Tom Wilson, former short-track driver, track announcer and a longtime supporter of racing in the Kansas City area. suddenly passed away on Wednesday. Wilson, 56, complained of chest pains in the morning and was taken by ambulance to Research Medical Center. At the hospital, Wilson collapsed and died. I guess what always appealed to me about Tom was that he was a champion for local short-track racing, said Marc Olson, owner of Lakeside Speedway. Everybody in the Kansas City area owes him a debt of gratitude for what he has done. Wilson drove for years at places such as I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Mo. He later served as track announcer at Lakeside when it was located on Leavenworth Road. He was the current track announcer at Central Missouri Speedway in Warrensburg and State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Mo. Wilson was known for the nicknames he would give drivers. He also was a frequent contributor to racing radio programs in Kansas City. He has held several positions in the Central Auto Racing Boosters organization, was on the CARB board of directors during 1995-97 and was a leading proponent to bring CARB to Central Missouri Speedway. Wilson is survived by his wife, Valerie, and daughters Valerie and Stephanie. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Floral Hills Funeral Home in Raytown. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Floral Hills.( Kansas City Star )(10-30-2003)
