Toledo Speedway

Toledo, Ohio. Quik Quiz, Vol 1, No.1 1] What was Leo Caldwell's nickname? 2] This accomplished racer won the last dirt race at Auto City? 3] List the car numbers associated with the 3 "Bingo" supermodifieds? 4] This driver drove the Rainbow 28 late model?

Having been a columnist since 1975, we have missed the writing for much of this last season, but We're Back!!!! The column is going to be the same it always was, not just about ARCA, Flat Rock or Toledo, but about all racing activity in the midwest.

If its interesting news worthy, or just plain funny we'll write. In fact we have already started developing a network of spies to keep us informed on whats happening in the racing world.  Being a part of the Michigan Motor Sports hall of Fame induction ceremony the past November was truly an honor and the history and info in the room was unreal. For starters, how about sitting at a table with Tom Maier and Tim Felver!  Tim is involved in the concrete business and the past few seasons his summers have been spent in Louisiana and his racing has been limited. It was good to hear he is going to be back racing in 2010 and will be driving for Micky Maier, Toms son, with Tom as crew chief  in an outlaw late model being built by Chas Howe. The car is to be painted up in the "Going" colors that Tom used to race as a teammate to Ed Howe's "Gone" car.

Had a long talk with 2009 inductee Tim Steele who has been working with his daughter Kelsey, driving in the Young guns division at Berlin Raceway. Tim also related he would be doing some racing, as a car owner with Tom Thomas. On the outlaw late model end, tis said Dakota Carlson will be driving the Zent/Hudson No.5 now that John Doering has retired, as he stated at this past seasons Glass City 200.

Lots of changes coming at Spartan Speedway with new grandstands, and a new tower. They are also trying to get a wingless Sprint car series going at the track.  Once again this season many of the promoters are working together on an Outlaw late model schedule that will have few date conflicts, to keep the division going and give competitors plenty of races during the season. It worked out well last season.

ASA and The ARCA gold cup series late models will race on the same day at Toledo, April 17th. A first for both with Ron Varney promoting the event.

Flat Rock will open its season on April 24th with the Late Models, Figure 8's and street stocks. No rule changes for the late models and figure 8's and minor upgrade for the street stocks. At the Flat Rock banquet, we were surprised to find out that Pat Moran said he was going to retire and spend more time on the boat. Really Pat?  He has been a long time supporter of the track. Street Stock Driver Jimmy Alvis is moving into the late model division, with Chris Diavardi buying his No.64 street stock. More on new stuff in the coming months.                             

Did ya ever wonder where certain racing terminology came from?  Well, maybe this story will help clear up some and seems appropriate for this time of the year.  Many of today's racing slang came from Reindeer races in Lapland.  This little country of snow and ice had what they called "The Great Lapland Race". People would travel from far and wide to watch 10 competitors compete in this reindeer race. The people in the village where the race was held had built a beautiful track through the woods. The villagers or "Laps" as they were called were a resourceful bunch and built stands in the tree's for better viewing. Visitors to race would marvel at these stands which many thought were just grand. In fact a conversation was overheard one day when a visitor asked,"Can I sit in those stands," The owner of the tree replied " Yes for a Lapland Dollar you can sit in those "Grand Stands." The ten racers, all Laps, never fed the reindeer before the big event realizing from past experience that fighting a loose condition on the track made for a very long and unpleasant day. The town crier would climb up into a tower in the village to call the race and was very well respected and when spoken to they addressed him as Mr Mike RaFone. He had a helper by the name of Anthony Joseph Spotter but everyone just called him "Spotter" For short. Sven Green would get the race underway because everyone over the years agreed there was no better way to start a race than with Green. The 10 competitors were ready and off they went,  and thrilled the crowd with side by sleigh action, the first racer would come to the start finish line and Mr. Mike Rafone the big Baratone voice would yell to the crowd below, " One Lap In", at which point the blacksmith from the town would score the wood pole he had built to keep track of the race with a hot Iron.  " Two laps In", and this was repeated thru the race until poor Olaf White came along. He was the ninth of ten laps and had been fighting a misguided reindeer all the way while dashing through the snow. He even gave the reins two turns to tighten them up but it didn't work and poor Olaf took a tumble before crossing the line at which point. Mr. Mike RaFone  screamed, "White is out. White is out, only one lap to go." With the final lap, the cooks of the great feast would wave their checkered table cloths to indicate the race was over and the feast was on. This pleased Mr. Mike RaFone who muttered to Spotter after a cold day "Thank God the checkereds finally waved. The reward for a hard day of racing for the competitors was they got to stand the closest to the big bonfire and warm themselves with the heat of the fire.  As the festivities were winding down, two of the village elders were talking and one was overheard to say, "You know I believe the was the best Ten Lap heat race I have ever seen".

Stay off the wall, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

See Ya!