Toledo Speedway

(TOLEDO, Ohio - September 19, 2012) - There is only 1 driver on the roster who can become the first 4-time winner of the Great Lakes Helicopter Glass City 200 Super Late Model invitational Saturday evening, September 29 at Toledo Speedway.  And today, Steve Sauve’s entry showed up as the Saginaw, MI native guns for his 4^th win in the prestigious event.

Sauve is tied with the legendary Bob Senneker with 3 wins in the 200.  Bob’s wins came in 1970, 1971 and 1977.  What makes Sauve’s 3 Glass City titles even more impressive, and, perhaps one of the biggest accomplishments of any pavement short track driver in the nation---Steve’s victories came in successive years-2002, 2003 and 2004.  Sauve came close to winning that record 4^th race in 2007, finishing 2^nd to winner Brian Campbell.  (see photo).  His other top 5 finish came in 2010, where he finished 4^th.  The 2011 edition was not a Sauve-style finish, relegated to 25^th place.

A veteran in the name of Mike Luberda Jr. of AuGres, MI and youngster Nick Grodi of Oak Harbor, OH have also filed entries for the September 29 race.  Luberda has won several big Late Model races around the Midwest.  Mike won the ARCA Allegiant Gold Cup race at Spartan, MI Speedway in May of this year.  Grodi has been impressive as he continues to log laps and gain valuable experience, including a 4^th place finish in the July 100 lap race at Toledo this season.

The race was the idea of the late John Marcum, promoter of Toledo as well as Flat Rock, MI Speedway and the President of ARCA.  With the track sold in 1978, the race was not contested again until 1999 when Marcum’s grandson, Ron Drager, and his business partner Roy Mott, purchased the Glass City oval and immediately revived the event.  The race quickly regained its notoriety and is Toledo’s signature event every season.

Previous winners of the Glass City 200 include the late Joy Fair, 1968; 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; Brian Campbell, 2007; Harold Fair Jr., 2008, 2010; Dave Kuhlman, 2009, and Augie Grill, 2012.

Danny Byrd will serve as Grand Marshal of 24^th running of the Great Lakes Helicopter Glass City 200.  Byrd, who won numerous races throughout the Midwest and Canada in the 1960’s, 70’s and early 80’s, led every lap of the 1972 Glass City 200, piloting the Bill Hill-owned #08 Chevelle.  To this day, Danny is the only driver to lead every lap in a Glass City 200 event.

Toledo-area cable television provider Buckeye Cable Sports Network (BCSN) and nationally-recognized short track racing internet site SPEED51 will each provide coverage of the race.

In addition to the 200 lap outlaw-bodied Late Model invitational, a 40 lap Sportsman invitational on the ½ mile and a 30 lap race on the ¼ mile for the “X” Cars is also on the schedule for the 200 weekend. 

A cash purse of over $50,000 has been posted for the event, in addition to over $5000 in bonus awards and lap money.  A driver could walk away with over $8000 for a victory in the 200.  Lap money sponsorship is available at $10 per lap by calling the track at 419-727-1100.

Friday, September 28 is an optional practice day for all teams.  The pits will open at 2, with rig parking, pit pass sales, tire sales and tech taking place.  The practice will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  All purchasers of pit passes on Friday will receive a free dinner of pulled pork, BBQ chicken, cole slaw, potatoes and corn on the cob, courtesy of Francis Engineering of Leroy, OH.  Admission to the grandstand is free Friday.

Saturday’s schedule has the pit area open at 9:30 a.m., driver’s meeting at 11:30, practice at 12:15, time trials at 3 and racing at 5 p.m.  A rain date of Sunday, September 30 at 1 p.m. has been established if necessary.

Reserved seat tickets for the event are now available by calling the track at 419-727-1100.

The entry lists and lap money sponsor list can be found at www.toledospeedway.com.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flatrocktoledo or follow us on Twitter @toledospeedway.