December Edition 50 years ago would have been December of 1954 and not much was going on in racing in Southern Ohio at that time, so for the December/January article, I thought I'd bring the story of the first ever race in Ross County, Ohio to the race fans. Once racing starts in 2005, I will update this section with racing news and results from 1955.
"Racing Comes to Chillicothe"
It was a busy Saturday morning in downtown Chillicothe. The city
merchants were doing a brisk business as many traveling guests had
converged on the city that once served as Ohio's first capital.
The date, July 17, 1948. To the local residents, the only thing
that stood out besides the abnormally busy flow of traffic, was the
sleek, shiny race car sitting in front of the county courthouse.
The car was to be driven the next afternoon by Bobby Grim and
advertisements near the car proclaimed the big event, "Big Car
Auto Races"..... "Sunday, July 18" ....."Ross County
Fairgrounds"
The Ross County Conservation League, in an effort to raise money, had
agreed to bring the Central States Racing Association (CSRA) Big Car
division (now sprint cars) to Chillicothe. The CSRA tour had made
11 stops prior to Chillicothe with the most recent event being in Eldon,
Iowa. General admission for the 6 event program was $1.25 and
transportation from downtown Chillicothe to the fairgrounds was provided
by the city's bus service.
Raceday arrived to find that over 5,000 spectators had jammed into the
Ross County Fairgrounds to see 22 cars that entered the days program in
search of their share of the $2,000 purse. Willoughby, Ohio native
Wally Stokes set fast time on the 1/2 mile oval at 24.55 seconds.
One entry was scratched following practice and 2 more were scratched for
the day after qualifications were completed.
The first "elimination" event of the day was an 8 lapper won
by Stokes with a time of 3:37.52. The second elimination was won
by Buck Barr of Zanesville in a Riley Special with a time of 3:38.73.
Mike Walnur of Akron won the third elimination event in 3:47.42.
The consolation event saw 10 cars on the starting grid and Steubenville,
Ohio's Kilroy Hoover took top honors in 4:12.00.
A dozen beautifaul race cars lined the front straightaway and announcer
Jack Wymer of Dayton, Ohio introduced the starting line-up to the race
starved Chillicothe fans. The 20 lap main event saw Wally Stokes
in his Dunlap Offenhauser lead the whole way followed by Jimmy Daywalt
in a Merkler Hispano-Suiza. Red Bales of Columbus, Ohio finished
3rd with Buck Barr of Zanesville and Bobby Grim of Indianapolis rounding
out the top 5.
On a side note, Joie Ray, one of the first African American racers in
history was among the 22 cars entered in Chillicothe that day.
Other entries belonged to DeLoin Jordan, George Tichenor, Vern Faler,
Jackie Jiarusso, Henry Darnell, Woody Hill and Leroy Hancock.
Wally Stokes went on to win the 1948 CSRA points championship.
Tragically, he was killed less than a year later in a highway accident
in route to a midget race in Illinois. Stokes did leave a lasting
impression on Ross County race fans that carries on to this day at K-C
Raceway just south of Chillicothe on Blaine Highway.
Often I am asked WHY sprint cars are always the premier class at K-C.
From it's days known as "Atomic Speedway" when I grew up
playing in the gravel, it has always been known for the wicked fast
sprinters. One has to wonder if the influence of the CSRA in
1948 has a little bit to do with that tradition.
by: Aaron Fry
Info for this story was derived from the Chillicothe Gazette, "The
Rim Riders" by Buzz Rose and from the personal recollection of Joie
Ray.
Look for a January Edition Shortly
|