Toledo Speedway

Champions Program Back In

TOLEDO, OH (7-18-08)-- In just 2 months, the 20^th edition of Toledo Speedway’s Miller Lite Glass City 200 will hit the ½ mile paved oval. Plans are starting to fall into place as preparations are in full swing for one of the most prestigious season-ending Late Model invitationals in the Midwest. Brian Campbell of Jenison, MI is the defending champion of the event. The race is set for Saturday evening, September 20.

The Glass City 200 began as the creation of the late John Marcum, promoter of Toledo Speedway in 1968. Marcum, also the founder of ARCA, staged the race that year, which was won by the legendary Joy Fair. For 10 years, the Glass City race began to build its legacy, attracting racers and fans from across the Midwest.

In 1978, the track was sold, and the Glass City was discontinued. Marcum passed away in 1981. In 1999, enter Ron Drager, Marcum’s grandson and Drager’s business partner, Roy Mott. Drager, the current President of ARCA and the promoter of both Toledo and Flat Rock, MI Speedway, revived the September classic and the race immediately took on the prestige that it held in the great short track days of the 1960’s and 1970’s.

With a great field of cars on hand, Tim Felver helped to put the race and Toledo Speedway back on the map by capturing the 200 lap contest on a fantastic Sunday afternoon. In 2000, Felver and then-teammate Jr. Hanley tangled with 9 laps to go, as Tim Ice sailed by for the win. Hanley came back in 2001 to grab the win and put his name in the books. The next 3 years of the 200 became perhaps one of the greatest runs in Late Model racing as Saginaw, MI driver Steve Sauve rocketed to 3 consecutive wins in 2002, 2003 and 2004. John Doering Jr. put an end to Sauve’s dominance of the race by taking the rain-shortened 200 in 2005, while Edgerton, OH driver Jack Landis notched the 2006 edition of the classic. Second-generation driver Brian Campbell dominated the field in last year’s race, which is now a Saturday night event.

The famed Glass City 200 has held its own over the years, and 2008 will mark the 20^th edition of the event. Track officials have reinstated the “Champions Program”, which will be sponsored by LV Alliance. The program will award $200 cash and a free entry to the 2008 track champions of the following tracks; Flat Rock, Toledo, Angola, IN Speedway, Dixie Motor Speedway Dixie Cup champion, Kalamazoo, MI Speedway, Spartan, MI Speedway and the current point leader of the Main Event Late Model Series (the tour has 1 more race after the Glass City date).

In the event the track champion decides not to compete in the 200, the offer will be extended to the runner-up in the points of each track. The offer will continue down to the next man in line until it has been utilized by a driver from one of the 7 tracks and/or series that are part of the LV Alliance Champions Program.

An open practice will be held Friday evening, September 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The complete schedule for the weekend will be announced shortly. The track’s Sportsman division will also be a part of the race card.

Entry forms, payoff and contingency award programs will be available by August 10. Reserved seat tickets are now on sale for the race. For further information, call the track at 419-727-1100. Updated information will be posted on the track’s website at www.toledospeedway.com