By Brian Liskai
 
FREMONT, Ohio (July 7, 2003) - The 21st Annual All Star Circuit of Champions Ohio Sprint Speedweek created much excitement this year, including the two shows at Fremont Speedway. Here's some of the information many fans may not have heard:
 
The Miller Rigging #2 was back in action Thursday at Fremont with Kyle Sauder of Archbold behind the wheel. Sauder experienced great success in 360 sprint racing, including just missing Earl Baltes' bonus for becoming the first driver in that division to win 10 features at Eldora. Sauder hasn't raced all season, but showed little rust, as he set quick time in qualifications and raced his way into the feature event.
 
Jason Deel (son of the late Jimmy Deal, sprint car driver), and his wife Amy became the proud parents of a baby boy on Thursday. Word had it Jason, who works on the family's #3j 305 sprinter, was trying to get to the race track Thursday. Speaking of the #3j, driver Scott Miller scores his first win for the team at KC Raceway on Wednesday, July 2.
 
Bill Shammo, father of 305 sprint driver Andy Shammo (#48) celebrated his 60th birthday on July 2.
 
The Sandusky County Fair Board is expected to award a contract for the construction of new restrooms at the race track soon. Word has it the lowest bid came in at approximately $99,000. The fair board has received a grant to help pay for the facility, along with donations and the proceeds from the weekly 50/50 raffle. Speaking of the raffle, a lucky fan took home over $2,900 on Tuesday and over $4,800 on Thursday! Word has it Tuesday's winners were from Fremont and Thursday's lucky ticket holder hails from Fostoria.
 
Fremont Speedway promoter Jim Ford noticed former racer Gene Lentz in attendance Thursday and presented him with a check to help with his medical expenses. Lentz was injured in a crash many years ago, but was a regular fixture in the infield at Fremont during the 1970s and 1980s.
 
Thursday night's crowd was estimated to be the largest in the 52-year history of the track (when including the pit receipts).
 
Area radio personality Beth Daniels, who also is the lead singer in the band Sweet Cheater, sang the national anthem Tuesday at Fremont. Beth also learned earlier in the week she and her husband were expecting their first baby.
 
Andy Potter, who began the season as the crew chief with the Miller Rigging sprinter, took on the duties for the #70 Pete Grove car driven during speedweek by Kenny Jacobs. The team put together a new car for the Tuesday show at Fremont, assembling the machine at De Genzman's shop.
 
Brian Smith, a former All Star rookie of the year and driver of the #20x 305 sprint, was so excited after winning his first ever feature, he attempted (and failed) a back flip on the front stretch. However, promoter Jim Ford reminded him of a bet the two had if Smith would win a feature, and Smith took to his belly to do a "snake dance".
 
Alan Holland, creater and webmaster for the popular hoseheads website, was in attendance at Fremont Speedway.
 
Fremont Speedway has now had 14 first-time feature winners in 2003 in all divisions combined.
 
Mark Keegan continues to lead all active drivers in career feature wins at Fremont with 55 (fourth on the all-time list, just three away from tying Jim Linder for third and just 10 away from tying Art Ball for the top spot). Next would be late model driver Tim Sabo, who sits tied for 13th with 24 wins; Bryan Scott, tied for 19th with 19 wins; John Ivy and Dan Roepke, tied for 22nd with 17 wins; Bobby Foster at 30th with 15 wins; and Steve Sabo, tied for 31st with 14 wins. Chad Kemenah has moved up to 52nd spot on the all-time feature win list at the track with 8 victories, and Byron Reed and Andy Shammo are tied for 58th, each with seven victories. As of July 7, 2003, there have now been 317 different feature winners in the history of Fremont Speedway.
 
The granddaughter of the late sprint/modified driver Jimmy Roepke (Tonya) served as trophy queen Tuesday night.
 
When the music comes over the PA system at the beginning of the 410 sprint feature, Barry Boss, who handles the start cone at turn 4 and on the front stretch, and assistant flagman Darren Rice, lead the crowd in dance. While Barry shows signs of being a back-up dancer on music videos, Darren's moves resemble Carlton's on the former t.v. show "The Fresh Prince of Bellaire."
 
Scott Barman, who co-hosts the popular radio show "The Last Lap" (Mondays at 7 p.m. on Eagle 99.1 FM), will become assistant flagman on Aug. 2 as Monty Collins, the head flagman, will be out of town. Barman has handled several duties at the track this year such as running the scoreboard and driving the pace truck.
 
Race fans showed their generosity Tuesday by contributing over $700 in a collection to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association.