January 20, 1952 - The season begins in West Palm Beach
Stock Car Racing History
From The Toledo Blade
http://www.toledoblade.com/Pro/2011/06/07/Caldwell-The-Gobbler-to-be-inducted-into-Fremont-s-Hall.html
Caldwell The Gobbler to be inducted into Fremonts Hall
June 7, 2011
For every race, every practice, and every qualifying run at Toledo Speedway, Leo Caldwell is there, watching and no doubt keeping a vigilant eye on the competition.
The legendary local racer from Perrysburg, who competed at Toledo, Flat Rock, Fremont, and Sandusky speedways, had his ashes spread over the half-mile layout on Benore Road in 1999, three years after his death at the age of 70.
Caldwell will now be ever present at the Fremont facility, as well, following his recent induction into that tracks hall of fame. Known as The Gobbler during his racing days for his ability to gobble up the competition, Caldwell won more than 400 races before his retirement in 1967.
He was hard to beat, said Rollie Beale, the Toledo racing icon who raced against Caldwell in events at Flat Rock and Toledo speedways that were administrated by ARCA Series founder John Marcum.
Beale, a former USAC champion, said The Gobbler had a distinct style that allowed him to be so successful.
He was a great driver who knew how to stay out of trouble and how to work his way through traffic. He was a smart driver who really knew his way around the track. He was good, and he raced you clean, and there werent a lot of drivers like that.
Caldwells induction into the Fremont Speedway Hall of Fame honors the winner of the inaugural event at that track. In September of 1951, on a layout just a tenth of a mile in length, Caldwell bested a field of 38 drivers to win the 20-lap feature.
Hours before the race, it was Caldwell who was out there working on preparing the track surface with a grader.
He has a special tie to Fremont Speedway, and during the induction ceremony they even referred to my dad as the Father of Fremont Speedway, Charlie Caldwell said. It was very emotional to see him remembered and honored in that way. It was actually a tear-jerker moment at the ceremony.
Caldwell was racing on the beach at Daytona from 1948-52, taking on the likes of Lee Petty, the father of Richard Petty. Caldwell raced in what was the predecessor to the Toledo-area based ARCA Racing Series in 1953, the year the circuit was founded. In that circuit, he went up against Iggy Katona, Jim Romine, Buckie Sager, and Russ Helper.
The Gobbler won the Motor City Speedway season titles in 1949 and 1950 and was the track champion at Raceway Park in the 1954 and 1955 seasons.
I remember he raced a Chrysler Hemi, and like I said, he was tough to beat, Beale said. Hes a guy that belongs in the hall of fame.
Caldwell, who was born in 1926, competed in four events at NASCARs highest level, known today as the Sprint Cup Series. He debuted in the series in 1950, finishing 12th at Winchester, and was 23rd the following year at Canfield. His final two Sprint Cup races came in 1952, with a 14th place finish at Palm Beach, and a 20th place on the road course at Daytona, where he had started 45th.
Caldwell was recognized as the Michigan State Champion in 1952 in the Sportsman Division of NASCAR, and won the Fremont Speedway track championship in 1951 and 1952. He was Sanduskys track champ in the 1957 season.
Caldwell was part of a class of 10 inducted at Fremont as part of the facilitys 60th anniversary celebration. The hall of fame and museum at Fremont Speedway feature racing uniforms, helmets, photos, and memorabilia, including several restored race cars. It is located on the midway leading to the grandstands and is open on race nights with free admission.
Contact Matt Markey at: mmarkey@theblade.com or 419-724-6510.
