In 1951, Gordon Dukes built his first car from a junkyard, the No.3 featuring a flathead Ford engine, a body of BF Goodrich signs welded together. His uniform was jeans, a white t-shirt and an old football helmet. Known as the “Findlay Flyer”. 22-year racing veteran won championships, set track records and captured racing events across the Eastern United States and Canada. He was recognized often for his clean and skillful driving. He was a top designer and builder of super modified cars, working to improve engines, tires and auto design. Helped form the Great Lakes Racing Association, serving as its first president and was the first to wear safety harnesses, promoted safe fuel tanks and urged uniform rules among tracks. In 1957, Dukes drove his first super modified No.62, owned by Earl Grimms Ford Garage in Arlington. Drove No.76, an ex-Indy car, to his first track record. Built 8 cars he used to set track records at 11 Ohio racing plants as well as facilities in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Canada. Toledo Speedway referred to him as “the most consistent driver from the tri-state area”. Canadians called him “one of the greatest American super modified drivers and car builders”. In September 1965 he won the Oswego International Classic in Oswego, N.Y. in the largest race for super modified racers. 4-time winner of the Sandusky Speedway International Classic. In 1979, Dukes was the first driver inducted into the Sandusky Racing Hall of Fame after winning more races and titles and holding more track records than any other driver in the facilities history. He was honored in 1985 as member of the “Old Timers Club” at Sandusky Speedway. Inducted into Hancock Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. Dukes died in 1994.