Toledo Speedway will be the first event of six scheduled for the Winged Sprint Cars under this format. Former Indy 500 driver and current car owner Davey Hamilton is the lead man for the King of the Wing concept, which will pit drivers from the West coast venturing to the Midwest, and, in turn, the Midwest pilots will go West later on this season.
The 6-race Series has 3 stops scheduled in the Midwest, beginning with the Wednesday night special at Toledo July 2. The final 3 races will be held out West during the Thanksgiving holiday week. The Midwest races after Toledo include the Winchester, IN Speedway Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5 at Grundy County, IL Speedway.
The West coast race dates are November 21 at Madera, CA Speedway; November 22 at Irwindale, CA Speedway and November 23 at Kern County, CA Speedway.
The Toledo date will be known as the "Rollie Beale Classic” and will be sponsored by 1996 Indy 500 winning car owner and local businessman Ron Hemelgarn through his Toledo-area Super Fitness chain and Hemelgarn Racing. Beale, a native of Toledo, was a very, very popular driver throughout his career, winning the 1973 USAC Sprint Car championship. Rollie was a fixture at Toledo as a spectator for the past several years and passed away in February of this year. With the blessing of his family, the July 2 race will be named in his honor.
Toledo track management will host an open-wheel Racer’s Reunion and a vintage race car display as part of the program for the Wednesday night special, which will kick off the Series and the July 4th holiday weekend in the Glass City.
The winged Sprint Cars are the fastest cars on the planet, as demonstrated by the unbelievable 1 lap track record of 12:389, set by Charlie Schultz in 2011!
Toledo’s event will also include a visit by the Top Speed Modified Touring Series, which will also compete on the ½ mile. The USAC Honda HPD Midget Series will also compete, with their racing action slated for the ¼ mile paved oval.
Race fans can save $5 per ticket if purchased before 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 1. Both reserved and general admission seating is available. Tickets may be purchased by phone by calling the track office at 419-727-1100, by visiting the track office or by downloading the ticket order form at www.toledospeedway.com. Most major credit cards are accepted for phone orders.
Time trials will begin at 5:30 and racing starts at 7:30 p.m. for the Wednesday night special July 2. More details on the event, including entry lists for each of the 3 divisions, will be announced in the coming days.
