|
|
Fremont Speedway Pit Notes for 7/23/2001
Story by:
By Brian Liskai
FREMONT, Oh. (July 30) - Trent Walters and Donnie Jeschke, drivers of the #27 and #2 410 sprints, flipped hard together entering turn one on the third lap of the feature. Jeschke, from Dayton, Ohio, making his first ever appearance at Fremont, walked away from his severely damaged mount. Emergency crews took every precaution extricating Walters from his torn-up sprint. Walters never lost consciousness, but was taken to Fremont Memorial Hospital for a checkup where he was later released.
Mike Linder, driver of the #3 Keith Brewer Racing sprinter, made contact with Rodney Morgan, who was piloting the Norton Southard Motorsports #00 during heat race action and tumbled down the front stretch. His crew made hasty repairs, and he came back to win the B-feature, passing his brother-in-law Jon Finsel coming out of turn 4 on the last lap. Linder later finished 7th in the A, while Finsel finished 15th.
Bruce Robenalt, driver of the #98 410 sprinter just can't catch a break. Earlier in the year, he tore up a couple of cars by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Lately, the team has suffered engine woes, blowing two motors.
Prior to Saturday's racing action, a moment of silence was held in remembrance of long-time racing supporters Wendell Smith and Donnie Eckhardt, both of whom died last week. Smith, a former mayor of Bettsville, Ohio, sat 25th on the all-time career feature win list at Fremont Speedway with 16 victories. Eckhardt was a fixture at Fremont Speedway, including sitting in the first box seats every week with his friends. He owned some great sprint cars over the years, especially those piloted by Al Franks, Harold McGilton and Jim Linder. Eckhardt's box seats were left empty Saturday and a checkered flag was drapped over the box.
Justin Stout, driver of the #7s 305 sprint, wants to thank the Fremont Speedway safety crew for their efforts a couple of weeks ago when his car caught fire.
Ron Bordner looked like he was going to have to sit out the remember of the season when he crashed his #29 305 sprint a couple of weeks ago. However, Mark Whaley had a car ready to go, but didn't have a motor. So, Bordner put his engine in Whaley's #34 and raced it this past week.
Brian Thompson of Port Clinton, Ohio, driver of the #18 305 sprint, was involved in a serious motorcycle accident recently. Reports indicate severely damage to his feet and he is scheduled to undergo many long months of rehabilitation. Drivers went throughout the crowd Saturday at Fremont Speedway and the fans graciously donated $600 towards Thompson's rehabilitation.
It was reported that Byron Reed, driver of the #5 410 sprint, and his wife Kelly became parents for the first time on Friday.
Goodyear Racing Tires will conduct a tire test for the third time this season at Fremont Speedway on Tuesday, July 31 from 5-9 p.m. Conducting the test will be Phil Gressman, driver of the Dwight Reidling #9, and Jac Haudenschild, driver of the Wise Motorsports #97. Gressman started the season driving the #97.
The Sandusky County Fairboard's 50/50 raffle saw $1,087 go home with one lucky fan Saturday. The little boy who drew the ticket was celebrating his 6th birthday at the track. A little girl won the free bike, donated by the Fremont Theatrical Supply Company. So, the winner of the 50/50 raffle purchased the boy's bike that was on hand just in case a boy won, and gave it to the boy who drew the winning ticket as a birth day present.
Fans are invited to the Rainbow Lanes and Lounge, 1600 E. State St., Fremont, on Thursday, Aug. 9 from 3 p.m. until dark for Sprint Car Appreciation Day. Several area drivers will be on hand for autographs and pictures. For more information call 419-332-1111.
The 8th Annual Ohio Racers Open Golf Tournament will be held Sunday, Sept. 9 at Hidden Hills Golf Club, 4886 Co. Rd 16, Woodville, Ohio. The shotgun start begins at noon and there will be a steak dinner and awards following the golf. The event is open to all who support racing on a regular basis be it drivers, owners, crew members, fans, sponsors, vendors or track personnel. The first 25 paid team entries will be accepted and the cost is $50 per person which includes golf, cart, balls, tees, door prizes and the dinner. For entry information contact John Wisbon, driver of the #16 410 sprint at 320 N. Wayne St., Fremont, Oh. 43420 (419-332-2046) or Joe Darmofal at 5040 Sprucewood, Sylvania, oh. 43560 (419-843-5348).
Defending dirt truck track champion Danny Roepke has put his #53 truck up for sale. See him at the track if you are interested.
Bobby Davis, driver of the Bobby Sears owned #20, shared an emotional victory lane Saturday with his father who had never seen him race before.
Mike Linder told an interesting story about his father, seven-time Fremont track champion Jim Linder, who, 20 years ago, got into a foot race with then high schooler Bobby Davis (driver of the #20 dirt truck). The story goes the elder Linder ran a steady (yet not speedy) race while Davis, who had eaten a big meal prior, tought his youth would prevail, but had to stop several times because of an upset stomach. Linder prevailed, but later collapsed in the house out of sight of his competitor.
Long-time racing fan Eugene Smith celebrated his 59th birthday at Fremont Speedway this past Saturday.
|
|
|