FREMONT, Ohio — Fremont Speedway has officially been sold to the Sandusky County Agricultural Society, track officials announced Tuesday morning.
The deal will take effect on Nov. 1, with the Sandusky fair board assuming full ownership of the third-mile dirt oval while current owner Rich Farmer and his wife Shelly continue on as the promoters and management staff at the famed facility.
“The Sandusky County Agricultural Society was presented with the opportunity by Rich Farmer, current owner of Fremont Motorsports Park LLC, to purchase his interest in the speedway,” Sandusky County Agricultural Society officials said in a statement. “This transaction, along with the capital campaign currently being conducted, are steps undertaken to ensure a successful future and longevity of the Sandusky County Fairgrounds and Fremont Speedway.”
Winged 410ci sprint cars are the current premier division at the track, of which Byron Reed was crowned track champion by six points over Brian Lay and Stuart Brubaker this season.
Nate Dussel (305 sprints), Dustin Keegan (dirt trucks) and John Brooks (602 late models) won titles in their respective Fremont weekly divisions this year as well.
Farmer explained Tuesday that the new arrangement will “allow for the success of past years to continue uninterrupted” and will help to ensure the long-term future of Fremont Speedway as a continued venue for short track racing.
“Jim Ford and his family, and then our team, have worked very hard over the past 17 years to build the speedway back to its glory and this agreement ensures that work will continue,” Farmer said. “The fair board and race track management look forward to many more exciting future racing seasons for fans, racers and employees.”
Fremont Speedway began weekly racing in 1951, but has a documented history of select events going all the way back to the 1920s.
Farmer took over ownership of the speedway from Ford in 2007 and concludes a decade-long tenure of ownership at the track, but said he is looking forward to continuing to work with the fair board to further strengthen Fremont Speedway.
“We have always said the relationship between the fair board and track management has been great,” Farmer said. “This is just another step in working together to make needed improvements to the fairgrounds and to keep the great racing moving forward.”
The transaction does not include the Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame, which Farmer retains control over.
Fremont Speedway will begin its 68th season of racing next April.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
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