Ivy Opens Fremont's Season In Style

By Brian Liskai: FREMONT, Ohio (May 4) - John Ivy began the defense of his 2001 Fremont Speedway track championship in style Saturday, May 4, by leading all 30 caution-free laps to score the opening night feature win.


It wasn't easy for Ivy, as lapped traffic allowed Butch Schroeder to pull in on his bumper in the closing laps. However, Ivy held on to score the victory over Schroeder who started third; Phil Gressman who started fourth; Alvin Roepke, up from 11th; Jim Stinson, David Harrison, up from 14th; Craig McGuire; fast qualifier Mark Keegan; Jason Dukes and rookie Shawn Chaney.

"I tried to take it easy in lapped traffic...I knew they would be catching me, I just had to hold my line and be smooth," said Ivy. "This was really a great win, especially on Willies Sales and Service/Torro night as I worked there for 11 years."

Brock Mayes took the lead with 10 laps to go in 305 sprint A-Main when defending track champion Bryan Scott dropped out while leading, and went on to score the feature win. Dustin Keegan finished second followed by Chris Lang, Craig Mintz and Roger Shammo.

Steve Sabo moved steadily up through the pack from his 11th starting spot to take the win in the dirt truck feature. Sabo, the defending track champion, scored the win over Jeff Dougherty, Greg Summit, Andy Maynard and John Rhoads.

The Track That Action Built will be back in action Saturday, May 11 for Roots Poultry Night paying $2,500 to win for the 410 sprints. The 305 sprints and dirt trucks will also be in action.

410 Sprints:

Qualifying: 1. Mark Keegan (92), 13.01; 2. Brian Smith (16), 13:04; 3. Jim Stinson (84), 13:11; 4. Phil Gressman (9), 13:18; 5. Butch Schroeder (9x), 13:22; 6. Shawn Chaney (27c), 13:34; 7. John Ivy (20), 13:36; 8. Craig McGuire (4), 13:37; 9. Todd Heller (14h), 13:41; 10. Jason Dukes (3), 13:41; 11. Alvin Roepke (99), 13: 44; 12. Troy Vacarro (7t), 13: 47; 13. Jack Hewitt (31), 13:51; 14. David Harrison (44), 13:51; 15. Jody Keegan (K60), 13:57; 16. Mike Hogan (75), 13:70; 17. Bob Lime (91), 13: 75; 18. Bobby Clark (8), 13:77; 19. Mike Linder (3), 13:79; 20. Jim Linder (X), 13: 86; 21. Jim Dayton (2x), 13:91; 22. Todd Kane (78), 13: 78; 23. Bobby Distel (18), 14:03; 24. Roger Campbell Jr. (ZL1), 14:13; 25. Ed Neumeister (11n), 14:16; 26. Ricky Ferkel (0), 14:18; 27. Dennis Yoakam (22d), 14:19; 28. Scott Euler (97), 14:19; 29. Eric Spencer (3E), 14:72; 30. Bill Shaw (48B), 14:93; 31. Jeremy Keegan (24), 15.59.

1st heat: 1. Jim Dayton; 2. Jack Hewitt; 3. Mark Keegan; 4. Butch Schroeder; 5. Todd Heller

2nd heat: 1. Bobby Clark; 2. Todd Kane; 3. David Harrison; 4. Jason Dukes; 5. Brian Smith

3rd heat: 1. Mike Linder; 2. Alvin Roepke; 3. Jim Stinson; 4. John Ivy; 5. Jody Keegan

4th heat: 1. Phil Gressman; 2. Troy Vacarro; 3. Mike Hogan; 4. Craig McGuire; 5. Roger Campbell Jr.

B-main: 1. Brian Smith; 2. Todd Heller; 3. Shawn Chaney; 4. Jody Keegan; 5. Roger Campbell Jr.; 6. Bob Lime; 7. Bobby Distel; 8. Ricky Ferkel; 9. Dennis Yoakam; 10. Ed Neumeister; 11. Bill Shaw; 12. Scott Euler; 13. Eric Spencer; 14. Jeremy Keegan.

A-main: 1. John Ivy; 2. Butch Schroeder; 3. Phil Gressman; 4. Alvin Roepke; 5. Jim Stinson; 6. David Harrison; 7. Craig McGuire; 8. Mark Keegan; 9. Jason Dukes; 10. Shawn Chaney; 11. Jack Hewitt; 12. Troy Vacarro; 13. Todd Heller; 14. Brian Smith; 15. Jody Keegan; 16. Mike Linder; 17. Bobby Clark; 18. Todd Kane; 19. Mike Hogan; 20. Jim Dayton

305 SPRINTS:

1st heat: 1. Ed Psuerny; 2. Jerrid Potter; 3. Rick Ridenbaugh; 4. Joe Keegan; 5. Ryan Lowe

2nd heat: 1. Chris Lang; 2. Craig Mintz; 3. Dustin Dinan; 4. Matt Molnar; 5. Terry King

3rd heat: 1. Roger Shammo; 2. Josh Hill; 3. Christian Walton; 4. Scott Kraylek; 5. Matt Karbler

4th heat: 1. Bryan Scott; 2. Dustin Keegan; 3. Brock Mayes; 4. Mike Oberdorff; 5. Justin Stout

B-Main: 1. Matt Karbler; 2. Chad Laux; 3. Ryan Lowe; 4. Justin Stout; 5. Terry King; 6. Brian Sebetto; 7. Keith Whaley; 8. Caleb Griffith; 9. Matt Merrill; 10. Mark Lang; 11. Jim Filmore; 12. Mark Whaley; 13. Ron Bordner; 14. Dan Hammond; 15. Jim Moore; 16. Brad Schlechty; 17. Brian Thompson; 18. Steve Edwards; 19. Clarence Morgan.

A-main: 1. Brock Mayes; 2. Dustin Keegan; 3. Chris Lang; 4. Craig Mintz; 5. Roger Shammo; 6. Jerrid Potter; 7. Mike Oberdorf; 8. Scott Kraylek; 9. Ryan Lowe; 10. Chad Laux; 11. Josh Hill; 12. Matt Molnar; 13. Justin Stout; 14. Ed Psuerny; 15. Joe Keegan; 16. Bryan Scott; 17. Jeremy Keegan; 18. Christian Walton; 19. Ed Ridenbaugh; 20. Matt Karbler.