Storylines: Toledo Prepares for 500 Sprint Car Tour Debut
Storylines: Toledo Prepares for 500 Sprint Car Tour Debut
500 Sprint Car Tour Runs First Race at Toledo
The historic half mile oval in Toledo, Ohio has become a mainstay on racing schedules for multiple racing series’ over their 63 year history. Opening in 1960, Toledo Speedway has played host to some of the top short track racing series in America. From ASA National Tour events to USAC Silver Crown events, the track has seen everything from open wheel racing to traditional stock car racing.
Although Toledo will be a new track for the Auto Value Bumper to Bumper 500 Sprint Car Tour, it is no stranger to non wing pavement sprint car racing. The track has hosted 24 USAC National Sprint Car Championship events with the majority of the events taking place in the 1970’s and early 2000’s. The last non-winged pavement sprint car race to take place at Toledo Speedway was in 2019. That event was won by Aaron Pierce.
2023 Points Championship Tightening up Ahead of Toledo
The Auto Value Bumper to Bumper 500 Sprint Car Tour has proven to be a competitive all around series since its inception in late 2021. The inaugural Series Championship came down to the final race of the season with multiple drivers in the mix. Kody Swanson eventually came out on top after a solid performance in the Championship race.
Although we are only two races into the 2023 season, the series is once again proving to be as competitive as ever. The current points standings has the top six drivers separated by only 38 points. The top three points finishers from the 2022 season are all atop the points sheets once again in 2023, with the addition of some new names being in the mix.
Kody Swanson No Stranger to Toledo Speedway
The one driver entering Sunday’s race with arguably the most experience and success at Toledo Speedway is Kody Swanson. The seven-time USAC Silver Crown Champion and reigning Auto Value Bumper to Bumper 500 Sprint Car Tour Champion has won the last four Silver Crown events contested at Toledo. Currently sitting in fourth place in the points standings, Swanson will look to have a strong weekend at a track he is very familiar with to get back in the hunt for his second consecutive series championship.
The True Test of Teamwork
With a number of teams currently chasing the USAC Silver Crown Series Championship also competing in Sunday’s event, teams will make a six hour drive to Toledo Speedway from Port Royal Speedway in Pennsylvania. Tom Paterson, Taylor Ferns, Travis Welpott, Kaylee Bryson, Kody Swanson, and Russ Gamester will all be relying on their teams to make a quick turnaround from a Silver Crown race on dirt, to a sprint car race on pavement.Teams are all taking a unique approach to be ready for Sunday. Some teams are taking multiple trailers, and some are asking friends to help transport sprint cars for Sunday’s Fathers Day Classic.
Quick Turn Around
With the Auto Value Bumper to Bumper 500 Sprint Car Tour competing in a 40 lap feature at Berlin Raceway on Saturday, June 10th, teams will only have eight days to turn their cars around for yet another race weekend. As the series continues to grow and take shape, teams and drivers have shown a great ability to adapt and prepare for any situation.
In 2022, the series did a Friday night/Saturday night double header between Plymouth Motor Speedway and Berlin Raceway. Although this event gives teams more time to prepare than that of 2022, the challenge still looms for teams and drivers to have a successful turnaround in a short period of time.
Sunshine in Toledo
A common trend in pavement sprint car racing continues as prominent Florida racers make the trip up North to compete in the Auto Value Bumper to Bumper 500 Sprint Car Tour. Florida racers Davey Hamilton Jr and Tommy Nichols make their 2023 debut with the second year series at the Father’s Day Special at Toledo Speedway. Hamilton Jr. has competed in a number of Auto Value Bumper to Bumper 500 Sprint Car Tour events over the past two seasons, but Sunday will be the first time that Tommy Nichols will be entered into an event with the series. Having competed in five Little 500’s, Nichols is no stranger to the midwest style of non-wing pavement sprint car racing. The two racers will also be joined by Kaylee Bryson and Russ Gamester as drivers making their 2023 debut. This brings the total number of different competitors this season to 34, showing the continued growth of the Auto Value Bumper to Bumper 500 Sprint Car Tour.
Race Details
The 500 Sprint Car Tour will be joined at Toledo Speedway by the Midwest Modified Tour, Late Model Sportsmans, and Factory Stocks. General Admission gates open at 12:00pm and rotating practice begins at 11:30am. Qualifying for the 500 Sprint Car Tour is set to begin at 1:40pm with racing beginning at 3:00pm. The 500 Sprint Car Tour feature is the first feature of the afternoon and will be featured on FloRacing. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased here.
