Hantz, Strickland, Rookie Grodi Among 1st Entrants for Glass City 200
Hantz, Strickland, Rookie Grodi Among 1st Entrants for Glass City 200
The race is expected to draw the top outlaw Late Model drivers from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Canada. The winner of the 200 will take home $5500, with $1000 posted to start the contest on the lightning-fast ½ mile paved oval. With contingency and bonus awards, a driver could walk away with over $8000 in prize money and awards. The total cash payout for the day is over $50,000. Dave Kuhlman is the defending champion of the classic.
Hantz has become one of the top Late Model drivers in the Midwest, winning races across the tri-state area. Scott was the man to beat in the 2009 edition of the Glass City, only to have mechanical woes in the final 50 laps of the event while leading. The Angola, IN driver posted 2 wins at Toledo this year and finished just 5 points shy of Mike Root in the Allegiant Air Late Model Gold Cup championship, a 5-race series contested between Flat Rock and Toledo.
Strickland, a resident of Carleton, MI, also has a Flat Rock Speedway Late Model title to go with his 3 Toledo crowns. Dennis will be at wheel of his #90 for the race. Rookie Nick Grodi will drive Strickland's car from the 2009 season, which he and his family purchased during the winter months. The Oak Harbor, OH native raced Modifieds until moving into the Super Late Model ranks this year and has made steady progress throughout the 2010 season with the #40 machine.
The CRA Sportsman cars will serve as the support division for the 200 for the first time. A field of 25-30 cars is expected for the 50 lap race, which will be sponsored by R & M Recycling of Toledo and Monroe, MI.
DTS Drive Train Specialists, Allegiant Air, PASSTIME, Port City Racecars, Burge Wrecking, Penske Shocks, All Star Performance, Lane Automotive, Bazell Race Fuels/Sunoco Race Fuels, Celebrations Fun Food Factory and Kish Ambulance have also pledged their sponsorship support for the race.
Lap money is available for just $10 per lap and will go to the leader of each lap in the Great Lakes Helicopters Glass City 200 presented by Cherry Picked Auto Parts. Lap sponsors as of press time include Port City Racecars-10 laps; iHealth Products-10 laps; Giles Auto Body-15 laps and Performance Images Photography-5 laps; race fan Bob Wheaton-2 laps; Glass Unlimited-10 laps; Paul/Iris Anton-1 lap; Paul Anton Photos-1 lap and RE/MAX Preferred-10 laps. Call the track today at 419-727-1100 to join the list!
Drager's grandfather, the late John Marcum, created the event in 1968. The track was sold in 1978 and the event discontinued until Drager and his business partner, Roy Mott, purchased the track in 1999 and immediately revived the race. Both Great Lakes Helicopter and Cherry Picked Auto Parts are entering their first year of sponsorship of the prestigious event.
The legendary Joy Fair won the inaugural event in 1968. Other winners include Joe Ruttman (1969, 1973), Bob Senneker (1970, 1971 and 1977), Danny Byrd (1972), , John Anderson (1974), 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), Brian Campbell (2007) Harold Fair Jr. (2008) and last year's winner Dave Kuhlman.
An optional Friday practice session has been scheduled. The October 1 slate will include rig parking, pit pass and tire sales, limited tech inspection and a 2 hour practice for both classes. The pits open at 1 p.m. Friday, with practice set from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday's schedule will have the pit area 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. October 2. The entry blanks will be available September 1.
Reserved seat tickets for the Great Lakes Helicopters Glass City 200 presented by Cherry Picked Auto Parts are now on sale by calling the track at 419-727-1100. VISA and Mastercard are accepted for phone orders. Log onto http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=pdxmuocab&et=1103671760267&s=6&e=0017EW9OhWn5gcaP-u0Q_tzpqmR2PsNlvHe6mejiQIO_ZpqdcvGryqz7dn6IY63RRGwxXisvT65WrhotDQNK8LUKlpf13UEuWkJgnTiFSoskuqhoYKN42x1BA== for further information.