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As a Toledoan who grew up watching Rollie Beale win races against the best local racers, IMCA, and USAC, this is indeed a very sad day. I have a wall dedicated to Rollie in my basement. He raced in the 50's and won in stock cars before turning to modifieds, and super modifieds late in the decade at Toledo's Raceway Park dirt track. In the 60's he raced throughout Ohio at Fremont, Findlay, Sandusky, Toledo Speedway, etc. winning races and championships. He turned to IMCA, the Little 500, and finally to USAC where most on this board had the pleasure to witness his greatness as a person and champion. He was a "people's champion" and respected by those who raced against him as a fierce and clean competitor. Thank you Rollie Beale for being a race car driver and role model I could cheer for whether I was 5 years old or 65 years old. RIP.
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