Team Freedom Racing Delivers
1-2-3 punch at the Indy Nationals
September 20-21
The owners of Freedom Harley-Davidson,
INC. and Team Freedom Racing, Dave and Jo Smith, are very
proud to announce the outstanding performance of their team’s
showing recently at the Indy Nationals. With only two races
to go in the national point chase for AHDRA, Team Freedom
Racing, of North Canton, Ohio, had their best showing this
season taking a first, second and two semi final finishes.
These finishes currently place all of the racers in top ten
status of their respective classes. Throughout the 2003 race
season Team Freedom Racing has really kicked up their racing
programs. Leading the way and heading up Team Freedom Racing
is the former 2000 Super Gas Champion Paul Smith. The 39-year-old
made the move last year up to the Pro-Modified class where
he is currently ranked fifth in the Nation. Other Team Freedom
Racing Members include Dave Ostrowske with a firm grip in
the Super Sport race program. Jeff Friess in the Super Gas
program and Jeff Eboch bringing up the Pro-Drag program. Rounding
out the team is Mike Harrison who is the newest addition.
He is focusing his efforts in the Super Eliminator program.
PRO MODIFIED
Paul Smith was ecstatic with a career best pass in both his
60 foot time and overall ET. During Friday night’s test
and tune session conditions were favorable for Smith when
he cranked out a blazing 1.194 sixty-foot which in turn led
to an 8.424 ET in the quarter mile! And this was all done
on a small tire in a class of predominantly big tires. "This
is probably the fastest ET ever established on a small tire
Pro Mod Harley," Smith replied. Smith then headed into
eliminations against Eddie Lee where both competitors cut
fantastic lights. But at the end it was Smith with the win
with an 8.515 pass over Lee’s 8.557. In the final round
Smith was pitted against the East’s number one man,
Junior Pippin of Conyers, Georgia. As the lights fell Smith’s
bike encountered a two-step electrical malfunction which led
to a runner-up victory. He is currently sitting in fifth place
nationally and second in the Eastern Division.
SUPER SPORT (10.30 INDEX)
Dave Ostrowske is really bringing the SS race program to a
new level. Dave rounded out Team Freedom’s 1-2-3 combination
as he headed toward the finals with a win over Tony Chicchirichi.
Both racers cut identical lights, a .048 for Ostrowske and
a .045 for Chiccrichi. It was off to the semifinals for Dave
racing against Wanda Poff. Dave cut a .027 to Wanda’s
.054 light, but at the end Dave missed the mark by a mere
0.121 seconds. "It was a really great weekend for Team
Freedom. I want to congratulate Mike on his second win and
Paul for his best pass on this bike. I'm really looking forward
to the Rock where maybe I can get into the winners circle
too," says Ostrowske. Dave contributes greatly to Team
Freedom Racing and is usually helping Smith with his bike
or giving pointers to the rookie Harrison. When he’s
not wrenching in Freedom’s pit he can be usually found
in other’s pits helping them out. Dave is currently
seventh in the nation and third in the Eastern Division.
SUPER ELIMINATOR (10.90
index) 
Team Freedom is also very proud of their rookie racer Mike
Harrison who celebrated yet another phenomenal win for the
team. Harrison, SE61, in his sixth race ever, captured his
second national win over Wayne Pugh. "It was a very exciting
race and when my win light came on I couldn’t believe
it. What a great feeling to have won two races in a row,"
Harrison said. "Pugh is an excellent racer and was really
on his game. I met him in an early round in Topeka and was
fortunate enough to take the win. I’m glad we met in
the finals this time!" Harrison is racing a 2003 Anniversary
Edition Sportster which he assisted in building with his fellow
team mate and crew chief Dave Ostrowske. "I have Dave
to thank for two things, first, his faith and dedication Team
Freedom and racing, and second, for this big fat hole in my
wallet. Dave is my best friend and I could not race without
him! He works tirelessly to the wee hours of the night on
everyone’s bike; and then he works on his own. Thanks
Dave!" The rookie program is out greatly for Team Freedom
Racing. Harrison has given 100% to the program and has proven
to be a quick study. He is currently ranked second in the
Eastern Division and sixth in the nation.
PRO DRAGSTER
Another Team Freedom Racing veteran is Jeff Eboch. Eboch pilots
the Pro Drag bike owned and built by Jerry Rozeski. Eboch
qualified fourth with a 8.369 second pass. Eboch was able
to make it the semifinals but not after an engine malfunction
in final qualifying. But, after heroic efforts by him and
his crew they were able get the bike back together in record
time to continue into the quarterfinals. Eboch is ranked second
in the Eastern Division and teetering on the top ten line
nationally.
WINNING COMBINATION
MOTORSPORTS
A special thanks to Ben Hatcher for providing trackside engine,
clutch, and chassis tuning. Hatcher is a NHRA pro-stock bike
team owner with more than 30 years of racing experience. He
is assigned the duty of team crew chief. "I’m extremely
proud of this team and it’s drivers. They have been
one of the best groups I have ever worked with. It is a real
pleasure to see their individual programs improve throughout
this season," said Hatcher of Winning Combination Motorsports.
FAMILY AND FANS
No team or racer would be complete without the ongoing support
of family, fans and others that make racing possible. Without
these people we would have no one to help us celebrate our
victories. The fans have traveled across the nation to support
us with great turnouts in Norwalk, Bristol and Indy. A very
special THANKS to our wives Annie Smith, Lori Ostrowske, Kim
Eboch, Brenda Friess and Deena Rozeski; Ben Hatcher of Winning
Combination Motorsports.
SPONSORS
AND SUPPORTERS
The hard working people at Freedom Harley-Davidson, Uniontown
Tire and Summit Trailer Sales; Peak Management; Stark County
H.O.G.; Dave Scaggs from D&G Chassis; Bill Hannong of
Hannon Racing; Dan Baisley from Baisley Hi-Performance; The
whole gang at the Greater Akron Motorcycle Club; Tom Colella
of Colella's Refrigeration; Canton Cylce Specialties; Glory
Day Lounge; John Shreve and Mike Schultz and Karen's Bar.
Other contingency sponsers include Mickey Thompson, VP Racing
Fuels, Vanson leathers, Vance and Hines, Red Line Oil, Performance
Metal Fab Racing, Red Shift Cams, Zippers Performance and
many more.
PHOTO CREDITS: Jerry Cummings of Eagle Star Photography
