Toledo Speedway

In January of 1999, ARCA President Ron Drager and his business partner, Roy Mott, purchased Toledo Speedway from Sonny Adams.  And with the new season looming, it was time to revive a race that became known for its competition and excitement…the Glass City 200.

As if it never stopped during the 21 year hiatus, the prestige and tradition of the event was present again!  55 machines were on hand.  The change of format of the race set up a 200 lap event, with a break at the half-way mark.  The last-chance race winners?  Hubbard, OH star Glenn Gault (#32), who won the season opener at the track, and ’99 Toledo Late Model champ Dennis Strickland---the strength of the field was here again!  For this race, a B Main was also contested, with multi-time Columbus, OH Speedway champ Donnie Hill (#0) taking the top spot over Len Fritz Jr.

Dirt-track star turned asphalt racer Roger Wing (#55) ventured to Toledo for the race and surprised everyone by setting fast time at 15:65 on the ½ mile.  Under brilliant blue, sunny skies, the Sunday afternoon race was highlighted by the retirement of Joy Fair’s #1 from ARCA Late Model competition.   The large crowd gave a standing ovation to Fair, who was greeted by former competitiors Danny Byrd, Joe Ruttman, Jim Bickerstaff and Ed Cooper for the ceremony.  The late Larry Nuber, a Toledo native and the gentleman who called the first stock car race for ESPN, was Master of Ceremonies.

Ohioan Scott Baker led the first 52 laps of the race, which went green flag to that point.  Baker pitted, giving the point to Tim Ice, followed by a strong contingent of competition.  Dennis Berry , going after Ice for the lead, tangled with a lapped car and hit the tires in the infield of the ¼ mile, ending his bid for victory. 

Ice led at the break and continued out front when the race went back to green.  Felver, applying the pressure lap after lap, finally ducked low in turn 3 with just 10 laps to go to grab the lead and the huge win for the Larry Zent/Dean Hudson #5 team.  Ice (#65) was second, Joe Bush (#101) third, Doug Finley fourth (#29) and Rick Sheppard fifth, who came from 13^th to take 5^th and the Hard Charger Award.

And the table was set for the year-end event to become the signature event for Toledo Speedway each and every season…..

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 the 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, Jim Hehl and track photographer Charlie Orns) 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!