Richest 305 race in country set at Fremont

By Brian Liskai

FREMONT, Ohio (Aug. 26) - The richest 305 sprint car race in the country will be held at The New Fremont Speedway on Monday, Sept. 2, with the Third Annual Baumann Auto Group 305 Sprint Invitational.

The winner of the event could take home nearly $4,000. The 30-lap feature will pay $2,500 to win, but there is also a $1,000 bonus from the Baumann Auto Group to any 305 driver that can win back-to-back 305 features at Attica Raceway Park on Sunday and Fremont on Monday. Also, there's a $200 Don Eckhardt Memorial Hard Charger bonus for the driver that passes the most cars in the 305 Invitational feature. The Last Lap Radio show (heard Mondays at 7 p.m. on Eagle 99.1 FM) is offering a $125 bonus for the fast qualifier ($200 if it is a new track record!).

Fremont Speedway Promoter Jim Ford has also put more money in the total purse, with eighth finishing position on back carrying more prize money. Also, 22 cars will start the A-main. The payout is: 1. $2,500; 2. $1,000; 3. $700; 4. $500; 5. $400; 6. $350; 7. $300; 8. $280; 9. $260; 10. $250; 11. $240; 12. $230; 13. $220; 14. $210; 15. $200; 16. $190; 17. $185; 18. $180; 19. $175; 20. $170; 21. $165; and 22. $160.

In addition, ProShocks is giving gift certificates of $300, $200 and $100 for the second, third and fourth place feature finishers.

For this race only, aluminum wheels are okay to use for the 305 sprints. The Pennsylvania 305 race teams are also welcome. And, this race is only open to 305 sprint drivers - no 410 sprint drivers will be permitted to compete. Mufflers are also required.

Besides the one-lap qualifying and heat races, Genzman Enterprises will sponsor an out-of-state dash. Also, Progress Plastic Products of Bellevue is sponsoring the B-main.

Defending 305 Invitational winner Bryan Scott comes into the race with an Ohio-best nine feature wins on the season, including five at Fremont and four at Attica Raceway Park. The defending Fremont Speedway track champion recently picked up the 2002 track championship at Attica and currently leads Fremont's point standings by six points over Brock Mayes.

Mayes will also be considered a top contender to take home the big money. The youngster from Bucyrus, Ohio, has scored six feature wins in 2002, including four at Fremont Speedway.

Others to keep an eye on are Fostoria, Ohio's Jamie Miller who scored his first career feature win at Fremont on June 8; Fostoria's Scott Kraylek who scored a Fremont win on May 27; Fostoria's Bill Kraylek who has three wins for the 2002 season, including one at Fremont on June 22; Green Springs, Ohio's Josh Hill who scored his first career feature win at "The Track That Action Built" on July 20; Clyde's Mike Oberdorf who picked up his first career feature win at Fremont on Aug. 3, as did 14-year-old Caleb Griffith of Castalia. Also running well in 2002 are Gibsonburg drivers Roger Shammo and Craig Mintz, who sit third and fourth in the Fremont point standings, with Mintz picking up his first career win earlier this year at Attica.

Fremont Speedway's dirt trucks will also be on the racing card for Sept. 2. Gates will open earlier than normal; at 3 p.m. with qualifying set to begin at 5 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

Fremont Speedway is located four miles south of Ohio Turnpike Exit 91 in the Sandusky County Fairgrounds. For more information, call 419-862-2206 or e-mail Jim Ford at ford.j@worldnet.att.net or check out Fremont Speedway's website at www.fremontohspeedway.com.