Elmore’s Alvin Roepke tames Fremont’s 305 sprints

Cap Henry has been the hottest sprint car driver in Ohio this season but for some reason has struggled at Fremont Speedway. He put an end to that issue Saturday, Aug. 15 on American Powersports Night, leading all 30 laps of the Ti22 Performance FAST on Dirt feature for his first win of the season at “The Track That Action Built” aboard his Lane Racing machine.
Over all it was Henry’s eighth 410 sprint car win of the season – five at Attica Raceway Park and a pair at Wayne County Speedway to go with his Fremont victory. It was Henry’s 11th career win at Fremont.
“It started last week. Zack Meyers did his homework all week long and bounced ideas off his dad. He had this thing pretty good. I kind of messed things up in qualifying for us but he gave me a real good car the rest of the night. The limited amount of races we’ve gotten to run and to win this many times is super special and shows you how much Zack and Brett and Jim put into this. It’s a family team and it’s fun to have this much success,” said Henry beside his Dragons Milk White, New Holland Spirits, Beer Barrel Bourbon, FK Rod Ends, Wings Unlimited, Kistler Engines, J&J Auto Racing, Linder’s Speed Equipment, Simpson, Ballistic Designs, Big D’s Pizza, Lead Head Water Fowl, Geck Electric, Nemesis Designs backed No. 4.
Elmore’s Alvin Roepke and Fremont’s Paul Weaver put on a show in the 25 lap Fremont Federal Credit Union 305 Sprint feature, Roepke took the lead from Jimmy McGrath on lap two, surrendered the top spot to Weaver on lap 22 but drove under him to regain the lead a lap later and went on to his second feature win of the season.
“I couldn’t do this without my brother Danny and all the help he and Ken provide. I probably gave one away last week when I hit that tractor tire but this makes up for it,” said Roepke beside his  Napa Auto Parts, Crown Battery, Woodville Mutual, Computer Man, Darmofal Racing sponsored No. 99.
The only two drivers to win Burmeister Trophy Dirt Truck features at Fremont Speedway in 2020 battled it out again in the 20 lap feature Saturday and when the dust settled, Toledo, Ohio’s Cory McCaughey held off rival Shawn Valenti for his fourth win of the season.
“What a birthday present! I can’t thank all my guys enough for all the hard work they put in this deal,” said     McCaughey beside his KC Engineering, Ron Miller Race cars, DAS Motors backed No. 911.
Henry and DJ Foos brought the field to green for the Fort Ball Pizza Palace 410 Sprint A-main with Henry taking the advantage over Foos, Trey Jacobs, Nate Dussel and Greg Wilson. After an opening lap caution – the only one in the 30-lap affair - Henry and Foos pulled away from the field as Jacobs and Wilson battled hard for third with Dussel, Stuart Brubaker, Mitch Harble, Tyler Gunn and John Ivy in pursuit.
The leaders encountered heavy lapped traffic by lap 10 and Foos closed slightly on Henry with Jacobs continuing to hold off the advances of Wilson for third while Dussel and Ivy battled for fifth.
With 10 laps to go Henry had made some bold moves in lapped traffic and was able to put several between himself and Foos while Wilson was finally able to wrestle the third spot from Jacobs.
Henry drove the rest of the way unchallenged for the victory with Foos, Wilson, Ivy and Jacobs rounding out the top five.
McGrath and Roepke brought the field to green for the 25 lap 305 A-main with McGrath gaining the slight advantage over Roepke, Rich Farmer, Jamie Miller, Paul Weaver and Shawn Valenti. Roepke drove under McGrath on the second circuit to take the lead.
Following a caution on lap four, Roepke led McGrath, Farmer, Miller, Valenti and Weaver. Weaver took fourth on lap five and battled with Farmer several laps before moving into third on lap nine.
Roepke built a 2.2 second lead with 10 laps scored while McGrath and Weaver battled for second with Farmer and Miller giving chase. Farmer’s great run came to an end on lap 13 when he flipped, with Larry Kingseed Jr. also getting upside down. Both were uninjured. On the restart Roepke now had company in the form of Weaver who continually raced to his outside.
The battle for third also heated up involving McGrath, Valenti and Miller while 12th starter Seth Schneider moved into challenge. Weaver finally got around Roepke to complete lap 22 but Roepke dove under him in turn two to regain the top spot with three laps to go.
Roepke worked through traffic and drove to the win over Weaver, Valenti, Schneider and Miller.
The front row of Jim Holcomb and McCaughey battled side by side for the lead at the start of the dirt truck feature with Holcomb leading the first two laps. McCaughey drove around Holcomb for the top spot on lap three with Valenti moving into third with Kent Brewer and Kyle Lagrou giving chase.
A lap four caution kept the field close with Valenti moving into second and driving under McCaughey lap after lap. A final caution fell on lap 15 and McCaughey got an excellen restart and steadily pulled away the last 10 laps for the win with Valenti, Holcomb, Jamie Miller and Keith Sorg rounding out the top five.
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