Annual Dillow Memorial Race set for Saturday
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 18, 2004
PORTSMOUTH - Any question about Fred Dillow's popularity has been answered the past 10 years.
The Ironton driver died in 1989 after a three-year bout with leukemia. To honor the famed driver, a race was named in his honor and it will celebrate its 10th anniversary Saturday at Portsmouth Raceway Park.
The 10th annual Fred Dillow Memorial Race will feature a late model race that pays $3,000 to win, a modified division
and a limited late model that pays $800 each to win, and the bomber division with a $500 payday to the winner.
In addition to the regular payoffs, bonus money will be randomly paid throughout the field in all divisions as well as a one night stay at the Ramada Inn Portsmouth, two dinners at Damon's of Portsmouth and miscellaneous racing products.
A Hard Charger Award in the late model and limited late model division will be presented by Echo Dry Cleaners of Portsmouth to a driver who moves up the most positions in the feature event.
Children 12 and under will have the opportunity to win a free Pepsi bike valued at $140 which was donated by Pepsi Bottling Co. of Portsmouth.
Dillow, who was very popular among fans, began his racing career in 1968 at Champion Speedway in Kitts Hill and raced at tracks in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Members of the Dillow family will be on hand including Fred's wife, Edna, daughter and son-in-law Sherri and Mike Willis, grandson Shayne Willis, daughter Susan Dillow, and son and daughter-in-law Steve and Michelle Dillow, grandson Brayden and granddaughter Addison.
Steve is in his third year of racing and will be competing in the late model division.
Gates open at 4:00 p.m., hot laps are set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m.
The track is located one mile west of Portsmouth on State Routes 73 and 104.