Posted by tjtadmin / 24. January 2005, 14:29
BY SUSIE KASINSKI DRUMMOND For Around the Bend

There are many famous Bobs in the world. We've all heard of Bob Hope, Bob Barker and Bob Newhart. Racine County is home to yet another legendary Bob — "Broadway Bob" — the former owner of Great Lakes Dragaway, 18411 First St., Union Grove.

Born Robert Metzler, "Broadway Bob" is a 76-year-old, renowned race promoter who revved up the sport of drag racing in this area for more than four decades.

Metzler served in the United States Marines in the 1940s, when drag racing was just a hobby for him.

"They tried to make a drill instructor of me, but I can't yell and be mean to people," he said. "I'm a friendly guy and a party guy."

During his stint in the service, his position allowed him to work early and have his evenings off.

"I had time in the evenings so the common thing was going out looking for ladies — there's nothing wrong with that — or staying on base and get into a card game," Metzler said.

He opted for the card games, and he discovered that the only way to make money while playing cards was to be the dealer. His success was staggering. Between his winnings and his other income, he managed to save $20,000 before he left the Marines.

As that was a significant amount of money back in those days, he was approached to build a race track in the Midwest. He contacted Paul James, who now is deceased, and purchased his plot of land with plans to erect a track. After much work and in cooperation with members of 30 to 35 race clubs, Great Lakes Dragaway unfurled its flag in 1956.

To attract racers to the track, Metzler traveled the country in outlandish outfits. On a trip to California in the early 1960s, he donned a colorful plaid shirt; a pair of red, white and blue pants; white boots; and a lion's head necklace. A reporter interviewed him for a story that was titled, "Broadway Bob Goes Hollywood."

"The name stuck like glue," said Metzler. "I never would have got near the publicity if my name was just Bob."

With his unique name, his love of racing, his business savvy and his gregarious personality, Broadway Bob became a driving force in the drag-racing industry. He was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1996.

"There are less than 150 people inducted in the hall of fame out of 7 million people involved in drag racing. It's a very, very big honor," Metzler said. "My forte is not in driving, but in being the greatest promoter in the history of auto racing."

He even has his own bobble heads. One figure has Broadway Bob holding a Nitro beer can, and the other shows him as a dragon master wearing Batman glasses. According to Metzler, this is the only bobble head in the world that has two heads — his and the dragon's — that bobble at the same time.

Metzler owned Great Lakes Dragaway for 43 years before he retired and sold the business to Ray Drew, Marcel Kuper and Randy Henning. The facility currently is in its 50th year of operation.

Hollywood comes to Broadway Bob

Even in retirement, the public can't get enough of Broadway Bob. The Discovery Channel spent a portion of last summer filming Metzler and other local events to promote through its Monster Nation series. The segments currently are airing.

In addition to filming "A Day in the Life of Broadway Bob," the producers shot 13,000 feet of tape over a span of eight days. Other taped events included Racine Rotary Club West's inaugural Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival, Draco the Dragonator, a car-crushing monster that is owned by Metzler, Jimmy "The Jet" Nielson and his jet limousine that goes 250 to 300 miles per hour, and race cars that performed figure-eight driving stunts until they crashed. Portions of the footage are featured in several episodes of the Monster Nation series.

The next segment is scheduled to air at 4 p.m. Wednesday on the Discovery Channel.

The Party Guy
hosting a bash

Metzler's impact on the fans of the Great Lakes Dragaway is evident to this day when he visits the track. He said he often is greeted by men who brought their sons to the track, and now are bringing their grandsons. They introduce the children to Metzler and say, "This is the man who built this place."

"I get all choked up just talking about," said Metzler. "I know I'm just a softie."

To celebrate the national television coverage and Great Lakes Dragaway's 50th year in operation, Metzler, the owners of Great Lakes Dragaway and Butch Schoenfuss, owner of Old Settlers Entertainment/Bowling Center, 1500 15th Ave., Union Grove, are holding a party for fans, friends and race car drivers on March 12. Schoenfuss will open the doors of his business from noon to midnight. Clips of the Monster Nation shows will be aired on nine television sets.

Music, dancing and food will be provided. The men expect 500 to 1,000 guests to join the party. All local residents are invited.

"Broadway Bob Metzler and Great Lakes Dragaway have certainly given lots of publicity to Union Grove over the years and brought many visitors to the area. Broadway is a very outgoing, generous person and has invited Chamber of Commerce members to a number of special events at the drag strip," said Carol Knight, executive director of the chamber. "Personally, I certainly plan to be in attendance on March 12. My husband and I wouldn't miss it!"
"I'm putting on the party because I'm so happy about the national recognition we're getting. Butch feels the same about the community as I do and has been very generous," said Metzler. "We want everyone to come and be happy and not worry about paying, just to be part of it. To me, it's been a great life."