FREMONT, Ohio — Late in the 2022 season Cap Henry lost his sprint car ride. The Republic, Ohio driver didn’t know what the future might hold, but a conversation with Jeff Ward, who put together a team a couple years ago, gave him new life in racing.
The new pairing paid off Saturday, as Henry opened Fremont Speedway’s 72nd year on Johnny Auxter Opening Night presented by Iron Workers Local 55, Gressman Powersports and Level Performance with the 410 sprint feature win.
Henry, who started seventh on the feature grid, took the lead from Travis Philo with just four laps to go in the non-stop 30-lap A-main, and drove to his 13th career win at The Track That Action Built.
“This definitely means a lot. Last year things were really uncertain and Jeff Ward took the time and gave me another opportunity,” Henry said. “I’m so grateful to have Zack (Myers, crew chief) on board. Just from the get-go this thing has been really really good. It’s just made racing a lot of fun again.
“I know every time I get in the car we’re going to be competitive and we’re just working towards the same goal. So many people came on board to make this happen. Elliott’s Custom Trailers and Carts, the Tony Elliott Foundation, Jeff Ward demolition, Premier Planning Services, Primal Tees….it means a lot.”
T.J. Michael jumped into the early lead of the Fort Ball Pizza Palace 410 Sprint feature with Byron Reed, Travis Philo, Chris Andrews and Creed Kemenah in tow. Ten laps in and Philo, who had taken second on lap six, drove into the lead and used lapped traffic to build a two second lead at the half way point over Andrews, Michael and Henry.
Henry used lapped traffic to drive from fourth to second a lap later. Philo maintained a nearly two second lead but traffic allowed Henry to close with seven laps to go. With four laps to go, Henry drove under Philo in turn two to take the lead and drove away to the win over Philo, Michael, Andrews and Zeth Sabo.
305 Sprint Car Division
Jamie Miller started the racing season off in spectacular style, sweeping the weekend in the 305 sprint division. Miller, who won Friday at Attica Raceway park, held off several challenges from Mike Keegan and a late race restart to score his 39th career win at Fremont, putting him 12th on the track’s all-time win list.
“If you don’t have an RCF Chassis…you might want to order one,” said Miller of his new car. “This thing was locked down.”
While the final results will show Miller lead all 25 laps in the Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprint A-main, a hand full of cautions kept the field close and Mike Keegan hounded the leader the entire way. A restart with just four laps to go wasn’t enough as Miller drove away for the win over Keegan, John Ivy, Paul Weaver and Seth Schneider.
Trophy Dirt Truck
The Burmeister Trophy Dirt Truck feature saw Jimmy Holcomb, Dave Gumby Jr. and Dustin Keegan racing three wide to the checkers with Holcomb earning his first ever Fremont win by .025 seconds.
“It was good and hot and I thought well if I cook it we’re going to give it a hell of a ride,” said Holcomb. “I shouldn’t have made it that close…I over drove it. We had one won opening night when we first built this truck three or four years ago and it haunted us ever since. I want to thank Steve Sabo the owner, Joe Bradford does a lot of the work.
“Obviously my wife….she actually came here to night…she hasn’t been here for awhile. I wish my two boys were here…they’re in the military so they’re gone from home.”
Holcomb and Gumby battled side by side with Dustin Keegan joining in the final three circuits. Holcomb edged Gumby and Keegan for the win with Brad Mitten and McCaughey rounding out the top five.
410 Sprint Car Feature Finish (30 Laps)
1. 33w-Cap Henry[7] ; 2. 5T-Travis Philo[6] ; 3. 8M-TJ Michael[2] ; 4. 15C-Chris Andrews[4] ; 5. 23-Zeth Sabo[3] ; 6. 5-Byron Reed[1] ; 7. 15k-Creed Kemenah[8] ; 8. 45-Tim Shaffer[10] ; 9. 25R-Jordan Ryan[9] ; 10. 35-Stuart Brubaker[5] ; 11. 1-Nate Dussel[18] ; 12. 7N-Darin Naida[14] ; 13. 68G-Tyler Gunn[19] ; 14. 11N-Harli White[12] ; 15. 32-Bryce Lucius[16] ; 16. 2+-Brian Smith[11] ; 17. 11J-David Kalb Jr.[20] ; 18. 41-Thomas Schinderle[13] ; 19. 4*-Tyler Street[15] ; 20. 3V-Chris Verda[17]