt trucks and late models. There will be a car and tractor show and a hot dog eating contest – after all, it is National Hot Dog Day! There will be prizes for the fan who eats the most hot dogs in a specified period of time.
-Sunday, July 24 – Johnny Auxter Days – paying tribute to the hall-of-famer who raced at Fremont Speedway on opening night in 1951 and is at the track every week. There will be vintage car racing and antique tractor pulls.
-Saturday, July 30 – Kear’s Speed Shop Night featuring the FAST 410 and 305 sprints with the 602 late models and dirt trucks. It is Throw Back Night and fans are encouraged to wear their classic racing t-shirts and sweat shirts.
-Saturday, Aug. 6 – Specialty Fuels Night featuring the 410 and 305 sprints, trucks and late models. It is Fan Zone Night where the fans are urged to support their favorite driver with banners, etc. and prizes for the winning fan group. It is also Child Heart Defect Night.
-Saturday, Aug. 13 – Fort Ball Pizza Palace Night featuring the 410 and 305 sprints, late models and trucks. It is Family Fun Night, with a package of adult and children general admission tickets, hot dog and drink coupons being offered at a special price
-Tuesday, Aug. 23 – Fair Race featuring the 305 sprints and a truck powder puff featuring female drivers. This will be the first time sprint cars have competed during the Sandusky County Fair since 1976!
-Saturday, Sept. 10 – Kistler Racing Products Championship Night featuring the 410 and 305 sprints and dirt trucks. It is Salute to Champions Night with all former track champions invited to attend and there will be an autograph session prior to the night’s racing.
– Friday, Sept. 16 – All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Head Night featuring the FAST championships for the 410 and 305 sprints ($5,000 to win for 410 sprints) along with the late model track championship.
– Saturday, Sept. 17 (rain date of Sunday, Sept. 18) – JLH General Contractor Night featuring the All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Cars on the Jim Ford Classic Night. The 305 sprints and dirt trucks will also be in action. Prior to the night’s racing the annual Kick-It kick ball tournament and auction will be held to raise money for childhood cancer research.
– Saturday, Sept. 24 – closed
-Saturday, Oct. 1 – Fremont Auto Parts/NAPA Open Wheel Shoot-Out featuring the BOSS non-wing sprint cars, winged 410 sprint cars and 305 sprint cars.
-Saturday, Oct. 29 – War on Wheels Demo Derby, $10,000 to win