Few people will confuse Toledo with Daytona Beach, Fla., but the two cities at opposite ends of the country have at least one thing in common — fast, competitive race tracks.
Entering its 60th season, Toledo Speedway has given drivers and fans alike an awareness of speed you have to be there to truly appreciate, something that makes it worthy of being in “The 52” series.
The speedway, built in 1960, was originally a dirt track that was quickly converted to pavement. It is home to ARCA, as well as the Glass City 200 for Late Model Stock Cars.
After a recent series of improvements, there is seating for up to 6,000 fans. The intimate feel is part of the charm.
And ARCA president Ron Drager knows Toledo Speedway is an important stop for the racing series.
“It brings a major-league feel to a local track,” Drager told The Blade in a May 2018 article. “We allow folks to walk on the race track and meet the drivers and touch the cars. And when you go up and sit in the grandstands, you can watch a live pit stop unfold. You're looking right down on it. It’s not a long distance. You can hear the air guns running, you can smell the rubber burning. I just think it’s a really cool experience. It’s something that’s very exciting and colorful. Everyone should try it once. If it’s not for you, it’s not for you. But it’s pretty exciting.”
The Toledo track, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary with the ARCA Late Models Gold Cup series on Aug. 10, has a rich history of hosting drivers who have gone on to NASCAR fame, like Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson.
“Toledo at times has been referred to as a mini-Daytona,” Toledo Speedway general manager Scott Schultz said. “There are about four or five short tracks in the Midwest that are half-mile, high-banked, very fast ... You can run side by side, sometimes three-wide."
The touring series make it a point to come back to Toledo annually. In 2019, the ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards will make its stop on May 19; the USAC Silver Crown Series will race April 27.
"They all love to run here," Mr. Schultz said. "They all circle Toledo on the calendar and want to be part of our schedule because of the type of track we have. It gives you that sensation of speed.”
The track has races from April through September, but Schultz says he and the other speedway employees are in the entertainment business; at its core, they are selling an experience.
“We sell the sight, the sound, and the smell,” Schultz said. “When you can see the race cars on the track and you hear the roar of them, and you smell the burning rubber and the burning fuel, if you have any inkling of liking cars, then this place will appeal to you.”
First Published April 3, 2019, 4:00 a.m.
