Toledo Speedway

TOLEDO, OH: (9-11-09): Trenton, MI driver Paul Pelletier has filed the first entry for the 21st running of the Glass City 200 Late Model invitational presented by AP Motorsports, set for Saturday night, October 3 at Toledo Speedway. Defending race winner Harold Fair Jr. of Milan, MI and 2005 Glass City champ John Doering Jr. of Flushing, MI have also filed early entries for one of the most prestigious Super Late Model events in the Midwest.

The race will pay $5500 to the winner, with $1000 earmarked to start the 200 lap classic.  With special awards and lap money on the line, a driver could walk away with over $7500 for his efforts.  LV Alliance has posted $500 for fast time.  The race will feature a 20 minute break at the lap 101 mark.  A total cash purse of over $60,000 has been posted for the 1-day event, which will also include the ARCA Sportsman cars and the Michigan Legends Cars.

Additional early entries have been received from 3-time Toledo Late Model champ Dennis Strickland (Carleton, MI), veteran Harold Fair Sr. (Milan, MI), and Late Model rookies Corey Whitley (Monroe, MI), and brothers Jason and Donald Burkhart (New Boston, MI). 

Pelletier has been strong in the past six weeks at various tracks across Michigan and Ohio since unveiling his new machine.  Pelletier was the 2006 Flat Rock Speedway Late Model champ.  Fair Jr. will attempt to defend his Glass City 200 crown in the 50^th Anniversary season of Toledo Speedway.  Harold Jr. captured the 2007 and 2008 Toledo Gold Cup Series crowns and was runner-up this season.  Veteran car owner Dean Hudson has led the #5 car to a pair of Glass City wins.  In 1999, Tim Felver was the driver and in 2005 Doering Jr. grabbed the victory.

As part of the track's 50^th Anniversary celebration, management has invited back all former Toledo Speedway champions and the Glass City 200 winners.  They will be introduced to the crowd prior to the start of the 200 lap event.

Past winners of the event include Joy Fair (1968), Joe Ruttman (1969, 1973), Bob Senneker (1970, 1971, 1977), Danny Byrd (1972), the late John Anderson (1974), the late Jim Bickerstaff (1975) and Ed Cooper (1976).  The track was sold and the event ceased until ARCA President Ron Drager and his business partner Roy Mott purchased the track in 1999.  The event was immediately revived and regained its status that it once held.  Tim Felver (1999), Tim Ice (2000), Jr. Hanley (2001), Steve Sauve (2002, 2003, 2004), John Doering Jr. (2005), Jack Landis (2006), Brian Campbell (2007) and Harold Fair Jr. (2008) have all added their names to the record books since the return of the season-ending classic.

The 2009 edition of the Glass City 200 presented by AP Motorsports will see the race return to its 200 lap format.  The ARCA Sportsman division and the Michigan Legends Cars will also compete in the October 3 race card.  Early Sportsman entries include newly-crowned division champ Terry Jones, Ron Allen, Howard Kelley Jr., Norm Lewallen, Lou Hill, Kenny McKay Jr., Greg Harlow and Donnie Atwell.

In addition to AP Motorsports, race and award sponsors include Allegiant Air, the Hantz Group, Penske Racing Shocks, DTS-Drive Train Specialists, Sunoco/Bazell Race Fuels, Port City Racecars, LV Alliance, All Star Performance, Lane Automotive, Burge Wrecking, R & M Recycling, Kish Ambulance, Celebrations and the Speedway Bar and Grille.  A drawing will be held for fans in attendance for two (2) round trip tickets from Toledo to Florida, courtesy of Allegiant Air.

An optional Friday, October 2 practice session has been scheduled for the teams from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The pit area will open at 1 p.m. for rig parking, tire sales, tech and practice.  At 8 p.m., a pre-race party will be held in the Speedway Bar and Grille, located adjacent to the track.  Drink specials and food will be available.

Saturday, October 3 is race day!  The pits will open at 9:30 a.m., practice begins at noon, time trials are set for 3 and racing begins at a special time of 5 p.m.  A rain date of Sunday, October 4 at 1 p.m. has been established if needed.

Just 40 laps of Lap money remain for sponsorship at just $10 per lap.  To become a lap sponsor, call the track at 419-727-1100.  Reserved seat tickets are now on sale by calling the track office.  Visa and Mastercard are accepted for phone orders.