Toledo Speedway

TOLEDO, OH: (7-27-09): Can Mike Root become the first "outsider" to win the Hantz Group/Allegiant Air ARCA Late Model Gold Cup Series? Rising star Chad Finley becomes the latest entry for Friday night's 5th and final event of the Series, set for 75 laps at Toledo Speedway. And can anyone stop Scott Hantz? These story lines and more will all be answered this Friday, July 31 at Toledo's lightning-quick ½ mile paved oval!

The event is a schedule change for the track.  The original date for the race was June 19, but was postponed due to rain.  The CRA Super Series Late Model race has been moved to August 14 and will feature NASCAR star Kyle Busch in competition.

Car Credit Medic has signed on to sponsor the July 31 event, which include the Kid's Night promotion.  ALL kids to age 14 will be admitted FREE and will receive a FREE hot dog, chips and a drink, courtesy of Sherwood Foods, Seyfert's Chips and the Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group.  Parents should go to the ticket windows to receive the child's free admission ticket/voucher.

The Gold Cup Series has been contested since the mid 1990's, starting at Flat Rock Speedway.  Through the years, the format has included races at Flat Rock or Toledo or a combination of races at both tracks, which is the schedule for the 2009 edition of the 5-race series.  Scott Hantz has won both Toledo events, a 100 lap contest on May 22 and the 75 lap event July 17.  Mike Luberda Jr. captured the Stan Yee Memorial 150 at Flat Rock June 27, while Harold Fair Jr. topped the field in last Saturday's 100 lap event at Flat Rock.

Grand Rapids, MI driver Mike Root is poised to become the first "traveler" to win the coveted championship.  A model of consistency, Root has finished in the top 5 in all 4 of the races, giving him a solid point lead heading into this Friday's matchup. 

Second-generation driver Chad Finley, the 17-year old son of former ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Jeff Finley, has also filed an entry for Friday's Car Credit Medic 75 lap contest.  The high-schooler has been getting experience through-out the Midwest short tracks this summer and has driven NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski's ARCA ride at several events in 2009, including the Toledo May race. 

Hantz has had a great season so far in 2009, winning events in both the CRA Super Series and in the outlaw-bodied type cars.  He is 2 for 2 at Toledo and will be looking for the sweep Friday night in the final tune-up for the Late Models at Toledo prior to the October 3 Glass City 200.  Scott blistered the track 2 weeks ago, coming up just shy of Jr. Hanley's Late Model track record. 

Additional entries have been received from defending champ and current Flat Rock point leader Eric Lee and locals Brian Norton and Chris Benson.  A field of 20-24 cars is expected for the July 31 event. 

The track's weekly ARCA Speedway Tire and Auto Factory Stocks and the ARCA 4 Cylinders will also be in action.  The pit gates open at 2:30, practice starts at 4:30, time trials are at 6:15 and racing begins at 7:30 p.m.  Adults are $15 each and kids up to age 14 are FREE and will receive a FREE hot dog, chips and a drink!

ALL tickets are general admission and will go on sale at 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon at the track ticket office.  The track's phone number is 419-727-1100.