Toledo Speedway

TOLEDO, OH  (5-22-09)--  Pleasant Lake, IN driver Scott Hantz zipped into the lead on lap 44 and sailed to victory in the Big Red Crème Soda 100 for the ARCA Hantz Group/Allegiant Air Glass City Gold Cup Late Model Series Friday evening at Toledo Speedway.  Gladys Cothern and Steve Harsh, representing Big Red, presented the Gold Cup to Scott in the Glass Bowl Lanes Winner’s Circle.

A solid field of 27 Late Models made the trip to Toledo for the first race of the 5 race series, and the first of 3 events at the Glass City oval.  Hantz started the night off by ripping off a lap of 15:097 to set quick time.  Dennis Strickland jumped into the lead at the start and ran strong out front, with Brent Jack, Harold Fair Jr. and Hantz played cat and mouse for second spot.  John VanDoorn brought out the first yellow when his machine went up in a cloud of smoke on lap 14, bringing out the first of 6 yellow flags.  The race restarted and by lap 26, both Fair Jr. and Hantz slipped by Jack, who slowed on lap 32 when a power steering belt broke, sending him to pit road.  At lap 42, Scott got by Fair Jr. for second and reeled in Strickland, taking the lead on lap 44.  A couple of long stretches of green helped the leaders build up a sizable lead.

A race-long battle continued behind the leaders as Justin Schroeder, Steve Cronenwett Jr., Mike Root and first-time visitor Dakota Carlson ran together in a pack for the last 30 laps.  Meanwhile, on lap 58 Fair Jr. slipped by Strickland and the defending Gold Cup champ pedaled hard to catch the fleet Hantz.  Fair Jr. got to Scott’s bumper by lap 71 but didn’t have quite enough for Hantz, who sailed to the big win and a $2500 payday.  Schroeder’s great run ended 3 laps shy as he dove down pit road while running fourth.  Hantz was followed by Fair Jr., Strickland, Mike Root and Steve Cronenwett, the top 5 cars and all on the lead lap.  Root made a quick move when Schroeder’s problem developed, allowing him to get to fourth spot.  Carlson ran a great race to finish sixth and Harold Fair Sr. was seventh, also on the lead lap.  Bill Litogot, Joe Hawes and Schroeder completed the top ten. 

The ARCA Speedway Tire and Auto Factory Stocks turned out 25 strong for their weekly show.  Cory McCaughey, the winner of the first show of the season, powered his way to victory number 2 of the season in the 20 lap main event.  Brian Ringger took control at the start while McCaughey inched his way to the front, taking charge just past the half-way mark.  At the stripe Cory topped Eric Huston, Archie Padgett (who made his way to the front from the 17^th spot), Dave Arnold Jr. and Ringger.  Matt Ringger, Amanda Bland, Craig Osenbaugh, Tim Shine and Ryan Beabout completed the top ten.  Kevin Little made it 2 in a row, scoring the win in the 10 lap B Main contest in his red, white and blue #00.  Second was Mike Hacker, with John Rabideau third.  Heat race winners were Dusty Brunt, TJ Miller and Randy Padgett.  Alan Bland Sr. took the last-chance race.  Huston posted fast time at 11:790.

Dave Arnold Sr. was the only contestant for the Rollover contest, but he still put on a show and picked up the $500 top prize, going over 2 ½ times!

Sunday, May 24 is the popular Burge Wrecking  Night of Destruction, highlighted by the School Bus Figure 8 races.  The Boat Figure 8, Train Figure 8, Factory Stock Figure 8, plywood race, backup race and race car bowling events will also be held, making for a great night of family entertainment!  Tickets go on sale at 5 p.m. Sunday, with racing at 7 p.m.  A rain date of Monday, May 25 has been established if needed.  Monday race time would be 1 p.m.

Friday, May 29 Toledo hosts the Valvoline Instant Oil Change Scout Night.  Fans can go to their local Valvoline store for a $5 admission coupon for the race.  All Scouts in uniform will be admitted FREE.  The Sportsman, Factory Stocks and 4 Cylinders will be in action.  Friday night racing begins at 7:30 p.m.