By Brian Liskai
 
FREMONT, Ohio (April 27, 2004) - Fremont Speedway, "The Track That Action Built" opened this past Saturday, beginning the track's 53rd season of racing. Following are some of the interesting tidbits gleaned in the pit area:
 
-When seven time Fremont Speedway track champion Jim Linder arrived at the track Saturday, there was a "special" parking space just for him near the pit area. A sign that read "Parking for Fremont Speedway Legend Jim Linder" marked the spot. Jim was even more embarrassed given the fact his brother, two-time All Star champion Fred Linder just happened to be with him.
 
-Alvin Roepke, from Elmore, driver of the #99 Mt. Dew sprinter, broke one of the cross members out of his Maxim frame when he got over the berm on the bottom of turn four and turned over. His crew was making the necessary repairs to get him back in action this weekend.
 
-Three-time Fremont Speedway 305 sprint track champion Bryan Scott and his wife Terri are building a new home between Fremont and Castalia. Bryan is also helping out in the pit area for Fremont promoter Jim Ford.
 
-The 2003 Fremont Speedway 305 sprint track champion Caleb Griffith, 16, of Castalia, and a rookie in the 410 sprints, has new t-shirts available. 
 
-Jody Keegan, driver of the #60 410 sprint, missed this weekend's racing as his job teaching automotive technology at Vanguard Career Center kept him busy.
 
-Former late model driver Lynn Potter had surgery this past week and was expected to come home by Tuesday. Get well soon, Lynn!
 
-Shane Helms, from Findlay, who came back to sprint car racing after a seven year layoff, along with his wife, are expecting their 10th child. He is hoping for another boy to add to the seven girls they have.
 
-The first heat and the feature for the Coors Light Dirt Trucks was a Sabo family affair. Not only were brothers Steve and Tim in competition, but Steve's wife Linda was also in both events. Steve had the better night of it, winning both the heat and feature. Steve's win was his 18th career victory at Fremont, moving him into a tie for 22nd on the all-time win list just ahead of Bobby Clark and Jack Hewit and behind Daryl Harrison, Bryan Scott and Gordon Holbrook.
 
-John Ivy decided to finally give his race car a bath. Ivy, who crashed the first two nights of the season at Attica Raceway Park, won his 18th career feature at Fremont Saturday, tying him for 22nd on the all-time win list with Steve Sabo. After the crashes, Ivy said the car didn't get a bath until it deserved it...which it did with the win and a third place showing the night before at Attica.
 
-Brandon Martin, from Attica, driver of the #11 410 sprint, is off to a lot better start in 2004, thanks to the guideance and work of new crew chief and former All Star Mechanic of the Year, Aaron Hammer of Fremont.
 
-The 2003 co-rookie of the year in the 410 sprints, Craig Mintz, from Gibsonburg, driver of the #8s, had a rough night. His car blew oil and power steering fluid all over him in his heat. The small Mintz, borrowed the uniform Mike Linder wore Friday night, to finish out the night. It was a tad big on Mintz.
 
-Joe Laugherty, from Tiffin, driver of the #21J 305 sprint, got married over the off season, to the former Pam Young. She comes from a bit of a racing background, as her dad Frank, who owns an auto repair shop in Tiffin, has helped various drivers over the years, including Paul DeWald, Fred Steinhouser, Al Liskai and Jeff Huffman. Also, sprint driver Tony Beaber of Gibsonburg, has been helping wrench Laugherty's car until his equipment is ready and the USAC sprints begin their dirt campaign in the area.
 
-Andy Shammo of Millbury and formerly of Gibsonburg, and driver of the #48 305 sprint, not only is celebrating his eighth career Fremont feature win, but he and his wife are expecting their first baby in November. His team will also have t-shirts available soon.
 
-Chuck Wilson, driver of the #31 410 sprint, has moved from the Toledo area to Stoney Ridge, just a few miles away from Andy Shammo.
 
-Ross Poulson, owner of the Computer Man computer repair and sales, not only organized the new Computer Man Dash, which pits the winners of the 305 heats in a special race, where they not only earn extra money, but accumulate points toward a $700 championship at the end of the year, but designed a program to help with the scoring and line-ups at Fremont Speedway.
 
-Crabill Construction, who sponsored the opening night races at Fremont Speedway, was responsible for many of the improvements at the facility during the off-season, including paving the walkways in front and in between the bleachers and track entrance and exit areas from the pits.