| Marion Edwards Memorial/Orlando Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep/Noritz/Tempaco Sunbelt 125 this Friday Night at Orlando SpeedWorld | DUE TO RAIN THE MARION EDWARDS MEMORIAL HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO NOV 15 AT NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY
by Marty Little and Jane Smith
Orlando, FL (October 20, 2008) On Friday, October 24th, Orlando SpeedWorld will hold the Marion Edwards Memorial/Orlando Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep/Noritz/Tempaco Sunbelt Super Late Model 125. The biggest race of the year for SpeedWorld and the fans.
"I really wanted to bring back this race," said General Manger Rusty Marcus. "I knew Marty Little would help and he could help gather the Edwards family and make this the race it use to be. All but one brother will be here Friday night and I can't tell you how much excitement fills the air at SpeedWorld."
Marcus came up with another idea of making this also a reunion for Hialeah drivers. "I grew up going to Hialeah and Palm Beach Fairgrounds and I thought what better time this could be for a reunion for Hialeah. We have had a really good response and I expect fans will see alot of the old Hialeah crowd whether they bring their cars or not. All are invited and I hope they bring tons and tons of photo albums to share with everyone."
Background on Marion Edwards, Jr. aka "Little Marion." He was a second generation driver with his dad also named Marion. He was virtually raised at Hialeah Speedway as his dad was an active part of the Greater Miami Racing Association (GMRA) which ran the speedway from its inception in 1954 until the mid 90s.
As a youngster young Marion helped his father on his race cars and aspired to race one day. That one day came in the late 60s when he fielded his own Chevelle late model.
On July 5, 1969 (a Sunday) Marion and several others from South Florida towed to New Smyrna Speedway for a 100 lap late model special event. In those days fuels cells were not yet mandatory in short track cars nor were drivers required to wear fire suits for protection.
Edwards' car had a leaking fuel tank and despite his and others best efforts they could not completely stop the leak. In the feature Edwards' car made contact with the wall and the leaking fuel ignited and the car was ablaze. The bigger problem was that Edwards was using a seat belt and shoulder harness setup with a different locking mechanism and it would not release.
Despite the efforts of Edwards and some other drivers and crewmen, they could not release Edwards' belts and he perished in the fire.
The inaugural Marion Edwards Memorial 200 was held at Hialeah in October 1969 with Bobby Brack the winner and it continued each year (except 1995) through 2004.
Hialeah Speedway closed in August 2005 but no race was held that year. Of all the big special events held yearly at Hialeah the Marion Edwards was easily the most popular and carried the most prestige over time.
List of Previous Winners:
10-25-69 Bobby Brack #0 (1st win) 200 laps
10-24-70 Randy Tissot #0 (1) 200 laps
11-17- 71 Butch Sousa #29 200 laps
11-11-72 Randy Tissot #74 (2) 200 laps
11-17-73 Billy Barnwell #6 200 laps
11-16-74 Bobby Brack #74 (2) 200 laps
10-25-75 Larry Rogero #17 (1) 200 laps
10-30-76 Mike McCrary #M5 200 laps
11-12-77 Speedy Reeves #21 200 laps
11-11-78 Gary Balough #30 (1) 200 laps (105 rain)
10-27-79 Larry Rogero #17 (2) 150 laps
11-08-80 Bobby Coyle #237(a) 50 laps
Dick Anderson #92 50 laps
11-21-81 Tom Duckworth #25 (late model) (1) 50 laps
Mike Borghi #94 (limited late model)50 laps
11-13-82 Tom Duckworth #25 (2) 100 laps
11-12-83 Mike Eddy #88 200 laps
11-10-84 Gary Balough #112 (2) 200 laps
11-09-85 Gary Balough #112 (3) (b) 200 laps
11-23-86 Dick Anderson #92 (1) 100 laps
Dick Anderson #92 (2) 100 laps
11-07-87 Lee Holloway #25 (a) 100 laps
Dick Anderson #92 100 laps
11-19-88 Joe Winchell #37 (1) 100 laps
11-18-89 Larry Rogero #17 (3) (c) 100 laps
11-17-90 Darryl Shelnut #7 (1) (c) 100 laps
Larry Rogero #17 (4) 100 laps
11-16-91 Dick Anderson #92 (3) 100 laps
03-20-93 Larry Rogero #17 (5) (a) (d) 100 laps
(rain in '92)
11-13-93 Darryl Shelnut #7 (2) 100 laps
11-20-94 Jim McCoy #64 100 laps
No Race
11-23-96 Larry Rogero (6) 100 laps
11-15-97 Joe Winchell #57 (tie) (2) (e) 100 laps
Danny Maddox #82 (tie) (e)
11-21-98 David Russell #36 (f) 125 laps
2000 Mike Franklin, Jr.
2001 Daryl Shelnut
2002 Joe Winchell
2003 Daryl Shelnut
On Thursday, October 23rd, there will be an open practice at Orlando SpeedWorld from 6 to 10 pm. Pit gate will open at 5 pm. Cost will be $10.00 per person and overnight hauler parking is available. Gas and tires will be available.
On Friday, October 24th, pit gate will open at 2 pm with practice for the Super Late Models ALONE from 3 to 4 pm.
Division practice will follow with the Super Lates also included in that practice. Qualifying for the Marion Edwards Memorial/Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep/Noritz/Tempaco Sunbelt Super Late Model 125 will be at 8 pm.
General admission is $15.00, students and seniors $10.00, children 11 and under FREE.
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