NEEDLES SPRINTS TO TOLEDO WIN
NEEDLES SPRINTS TO TOLEDO WIN
Toledo, Ohio—July 8, 2016: Steve Needles edged out NASCAR Truck Series champ Matt Crafton to capture the Kevin Butzin Recycling (KBR) 100 for the ARCA Royal Truck and Trailer Late Model Gold Cup Series Friday night at Toledo Speedway. Ron Allen took top honors in the ARCA Aramark Late Model Sportsman race, while Robb Remick was the victor in the ARCA Factory Stock feature. Kevin Butzin of KBR presented the trophies to the winners in the 7-Up Winner’s Circle.
With rain and storms approaching the track, a great effort by the race teams kept the show moving. A 25 minute rain delay at lap 31 of the 100 was the only stoppage, as the storm split and spared the track. To the north and south, less than 10 miles in either direction, heavy rains and thunderstorms slammed those areas.
Frankie Jiovani and Dakota Carlson led the 17 car field to the green, with Jiovani darting out front. The #45 looked strong as Steve Needles and Matt Crafton followed in the leaders tracks. On lap 11, Jiovani hung on as a tire went down on his car. He was able to get to pit road and the race continued, with Needles now picking up the lead. The first yellow came out on lap 31 when Nick Grodi’s car quit on the backstraight. The rain drops set in enough to stop the race, but the track stayed warm and was ready to go after the short delay.
Needles, looking for his 4th straight Gold Cup win of the season, set a quick pace, but Crafton, in Bob Fox’s #56, stayed within striking distance. Harold Fair Jr., running 5th and making up ground, went pit-side on lap 65 as sparks flew from the front of his machine. 6 laps later, the save of the night came from Carlson while battling Scott Hantz for third. Carlson got sideways in the front stretch and made a great save and the race stayed green. The 2nd and final yellow flag of the night came out on lap 83 when Chris Benson spun in the back stretch. This gave Crafton a shot at the lead and the win as the double-file restart set things up.
Matt pulled even with Needles, but the #18 continued its strong performance and pulled back into the lead. And while it looked like Steve would sail to victory, his engine began sputtering with 5 laps to go, giving Crafton 1 more shot at the win. At the checkered flag, Needles hung on by 2 car lengths for the win. Carl Bumgardner of Royal Truck and Trailer congratulated Steve in post-race ceremonies. Crafton’s first run in a Late Model at Toledo gave him second, Hantz was third, Carlson fourth and Scott Pemberton fifth. Jimmie Ward Jr., Joe Hawes, Will Sahutzke, Brent Jack and Benson completed the top ten. Jiovani, Fair Jr., Dennis Strickland, Grodi, Jake Francis, Nick Bailey and Steve Hawes completed the finishing order. Hantz set the DTS Drive Train Specialists fast time at 15:063.
Ron Allen made it 2 wins in a row in the ARCA Aramark Late Model Sportsman division, scoring the win in the 35 lap all-green flag feature race. Allen took the win at Flat Rock Speedway last Saturday, and came out on top in a battle with Mike Young for the victory at Toledo Friday night. Greg Stilwell took the lead for 2 laps at the start, before Allen motored by to take control of the event. Young followed suit and the pair moved away from the rest of the field. Young took a few looks to the high side of Ron late in the race, but Allen zipped along to the win over Young, Jim Froling, Kevin Stahl Jr., Tommy O’Leary IV, Greg Stilwell, Andy Harding, Kenny McKay Jr., Kent McCloskey, Chad Stilwell, Dave Frantz, Craig Osenbaugh and Dan Grigsby. Allen and McCloskey took the heat race wins. Froling set quick time at 17:401.
The ARCA Factory Stock 20 lap feature race went to Robb Remick of Royal Oak, MI. Jesse Carrillo led the first 5 laps until Remick slid to the low groove to take the point. Robb steered his way to the “W” over Derek Halka, Matt Ringger, Paul Martell, Carrillo, Randy Padgett Jr., Mike Miller, Cody Remick, Jacob Thomas and Ryan Mallory. Remick also captured the heat race win.
Friday, July 15 is Great 8 Night at Toledo Speedway! Admission for adults is just $8 per person! On the track, fans will see the Monroe News 250 lap Enduro race, the ARCA Victory Lane Figure 8’s, a Figure 8 Train race (2 cars chained together; front one with the engine, back car with the brakes) and the wild Boat Figure 8 race!
ALL tickets go on sale at 5:30 p.m. on race day at the track. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Children 6-12 are $3 each and under 6 are free. Parking is free on the track grounds.