Toledo Speedway

The 1997 edition of the Glass City 200 saw several circumstances surrounding the season-ending classic.  For the first time in its 10-year history, the race was moved to a Saturday night in August.  Promoter John Marcum had created another marquee’ style event with the Howard Williams Memorial, in honor of the late Public Relations Director of ARCA and the track announcer at Toledo.  That race became the last event of the season at the Glass City oval, and Marcum’s final promotion at Toledo.

Few knew that 1977 would be the last season for the Glass City race for a period of 21 years.  Track owner Herb Koester sold the speedway to Thomas (Sonny) Adams.  Adams ran the facility from 1978 to 1998, until he sold the track to Marcum’s grandson, ARCA President Ron Drager, and his business partner, Roy Mott.  While Adams ran several big-time races during his stay at Toledo, the Glass City 200 was shelved.  

With the move to a Saturday night in August, the number of entries fell back to 31 cars.  The strength of the field, which became a trademark of each Glass City race, was still present despite the car count.  The legendary Bob Senneker would etch his name in the books as the first 3-time winner of the 200 lap event….and the 21 year hiatus of the Glass City 200 began…

Senneker, as always, was at the top of his game when he rolled into any track.  Bob set fast time at 16:63.  Beaverton, MI resident and legendary car builder Ed Howe sat next to Senneker on the front row as the green flag fell.  Howe took the lead until Senneker took charge on lap 28.  As the #84 Bluebird sailed away, consi winner Bill Daniels blew an engine and Senneker found the oil.  Bob spun, Ed Cooper (#24) zipped by and took the win on the final lap of the first segment.  Senneker got back on the throttle and got back to second, Buddy Bennett was third, Don Gregory (#7) fourth and Joy Fair (#1) was fifth.

Bob wasted no time in the 2^nd 100 lap segment, taking the lead on the start and cruised to the win over Howe, Randy Sweet (#17), Fair and Cooper.  Senneker’s win sealed his name as the only 3-time winner of the Glass City 200…..that was, until Steve Sauve made history (more on Steve as we continue to re-live these events).  Cooper, Fair, Sweet and Gregory rounded out the top 5 in the overall standings.