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Member of the Luxemburg Speedway Hall of Fame
Class of 2019 -
I watched Sal Tovella win a USAC Stock Car race during the State Fair at The Springfield Mile. I was just a small child at the time. Sal seemed to hold his own against the best of the old USAC Stock Car division, which at that time was a tough division that rivaled NASCAR for depth of quality cars and drivers.
For most of his career Sal was a dyed in the wool MOPAR man. Sal's last win came at The Magic Mile down at Du Quoin, Illinois in 1980. That was way before we started making the 5 hour trip down to Du Quoin every year like we do these days.
Sal was famous in the chitcago area and he got his start at Soldier Field back when they raced on the track that surrounded the football field. I remember my dad talking about going to Soldier Field for the races there. It was always rumored that Sal had some solid chitcago mob connections. That wouldn't surprise me.
Rest in peace, Mr. Tovella. I'm happy and honored to have watched you race!! -
I think it was '82... Sal had his IRA series at Milwaukee. He brought two cars.. one was an ancient Mopar reskinned as an Imperial. He had it available to rent for $1100.00. I had $1500.00 in my pocket and it really took a lot of strength to not pull the cash out of my pocket and make my one mile debut... coulda, woulda, shoulda...Member of the Luxemburg Speedway Hall of Fame
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