Toledo Speedway

ROUND 3 AT TOLEDO THIS FRIDAY

TOLEDO, OH: (7-13-09): Grand Rapids, MI driver Mike Root and local favorite Dennis Strickland of Carleton, MI head the list of entries for round number 3 of the Hantz Group/Allegiant Air ARCA Late Model Gold Cup Series this Friday night at Toledo Speedway. The duo is tied for the point lead in the 5-race series, featuring 2 races at Flat Rock Speedway and 3 at Toledo this season. The 75 lap contest will pay $2000 to the winner and $425 to start. Marco's Pizza and Teamsters Local 20 will sponsor the July 17 race card at the fast ½ mile paved oval.

Root has been impressive with his runs in the first 2 Gold Cup races of 2009.  Mike came on strong in the latter stages of the 100 lap Toledo event on May 22 and finished fourth, then backed that up with a great run at Flat Rock in his first-ever event at "The Rock" June 27 with a third place run.  Strickland, who has won championships at both tracks, has been at the front of the pack also in the pair of Gold cup contests.  Dennis powered his way to 3^rd spot at the Toledo race and fifth at Flat Rock, making a late run to the front. 

Other drivers entered include Scott Hantz, the winner of the Toledo race and Harold Fair Jr., who finished 2^nd at Toledo May 22.  Hantz did not make the trip to Flat Rock due to his CRA Series commitments, while Fair was poised to take a shot at the win at Flat Rock until getting caught up in an incident.  Jeff Bailey, Justin Schroeder, Bill Litogot, Harold Fair Sr., Tom O'Leary IV, Bob Mikolajczyk, Steve Cronenwett Jr., Jake Francis, Paul Pelletier, Joe Hawes, Jeff MacZink and Ron Allen have also filed entries as of Monday morning.  A total of 25-30 cars are expected for the event.

The track's ARCA Speedway Tire and Auto Factory Stocks and 4 Cylinders will also take to the track in full race cards July 17.

The Hantz Group and Allegiant Air have teamed up to post a point fund for the 5-race series, with the champion taking home $1000, which will be presented at the track's annual awards banquet in November.  The top five will receive cash bonuses, with $600, $400, $300 and $200 posted for the second through fifth place finishers in the final point standings for the series.  The top 3 will also receive two (2) round-trip tickets from Toledo to Florida, courtesy of Allegiant Air.

Leg number 4 is set for Saturday, July 25 at Flat Rock for the running of the All Sport 100.  The June 19 Toledo race that was rained out has been reset for Friday, July 31, setting up the championship event at the Glass City oval.

ARCA Late Model rules will prevail, using the Late Model Alliance body measurement package.  All drivers are required to be ARCA members.  The current entry list and entry blank, complete with payoffs, can be downloaded by clicking here.

All questions should be directed to 419-727-1100.