Column By: STEPHEN DURHAM / RPW – RIDGEFIELD, CT – It was in 1980, when the second generation driver Eddie Marshall and the son of Lebanon Valley Hall of Famer Ernie Marshall, made his debut racing full time at the high banks of Lebanon Valley Speedway.
Eddie did begin getting behind the wheel of his father’s car at Orange County Fair Speedway in 1979, warming up his car for his first laps.
Eddie then began racing competitively with the 320 modified sportsmen class at Lebanon Valley Speedway the following year in 1980, then getting his first win in the spring of 1981.
Since then, Eddie has collected two co-championships in the 320 sportsmen class and the small block modifieds, and is in the top 10 of big block modified for all time wins at Lebanon Valley. This all has moved by quickly for Marshall.
“It’s been kind of a blur, it feels like it all has gone by pretty fast” Marshall says “if you had asked me that it has been 45 years, I wouldn’t be able to relate in saying it has felt like that long, but I don’t feel that much different from years ago either.”
Marshall says he is grateful that he remains in great shape and has the chance to continue to race weekly at a competitive level.
“I try to keep at it, by staying healthy, eating well and exercising through the years,” Marshall explains, “all while being really lucky with just being able to stay healthy, but also the people around me helping me with it to keep racing.”
While Eddie is racing on the weekend’s, he is also managing the family business of Marshall Oil during the week, while also getting his Teo Pro Car chassis ready for the following week.
“It’s certainly time consuming, a little bit of lack of sleep at times getting things set up, even without the season starting yet,” Marshall says, “but I have great people around me with the crew with the car, and with great people in the office, it makes this all possible.”
After the Ridgefield, CT driver earned his 320 sportsmen championship in 1982, Marshall moved up to the big block modifieds. Since then, he now sits just outside of the top 5 in wins with 34 wins. Eddie says he has enjoyed the challenges over the decades of different strong competition along the day.
“There have been great drivers to race against at Lebanon Valley over the years, I’ve enjoyed racing with everyone through the years” Marshall says “there has been great moments of battling for championships and side by side moments through the years.”
With each passing year, technology has played a role in advancing and evolving the world of racing, Eddie says things have definitely changed over the years.
“My background has been mostly decades with torsion bars, so it definitely has become different recently” Marshall explains “how they move is different and how they feels different with the coils setup now compared to the torsion bars.”
Eddie was feeling optimistic last weekend for the open practice at Lebanon Valley, and is already looking forward to the new season. 2023 was the first season since 2014 that Eddie finished outside of the top 10 in points, and has set his expectations.
“Certainly want to win races and be competitive, with a chance of the championship,” Marshall says, “that’s always the goal in the end and hasn’t changed over the years.”
Eddie is always grateful for his sponsors and supporters, while also thankful for his crew throughout the season, and can’t wait to get the season rolling.