Look around The Painesville Speedway and you will probably see Tom Zabukovec somewhere. EVen if you don’t see him, his touch is not hard to find. From memorial banners to the Clarice Gebeau Scoreboard on the backstretch, Tom brings more than just himself to the races at The Painesville Speedway, promoting the races to anyone within earshot and sharing posts and pictures on his Facebook page.
We wanted to get to know a little more about the man behind the name.
What got you into racing?
We started going to The Painesville Speedway as a family around 1961 when I was 8 years old. I can still remember those days like it was yesterday. Besides all the cars, fans, smoke, and of course, the dirt that covered our faces. Another memory that I have is driving past the old Diamond plant with all of that smoke and smell. And of course, there is that “mirror” in the men’s bathroom that is still there today.
What is your connection with The Painesville Speedway?
Of course my initial connection with Painesville was my childhood memories. And like most things in life, things change and there was a span where “life” took me away from the track for a while. And then about ten + years ago the light bulb went off and said: “Let’s go to Painesville Speedway.” And that was all I needed to rekindle that flame again. I told myself that I will never walk away again. The passion has been growing more and more ever since then. Then in 2017 we all know what happened!! To this day we all owe the Maggio family a HUGE, HUGE amount of gratitude for saving the track and bringing back the real name.
What keeps bringing you back to The Painesville Speedway?
#1: The people!! To me, it’s like a big, crazy, dysfunctional family that I love with all of my heart.
#2: Going pit side and getting to know these freaking idiots 
that go out there and put a show on for us.
#3: The racing!!! To me, there’s nothing like watching anywhere from 10 to 20, 30, 40, cars out there on the track, people cheering and or flipping each other off!!! It’s just fun.
And of course there’s Mom. She always liked The Painesville Speedway so as I became more and more involved with the track I’d show her my pictures, videos and she picked up on my excitement & passion and she got hooked also. Even as time went on and her health was declining, the first thing she would ask me every time I visited her was “How’s that Painesville Speedway doing?” That’s why Mom’s scoreboard exists today.
Discover more from Speedway Action Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
