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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