Toledo Speedway

TOLEDO, OH (9-8-2008)--  As usual, the first 2 entries for Toledo Speedway’s Miller Lite Glass City 200 have been received from Paul Pelletier and Dennis Strickland.  The duo are always quick with their entries for the prestigious Late Model invitational.  Brian Campbell of Jenison, MI is the defending champion of the event.  The race is set for Saturday evening, September 20. 

Entries have also been received from Toledo’s Late Model Gold Cup champion Harold Fair Jr. and his father, Harold Sr.  Fair Jr. is one of the favorites as he seeks his first-ever Glass City win in a race he has led several times, but has not captured the checkered flag.  Another driver seeking the Glass City title is Dave Kuhlman, who posted the win in the 100 lap race August 31 at the ½ mile oval.  And on his back bumper?  Harold Fair Jr.  The pair set an incredible pace for the event, which was completed in just 41 minutes.

 

Young and rising star Justin Schroeder, who finished second to Fair Jr. in the final Gold Cup points, has also filed his entry for the 20^th anniversary of the Glass City event.  Justin was the winner of Flat Rock’s Stan Yee Memorial/Moran Chevrolet 150 in July at Toledo’s sister track.  Mt. Morris, MI driver Johnny Belott is also entered, along with 2003 Toledo Late Model champ Brian Keselowski and Ohio driver Jake Francis.

 

The 2008 edition will be scaled back to 150 laps, due to economic conditions.  Ticket prices and pit passes have been rolled back $5 each also.  The race, which will see a 20-minute break at lap 76, will pay the winner $5500 plus contingency awards, while $1000 has been posted to start.  30 cars will take the green flag for the race.  A 35 lap ARCA Sportsman race and a 15 lap Factory Stock Figure 8 race are also scheduled, giving race fans 200 laps of racing.

 

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.  The race was not contested from 1978 through 1998 when the track changed hands.  Marcum’s grandson, current ARCA President and Toledo co-promoter Ron Drager, revived the race when he and his business partner, Roy Mott, purchased the track in 1999.

 

In addition to Joy Fair’s win in the initial Glass City, other winners include Joe Ruttman (1969, 1973); Bob Senneker (1970, 1971, 1977); Danny Byrd (1972); the late John Anderson (1974); the late Jim Bickerstaff (1975); Ed Cooper (1976); Tim Felver (1999); Tim Ice (2000); Jr. Hanley (2001); Steve Sauve (2002, 2003, 2004); John Doering Jr. (2005); Jack Landis (2006) and Campbell (2007). 

 

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 optional open practice will be held Friday evening, September 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Friday’s timetable has the pits open at 1, with rig parking, tire sales and some tech taking place before the practice session. 

 

Saturday the pits will open at 9:30 a.m., practice begins at noon, time trials are set for 3 p.m. and racing starts at 5 p.m.  A rain date of Sunday, September 21 at 1 p.m. has been established, if needed.

 

Additional sponsors for the Miller Lite Glass City 200 include LV Alliance, All Star Performance, Allegiant Air, Holley Carbs, Aero Wheels, Earl’s Fittings, Royal Truck and Trailer Sales, Bazell Race Fuels, Burge Wrecking, Penske Racing Shocks, Port City Racecars, DTS Drive Train Specialists, Sunoco and R & M Recycling.

 

Entry forms are now available by calling the track or downloading the entry blank from the track’s website.   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