By Brian Liskai

FREMONT, Ohio (Monday, Nov. 6, 2006) - Fremont Speedway wrapped up its 51st season by crowning its champions at a gala banquet Saturday, Nov. 4.

The top 10 in the season point standings for the Fort Ball Pizza 410 Sprints, Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprints and Coors Light Dirt Trucks shared in a point fund of over $20,000.

Fremont Speedway Promoter Jim Ford thanked all the fans, drivers and teams, sponsors, track workers, the safety crew and push truck operators for making 2006 such a success. He announced some improvements are underway at the Sandusky County Fairgrounds facility for 2007 such as new pit bleachers and new clay being added to the surface. Ford said work is currently underway on the 2007 schedule.

Fremont's Mike Linder backed up his 2005 crown in the 410 sprints with another in 2006. Linder competed in 15 of the 16 A-mains run in 2006, missing only the July 22 National Sprint Tour main. He scored 9 top 10 runs, including 7 top fives. He picked up 3 wins, opening the season with a victory on April 29, and adding wins on May 27 and July 8. He now has 10 career Fremont victories to move him into a tie for 42nd on the all-time list, just a mere 48 behind his dad, Jim. Mike's average A-main finishing position was 9.6.

"I have to thank my car owner Andy James...he hasn't seen his car run but once in the last three years, but he keeps supporting our efforts," said Linder. "We just bought a new J&J chassis for next year and we're stepping up our engine program."

Fremont's Paul Weaver backed up his 2005 track title with a dominating 2006 season in the 305 sprints. He was one of two drivers to compete in all 19 A-mains during the year. He recorded an incredible 18 top 10 finishes - his worst finish a 16th on May 27. He scored 16 top five runs, including 7 victories. Paul has now recorded 20 career wins at Fremont, moving him into a tie for 22nd on the all-time win list. His average A-main finishing position was an astounding 3.7. He also recorded the 100th win of his career during the season by claiming a victory at a sprint show at Lakeville Speedway.

"I have to thank my crew, Dennis Levell for such a great motor, and Dee Genzman for giving me the opportunity to run his car," said Weaver. "We're talking about moving to 410 sprints next year.:

Tiffin's Brian Arnold made his championship run in the dirt truck division by winning the last three feature events of the 2006 season - in fact he recorded four wins out of the last five shows. Competing in all 17 A-mains, Arnold recorded an incredible 16 top 10 finishes, his worse run a 20th on May 29. He had 10 top five runs. Besides his wins on Aug. 5, Sept. 3, Sept. 16 an Sept. 23, Bryan recorded a second and a third. He now has seven career Fremont victories. His average A-main finishing position was an astonishing 5.5.

"I have to thank Burns Electric and Crown Battery for all of their support. We'll be back to defend out title next year," said Arnold.

The "rookies of the year" were Bryan Scott (410 sprints), Chad Wilson (305 sprints) and Shawn Valenti (dirt trucks).

The rest of the top 10 in the point standings and their efforts during 2006 were:

Fort Ball Pizza 410 Sprints:

Second, Lee Jacobs: Jacobs was probably the hottest driver around at the end of the year. He competed in 14 of the 16 A-mains, missing only the June 6 and July 22 NST shows. He recorded 10 top 10 finishes, including 7 top five runs. He picked up career wins #3 and #4 on July 29 and Aug. 12. He also scored three third place finishes on route to an average A-main finishing position of 7.7.

Third, John Ivy: The 3 time 410 track champion and 1 time 305 champ, competed in 12 of the 16 A-mains in 2006. He recorded 8 top ten finishes. He scored 7 top five runs, picking up his 24th career Fremont victory on Aug. 5, moving him into a tie for 15th on the all-time win list. Ivy also scored a second and a third place finish in 2006. His average feature finishing position was 7th.

Fourth, Byron Reed: Reed, the 2003 Fremont champion, competed in 15 of the A-mains run in 2006, missing only the June 6 NST feature. He recorded 8 top 10 finishes, including 5 top five runs. He picked up his 10th career Fremont victory on July 15, to move him into a tie for 42nd on the all-time win list. He also recorded a second and a third place finish. His average feature finishing position was 9th.

Fifth, Todd Heller: Heller competed in 14 of the 16 A-mains in 2006, missing only the June 6 NST feature and the July 22 show. He recorded 9 top 10 finishes and 3 top fives, including his first career feature victory on April 29. His average feature finishing position was 9th.

Sixth, David Harrison: Harrison, competed in 14 of the 16 A-mains in 2006, missing only the May 6th and April 29th features. He recorded 10 top 10 finishes including 5 top 5 runs. He scored his 6th career Fremont win on June 17. He also added a pair of second place runs, one of which was an exciting finish to NST champion Danny Lasoski on June 6. David's average feature finishing position was 9th.

Seventh, Bryan Scott: Scott, the 2000, 2001 and 2002 305 sprint champion, competed in 13 of the 16 A-mains in 2006, including 9 top 10 finishes and 5 top 5 finishes. He recorded his 21st career Fremont victory on May 20. He also scored a runner-up finish and a pair of thirds. His average feature finishing position was 7.5. 10th - Caleb Griffith, 1,160 points - The 2003 champion in the 305 sprint division and 2004 410 rookie of the year competed in 13 of the 16 A-mains in 2006 and recorded 10 top 10 finishes and 2 top fives, including a season best 4th on opening night and a 5th against the NST. His average feature finishing position was 9th.

Eighth, Craig Mintz: Mintz qualified for 12 of the 16 A-mains run in 2006, finishing in the top 8 in 11 of those features. He recorded his second career Fremont win on June 24. He also scored a pair of third place runs in 2006. His average feature finishing position was 9.5.

Ninth, Mark Keegan; The nine time Fremont champion competed in 13 of the 16 A-mains, recording 8 top 10s and 4 top fives. His season best were second place runs on May 20th and June 17th. His average feature finishing position was 9th.

Tenth, Caleb Griffith: The 2003 champion in the 305 sprint division and 2004 410 rookie of the year competed in 13 of the 16 A-mains in 2006 and recorded 10 top 10 finishes and 2 top fives, including a season best fourth on opening night and a fifth against the NST. His average feature finishing position was 9th.

Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprints:

Second, Bryan Sebetto: Sebetto was one of only two drivers to compete in all 19 A-mains in 2006. He recorded an incredible 13 top 10 finishes, including a remarkable 10 top five runs. He scored wins on April 29, May 20 (against the SOD 360s), July 29 and Sept. 16. His four victories brought his career total to eight. Bryan's average feature finishing position was 7.5. 

Third, Chris Andrews: Andrews competed in 17 of the 19 A-mains in 2006, missing only the May 20 SOD/305 main and the June 30 feature. He recorded 12 top 10 finishes, including 10 top five runs. He picked up his first career Fremont wins with back-to-back victories on July 8 and 15. He also scored a pair of seconds and 4 third place runs. His average A-main finishing position was 7.8.

Fourth, Andy Shammo: Shammo competed in 18 of the 19 A-mains in 2006, missing only the Aug. 12 NRA/305 show. He recorded 12 top 10 finishes, including 6 top fives, with a season best 4 fourth place finishes. His average feature finishing position was 8.9.

Fifth, Bobby Foster: Foster started the year strong, not finishing out of the top 10 during the first 7 shows. He competed in 16 of the 19 A-mains during 2006. He recorded 12 top 10 finishes, including 6 top fives. He scored three wins in 2006 - June 10, July 22 and Sept. 23 - to move his career mark to 18 and into 27th on the all-time win list. His average feature finishing position was 6.9.

Sixth, Brad Bowman: Bowman competed in 18 of the 19 A-mains in 2006, missing only the Aug. 12 NRA/305 feature. He recorded 9 top 10 runs, including 5 top five runs. He scored wins on May 27 and June 17. He also recorded a pair of seconds and a third place showing. His average feature finishing position was 9th.

Seventh, Kevin Lee: The former rookie of the year competed in 17 of the 19 A-mains, missing only the make-up feature on April 29 and the May 20 show. He recorded 10 top 10s, including 6 top five runs. He scored a pair of thirds and four fourth place runs. His average feature finishing position was 8.5.

Eighth, Bill Kraylek: Kraylek competed in 18 of the 19 A-mains during the year, missing only the Aug. 12 NRA/305 feature. He recorded 11 top 10 finishes, including 5 top five runs. He recorded back-to-back runner-up finishes on May 20 and 27. Bill's average A-main finishing position was 9.6.

Ninth, Duane Zablocki: After struggling at the beginning of the year, missing the first six features, Zablocki rebounded to compete in 12 of the 19 total A-mains. He recorded 7 top 10 finishes, including a season best 4th place run on the last night. His average A-main finishing position was 10th.

Tenth, Matt Merrill: Merrill competed in 12 of the 19 A-mains in 2006. He recorded 7 top 10 finishes, including 4 top five runs. He picked up his first career Fremont win on opening night, April 29 during the regular show. His average A-main finishing position was 9th.

Coors Light Dirt Trucks:

Second, Dwight Waltermeier: Waltermeier competed in all 17 A-mains in 2006, recording 14 top 10s and 10 top fives. He picked up wins on June 6 and July 15. He also scored three second place finishes and a third. His average A-main finishing position was 6th.

Third, Jim McGrath: McGrathled the standings going into the final race of the season. He competed in all 17 A-mains in 2006, including recording 15 top 10 runs. After a season opening 13th finish, he reeled off 15 straight top 10 runs only to score a 15th on the final night. In fact, during that stretch of impressive runs, his lowest finish was a 10th during the make-up feature on May 27. McGrath had 10 top five finishes, including a pair of runner-ups and 4 third place finishes. His average feature finishing position was 5.8. 

Fourth, Steve Sabo: The 2001, 2002 and 2004 truck track champion competed in all 17 A-mains in 2006. He scored 12 top 10 runs, including opening the year finishing no worse than 7th in the first 7 shows. He recorded 10 top five finishes, including three wins - both the make-up and regular features on May 27 and on July 29. Sabo now has 25 career Fremont victories, moving him into a tie with his brother Tim for 13th on the all-time win list. Steve's average feature finishing position was 6.8.

Fifth, Cory Ward: The 2005 rookie of the year, competed in all 17 A-mains during 2006. He recorded 15 top 10 runs, including never finishing out of the top 9 the last 12 shows of the year. He recorded 8 top five runs, including his first career victory on Aug. 13, coming from 19th starting position. He also scored 5 third place runs. His average A-main finishing position was 6.3.

Sixth, Shawn Valenti: Valenti had an impressive freshman campaign. He competed in 16 of the 17 A-mains, missing only the June 17 feature. He recorded 14 top 10 finishes, including five top 5 runs. He scored his first career victory on July 8th and had a runner-up finish to end the year on Sept. 23. He also scored a third on June 10. Valenti's average A-main finishing position was 7.1.

Seventh, Bob Dible: Dible competed in 14 of the 17 A-mains, recording 11 top 10 finishes and 8 top five runs. He scored three wins during the year - May 6, June 6 and June 10 - to move his career total to five. His average feature finishing position was 5.8.

Eighth, Art Ball: Ball, the all-time career feature win leader at Fremont Speedway with 66, competed in 14 of the 17 A-mains in 2006. He recorded 9 top 10 runs, including six top fives. He scored a runner-up finish on Sept. 23, and had 5 fifth place showings. His average feature finishing position was 8.5.

Ninth, Art Howey Jr.; Howey, the 2004 rookie of the year, competed in 13 of the 17 A-mains in 2006. He recorded 7 top 10 finishes, including 4 top fives. He picked up his first 2 career wins on May 29 and June 17. His average feature finishing position was 9.4.

Tenth, Aaron Schatzinger; Schatzinger competed in 14 of the 17 A-mains in 2006. He scored 6 top 10 finishes, including a season best fourth place run on May 27. His average feature finishing position was 12th.