Ohio Sprint Speedweek
July 3, 2003
All Photos By Stephen J. Hartzell
Fremont Speedway Shatters Attendance Record
This crowd is part of the largest ever in the 52 year history of Fremont Speedway. The old record was broken before the end of 305 hotlaps. The fans were asked to squeeze together to make room for more fans. Needless to say, the All Stars & Jim Ford were delighted!
Paul Dewald Jr. proposed to Jenny not long before this picture was taken, and she accepted. Paulie's dad was killed here on June 1, 1974, and Fremont has always been special to him.
Dustin Dinan took over as driver of the Diet Pepsi 6 car after Bryan Scott resigned. On this night they ran with the All Stars with a 360 engine. Scott will now look towards putting a better situation together for next season.
All Star Competition Director Jack Hewitt speaks at the drivers meeting as Rex LeJune stands nearby, and Dale Blaney, D. C. Bash & Alvin Roepke listen in. Hewitt's "no mercy" approach to rule enforcement has made a noticable and very positive difference. Hewitt has also begun the tradition of ending each drivers meeting by leading the group in prayer. He also made a point of telling the group how proud he is of being a part of the All Stars, and of such a great group of guys, while giving credit for the popularity of the All Stars to the drivers.
All Star champion Chad Kemenah has a discussion with Jack Hewitt before hotlaps.
Dean Jacobs is interviewed by track announcer Brian Liskai after winning the dash. Never a proponent of dry slick tracks, Dean was outspoken about his feelings on this night, as expected. In typical fashion, Dean was also heard to say at Wayne County a few days earlier, "I got into sprint car racing because I like to go fast, not because I like to drive around the track like a GIRL!" The outspoken Jacobs has been one of the most popular drivers on the circuit for a good many years.
305 veteran Mark Lang and the "Pink Panther" were pitted near "The Jet".
George Prosser made the trip in the 5T for the 5th leg of Ohio Speedweek.
The All Stars now require that MSD boxes must be located inside the engine compartment, and all tachometers must be removed before the feature. After removing his tach, Bobby Distel replaced it with this sign.
Bill Rose was one of several drivers who brought 2 cars into Ohio Speedweek.
Kyle Sauder debuted as driver of the Miller Rigging entry on this night, and he set the quick time in qualifying. At this time, his is a trial run for the Millers.
Greg Wilson poses after winning the B-Main in his Bob Hampshire entry.
A happy Brian Smith poses in victory lane after winning the 305 feature. Smith was driving the same car that he flipped badly several weeks ago.
The irrepressible Brian Smith scaled the catch fence in front of the grandstand in celebration
Jeff "The Jet" Shepard catches his breath as Brian Liskai begins his interview after Shep's 3rd place finish.
Dale Blaney is interviewed after his 2nd place finish. Blaney had won the previous 2 events.
The "Cajun Sensation" Jason Johnson broke his dry spell in a big way. Johnson took the lead on lap 8 and led the final 32 circuits to take the win.