TYLER ROAHRIG LEADS GLASS CITY 200 PRACTICE
TYLER ROAHRIG LEADS GLASS CITY 200 PRACTICE
Toledo, Ohio—September 16, 2016: 33 of the 34 cars entered were at the track for Friday night’s 2 hour practice session for the 28th Running of the Great Lakes Helicopter/Central Transport Glass City 200 presented by the Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express. Tyler Roahrig led field with a lap of 14:977 for the outlaw Late Models.
Tyler’s lap came in the final 30 minutes of practice, knocking Frank Jiovani down to second after Frank was on top of the leader board for much of the practice. Jiovani’s quick lap of the session was 15:091, followed by Johnny Belott (15:139), Harold Fair Jr. (15:141), Jake Francis (15:212), Brandon Lyons (15:251), Brian Bergakker (15:306), JR Roahrig (15:325), Dakota Carlson (15:365) and Terry Senneker (15:407).
ARCA Late Model Gold Cup champion and pre-race favorite Steve Needles took a hard hit into the turn 3 foam blocks when a suspension piece broke on the #18. Steve was ok, but the car has been withdrawn from competiton.
Several drivers have encountered issues, in addition to Needles. Lyons and Dave Stehouwer have engine trouble, while Jimmy Thiel lost a water pump and radiator. Kevin Stahl Jr. has withdrawn from the event. Several teams are working to make changes to return for Saturday. Brent Jack shook down both his car and his son Hunter’s machine. Hunter is playing High School football tonight, but will be at the track Saturday.
Track officials are watching the forecast, but the goal is to run the race as scheduled Saturday night. Should that not happen, the rain date for the race is Sunday afternoon, September 18 at 1 p.m.
Saturday’s activities begin with practice at 1 p.m., the run for the PASSTIME $500 Pole Award starts at 3:30, an on-track autograph session will take place at 5 and racing begins at 6 p.m. The past winners of the Glass City 200 that are on hand will be introduced during the evening.
Additional sponsors for the Glass City 200 include Penske Shocks, R & M Recycling, Bazell Race Fuels, Sunoco Race Fuels, First Care Ambulance, Burge Wrecking, DTS Drive Train Specialists and Cassens Transport.
The “Pad the Purse” program will award cash bonuses for positions 6th through 15th. The minimum sponsorship is $10. Performance Images, Ray’s Door of Toledo, Naughton Insurance, the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club, Paul and Iris Anton, Monroe Asphalt of Toledo, Great Lakes Racing Frequencies, Scott McIlwain, Hammer’s Towing, Charlie Woodruff, LV Alliance, Rand Thompson in Memory of Joy Fair, DLC Racing Equipment, Jug’s Bowling Center, Chuck Roumell, Fleet Services and Northwest Trailer have pledged their support to the program. A total of $1020 will see each of those finishing positions receive at least a $100 bonus Saturday night.