Toledo Speedway

In 1968, Toledo Speedway promoter and ARCA founder John Marcum came up with the idea of running a 200 lap Late Model invitational—the Glass City 200.  Despite a 20-year hiatus of the race from 1978-1998 (when the Toledo track was sold), the race was revived in 1999 when Marcum’s grandson, Ron Drager, purchased the track with business partner Roy Mott.

And today, the race still carries the prestige and notoriety that it once did back in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  Let’s take a look back at the 1970 edition of the race……………

The third running of the Glass City 200 at Toledo Speedway saw Grand Rapids, MI area driver Bob Senneker zip to victory in the 200 lap event.  Driving one of the famous “bluebird” Chevelles that Bob became known for, he beat 1969 winner Joe Ruttman by 2 laps.

Track champ Joy Fair set fast time, dropping below the 18 second bracket with a lap of 17:84 to lead the 50 car field. The format for the event was changed, as a break at lap 100 allowed teams to refuel and work on their cars.  Fair set the early pace for 33 laps, but a flat tire marred his day, putting Joy down 2 laps early.  At lap 100, it was Senneker, Ruttman and Fair, who made up 1 lap before the break.  Harold Cook, Buzz Kormos and Pete Hudson were next, all 3 laps down at the break.  Danny Byrd appeared to have second spot sewn up, but had to make a fuel stop, dropping him back to ninth.

On the start of the second segment, Ron Grana got upside down, ending his afternoon.  Fair was looking for a yellow flag to close the gap even more on Senneker, but the rear axle failed in his Chevelle on lap 123, ending his day.  Senneker cruised along and had a late race scare when blue smoke began to trail from his machine.  “It was just oil from the breather dripping on the heads,” noted Senneker.  Bob led 165 of the 200 laps on his way in what was to become his first of 3 Glass City 200 titles.

“When I saw Joy in the pits, I knew it was all over,” said Senneker.  Ruttman (#70) was second, Byrd (#08) ran a strong race to grab third, fourth was Cy Fairchild (#26) and fifth was Pennsylvania standout Augie Sandman (#47).  Local favorite Cook got up to fourth spot, but was eliminated in a lap 188 accident.

Pre-race favorite John Anderson, driving Denny McNutt’s #0, blew an engine on lap 22.  The consi winners were Iggy Toth (TV 4) and Jerry Cousino (#73).  In addition to that duo transferring to the 200, Bill Andress, Harold Fair, Dick Shaw and Bruce Worrell also earned feature spots.

Toth’s win came over Mike Shaw, Ben Snyder, Dick Sandoval and Ron DeWitt.

The 25^th Anniversary of the Great Lakes Helicopter Glass City 200 presented by Francis Engineering, Woodville Auto Finance, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express is set for Saturday, September 28.

As we move closer to the 2013 edition and this special anniversary of one of top outlaw-bodied Late Model races in the area, please check the website each day for stories, updates, lap money sponsors, the entry list and historic notes and photos (courtesy of ARCA historians Brian Norton and Jim Hehl) of the Glass City 200.

Lap money sponsorship and just $10 per lap and tickets are now on sale by calling 419-727-1100 today!