Defending GC Champ Kuhlman, Gold Cup Champ Root Enter Glass City 200
Defending GC Champ Kuhlman, Gold Cup Champ Root Enter Glass City 200
2009 race runner-up Ron Allen has also entered, along with Indiana natives Brent Jack and track record holder Derrick Griffin. Allen is a former Toledo champion in both Late Models and the Sportsman class, while Jack is always at the front of the leader board at the Glass City oval. 17 year old Griffin blistered the Toledo ½ mile in late April with a lap of 14:809, topping Jr. Hanley's 14:817 set in 2000.
Claude Plante Jr. and brothers Donald and Jason Burkhart's entries have also arrived, moving the list to 22 as of September 21.
Kuhlman has led the Glass City events on several tries, only to have misfortune strike. But last year the Howell, MI resident came up through the pack, stayed within the top 5 and scored the big win to add to his already-impressive resume. Root, from Grand Rapids, MI, has won at several tracks in 2010 and has become a fan favorite in this area, with his laid-back style and his late race charges to the front. Mike has a pair of runner-up finishes at Toledo this season, but is eyeing his first Toledo win. The 2009-2010 ARCA Gold Cup champion of the 5-race series between Flat Rock and Toledo has his sights set on the Glass City crown.
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.
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.
Dale Francis of Francis Engineering has purchased 50 laps of lap money for the Great Lakes Helicopters Glass City 200 presented by Cherry Picked Auto Parts. $10 per lap will be awarded to the leader of each lap in the 200. Additional lap sponsors 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; RE/MAX Preferred-10 laps; CMP Race Shop/Dyno-10 laps; Ray's Door of Toledo, 10 laps; Lite-In-Up of Toledo, 10 laps; Battery Exchange of Toledo, 10 laps; Quality Inn and Suites of Toledo, 5 laps and Jim's Butcher Shop-5 laps are also on the lap sponsorship list. 36 laps remain for sponsorship. Public address announcements and a listing in the souvenir program sheet are included. 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. A pre-race party will be held at the Speedway Bar and Grille after Friday's practice session. Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend.
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.
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 ToledoSpeedway.com for further information.