Toledo Speedway

TOLEDO, OH: There's something about walking into Frenchtown Square Mall in Monroe and Westfield Franklin Park in Toledo at this time of year-and when you see the freshly-painted, sharp-looking race cars, you start to get anxious for racing season!

Well, maybe everyone doesn't, but fans, officials and race teams are getting ready to go as both mall shows are surely to stir thoughts of burning rubber as Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways get ready to kick off their 2009 racing seasons.  Toledo will celebrate its 50^th anniversary season in 2009, while Flat Rock prepares for its 56^th consecutive year of operation.

RACER'S REUNION, MARFC FAN CLUB MEETING SATURDAY, MARCH 14

As a warm-up to the mall shows and the season openers, the tracks will play host to their annual Racer's Reunion Saturday, March 14 at the Toledo Speedway Bar and Grille banquet room from Noon to 5 p.m.  Thousands upon thousands of photographs from tracks across the Midwest will be on display, along with all types of racing memorabilia.  The public is invited and admission is free of charge.  Dozens of drivers, car owners and mechanics have gathered for the past 5 years for this event, both past and present.

Following the Reunion, the banquet room is transformed into a meeting room for the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club (MARFC) monthly meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m.  One of the longest-running Fan Clubs in the country, the MARFC supports racing of all types throughout the state of Michigan and Northern Ohio.  After conducting its meeting, Flat Rock and Toledo management will preview the upcoming season at both tracks.  The Bar and Grille kitchen will be open all day, and again, admission is free for both the Reunion and Fan Club meeting.

MALL SHOWS MARCH 20/21 AND MARCH 27/28

While the weather certainly hasn't cooperated as far as allowing crews to get out and start preparing for opening day, the mall shows get everyone moving a step quicker and plans go into motion to prepare for that special day at each track.  Friday and Saturday, March 20-21, the cars take center stage at the Frenchtown Square Mall in Monroe, MI.  In addition to the race cars on display, a pair of the SIM-Factory race car simulators will be at the mall, taking racers and fans on-track for fast-paced action.  There will be no charge for the simulators.  The tracks will have an information booth during the show, with schedules, ticket order forms and information.  The show takes place during mall hours, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

The following weekend, March 27/28, the cars move to Toledo and the huge Westfield Franklin Park Shopping Center.  The SIM-Factory race car simulators will travel to Westfield for the Friday/Saturday event and the track will staff its information booth.  Show hours are mall hours, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

Toledo's new season begins Saturday afternoon, April 25 with the appearance of the ASA North Late Models and USA Modifieds.  A Friday practice session is slated for both groups, with Saturday's schedule showing time trials at noon and racing at 2:30 p.m.  The track has been leased to Ron and Sandy Varney for the 3^rd consecutive year for this event.

Toledo's first Friday night show, the Buckeye Cable Sports Network (BCSN)/Tim Hortons Season Opener is set for May 1 and features the ARCA Sportsman, Figure 8's, Speedway Tire and Auto Factory Stocks and the 4 Cylinders.  Weekly Friday night racing begins at 7:30 p.m.

Flat Rock action begins Saturday, April 25 with the 7-Up Opening Night.  The ARCA Moran Chevrolet/Miller Lite Late Models, Figure 8's and Street Stocks will fill the race card.  Saturday night racing begins at 7 p.m.

Each track will host open practices prior to the openers.  Flat Rock's testing sessions are set for Saturday, April 18 from Noon to 5, while a Wednesday, April 22 test will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Toledo's open test has a Sunday, April 26 date from Noon to 5 p.m., providing the ASA event is completed on the 25^th.  An additional testing date is set for Wednesday, April 29 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.