Terry Gibson Tribute

A crash at the Toledo Speedway took the life of a LaRue man and business owner Friday evening as his nephew raced to victory at the Kil-Kare race track in Xenia.

A four-vehicle accident at the Toledo Speedway killed 46-year-old Terry Gibson, a second-generation race-car driver, as four cars slammed into a wall at about 110 mph. The Toledo Blade reported that it is believed to be the second fatality of a driver in the track's 48-year history and the first death at the site since 2000.

According to news reports, the crash occurred at about 7:45 p.m. on Friday during the third lap of the Super Modified division. Lucas County coroner's investigator Charlie Hunt pronounced Gibson dead at the scene. Shortly after hearing about Gibson's death, his nephew, Zach Gibson of Richwood, went on to win the Buckeye Super Sprints feature at Kil-Kare.

"We knew it going into the feature," said Larry Gibson, Terry's brother and Zach's father.

"It was real rough strapping my son in last night," he said as Zach prepared to race Saturday at the Columbus Motor Speedway. "We will do our best to win the Speedway for my brother."

The Toledo Speedway is a half-mile paved track located on Benore Road in north Toledo. According to the Blade, Super Modifieds are recognizable by their giant wings on top that provide downforce. They typically have 800-horsepower engines and weigh less than 2,000 pounds.

A bio posted on the Winged Sprints on Asphalt racing series Web site stated that Terry started racing go-karts when he was 15. Larry said that Terry served in the Air Force after graduating high school and started racing mini-sprint cars when he returned home.

"He loved racing, that's for sure," said Mark Primavera, a LaRue resident and president and track operator at Marion County International Raceway drag strip. "He was a really nice guy. He was always in a good mood."

Terry's family shared his passion for racing. According to Zach Gibson's Web site, Terry is the son of champion super-modified race driver and car builder Todd Gibson who raced in the Indianapolis 500 in the 1970s.

Terry's brothers Gene Lee and Jeff also race and Larry, who left racing three years ago, is a former ARCA Midget Series champion. Zach's accomplishments include being named Winged Sprints on Asphalt 2006 points champion and rookie of the year and 2006 Columbus Speedway Sprint Car champion.

"We all grew up at the race track," said Larry. "That's all we know."

While it will not be easy, Larry said, he expects the family will continue racing.

"We are race-car drivers," he said. "We know it and talk about it. Racing is a dangerous game."

"It's just a passion we have, the need for speed," said Larry.

Terry was owner and operator of the Red Roof Automotive repair shop in LaRue and had previously worked at Parker Hanifan. According to his obituary, he was a 1980 graduate of North Union High School where he played football.

He was a 12-year member of LaRue Baptist Church.

Terry is also survived by his wife, Linda Gibson; a son, Ryan Gibson; a daughter, Lindsay Kincaid, and a sister, Deb Brady.