Crace Memorial Set For Saturday At Atomic

By Scott Wolfe

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO-This Saturday, October 4th, Atomic Speedway will honor one of its original race car drivers with the Bob Crace, Sr. Memorial race paying $5,000 to win in the Late Model division–the division where Crace spent most of his driving careeer. In addition to the Late Model spectacular, Atomic will host a $2,500-to-win 410 Outlaw Sprint package, and AMRA Modifieds racing for $1,000-to-win. The race will serve as a backdrop for the Season Championships in these three divisions plus an enduro.

Bob Crace, Sr. was a retired electrician. He was the co-owner of C & M Racing Equipment and was a race car builder and driver for 54 years. Known as “Rapid Robert”, he was the original “Fireball” and was a member of the Atomic Speedway Hall of Fame. Crace once had ten wins in a season in a Late Model. He began in the old open wheel super-modifieds and coupes, and also later drove Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Modifieds, and Four Cylinders.

Crace was a former Atomic track record holder and multi-time track champion and the father of Bob Crace, Jr. a nine-time Atomic Speedway champion in the modifieds. Crace, Sr. was the engine builder for Bob, Jr. and other area race drivers.

After his driving career ended Crace was a fixture in the Atomic Speedway pit area, helping serve racers with various needs, selling racing equipment, offering valuable advice to young racers, and even telling a good story or two. Most of all his friendship and trademark smile left a lasting impression on the racing world.

Among his survivors are his daughter, Becky Seymour and husband Charlie Seymour– a past Atomic Late Model champion; Crace’s son, Robert D. (Rhonda) Crace, Jr., all of which reside in Chillicothe; his granddaughters, Amie (Jason) Cottrill and Angela Dawn Crace. Cotrill also is a competing race driver at Atomic. Crace was preceded in death by his wife Bessie M. Amlin who passed on March 3, 2005.

“Saturday’s race is a big deal in many ways,” exclaimed owner Brad McCown. “First, it honors a great racer, it is the first-ever Dirt Track Racing Championship series race, and it is our 2014 season championships. The race is huge! Heck, it pays $5,000 to win! There should be a lot of exciting, positive drama building on who will claim our seasonal points’ crown. Fans and families will love it.”

The Dirt Track Racing Championship Series (DTRC) will run its inaugural event at the October 4 Bob Crace, Sr. Memorial as part of season championship night. The DTRC is the dream-like, yet “come-to-reality” creation of veteran race promoter Mike Jewell. As part of this event Jewell will be presenting the winner with the “Legendary Trophy”.

Also, this night the 410 Sprint cars will run for a potent $2,500 to win purse. Some of the best open wheel names in the business are slated to be on hand as Atomic has averaged nearly 30 cars per night all season long. Admission this night is $15 General Admission.

October is “The Month of Money” for Atomic Speedway. Plans are being finalized for one of the biggest events in open wheel racing nationwide–The Open Wheel Championships (OWC) on October 23-24-25. That event will pay $15,000 to the winner of the 410 sprint main, plus $5,000 to the non-wing sprint winner, and $5,000 to the AMRA Modified winner. Additionally, non-qualifiers will race for $2,065 to win in the Charlie McCann Memorial for winged sprints.

Just three weeks away, this event has touted an ever-growing roster of drivers from across the nation. Early reports this week have the list at 45 drivers.

The Open Wheel Championship flaunts a $115,000 guaranteed purse! There is no entry fee and primitive camping is available at the track or full hook-ups at Trackside Camping. Once again we reiterate that the winged 410 Outlaw sprints pay $15,000 to win and $1,000 to start; the non-wing sprints pay $5,000 to win and the AMRA Modifieds pay $5,000 to win. Both pay $500 to start. Pits open at 12 noon and general admission gates at 4 p.m.

For more information please call 740-703-9749 or 740-663-4141 or visit the Atomic Speedway website at <<< www.atomicspeedway.net >>> Atomic is located 12 miles South of Chillicothe, Ohio off SR 23, two miles out Blain Highway between Chillicothe, Ohio and Waverly, Ohio at Alma.
Upcoming Schedule

October 4-Season Championships: $2,500 to win Sprints & BOB CRACE SR MEMORIAL- $5,000 to win DTRC/AMRA Late Models, plus $1,000 to win Modifieds and Dreadland Haunted Woods Enduro
October 11- Cancer Awareness Night: Sprints, Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Sport Mods
October 18-No Racing
3 DAY OPEN WHEEL CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Sprints, Non Wing Sprints Unsanctioned with Modifieds
October 23- Sprint Practice, Non Wing Qualifying & Heats, Modified Qualifying & Heats
October 24- Sprint Qualifying & Heats, Non Wing B-Mains, Modified B-Mains, DASH FOR CASH in ALL 3 CLASSES $1,000 TO WIN
October 25- Sprint B-Mains & Feature $15,000 TO WIN, Non Wing Feature $5,000 TO WIN, Modified Feature $5,000 TO WIN, “Charlie McCann Winged Sprint Memorial” Non-Qualifiers $2,065 to win
November 1- Topless Weekend- DAN RENO MEMORIAL WEEKEND $2,222 TO WIN for Modifieds, plus Late Models, Street Stocks, Sport Mods, plus Dreadland Haunted Woods Enduro