LIMA — Honoring loved ones is something that most people try to do in different ways. Gerry Keysor has one of the most unique ways of honoring his loved ones as he gets to announce the 17th annual Keysor Memorial for the third straight year. The Bud Thunderstocks, K&N Filter Modifieds and B.O.S.S. Non-Wing Sprints will all be competing Friday night at Limaland Motorsports Park. The pit gates open at 4:30 and racing starts at 7:30.
“This started for my dad as the Bobby Keysor Memorial after he passed away in 2001,” Keysor said. “Then when my Grandpa Bill passed away in 2011, I talked to my uncle Ron and some of my other family members and we wanted to name it the Keysor Memorial. We have so many family members who have turned laps and competed that we wanted to honor all of our late loved ones.”
Keysor is also in his third season as Limaland’s announcer. He has also added another job Friday nights after taking over in victory lane this year as well.
“I became an announcer in 2009 at Waynesfield Raceway Park and I always wanted to announce the Keysor Memorial at Limaland,” Keysor said. “Then three years ago I got the opportunity to take the job at Limaland. The chance to announce the Keysor Memorial is what made my decision. It was the feather in my cap and my crown jewel. It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.”
Keysor’s grandfather, Bill, raced in the 1950s and 1960s and Keysor’s dad, Bobby, started racing in 1982 and won the stock car championship at Limaland in 1990.
“1990 was a dream season because my dad won just about every race he competed in that year at Limaland,” Keysor said. “It was a shootout to see who was going to finish second behind him.”
Since Keysor used to be the announcer at Waynesfield Raceway Park, he is familiar with the B.O.S.S. Non-Wing Sprints invading Limaland for this race.
“Limaland is such a legendary track and in the 1970s, it was the only track in Ohio with Non-Wing Sprints,” Keysor said. “Waynesfield has kind of brought it to where it is now since that time. Guys come from all over the country to compete. It’s not a grueling schedule, only two nights a week during the summer. Seeing those guys and some of the young guns who are starting their careers compete in this race is just great.”
Not only is Keysor excited to see some of the youth in the sport compete, there is also somebody else scheduled to compete as well.
“I’m just looking forward to an awesome night of racing,” Keysor said. “Kenny Wallace is scheduled to come. He is just a neat guy. He was at the top of NASCAR and came back to his grass roots of dirt track racing. That’s super cool. I’m so excited for this race that I can barely contain myself!”
For Keysor Memorial results pick up the Sunday edition of The Lima News.
Waynesfield Raceway
WAYNESFIELD — The first “Meet the Drivers” night of the 2018 season takes place Saturday night at Waynesfield Raceway Park. The weekend warriors will line the front stretch to meet and greet with fans as well as sign autographs and hand out prizes. The racing portion of the event will feature action from the Quest Federal Credit Union Non Wing Sprints, Performance Powder Coating AMSA Mini Sprints, Block Insurance Tough Trucks and the Indian Lake Outfitter Compacts.
Pit gates open at 4 p.m.; grandstands at 5 p.m. Hot laps get underway at 6 p.m. with the first green flag of the night at 7 p.m. Driver autographs will take place during intermission.
Adult general admission is just $12. Youngsters 11-15 years old are admitted for $6 with those under the age of 10 admitted for free. Pit access is available for $25.
For more information go to waynesfieldracewaypark.net.
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