| Herb Tillman at Hialeah Speedway Closing | by Marty Little
HIALEAH, Fla. - On July 18, 1954 Herb Tillman won the opening day feature event at Hialeah Speedway and he will be among the many former drivers, crewman and fans on hand to witness the track's closing night of racing on August 13.
On that opening Sunday afternoon 51 years ago, Tillman wheeled George Nelson's brand new 1934 Ford coupe to victory over Marion Edwards and Sonny Palmer in the 25 lap event over the freshly paved third-mile oval.
Tillman, who now resides in Mooresville, N.C., went on to a distinguished racing career that included modifieds in the Northeast on tracks such as Reading, Pa., Flemington, N.J. and Lebanon Valley, N.Y. and in the early 60s competed successfully on the NASCAR Grand National circuit.
Several other former speedway regulars have indicated they will be on hand including driver Bobby Brack, car owners Darius "Dee" Powell and Carlton Bahn and announcer Chip Green among them.
The evening's featured 75 lap late model event will be dedicated to the memory of Jeff Dufresne, a long time speedway competitor and former GMRA president, who passed away on July 12 following a heart attack.
Also on the closing night card will be the visiting Fastrucks Pro pick- up trucks plus the track's regular street stock, mini stock and cyclone divisions and will close out with a huge school bus figure 8 run.
For more information phone the speedway at 305.821.6644 or visit the web site at www.hialeahspeedway.com.
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