Clair ArnoldNovember 18, 1927 - April 20, 2009Clair Arnold of Lebanon passed away Monday at his home.Clair was born in Medford, Ore., to Ivan and Helen Arnold and lived in Oregon all his life.Clair attended Madison Elementary, and Albany High School.  He entered the United States Navy in 1952 and served proudly.  He was honorably discharged in 1954.  After leaving the service, he returned to Albany and went into business with his father .  The two of them built Arnold's Garage which was one of the first slab buildings in Albany and is now Cordray's Transmission.  He was a well know  and much sought after engine builder.  His love for precision engines led him building motors for race cars.  And from there in 1966 he began building Willamette Speedway in Lebanon.  He was known as an icon in racing.  He devoted himself to bringing pride and dignity to racing and to keep his speedway a family oriented facility.He was a lifetime member of both the American Legion Post #10 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #584.Clair and his wife Evelyn raised five children who all graduated from West Albany High School.Clair is survived by his wife Evelyn; daughters Cheri Gordon of Corvallis and Connie Howarth of Albany; son Billy Arnold and wife Lori of Lebanon; granddaughters Clarice Gordon of Gaston, Tami Gordon of Albany, Haley Flores of West Linn, Ashley Nofziger of Lebanon, and Samantha Howarth of Albany; son in law Butch Gordon of Albany; sister Maxine McKenzie of Salem; and his beloved dog Coco.Clair was preceded in death by daughter Teri Seeley and Son Michael Arnold.in lieu of flowers contributions can be sent in Clair's honor to the American Legion Post #10.Military Honors will be presented by the American Legion and a memorial lap will be held just prior to Saturday's races on April 25.A celebration of life for all who were fortunate to know him will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Willamette Speedway.AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com )