Catchfence

There will be a race this Saturday at Mansfield Motorsports Park, but it will feature a lot more than cars circling the track.

First, it will honor the most famous racer from north central Ohio, aptly named the Tim Richmond Memorial ARCA 200.

Besides remembering the late Ashland star of NASCAR and IndyCar fame, it will be a night of awareness. Richmond died in 1989 of complications from AIDS after earning Rookie of the Year honors at the 1980 Indianapolis 500 and after 13 victories in eight NASCAR Sprint Cup seasons. In his memory, the AIDS Resource Center of Ohio will offer free testing at the track.

But anyone who knew Richmond (or watched “Days of Thunder” which was loosely based on his life) knew he loved a good time most of all. Saturday should be a good time as the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards returns to MMP for the second year.

“Last year’s show, it was fun to work with ARCA and work with the people,” track owner Mike Dzurilla said. “We found out we can work with them and they can work with us.”

- Mansfield News Journal