By: Ron Burt
Over the next several weeks before area tracks open, I’m going to spotlight several drivers that area fans follow. Dave Gumby Jr. is one of the favorites in the Dirt Truck Series and a regular at Fremont Speedway. Dave has been racing 16 years and has been behind the wheel in Modifieds, Late Models, Stock Cars, Sportsman and now Dirt Trucks. In 2020, Tim Baker gave Dave an opportunity to race a truck and then at the end of the 2021 season he drove for Tim’s uncle. These two rides got Dave hooked on Dirt Trucks.
Dave drives a Chevy Colorado built by Ron Miller. Most Saturday nights in the summer you can see the #P51 going around Fremont Motor Speedway usually in contention for the lead. He has his truck set up for the clay oval and knows his way around “the track that action built”. If you’ve never seen Dirt Trucks race, then you’re missing out. They swap a lot of paint with each other and every driver at Fremont is very competitive and hard charging. The Truck Class has a strong fan base and supports their favorite drivers. Dave’s short term goal is to get his first feature win of the season when Fremont opens. We wish him well!
Gas City I-69 Speedway just released their 2023 schedule, and I will give them a 8 out of 10. They offer a variety of car classes and many special nights of racing. Gas City is about 30 minutes south of Fort Wayne and the track is right off the I-69 exit ramp. The first time I went to Gas City I was impressed. It’s a 3/8th mile semi banked clay oval and it’s built for speed. USAC Sprint and Midget racers love this track. I haven’t been to the Speedway since the new owners and promoter took control. The ticket lines normally are fast moving, the concessions offer a good selection of food and an area to eat or take it up to your seats. The gift shop is air conditioned and has a large variety of track souvenirs and they accept credit cards.
Gas City I-69 Speedway will start the season on Friday April 28th. Opening night will feature the normal classes, Non-wing Sprints, and UMP Mods, with USAC Thunder Midgets and Crown Vic’s also on the show. During the season the track will bring in USAC Sprints, USAC Midgets, Hornets, Mod Lites, Indiana Race Saver Sprints, Stocks, Mini Sprints, Midwest Sprint Car Series, Vintage Motorcycle Racing and much more. Key dates would be Wednesday June 7th. The track will host one night of USAC Indiana Midget Week. Friday July 21st will be USAC Indiana Sprint Week. The Annual James Dean Classic for USAC Sprints and Midgets will be Thursday September 21st and the final night of racing Saturday October 23rd, featuring all the classes for the Fall Harvest of Speed.
I don’t mention Outlaw Figure 8 racing because Anderson and The Indy Speedrome are the two closest tracks to us. Indy is set to open their season on Saturday April 1st. Most of the top drivers went to Florida in January for test & tune and of course the high dollar races. If you’ve never seen an Outlaw Figure 8 race, picture an Asphalt Super Late Model with a Modified front and very high clear wings on the sides and rear. When you think of Figure 8 racing, most people think of crashing. That’s the last thing these drivers want to do in these high dollar race cars. It takes a lot of skill to make it through the center of the track and timing is everything. This summer when a big event comes to Anderson or Indy I will try to give some mentions. The fanbase travels and are very loyal to the class.
Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out! ohiosportsblitz@yahoo.com
