Toledo Speedway

TOLEDO, OH: (7-3-09): Perfect weather conditions greeted a good crowd that gathered for the return of the USAC National Sprint and Midget tours to Toledo Speedway Friday evening. Ron Hemelgarn, the 1996 Indy 500 winning car owner and a local area businessman, spoke to the crowd in pre-race ceremonies. The race card was sponsored by Hemelgarn Racing and Super Fitness. Bobby Santos III and Bobby East picked up the feature wins. Jim Young, who set fast time in the very first race at Toledo 50 years ago in 1960, sang the national anthem and received a rousing ovation from the fans. Complete Results

Santos III is no stranger to Toledo, having competed in the USAC divisions and also in an ISMA Super Modified over the past several years at the ½ mile paved oval.  The youngster had everything going for him Friday, powering his way from his front row starting spot and sailing to a big lead in the 50 lap Midget feature race, his 4^th win in 2 weeks on the USAC trail.  With only 1 yellow flag, the event was fast-paced and Bobby used that to his advantage, pulling out to a comfortable lead and maintaining that advantage even after the re-start.  Santos III was followed to the line by Brad Sweet, Jerry Coons Jr., Bobby East, Tracy Hines, Cole Whitt, Brad Kuhn, Darren Hagan, Chad Boat and Mario Clouser. 

Sweet set a new track record in qualifying with a lap of 14:983, leading the 21 car field in time trials.  Boat, Hagan and Whitt took the heat race wins.

The nightcap was a barn-burner, as Bobby East pulled a quick slide move entering turn 1 on lap 45 to take the point from race-long leader Jacob Wilson and score a popular victory in the 50 lap USAC Sprint main event.  Just as in the Midget race, a long stretch of green let the leader Wilson pull out to a huge lead while Darren Hagan, Tracy Hines and East set sail for the leader.  When the trio did catch Wilson, they put on a great show, running side by side and nerf bar to nerf bar for over 20 laps.  Hines brought out a quick yellow when he got crossed up in turn 2 as he made contact with Hagan while battling for second.  Hines went to the tail, which gave East the chance to grab third and go to the outside lane, getting alongside Hagan on several laps, only to have Hagan slam the door.  With about 10 to go, East slid under Hagan and beat him into turn 1, giving him second and a shot at the win.  After several tries both low and high, East dove hard off of turn 4 to the low side, pulled up next to Wilson and nosed out front entering turn 1 on lap 45 on his way to victory as the crowd cheered their approval of the very exciting and competitive race.  Wilson's great run gave him second, Hagan was third, Coons Jr. fourth and Shane Hmiel fifth, followed by Whitt, Santos III, Dakoda Armstrong, Hines and Damion Gardner.

Another new track record was established Friday night as Whitt set the new mark for the USAC Sprints with a lap of 14:761.  Levi Jones and Gardner captured the heat race events.

The 50^th Anniversary celebration continues at Toledo Speedway Friday night.  After a week off, stock car racing returns to Toledo Friday, July 10.  Velvet Ice Cream and Lakeshore Utility Trailer Sales will serve as sponsors for the Christmas in July Prize Giveaway Night, with Santa Claus giving out the prizes!  The prizes continue to arrive at the track and everyone that enters the speedway Friday night is eligible for the drawing!  The ARCA Sportsman, Speedway Tire and Auto Factory Stocks, Figure 8's and 4 Cylinders will provide the action.  The gates open at 5 and racing begins at 7 p.m.  All tickets are on a general admission walk-up basis and will go on sale at 5 p.m. at the track.  The track phone number is 419-727-1100.  The track is located on Benore Road at the I-75/Alexis Road exit on the Michigan-Ohio border.