Nurses seek Speedway cure for racing fever

4/28/2006

Last winter, when five area nurses told their friends that they wanted to drive a stock car this summer, their friends laughed and said, "You'll never race. Who is going to let you drive their stock car?"

Well, nobody ever says never to Victoria Herr, 42, of Pemberville; Sarah Webber, 21, of Woodville; Heather Karr, 37, of Toledo; Sunnie Sweet, 32, of Toledo, and Cathy Collins, 30, of Genoa. The ladies pooled their resources, got sponsorships from Pub 51 of Toledo and Otterbein Portage Valley of Pemberville, and got one of last year's rental cars from Toledo Speedway.

To make sure the car is competitive, Jeff Moran is working on it at his race car shop in Cygnet. While the nurses' ARCA 4-cylinder late model is still in need of an engine and won't be in action tonight at Toledo Speedway, the ladies intend to make the remaining races on the Toledo/Flat Rock speedway schedule.

Each nurse will drive three times this season.

Looking ahead to her first race, Sweet said, "I can't wait for that green flag to fly."

ALL KIDS: Tonight at Toledo Speedway, The Blade presents Everyone's A Kid Night. Admission is just $3 regardless of age. This is the only time this season that this promotion will take place, courtesy of The Blade. The ARCA National City Bank Sportsman, Casite Figure 8s, A-1 Auto Parts Factory Stocks and the ARCA 4-Cylinders will be in action. Front gates open at 5 p.m., time trials are set for 6:30 and racing begins at 7:30.

NEW LIGHTS: This morning between 10 and 10:30, crews will be standing up two 100-foot light poles at Toledo Speedway. The bases were set in concrete last week. The public is welcome to watch the progress on the speedway's new state-of-the art lighting system.

WEATHER PREVAILS: Several rain delays, ultimately, canceled some of last Saturday night's races at Flat Rock Speedway. A total of 10 events had been completed, but the third strike came around 9 p.m. with four preliminary events and the features still to go. With the track still needing to be dried and with severe thunderstorms and lightning in the area, the decision was made to end the show.

Although the event is termed a "complete" show, track officials will honor rain checks at full value for both the front gate and pit gate. The four Street Stock heats that were postponed will be run tomorrow but the main events will not be made up. A complete new show will hit the track tomorrow. Rain checks for both gates will be honored at any event throughout the season.

GO FOR A RIDE: On Saturday, May 6, fans at Flat Rock can ride in a Late Model with two-time track champ Dick Barker. Prior to the races, fans can purchase a ride from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $75 for five laps and lunch is included with the ride. Fans may call the track at 734-782-2480 to make reservations. Only 20 reservations will be taken. Helmets and fire suits are provided and all riders must be at least 18 years of age.