Toledo Speedway

(Toledo, OH—September 1, 2015):  Several additional early entries have arrived for the 27th Running of the Great Lakes Helicopter Glass City 200, set for Saturday, September 19 at Toledo Speedway.  A rain date of Sunday, September 20 has been established.

2013 Glass City winner Dennis Strickland, Toledo resident Nick Bailey, Michigan speedster Steve Needles and Buckeye state native Josh Way now join Mt. Morris, MI driver Johnny Belott as the initial entries for the season-ending classic at the fast ½ mile paved oval.

Presenting sponsors for the race include the Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express, both located just a ¼ mile from the track.  New to the sponsorship list is Central Transport, which will enter into its first venture at the Glass City oval.

Carleton, MI resident Strickland thrilled the crowd with his big victory in the 200 lap grind in the 2013 edition of the event.  Dennis will drive a team car to Nick Bailey, with sponsorship from PB Fabrication of Toledo for both cars. 

The Port City Racecars #61 machine will be piloted by Steve Needles of St. Joseph, MI.  Needles will be looking for that elusive Glass City 200 win, as a victory for Steve went away with just 4 laps to go in 2012 as engine trouble ended his night.

Josh Way of Leroy, OH has made just a handful of appearances at Toledo in his career.  The #25 Way’s Custom Welding/Annabelle’s Diner/FLF Racecars machine has filed his entry and is one of several Ohio-based entries expected for the 200.

Associate sponsors and special award sponsors that have signed on include Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, DTS Drive Train Specialists, PASSTIME, R & M Recycling, Penske Shocks, First Care Ambulance, Cassens Transport and Chuck Burge

The 200 lap classic for the outlaw-bodied Late Models is the longest race of the year and the track’s signature event.  The race will award $6500 to the winner, with $1100 posted to start the race.  JR Roahrig of Plymouth, IN is the defending race winner.  A 20 minute break will take place at lap 101.

Race fans will have the opportunity to save $5 on advance ticket purchases by calling the track at 419-727-1100.  The advance sale will end at 5 p.m. Friday, September 18.  Both reserved and general admission tickets are being sold in this advance sale.  The ticket order form may also be downloaded from the track’s web page.  The order form may be emailed, but there are no online sales for this race.

Lap money is now being taken for the 200 lap event at $10 per lap.  The sponsor’s name will be listed in the souvenir program insert sheet and will also include several public address mentions.  Support the Glass City 200 by becoming a lap sponsor!  Call the track office to add your name to the list today! 

Friday, September 18 the pit gates will open at 2 p.m.  An optional practice session will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Rig parking, pit pass sales, limited tech and tire sales will take place on Friday.  All pit pass purchasers on Friday will receive a complimentary dinner after practice, courtesy of La Chalupa/El Camino restaurants of Toledo.

A last-chance race and B Main are also on the schedule for September 19, should enough cars be entered for the 200.  For the first time in many years, the 200 will be a stand-alone event.  The time schedule for race day has the pit gates opening at 9 a.m., practice begins at 11 a.m. and the run for the PASSTIME $500 pole award goes at 2.  An on-track autograph session is planned for 3:45 p.m., with pre-race festivities to begin at 4:30. Race time is 5 p.m.