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Baumann Auto Group 305 Sprint Invitational
Story by:
By Brian Liskai
08/23/2001:
FREMONT, Oh. (Aug. 22, 2001) - The 305 sprints will headline the racing card at Fremont Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 2 in what could be one of the richest purses for the division in the country.
The second annual Baumann Auto Group 305 Sprint Invitational will pay at least $2,300 to the winner, which includes a $200 bonus in memory of long-time Fremont Speedway and racing supporter Don Eckhardt. The winner could also pocket another $200 under the Don Eckhardt Memorial hard-charger award. The $200 bonus will be given to the driver who passes the most cars during the feature event. So, it's possible the winner of the A-Main could take home $2,500!
All of the money is not in the top spot though. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Baumann Auto Group of Fremont and Oak Harbor, the rest of the payoff for the 30-lap A-Main is: 2. $1,000; 3. $700; 4 $500; 5. $400; 6. $350; 7. $300; 8. $275; 9. $250; 10. $240; 11. $230; 12. $220; 13. $210; 14. $200; 15. $190; 16. $180; 17. $175; 18. $170; 19. $165; 20. $160.
"This is our way to say thanks to the owners, drivers and crews of the 305 sprint division that have thrilled our fans all year," said Fremont Speedway Promoter Jim Ford. "Every week they put on a heck of a show...you don't know who's going to win."
"These guys in the 305 sprint division work just as hard and put just about as much of their hard-earned money into their race cars as any other division. They deserve this show," added Ford. "And the Baumann Auto Group...what can you say, they have really supported Fremont Speedway. I know all those drivers appreciate what Buck Baumann and his group are doing for them."
R.J. Willey, who helped organize the 305 sprint invite on behalf of the Baumann Auto Group, said it's the car dealer's way of saying thanks to all the race fans who support the business.
"We have so many race fans come in and purchase vehicles and they tell us it's because we support racing. Race fans are some of the most loyal customers we have," Willey said.
Not only is the purse outstanding for the A-Main, but thanks to Progress Plastic Products of Bellevue, Ohio, more is being added to the B-Main. Also, Chaney Roofing of Fremont will be sponsoring an out-of-state dash for all those who come to compete from out of Ohio. Pro Shocks is also donating a $300 gift certificate to the second place finisher; a $200 gift certificate for the third place finisher; and a $100 gift certificate to the fourth place finisher in the A-Main. The Last Lap radio show on WFRO FM 99.1/AM900 is also putting up $100 for the fast qualifier award. Beck Oil of Fremont is donating 10 cases of performance oil to be given away, and AC Delco is donating 10 cases of oil filters to be given away.
Fremont Speedway is allowing aluminum heads and wheels and power steering for this race only. The invitational is open to only those drivers who have competed in the 305 sprint division this year (no 410 drivers will be allowed to drive 305 sprint cars).
At last year's first ever Baumann Auto Group 305 Sprint Invitational, Bobby Foster took home the $2,000 prize. There were over 40 cars in competition.
Defending Fremont Speedway 305 sprint track champion Bryan Scott is considered the car to beat. Scott has seven feature wins at "The Track That Action Built" in 2001, and leads the state with 14 overall wins during the season. Foster, who currently holds a slight advantage in the Fremont Speedway point standings over Scott, has collected four feature wins at the track this season. Other cars to watch include Scott Kraylek, who has two feature wins at Fremont, and several at other Ohio tracks; Brandon Martin and Brock Mayes, who have recorded feature wins at Fremont in 2001; and Dustin Keegan who sits third in the track's point standings.
The Fremont Speedway Dirt Trucks will also be on the racing card.
Gates will open Sunday, Sept. 2, at 4:30 p.m. with qualifying at 6:30 p.m. and racing set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Fremont Speedway is located four miles south of Ohio Turnpike Exit 91 (6) in the Sandusky County Fairgrounds.
For more information call Jim Ford at 419-862-2206 or the track phone at 419-333-0478 or e-mail, ford.j@worldnet.att.net or log onto the Fremont Speedway website at www.fremontohspeedway.com.
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