Toledo Speedway

In 1968, Toledo Speedway promoter and ARCA founder John Marcum came up with the idea of running a 200 lap Late Model invitational—the Glass City 200.  Despite a 20-year hiatus of the race from 1978-1998 (when the Toledo track was sold), the race was revived in 1999 when Marcum’s grandson, Ron Drager, purchased the track with business partner Roy Mott.

And the race still carries the prestige and notoriety that it once did back in the 1960’s and 1970’s. 

The year is 1974….an amazing record 76 cars travel to Toledo Speedway for the Glass City 200!  All the top Late Model drivers in the Midwest are here, including a surprise visit by Wisconsin legend Dick Trickle.  Another strong combination of driver and car owner rose up for this race, as John Anderson piloted the famous #33 of Stan Yee to victory…..

Anderson and car owner Yee had racked up some big wins in invitational races around the Midwest during the season, but their eye was keenly on the Glass City 200 crown.  Another top team that was strong wherever they ran was the Fred Swing #29 Camaro, with Toledo driver Harold Cook at the controls.  This duo also travelled much of the season, and at Toledo, Cook set the car on the pole with a lap of 17:55.  Dick Crup (#24) and Grand Rapids, MI driver Bill Minch took the consi races.

Cook’s day was short-lived, however, as his car lost an engine just 6 laps into the event.  2-time Glass City winner Bob Senneker took the lead for just 5 laps until Anderson motored by.  Trickle showed up just before qualifying, but still was 5^th quick in his first Toledo run.  The Wisconsin sensation spun in Cook’s oil and went to the tail of the field, and now the show was on!  From the back, Trickle (#99) thrilled the crowd with his drive to the front, only to tangle with Columbus, OH driver Lennie Waldo.  To the tail of the field again went Trickle, but living up to his billing, Dick again fought his way to the front, took the lead from Anderson on lap 85 and led 2 laps, only to suffer race-ending mechanical woes.  Anderson took back the lead and held off Senneker by less than a car length to win the first 100 lap segment.  Tony Diano, Artie Sommers and Ed Hage (#0) completed the top five.

It was all Anderson in the second segment as John led every lap to take the win over Waldo, Senneker, Danny Byrd and Randy Sweet (#17).  The over-all finish was Anderson, Senneker (#84), Sweet and Joy Fair (#1) tied for third, with Ed Hage fifth.

Both Anderson and Trickle would rise through the ranks and compete in NASCAR’s top circuit later in their careers.  Anderson lost his life in a highway traffic accident in North Carolina years ago, while Trickle passed away just this year.  1974 was also the year track announcer and ARCA Public Relations Director Howard Williams passed away in late July.

The 25^th Anniversary of the Great Lakes Helicopter Glass City 200 presented by Francis Engineering, Woodville Auto Finance, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express is set for Saturday, September 28.

As we move closer to the 2013 edition and this special anniversary of one of top outlaw-bodied Late Model races in the area, please check the website each day for stories, updates, lap money sponsors, the entry list and historic notes and photos (courtesy of ARCA historians Brian Norton and Jim Hehl) of the Glass City 200. 

Lap money sponsorship and just $10 per lap and tickets are now on sale by calling 419-727-1100 today!