From Brian Liskai
FREMONT, Ohio (December 7, 2016) – The top 10 in points in all four divisions at Fremont Speedway and the two FAST Championship Series were honored at the traditional end-of-season banquet Saturday, Dec. 3 in front of a packed banquet hall at the Fremont Post of the American Legion.
Honored were Fremont champions Broc Martin (Fort Ball Pizza Palace 410 Sprints); Nate Dussel (Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprints); Keith Sorg (Burmeister Trophy Dirt Trucks): and John Brooks (McCullough Industries 602 Late Models). Kistler Racing Products FAST Championship Series champion Byron Reed and JLH General Contractor 305 FAST Championship Series champion Paul Weaver were also honored.
Fremont Speedway and FAST Promoter Rich Farmer addressed the crowd, noting the track lost a third of the events in 2016 to weather.
“Byron Reed was still able to win more money in 2017 than in the past 10 seasons and this is without what he will take home tonight. Our 305 teams have raced for more money this season than any season before. And once again the FAST series has a record payout. I want to thank all the marketing partners and everyone who made this possible,” Farmer said.
Farmer announced Kistler Racing Products, who have been the title sponsor of the 410 FAST series since its inception in 2008, will take on a different role with the series in 2017.
“Paul Kistler and Kistler Racing Products have been a huge part of the FAST series and for the 2017 season Paul and his company will continue to be a big part of the FAST series. Join me in welcoming Susie and Bob Williams of All Pro Cylinder Heads as the official title sponsor of the All Pro Cylinder Heads FAST 410 Sprint Series,” Farmer said, noting Bob and Susie were celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary.
Farmer also announced Jon Horn and his company, JLH General Contractor, is returning as the title sponsor for the JLH FAST 305 Sprint Series.
Farmer presented the Alex Burkett Business Award to JLH General Contractor and Willies Sales and Service. He also presented Distinguished Employee awards to Christina Roepke and Brian Liskai while thanking all the employees, push truck drivers and safety crew.
“I would also like to thank Jane and Randy Mapus as well as the others who volunteer in the Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame. It’s hard to believe we will be inducting our 100th person into the hall of fame this season,” Farmer noted.
Mapus then announced the 2017 Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame induction class. Drivers to be inducted are Jeff Hoffman, Bobby Knoll, Gary Willey and Jack Kraylek; Pioneer inductees Kenny and Jerry Nemire; car owners Lamar Burkin and Ron McComas; builder/mechanics Mike Beechler, Doug Ford and Ken “Red” Root; and supporter/lifetime contributors Ken Smith and Eric Phillips.
As for what to look forward to in 2017, Farmer said Fremont Speedway will once again be a leader in developing a schedule that incorporates fun events for the race teams and fans. He said the FAST 410 sprint series will once again take part in the “North verses South” battle with the Ohio Sprint Car Series and will make their first trip to Waynesfield Raceway as part of the Bob Reynolds Memorial event. Farmer also pointed out the FAST 305 series will return to LimalandMotorsportsPark, Waynesfield and MercerRacewayPark in 2017.
“The FAST 410 series will have at least four $5,000 to win events and the 305s will have at least six events paying $1,000 to the winner,” Farmer said.
“I want to thank John (Bores) and Rex (LeJeune) at AtticaRacewayPark for their cooperation and support of the FAST series,” he added.
Here’s a look at the Fremont Speedway 2016 top 10 in points in 2016:
Fort BallPizzaPalace 410 Sprints
Champion – Broc Martin, Wooster, Ohio
Martin earned his first ever Fremont Speedway track championship by competing in 10 of the 15 A-mains (3 of those 15 were the non-wing BOSS shows). He recorded 7 top five finishes and 9 top 10 runs. He scored his second career Fremont win on May 21st and added a runner-up and a pair of third place finishes. In fact Martin didn’t finish worse than seventh through Sept. 16th. His average A-main finishing position was sixth.
2nd – Brian Lay, Genoa, Ohio
Lay competed in 11 of the 15 A-mains in 2016 (3 of those were the non-wing BOSS shows). He recorded 8 top 10 finishes and four top five runs including wins on Sept. 10 and Oct. 1 to push his career total to four at Fremont Speedway. Lay’s average A-main finishing position was 12th.
3rd – Byron Reed, Monclova, Ohio.
A six time Fremont champion, Reed competed in 10 of the 15 A-mains in 2016 (3 of the 15 were BOSS shows). He racked up eight top five finishes and recorded five wins (April 23, May 28, June 25, Aug. 6 and Sept. 16) to run his career total to 32 putting him in a three-way tie for 13th on the track’s all-time win list. Reed’s average A-main finishing position was a remarkable third.
4th – Stuart Brubaker, Gibsonburg, Ohio
Fremont’s 2008, 2010 and 2011 305 sprint champion competed in 11 A-mains in 2016. Brubaker recorded 7 top 10 finishes including a season-best fourth on July 9. His average A-main finishing position was ninth.
5th – Tyler Gunn, Napoleon, Ohio
Gunn competed in 12 of the 15 A-mains in 2016. He recorded six top 10 finishes with a season-best second on Aug. 6. Gunn’s average A-main finishing position was 12th.
6th – Duane Zablocki, Tiffin, Ohio
Zablocki competed in 10 of the 15 A-mains in 2016 (3 of the 15 were BOSS events). He posted three top 10 finishes including a season-best fifth on Sept. 10th. Zablocki’s average A-main finishing position was 13th.
7th – Shawn Valenti, Fostoria, Ohio
Fremont’s 2014 dirt truck champion and a former 410 rookie of the year competed in 10 of the 15 A-mains in 2016 (3 of the 15 were BOSS events). He recorded three top 10 finishes including a season-best third on Oct. 1st. Valenti’s average A-main finishing position was 14th.
8th – Jody Keegan, Fremont, Ohio
Fremont’s 1996 305 champion and 1992 Fun Cars champion competed in 8 of the 15 A-mains in 2016. Keegan recorded five top 10 finishes including a season-best runner-up on Sept. 10th. His average A-main finishing position was 9th.
9th – Brian Smith, Fremont, Ohio
The 2016 SOD champion and the 2004 Fremont 305 champion competed in 9 of the 15 A-mains in 2016. Smith posted 7 top 10 finishes including a season-best pair of fourth place runs. His average A-main finishing position was 10th.
10th – Jess Stiger, Nevada, Ohio
Stiger, Fremont’s 2016 rookie of the year, competed in six of the 15 A-mains in 2016. He recorded a pair of top 10 finishes and his average A-main finishing position was 15th.
Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprints
Champion – Nate Dussel, Bradner, Ohio
Dussel, a two time 305 FAST champion, claimed his first Fremont Speedway track champion. He competed in all 14 A-mains in 2016, never finishing out of the top 10. He recorded 12 top five finishes including 4 wins (May 7, June 3, July 9 and Aug. 10) to run his career total to 21 at the track, placing him in a tie for 28th on Fremont Speedway’s all-time win list. Besides his wins, Dussel also recorded three runner-up finishes and three third place runs and never finished out of the top three in the last six races. His average A-main finishing position was a remarkable third.
2nd – Paul Weaver, Fremont, Ohio
Weaver, the Fremont 2005 and 2006 305 sprint champion, competed in all 14 A-mains in 2016 and finished in the top 10 in all but one event, a 12th place finish. He recorded 11 top five finishes including the last seven events. Weaver notched five wins at Fremont (May 28, May 29, Aug. 6, Aug. 23 and Oct. 1) to push his career total to 41 moving him into ninth on the track’s all-time win list. He also recorded a pair of runner-up finishes on route to an average feature finishing position of fourth.
3rd – Steve Rando, Lindsey, Ohio
Rando competed in all 14 A-mains at Fremont in 2016, recording 11 top 10 finishes and six top five runs. He picked up Fremont Speedway career win #9 on June 25 and also recorded a runner-up finish and a pair of third place performances. Rando’s average A-main finishing position was seventh.
4th – Jamie Miller, Fremont, Ohio
Miller competed in 13 of the 14 A-mains in 2016, missing only the May 28th event. He racked up eight top 10 finishes and five top five runs. Miller scored his 12 career Fremont win on opening night and added a pair of runner-up finishes. Miller’s average A-main finishing position was ninth.
5th – Dustin Dinan, Fremont, Ohio
Dinan competed in 12 of the 14 A-mains in 2016, missing the final two events. He posted 7 top 10 finishes and three top fives including a season-best fourth on Aug. 23. Dinan’s average A-main finishing position was ninth.
6th – Alvin Roepke, Elmore, Ohio
Roepke competed in 13 of the 14 A-mains in 2016, missing only the fair race. He recorded 10 top 10 finishes and four top five runs. He earned his sixth career Fremont win on June 3 and also racked up a pair of second place runs. Roepke’s average A-main finishing position was eighth.
7th – John Ivy, Fremont, Ohio
Fremont’s 2001, 2002 and 2004 410 track champion, 1994 and 2013 305 sprint champion and 2013 dirt truck champ, Ivy competed in all 14 A-mains in 2016. He posted 10 top 10 finishes and five top five runs. Ivy picked up wins on April 23 and Sept. 16 to run his career total at Fremont to 52, putting him sixth on the track’s all-time win list. Ivy’s average A-main finishing position was seventh.
8th – Seth Schneider, Fremont, Ohio
Schneider competed in 13 of the 14 A-mains, missing only the final event of 2016. He scored four top 10 finishes including a season-best third on April 23rd. Schneider’s average A-main finishing position was 11th.
9th- Jason Keckler, Fremont, Ohio
Keckler competed in 13 of the 14 A-mains, missing only opening night. He racked up eight top 10 finishes including a season-best fourth on the final night. Keckler’s average A-main finishing position was ninth.
10th – Matt Foos, Fremont, Ohio
Fremont’s 2016 305 sprint rookie of the year competed in 11 of the 14 A-mains in 2016. He posted seven top 10 finishes including a season-best second on Aug. 10. Foos’ average A-main finishing position was ninth.
Burmeister Trophy Dirt Trucks
Champion: Keith Sorg, Fremont, Ohio
Sorg wrapped up his best career season with his first ever Fremont Speedway championship. He competed in all 10 A-mains in 2016, scoring his first ever win on April 23 followed by two more victories (May 7 and Aug. 6). He recorded six top five finishes and 10 top tens. Sorg’s average A-main finishing position was fifth.
2nd – Cory McCaughey, Toledo, Ohio
McCaughey competed in all 10 A-mains in 2016, recording six top five finishes including a pair of runner-up performances and three third place runs. He posted 9 top 10 finishes and his average A-main finishing position was sixth.
3rd – Shawn Valenti, Fostoria, Ohio
Fremont’s 2014 dirt truck track champion and former 410 rookie of the year, Valenti competed in 9 of the 10 A-mains in 2016, missing only the May 7 event. He scored seven wins out of the 10 races in 2016 – including five in a row from May 21 through July 9 – running his career total at the track to 32 and moving him into a tie for 13th on the all-time win list. Valenti’s average A-main finishing position was second.
4th – Dustin Keegan, Fremont, Ohio
Keegan competed in all 10 A-mains in 2016, recording five top five finishes including a season-best second on Sept. 10. He also posted 9 top 10 finishes and had an average A-main finishing position of sixth.
5th – Jeff Ward, Sandusky, Ohio
Ward competed in all 10 A-mains in 2016, posting seven top 10 finishes and six top fives including a season-best runner-up on opening night. Ward’s average A-main finishing position was seventh.
6th – Brad Stuckey, Tiffin, Ohio
Stuckey had a break-out year, competing in all 10 A-mains. He posted seven top 10 finishes and four top four finishes. His average A-main finishing position was 13th.
7th – Jim Holcomb, Tiffin, Ohio
The 2016 rookie of the year, Holcomb competed in all 10 of the A-mains racking up eight top 10 finishes including a season-best fifth on opening night. His average A-main finishing position was eighth.
8th – Dana Fry, Fremont, Ohio
Fry competed in nine of the 10 A-mains in 2016, missing only opening night. He posted seven top 10 finishes and five top five runs including a season-best third on June 11. Fry’s average A-main finishing position was seventh.
9th – Kent Brewer, Fostoria, Ohio
The defending Fremont Speedway dirt truck champion competed in nine of the 10 A-mains in 2016, missing only opening night. He recorded eight top 10 finishes and seven top five run. He posted six runner-up finishes. Brewer’s average A-main finishing position was fifth.
10th – Gene Potridge, Gibsonburg, Ohio
Potridge competed in nine of the 10 A-mains in 2016, missing only opening night. He scored six top 10 finishes including a seas-best pair of eighth place runs. His average A-main finishing position was 10th.
McCullough Industries 602 Late Models
Champion – John Brooks, Wayne, Ohio
Brooks competed in all 11 A-mains in 2016. Brooks scored 3 wins – April 16, June 3 and June 11 – to run his career total to 5 at Fremont Speedway. Brooks scored nine top fives on route to an average A-main finishing position of fourth.
2nd – Matt Shipley, Weston, Ohio
Shipley competed in all 11 A-mains in 2016, never finishing worse than 10th to finish just 3 points from the championship. He recorded nine top five finishes including a pair of runner-up finishes and five third place runs. His average A-main finishing position was fourth.
3rd – Chester Fitch, Tiffin, Ohio
Fitch competed in all 11 A-mains in 2016, recording nine top 10 finishes and seven top five runs. He scored three wins – April2 3, May 29 and July 9 – to run his career total to six at Fremont Speedway. Fitch’s average A-main finishing position was fifth.
4th – Steve Sabo, Fremont, Ohio
Sabo, Fremont’s 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2010 dirt truck champion, competed in all 11 A-mains this season. He never finished worse than ninth and posted five top five finishes. Sabo’s average A-main finishing position was sixth.
5th – Dustin Keegan, Fremont, Ohio
Keegan competed in all 11 A-mains in 2016, scoring 10 top 10 finishes and five top five finishes including a season-best second on June 3. His average A-main finishing position was sixth.
6th – Ky Harper, Delta, Ohio
Harper competed in 10 of the A-mains in 2016, missing only opening night. He posted seven top five finishes including four wins – May 7, May 21, June 25 and Aug. 6 – to run his career total to nine at Fremont Speedway. His average A-main finishing position was fourth.
7th – Jamie Miller, Fremont, Ohio
Miller competed in all 11 A-mains in 2016, posting seven top 10 finishes including a season-best pair of runner up finishes. His average A-main finishing position was ninth.
8th – Tim Sabo, Toledo, Ohio
Sabo, an inductee into the Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame and the track’s 1978 six cylinder champion, competed in 10 of the 11 A-mains, missing only the July 3 event. He posted nine top 10 finishes and seven top five runs. He picked up his 27th career Fremont win on Sept. 16 and now sits 18th on the track’s all-time win list. Sabo’s average A-main finishing position was fifth.
9th – Jeff Hites, Tiffin, Ohio
Hites competed in 10 of the 11 A-mains, missing only the season-ending event. He posted nine top 10 finishes including a season-best sixth on April 23. His average A-main finishing position was eighth.
10th – Kyle Dukeshire, Fremont, Ohio
Fremont’s 2016 Rookie of the year competed in 9 of the 11 A-mains, posting five top 10 finishes including a season-best fourth on April 23. Dukeshire’s average A-main finishing position was 10th.
Here’s a look at the top 10 in points for the FAST 410 Sprints:
Champion – Byron Reed
Reed wrapped up his third FAST title by winning seven of the 12 series events. He pointed 10 top fives in those 12 events.
2nd – Craig Mintz
Mintz, a two-time FAST champion, scored a pair of FAST wins in 2016 and recorded seven top fives and nine top 10s in series competition.
3rd – Broc Martin
Martin posted seven top five runs in the 12 FAST events.
4th – Brian Lay
Lay earned a top five and seven top 10 finishes in the 12 FAST races.
5th – Stuart Brubaker
Brubaker scored a top five and five top 10 runs in FAST events.
6th – Chris Andrews
Andrews competed in 11 of the 12 FAST events, earning a win, four top five finishes and five top 10 finishes.
7th – Tyler Gunn
Gunn battled in all 12 FAST features, earning five top 10 finishes.
8th – Duane Zablocki
Zablocki competed in all 12 FAST events, recording one top 10 finish.
9th – DJ Foos
Foos competed in 11 of the 12 FAST events, recording a pair of top five runs and five top 10 finishes.
10th – Jody Keegan
Keegan competed in 11 of the 12 FAST events, recording a pair of top five finishes and four top 10 finishes.
Rookie of the Year – Jess Stiger. Stiger finished 12th in FAST points.
Here’s a look at the FAST 305 Series top 10 in points:
Champion – Paul Weaver
Weaver, who was the top ranked 305 sprint driver in the country in 2016, competed in all 11 FAST events, scoring three wins, eight top five finishes and 10 top 10 runs.
2nd – Nate Dussel
Dussel, a two-time FAST champion, posted seven top five finishes and nine top 10 runs in the 11 FAST events.
3rd – Dan McCarron
McCarron posted four top five finishes and eight top 10 runs in the 11 FAST A-mains.
4th – Alvin Roepke
Roepke earned a win, four top five finishes and seven top 10 runs in FAST events.
5th – Steve Rando
Rando had a pair of top five finishes and seven top 10 runs in FAST events.
6th – John Ivy
Ivy posted two FAST wins and had five top 10 finishes in FAST competition in 2016.
7th – Jason Keckler
Keckler earned a pair of top five finishes and five top 10 runs in the 11 FAST A-mains.
8th – Ricky Peterson
Peterson had a top five finish and five top 10 runs in the 11 FAST A-mains.
9th – Dustin Dinan
Dinan posted four top fives and five top 10 runs in FAST events
10th – Kyle Capodice
Capodice had three top five runs and five top 10 finishes in FAST events
Rookie of the year – Matt Foos. Foos finished 12th in the FAST points and posted a win along with a pair of top five finishes and three top 10 runs.
For more information on Fremont Speedway go to www.fremontohspeedway.com. For more information on FAST go to www.fastondirt.com