Toby Tobias

Dick “Toby” Tobias (February 12, 1932 – June 23, 1978) was an American stock car and sprint car racing driver from Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He revolutionized the dirt track modified stock car class by producing a chassis constructed of tubular steel.

Racing career
Toby Tobias began his racing career in the early 1950's at the Hilltop Speedway in Pennsylvania. He then spent the majority of his career racing in the sprint and modified divisions competing at the renowned tracks of the northeast, including the Nazareth Speedway and the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway in Pennsylvania, and the Flemington Speedway in New Jersey. Tobias made just one appearances in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 1972, Tobias developed a workable home-built frame for his Modified that replaced the mid 50's Chevy frames rails that had been popular. The Tobias tube chassis soon was incorporated into the rules for the New York and Pennsylvania racing circuit, and remains the standard.

Personal life
Toby Tobias was fatally injured in a USAC sprint car race at Flemington Speedway on June 23, 1978. He was inducted into the Eastern Motorsports Press Association, the National Sprint Car and the Northeast Dirt Modified Halls of Fame. Tobias was followed into racing by his sons Ronnie, Scott, Toby Jr. and son-in-law Paul Lotier. Scott and Paul were severely and permanently injured in racing accidents, and Ronnie died of a heart attack while racing.

NASCAR
(key) ( Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. )