 GREEN
SPRINGS, OH (10-17-09) by Bryan Autullo - FAST Public Relations
The Kistler Racing Products Fremont/Attica Sprint Title (F.A.S.T.)
Championship Series capped off an exciting and successful inaugural
season by handing out $50,000 in cash and prizes to the Top 20 teams of
the 2009 season. The series, a combined points effort between Attica
Raceway Park and Fremont Speedway, is money and prizes paid in addition
to both track's point funds. After 17 races were contested on the 22
race schedule (5 rain outs), Craig Mintz was crowned the Champion and
claimed the Kistler Cup trophy by just 51 points over 2nd place Byron
Reed. Mintz, Reed, and the rest of the Top 10 drivers shared $28,000 in
cash awards and more than $16,000 in contingency awards. The FAST
Series wanted to spread the wealth to the rest of the Top 20 and another
$3,800 in contigency awards were distributed to those teams. The FAST
Series also handed out $500 in contingency prizes weekly throughout the
2009 season at each of the 17 races for a total of $8500. Another $500
was paid out to the highest finishing FAST competitor in Ohio Speedweek
points putting the grand total in prizes awarded in 2009 at $59,000.
That, in addition to the track's individual point funds, gives Northern
Ohio one of the wealthiest weekly 410 sprint car point funds in the
United States.
"I am extremely pleased with the way our first season went," said series
co-founder Bryan Autullo. "We met our initial goals. We did everything
we set out to do. The cash and prizes were collected and paid out as
advertisied. I hope this shows we have a viable product here in
Northern Ohio." Co-founders Autullo and Scott Porter met some initial
skepticism when this idea was first presented to the local racing
community last year, but when the packages and prizes were handed out at
the banquet, all that skepticism had long been forgotten. "It was great
to see the looks on the driver's faces when the dollar value of each
package was announced," said Porter. "I don't think anyone was
expecting to get as much as they did. We want to thank all of the
sponsors who contributed to making this all possible."
 One
thing that should be noted about this year end celebration was that it
wasn't your typical awards banquet. Acoustic guitarist/vocalist Mel
Burns kept the crowd entertained before and after the award
presentations. Tim's Dirt Track Racing Simulators allowed fans and
drivers to challenge each other to virtual races around Attica, Fremont,
Eldora, and Knoxville. After the awards presentation, a poker
tournament was held as the crowd mingled and enjoyed the music and a
little bench racing as they shared stories of the 2009 season. "One
thing we wanted to be sure to do," said Autullo, "was to make this a fun
event for everyone. No suits and ties required. I wanted this to be a
fun, casual event with a party atmosphere. This was a celebration!" It
appeared that everyone in attendance had a good time and many stayed
after the awards ceremony to enjoy the cash bar and a bit of
socializing. "One other thing we wanted to do," added Porter, "was keep
the cost down on this event so that the point fund money would go to the
race teams."
The drivers all thanked the FAST Series staff and sponsors and noted how
they appreciate the efforts made in the first season. Brian Liskai,
track announcer at both speedways, hosted the event and had a good time
with the driver interviews, making for some off the wall comments and a
lot of good laughs. The awards portion of the program took only an
hour, allowing time for fans to socialize, have fun, and celebrate their
successful season with fans, sponsors, family, and friends.
Looking ahead to next season, Autullo stated, "We've already added a few
new sponsors for 2010 and we're looking to add the 305 Sprints to the
mix next year with their own point fund." Planning for the 2010 season
started soon after the last race of 2009 was contested. With a
successful first year in the books, plans for bigger and better things
are now on the drawing board and announcements will be made throughout
the winter. Additionally, plans for a FASTfest II are in the works for
December and the 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff will melt away the winter
blues again early in 2010. Stay tuned to www.fastondirt.com for
information during the off season.
2009 Kistler Racing
Products FAST Series Awards:
1st - Craig Mintz - $12,300 in cash/prizes, the Kistler Cup
Trophy, and the Zemco Headers Hard Charger of the Year (1 set of Zemco
Headers)
Contingency awards from: Kinser Filters, VRP Shocks, Keizer Wheels,
Astro Titanium, Triple X Race Co, Wings Unlimited, Zemco Headers, Rod
End Supply, Randy's Racing Filters, Callies Performance Products, Rocket
Headers, Racing Junk, Hideaway Inn, PRO Shocks, Race Coveralls, and
Competition Suspension Inc.
2nd - Byron Reed - $7800 in cash/prizes
Contingency awards from: Kinser Filters, VRP Shocks, Keizer Wheels,
Astro Titanium, Triple X Race Co, Wings Unlimited, Zemco Headers, Rod
End Supply, Randy's Racing Filters, Rocket Headers, Racing Junk,
Hideaway Inn, PRO Shocks, Race Coveralls, and Competition Suspension
Inc.
3rd - Mark Keegan - $4925 in cash/prizes
Contingency awards from: Kinser Filters, VRP Shocks, Keizer Wheels,
Astro Titanium, Triple X Race Co, Wings Unlimited, Zemco Headers, Rod
End Supply, Randy's Racing Filters, Rocket Headers, Racing Junk,
Hideaway Inn, PRO Shocks, Race Coveralls, and Competition Suspension
Inc.
4th - Chris Andrews - $4250 in cash/prizes and the GME Cool Move
of the Year (free steering gear rebuild from GME Steering)
Contingency awards from: Kinser Filters, VRP Shocks, Keizer Wheels,
Triple X Race Co, Wings Unlimited, Zemco Headers, Rod End Supply,
Randy's Racing Filters, Rocket Headers, Racing Junk, Hideaway Inn,
Competition Suspension Inc., Race Coveralls, SuperShox, and Saldana
Racing Products
5th - Brock Mayes - $2,955 in cash/prizes
Contingency awards from: Kinser Filters, VRP Shocks, Keizer Wheels,
Triple X Race Co, Wings Unlimited, Zemco Headers, Rod End Supply,
Randy's Racing Filters, Rocket Headers, Racing Junk, Hideaway Inn,
Competition Suspension Inc., Race Coveralls, SuperShox, ButlerBuilt,
Callies Performance Products, and Saldana Racing Products
6th - Mike Linder - $2,445 in cash/prizes (7th in owner points)
Contingency awards from: VRP Shocks, TQ Fiberglass, ButlerBuilt, VMAC,
Outerwears, Keizer Wheels, Triple X Race Co, Zemco Headers, Rod End
Supply, Randy's Racing Filters, Rocket Headers, Racing Junk, Race
Coveralls, SuperShox
7th - Caleb Griffith - $2,295 in cash/prizes (8th in owner
points)
Contingency awards from: VRP Shocks, TQ Fiberglass, ButlerBuilt, VMAC,
Outerwears, Keizer Wheels, Triple X Race Co, Zemco Headers, Rod End
Supply, Randy's Racing Filters, Rocket Headers, Racing Junk, Race
Coveralls, SuperShox
8th - Cap Henry - $2,570 in cash/prizes and the
SpeedMeetsArt.com FAST Rookie of the Year (9th in owner points)
Contingency awards from: VRP Shocks, TQ Fiberglass, ButlerBuilt, VMAC,
Outerwears, Keizer Wheels, Triple X Race Co, Zemco Headers, Rod End
Supply, Randy's Racing Filters, Rocket Headers, Racing Junk, and Race
Coveralls
9th - Kevin Lee - $2,060 in
cash/prizes (10th in owner points)
Contingency awards from: VRP Shocks, TQ Fiberglass, ButlerBuilt, VMAC,
Outerwears, Keizer Wheels, Triple X Race Co, Zemco Headers, Rod End
Supply, Rocket Headers, Racing Junk, RAM Engineering, SuperShox, Saldana
Racing Products, and Race Coveralls
10th - Lee Jacobs - $2500 in cash/prizes (6th in owner points)
Contingency awards from: VRP Shocks, TQ Fiberglass, ButlerBuilt, VMAC,
Outerwears, Keizer Wheels, Triple X Race Co, Zemco Headers, Rod End
Supply, Rocket Headers, Racing Junk, RAM Engineering, SuperShox, Saldana
Racing Products, Callies Performance Products, and Race Coveralls
11th through 20th
place prize packages distributed by random drawing.
11th - Brandon Martin - $250 in contingency prizes
Contingency awards from: Keizer Wheels, Racing Junk, Race Coveralls,
Linders Speed Equipment, GME Steering, Racing Optics, and Rod End Supply
12th - Brian Smith - $815 in contingency prizes (perfect
attendance award for making all 17 events, but finishing outside the Top
10)
Contingency awards from: Kear's, VRP Shocks, Rod End Supply, Racing
Junk, Linders Speed Equipment, Racing Optics, RAM Engineering, HRP, DMI,
Kinsler Injections, and Saldana Racing Products
13th - Duane Zablocki - $790 in contingency prizes (perfect attendance
award for making all 17 events, but finishing outside the Top 10) plus
$50 from October Hills Farms for being the last place driver to make all
scheduled FAST events
Contingency awards from: Kear's, VRP Shocks, TQ Fiberglass, Race
Coveralls, Rod End Supply, Racing Junk, Linders Speed Equipment, RAM
Engineering, Kinsler Injections, and GME Steering
14th - Bryan Sebetto - $610 in contingency prizes (HRP Tough
Luck of the Year award)
Contingency awards from: TQ Fiberglass, Race Coveralls, Racing Junk,
Linders Speed Equipment, RAM Engineering, Keizer Wheels, HRP, DMI, and
Racing Optics
15th - Jody Keegan - $235 in contingency prizes
Contingency awards from: TQ Fiberglass, Race Coveralls, Racing Junk,
Linders Speed Equipment, RAM Engineering, Kinsler Injections, and GME
Steering
16th - Andy Shammo - $260 in contingency prizes
Contingency awards from: TQ Fiberglass, Race Coveralls, Racing Junk,
Linders Speed Equipment, RAM Engineering, Kinsler Injections, DMI, and
Saldana Racing Products
17th - David Harrison - $235 in contingency prizes
Contingency awards from: TQ Fiberglass, Racing Junk, Linders Speed
Equipment, RAM Engineering, Keizer Wheels, HRP, and GME Steering
18th - Phil Gressman - $260 in contingency prizes
Contingency awards from: TQ Fiberglass, Race Coveralls, Racing Junk,
Linders Speed Equipment, RAM Engineering, Kinsler Injections, HRP, and
Saldana Racing Products
19th - Cole Duncan - $235 in contingency prizes
Contingency awards from: TQ Fiberglass, Race Coveralls, Racing Junk,
Linders Speed Equipment, RAM Engineering, HRP, Racing Optics, and GME
Steering
20th - Scott Euler - $260 in contingency awards
Contingency awards from: TQ Fiberglass, Race Coveralls, Keizer Wheels,
Racing Junk, Linders Speed Equipment, RAM Engineering, DMI, and Saldana
Racing Products
Productive Tools & Equipment Crew Chief of the Year - presented
to Pat Harger from TGE Motorsports (Craig Mintz). Pat was awarded a
Milwaukee cordless drill kit and a subscription to Flat Out Magazine
$1500 in Door prizes were awarded to:
- Scott Euler - Triple X Race Co front axle
- Mark Keegan - Fuel Safe 28 Gallon Outlaw fuel tank shell
- Craig Mintz - $400 Hinchman-Indy Uniforms certificate
- Brock Mayes - $400 Hinchman-Indy Uniforms certificate
- Duane Zablocki - $100 Hank's Performance certificate
- Mike Linder - $500 Kear's Speed Shop certificate
FAST on Dirt, Inc. would like to thank the following contributors to the
2009 FAST Championship Series point fund:
Kistler Racing Products, All Star Plumbing & Heating, KS Sales &
Service, Engler Machine & Tool, Henry MotorSports Inc., Black Swamp
Media Group, MyHeroCards.com, Banshee Graphics, Kears Speed Shop,
Computer Man, Inc., SCS Gearbox, The Hideaway Inn (Bucyrus),
RockAuto.com, Hoserville Ohio, Hoseheads.com, RacingFansDirect.com,
Level Performance, R&R Auto Wrecking, Reebar Diecasting, Performance
Metals, Inc., FSR Radiator, Real Geese, Buckeye IT Services, High Vista
Video, Racers Racing for a Cure, Gressman Powersports, NAPA of Bryan,
OH, Gaerte Engines, Bobby's Truck & Auto Repair, Tiffin Brake & Wheel,
Action Photos, Golden Graphics, Goofy Golf, African Safari, and Ghostly
Manor
Also, a very special thanks to all of our contingency award
sponsors:
Rod End Supply, Hank's Performance, Hepfner Racing Products, TQ
Fiberglass, GME Nields Steering, Race Coveralls, Speed Meets Art,
SuperShox, Callies, Astro Titanium, G-Force Racing, Fuel Safe, Racing
Optics, Rocket Headers, Wings Unlimited, VRP Shocks, Kinsler Injections,
RAM Engineering Midwest, PRO Shocks, DJ Safety, C&R Racing Products,
ButlerBuilt, Permatex, Movement Arts Sponsor Disk, Zemco Headers, Kinser
Filters, Outerwears, DMI Race Components, Keizer Wheels, Linders Speed
Equipment, Saldana Racing Products, RacingJunk.com, XXX Race Components,
Randy's Racing Filters, Hinchman Indy Uniforms, VMAC/BR Motorsports,
Awesome Signs, Competition Suspension, CGS Imaging |
