By Troy Hennig
Marysville, CA (February 15, 2015) – The 2015 racing season is just around the corner at the newly reconfigured quarter-mile oval Marysville Raceway dirt track. We are pleased to announce that the annual Sherm and Loree Toller Memorial race will be the first race of the season on February 28th. This annual race will attract a high number of winged 360 competitors vying for the $2,000 winner’s check. This race also marks the first big winged sprint car race of the year in Northern California. The wingless sprints and sport modifieds are also scheduled to compete during the night in honor of the Toller family.
Adding to the prestige of the race is the big bonus offered by promoter Dennis Gage. The driver that wins this race will be in line for a chance to win the $10,000 bonus. If one driver can win the first six winged sprint car races between Silver Dollar Speedway and Marysville Raceway, that driver will win $10,000.
In previous renditions of this race it was solely known as the Sherm Toller Memorial. Unfortunately, since last year’s race, Sherm’s wife has passed away. Both Sherm and Loree worked at the Marysville Speedway for numerous years. The family asked us to add Loree’s name to the race and we thought it would be an awesome tribute to them both.
Sherm and Loree Toller met in 1973 and were married on June 11, 1978. They met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend at a luau party. It was only natural that these two race fanatics spent their honeymoon time on a road trip to watch the Super Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway in Washington. The Toller’s love of dirt track racing led them to visit numerous racetracks over the years. However, their real dedication to our sport came in the early nineties when Sherm began handling the PR and infield announcing duties at Ernie Purcell Speedway in Grass Valley and Loree was hired as the scorekeeper. When Ernie Purcell Speedway closed in 1994, Sherm and Loree gravitated to Marysville Raceway and began working for the Hall family. Sherm was a master of the infield microphone and always made sure he got the story in detailed fashion. Loree loved to oversee the race from the tower and was a natural at scorekeeping.
Grass roots auto racing is a passion that is handed down through generation after generation. The same is true for the Toller’s. Sherm and Loree took their two daughters, Sheree and Kaylee, with them to all the races. Both girls have grown up to be beautiful women and, they too, now spend their weekends at dirt tracks. In fact, both girls will be on hand to remember their parents on this night at Marysville.
The Sherm and Loree Toller Memorial will take place Saturday, February 28th. The pit gate will open at 3 P.M. while the front grandstand gate will open at 5 P.M. Qualifying for the winged sprint cars will begin at 6 P.M. with racing to follow. General grandstand admission to this event is $15.00 for adults, $13.00 for juniors and seniors, military or disabled. Children, ages 6 to 11, are $6.00. Five and under are free.
A follow up press release will update fans and media on expected drivers to attend the event.
For more information about the track please visit www.marysvilleraceway.com