NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison will go back to his roots next month, serving as Grand Marshal for the 100th ARCA Racing Series race at Salem Speedway in southern Indiana.
The Eddie Gilstrap Motors Fall Classic 200 will be held at 8 p.m. ET, Saturday night, September 10. Other events associated with the milestone race include a golf tournament, hauler parade and fan fest on Friday, Sept. 9.
Allison has good memories of Salem: he won a 100-lap ARCA race on the track’s high banks in 1975.
“I remember Salem really well,” Allison said in a media release. “A nice, fast high-banked half-mile in southern Indiana with a little air-strip right next to the track.
“I liked Salem right away ... fell right into a nice rhythm. The fast way around was right up against the wall in (turns) three and four, but a little more toward the center of the track in one and two.”
Even though it’s been many years since Allison last visited Salem, the track and surrounding city will throw out the red carpet for the three-time Daytona 500 winner (1978, 1982 and 1988). He also ranks fourth on NASCAR’s all-time Sprint Cup wins list (84).
“Bobby is not only one of NASCAR’s all-time greatest drivers, he is also one of racing’s most beloved drivers,” Salem Speedway general manager Richard Deaton said. “We are thrilled to have Bobby associated with the 100th ARCA race at Salem.
“This is going to be a very memorable night of racing and celebration.”
In addition to Allison, other past ARCA Salem winners and former ARCA drivers will be on hand for the festive evening.
Also planning to attend is Toddy Ruttman Kloos, daughter of 1952 Indy 500 winner Troy Ruttman, representing her father, a former ARCA winner at Salem.
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