By Brian Liskai

FREMONT, Ohio (Sept. 13, 2002) - After being shut down for a few weeks for the Sandusky County Fair, Fremont Speedway had a busy week this past week, racing the Bauman Auto Group 305 Sprint Invitational on Labor Day, followed by the two-day All Star Circuit of Champions that Friday and Saturday.

Sprint car driving legend Jack Hewitt's heart was full of gratitude on Sunday, Sept. 8, as 56 fans purchased tickets to ride in his two-seat sprint car at Fremont. Greg Wilson and Chad Kemenah thrilled the rider-goers with their exploits behind the wheel. At the end of the evening, the two were exhausted, as was evident by the big pile of used-up tires next to the trailer. Jack was on-hand to great fans. The weekend netted nearly $10,000 for Jack and his family. Five 305-sprint teams - Mintz Racing, Mayes Racing, Scott Racing, Lowe Racing and Neeb-Reidling Racing along with REM Racing (sponsor on Ryan Lowe's 305 sprint) purchased ride tickets that were than raffled off to help raise funds for Hewitt. Fans also contributed $1,500 in cash as drivers made their way through the stands on Saturday.

C.J. Landry, who writes a motor sports column for The (Toledo) Blade newspaper, contributed $50 to the driver posting the 13th quick time in All Star qualifying Saturday (Rob Chaney); another $50 whoever led the 13th lap (Dale Blaney); and $100 to whoever finished 13th in the feature (Chad Kemenah)

Fremont sprint car driving legend Jim Linder has not competed recently as his car owner, Larry Keegan is at home trying to regain his strength from a serious bout of bronchitis and other breathing problems.

Fremont Speedway has had 12 drivers win their first features at Fremont in their career this year, including: J.J. Yeley (who won three times); Dale Blaney, Shane Stewart (his first every All Star win); rookie Shawn Chaney (410); Jeep VanWormer (late model); Jamie Miller, Caleb Griffith (14-years-old), Josh Hill and Mike Oberdorf (305 sprints); Matt Lucius, Darrell Brown and Mike Porter (twice) in the dirt trucks.

Cheryl Liskai, widow of former sprint driver Dick Liskai, who passed away this past July after battling cancer for two years, has attended the last couple of races at Fremont with her friends, the Craig Mintz family. Also, Roger Shammo, who was a close friend to Dick, had Cheryl take a photo with him in victory lane following his win in the 305 sprint invitational.

Joanne Ford, wife of promoter Jim Ford, and the ladies in the ticket booth - affectionately called the Hen House _ gave $100 to the All Star fast qualifier Saturday (Bobby Clark) and an extra $100 to the 305 sprint feature winner Saturday (Bobby Foster).

Fremont Speedway's "softwalls" have taken a real beating this past month, but they have more than proven their worth. Just ask Roger Shammo, who made heavy contact Saturday in turn three. Shammo credits the walls with saving him hundreds of dollars in repairs...he was also able to push back off after the contact and race again.

After Shane Stewart won Friday's All Star feature, many teams wondered aloud if his car would make the 1,200-pound weight limit as Stewart raced primarily with the World of Outlaws Gumout Support Series this summer which has no weight rule. Junior Holbrook's sprinter tipped the scales at 1,301 pounds. However, when All Star officials went to check the motor, it was discovered the engine had either blown a head gasket or cracked a head, so an engine change was in order for Saturday.

Also changing motors for Saturday was Attica Raceway Park Track Champion Alvin Roepke. Roepke said Friday's motor probably had over 20 shows on it and he "took a tired motor out and put a less tired motor in."

After Friday night's show, fans who stuck around were treated to tunes from the live band "Elmore Fudd" headed up by drummer and former 305 sprint driver Dusty Rodawalt.

Dirt Truck driver Jeff "Donut" Doughtery celebrated his birtday at Fremont Friday night.

National Speedsport News Editor Coreen Economaki was in attendance at Fremont Speedway Saturday. She is the daughter of NSSN founder and racing broadcaster Chris Economaki.


410 sprint driver John "Poison" Ivy became the first sprint driver to win back-to-back track championships at Fremont since Mark Keegan scored the feat in 1992, 1993 and 1994. Prior to Ivy there had only been six sprint/super modified drivers to win back-to-back championships - Leo Caldwell in 1951 and 1952; "Irish" Jim McCune in 1958 and 1959; Darl Harrison in 1960, 1961 and 1962; Gug Keegan in 1974 and 1975; Jim Linder in 1976 and 1977 and again in 1983 and 1984; and Mark Keegan in 1981 and 1982, again in 1989 and 1990 and again in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

The scoring tower ladies - Vicki, Mary, Carol and Sue, along with scoreboard operator Scott B. and All Star publicity director Scott Hall - shared Friday night's Sandusky County Fair Board's 50/50 winning ticket. Each took home around $168.

Fremont Speedway's Champions Banquet will be held Saturday, Nov. 9, at PK's Banquet Hall, 2270 W. Hayes Ave. in Fremont. A point fund and trophies for the top 10 in points in all three divisions will be awarded. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with a buffet style dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the awards ceremony to follow. Tickets are $25 each and you may purchase them by phoning 419-862-2206.

For the second year in a row, Kear's Speed Shop put on a manufacturers' give-away to the 24 drivers in the All Star A-Main Saturday and the 20 cars in the 305 sprint A-main Saturday. There were over $8,500 in prizes for the All Star sprints and $3,500 in the 305 sprints. Kear's owner Shirley Kear and her children and grandchildren were on the front stretch handing out the gift certificates. There was also a nice photo display in the pit area of Kear's founder, the late Chuck Kears. Also, one of the ironies of the give-away is that for the second year in a row, 305 sprint driver Bryan Scott has won a front wing - Scott does not run a front wing, just wide panels bolted to the frame.

Fremont Speedway announcer Brian Liskai, who also co-hosts a radio show heard every Monday at 7 p.m. on WFRO Eagle 99.1 FM in Fremont, along with co-hosts Scott and Andrew Barman, recently were guests on a two-hour radio program on racing out of Lorain County, 1320 AM. The trio talked about the history of Fremont Speedway along with how the current season had gone.

Johnny Auxter, who is a constant in the pit area at Fremont and Attica, was seen at Friday's All Star show carrying a black case with the words "Heat Race Set-up by John A" on it in the pits. When Auxter opened the case all that was in there was a hammer and one of those wooden fold-up rulers. Auxter said the hammer was to hit the driver on the head to get his attention while the ruler was to measure tire stagger.

L.J. Connors, driver of the #X dirt truck, will retire from racing after the Saturday, Sept.14 race. L.J. sits tied for 33rd on the all-time career feature win list at Fremont with 13.