Toledo Speedway

SOUTHGATE MI (6-11-08)--There was two first time winners this weekend. Scott Apperson won his first Figure 8 feature and Chris Benson won his first late model race. It took Chris Benson 10 seasons to reach his goal, a victory in the Super Late Model division. "I had one chance, to pass Ricky (Kargel) on a restart. I've been trying so hard to conquer it ... I just don't know what else to say," said the driver of the Gorno Ford, Tom's Collision, Michaels Jewelry Buyers, BTS Inc., Gentle Touch Oil Change #51. Several days, Chris was still one happy camper, "I really can't tell you how much the win means. It's just my dad, Ray, and myself working on the car. I'm so proud of our team that we could win against the larger teams. I still can't believe I actually won it... I just kept waiting for that white #5 (Eric Lee) to catch me and he never caught up to us. Maybe this will be the start of things and we can build on it," said Benson. His previous career best finish was a third place last year. Now he gets to enjoy his win for a couple weeks as the late models have the weekend off before their longest race of the year, the Moran Chevrolet/Stan Yee Memorial 150.

Scott Apperson has been working towards his first victory for four seasons. "I want to thank my dad, Dan (Apperson). Rich Appreson built my engine, and although he passed away, I still appreciate the engine he built me. I told him before he died one day his engine would win a feature," said the driver of the Koz's Towing, Performance Images #21. Scott led all the laps of the feature and held multi-champion Dennis Whisman for the win. Prior to Friday's win, Scott, a third generation driver, had a career best finish of sixth.

Keeping with the theme of first time winners. Randy Roberts won his first Figure 8 heat Saturday night.

Paul Pelletier thought something had broken in the rear of the car while he paced along during a lap two caution... he was right and on the green flag in turn 4 the left rear came off the car and he spun. The team had no idea what happened but they got a another tire on and he started in the rear of the field. Paul got back to 11th but the stagger was off, making the car tight...and because of this condition it ground down the shock and the wheel hub.

  The prior night he had a much better experience leading about half of the Main Event race at KilKare Speedway in Ohio. He had lapped up to sixth place when a red flag came out. Again a tight car was the problem and he was passed by three cars and finished fourth. The trip home might've been the start of the bad luck... first the lights went out in the trailer, then the trailer's tire went flat... and since everything comes in threes... the third was his car losing the tire in the feature.

Kevin Butzin brought his late model out for the first time and had the fuel pump go out during qualifying. "We bought Jon Boor's car that used be driven by Greg Taylor. The engine is Gary Hawes' old ARCA engine from 1985 (this may be the oldest engine out there) and last time it was raced was by Mike Bollick in an X car race and he won with it," said Butzin. Problems continued for the driver of the #89 and he dropped out after 12 laps in the feature.

Points leader, Dan Ford, won his second A division Street Stock feature of the year, "I went to Don Lane's house and got it (the car) set up. It was quick tonight. I have to get the qualifying under control... I'd like to qualify better," said Ford. It was his 11th win career A main win.

Jason Shinn got his first career A division top 10 last last Saturday in the A main. "I wanted to thank everyone that has helped get me this far this year, Dennis Strickland and Strickland Racing, Steve Bunge and B & H Race pars, and of course Bill Leech and family. Hopefully this will be a sign of things to come as soon as I get qualifying down a little better," said the driver of the #17 street stock.

Jason Burkhardt won the B Division Street Stock feature. It was his first win in almost two years ... his last win being July 22, 2006. "That was fun to win again. I battled a loose condition, but it came out okay. I'd like to thank the guys that works on the car," said the driver of the #61.

We had a new Street Stock driver ... Greg Hinzmann. "We raced for three years in the 4-cylinders and finally were able to get this car. It's Grover Smith's old car and it hasn't raced since the 2002."

Dave Stadniczuck was back after having Al Hasenfratz's #85 land on top of his car last week. "My brother, Tadek, worked hard to get the car back together for me. It took pretty much the entire side and front sheet metal. I had to work all week, so he did all the work on it."

Ian Jezylo drove Billy Cronce's #60 in the B main and finished ninth. I've heard his #90 broke an axle in the heat.

Derek Wiley won a few weeks ago and because I wasn't there, didn't get his sponsors. He'd like to thank Iron Mikes Bar and Grill, Crest Ford, A&W of Brownstown, Newport Auto Repair, Crystal Cut Tool, Prestige Spa Covdrs, VJ's Country Pantry and Giles Auto Body. Unfortunately this week wasn't as kind to him ... he was involved in an accident with Regan Ford.

Jeremy Miller won his second Figure 8 feature at Flat Rock this season, bringing his career total at the track to 31... one behind Randy Cronenwett (who is in sixth). "Wild one out there tonight. I tried not to get into him (Jerry Lee Jr.) but couldn't stop fast enough. I want to thank my wife Melissa and my kids. Thanks to all the sponsors... it's hard to get a car out here this season and we all appreciate everything you do for us," said the driver of the #52.

Jim Froling won his second Sportsman feature of the season at Toledo. It is his eighth career win, and it puts him one behind Carl Bumgardner (who is in third place overall).

Dave Arnold Jr won his second Factory Stock feature event of the season ... and career.

The Factory Stock B main and 4-Cylinder feature was rained out and will be run on June 20.