Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008
Contact Brian Liskai
liskai2x@cros.net

 FREMONT, Ohio - With $20,000 on the line on Abdoo Wrecking Presents the Jim 
Ford Classic at Fremont Speedway Saturday, Sept. 20, where a driver starts 
in the 35-lap affair takes on extra importance. A unique format will be 
utilized that will provide fans with exciting racing and drivers the 
opportunity to race their way into a good starting spot.

 Drivers in the 410 sprint division will have a one lap qualifying effort, 
with $200 going to the fastest from Scott and Laurie Lucius. Heat races will 
have a six-car inversion based on time (quick time will start sixth in the 
first heat, second quick will start sixth in the second heat, etc.) If there 
are 52 or less cars, then four heats will be contested with the top four 
making into the A-main, with the next 16 in times to the B-main and rest to 
the C-main. With 53 or 54 cars, the top 48 times will make the heats with 
the rest tagging the back of the C-main. If there are 55 or more cars, the 
top 48 times make the heats with the rest going to a last chance race with 
the top four finishers in that race moving to the back of the C-main.

 Then the scramble is on....literally!

 The top eight qualifiers who make it into the A-main through their heat 
races will compete in a 10-lap "scramble" race to determine how they are 
lined up in the A-main...not necessarily how they finish in the scramble, 
but how many points they accumulate. The more cars they pass, the more 
points they get, the further up in the $20,000 to win feature they will 
start! And, the scramble will pay $150 to win thanks to Dr. Ralph Peters.

 The scramble drivers will be awarded points based on the qualifying time 
quickest time gets 8 points, 2nd quick 7 points, etc. down to 8th quick 1 
pointt). The scramble will be lined up completely inverted with the fastest 
qualifier starting eighth. Points will then be awarded based on the finish – 
Winner of the scramble receives 8 points; 2nd, 7 points; 3rd, 6 points; etc. 
down to 8th getting 1 point.
 

The two sets of points are added together to get the driver's total points. 
For example, if the pole-sitter of the scramble wins he would have 9 points 
(1 for time and 8 for scramble finish) and if the last place starter (quick 
time) finishes third he would have 14 points (8 for time and 6 for scramble 
finish).

 The feature event will then be lined up straight-up by these points 
(highest in points gets the pole). In case of a tie, the position goes to 
the quicker qualifier. Starting spots 9-20 are lined straight up by 
qualifying time and there are four provisionals - the two fastest qualifiers 
who did not make the A-main through a heat or B-main and the two highest in 
the track's points who did not make the feature.
 
 

"When we ran the Australian Pursuit earlier this year, it was an extremely 
exciting event...the fans and drivers really got into it. There was buzz 
throughout the stands that night. We hope by giving the drivers the 
opportunity to race their way into a good starting spot into the feature, 
they will put on another fun race," said Fremont Speedway Promoters Rich 
Farmer and Andy James. "It means drivers will have to have their elbows up 
in qualifying, their heats and in particular the scramble where every 
position means one more starting spot in the feature."

Also, the Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprints and Fremont Fence Dirt 
Trucks will be split into two complete fields, based on average points. They 
will run feature events only - 25 laps for each of the two 305 sprint mains 
and 20 laps for each of the two dirt truck mains - with an inversion of 12 
in each feature. For example, the top two in average points will start 12th 
and 11th in one feature, third and fourth in average points will start 12th 
and 11th in the other etc. until the top 12 starting spots are filled.The 
remainder of each field will then be filled two at a time starting in row 7.

In other news, a live radio remote broadcast will be held at the Baumann 
Automotive Group dealership in Fremont from 1-3 p.m. with WIOT 104.7.

Several local drivers will have their race cars on hand.

Besides Abdoo Wrecking, other race night sponsors include Ludwig Propane, 
Jim Ford, the Sandusky County Agricultural Society and Kears Speed Shop.

For ticket prices and start times log onto www.fremontohspeedway.com