Toledo Speedway

Harold Fair Jr., who has had a season full of lousy luck, got his first win of the season in round #4 of the Hantz Group/Allegiant Air Gold Cup race at Flat Rock. Harold led all 100 laps in route to his victory.

The last time a driver led the entire feature was Dave Kuhlman at Flat Rock on June 25, 2005. (Steve Sauve did lead every lap of the only rain shortened Gold Cup on June 2, 2006... 92 laps). "The car tightened up too much. I could hear everyone behind me and stayed in line in the bottom groove. If they wanted to pass me they were just going to have to do it on the outside. I want to thank Royal Truck and Trailer, my crew and family. And the fans for coming out," said the Canton, Mich., driver. The win puts Harold in second place in points, 55 points (unofficially) behind leader Mike Root.

Paul Pellitier was able to pull up on Harold Fair Jr.'s rear bumper for a final couple lap shootout. Pellitier finished second, his best finish of the year. "This is a brand new car and we're still working some of the bugs out. Second in only the fourth time out for the car is great. Glad to see all the fans come out tonight," said the driver of the ABC Plumbing, Jaimes Industries, Exotic Automation. Four Star Steel and Dusty's Collision.

Third went to Eric Lee, " We had a fifth place car tonight. I apologize to my fans we missed the set up tonight ... the car was too loose tonight. I want to thank my sponsors Posen Construction, Arrow Uniform Rental, Labelle Electric Contractors, D&E Landscaping, Dusty's Collision, Powertrain Transformers, Applied Roofing, Auto/Con Corp., ET Performance and Complete Prototype Services," said the driver from Macomb, Mich.

And for the third time in the Gold Cup Series, Mike Root finished fourth. His other finish is a third, but all that consistency has kept time in the point lead. He leads Harold Fair Jr. by 55 points; Dennis Strickland by 75 and Paul Pelletier by 100 points. Stevie Cronenwett (down 125 points) and Ron Allen (200 points) still have a mathematical chance at the championship. (Note: Points are unofficial) "It took too long for my car to come in. That was a fun race. I like racing here. I've been remiss the last few times I've been up here, and forgot to thank my sponsors Universal Graphic Solutions, Creatingaccents.com, Renegade, Amsoil, Ace Auto Body and Jant Group ... and my family and crew," said the driver from Grand Rapids, Mich. The team seems to having all its bad luck going to and from the track. After last week's Toledo race, they shredded a tire going home, this week the studs sheared off a different tire and they lost it.

Fifth went to Dennis Stickland, the same position he finished in the 150-lap race several weeks ago.  "There's so much competition out there. It's a passion for everyone out here ... I feel bad for the ones that crashed," said the driver of the Strategy One Computers, MichWiFi.net, Pete's Garage, Stoney Creek Auto Parts and The Super Health Store.com, Complete Batteries #90.

The "move up award" goes to Late Model rookie, Brian Norton. He started 24th and finished eighth... moving up 16 positions.

The top four cars were racing in a tight bunch with four laps to go when Justin Schroeder apparently got loose and tangled with Stevie Cronenwett, who was behind him. Cronenwett nailed the backstretch wall and retired with a severely injured car to the infield. Schroeder was sent back to the pits after the pair had a difference of opinion of what happened. Although there was no contact between the pair, it was best to give them time to cool off.

The top four cars were racing in a tight bunch with four laps to go when Justin Schroeder apparently got loose and tangled with Stevie Cronenwett, who was behind him. Cronenwett nailed the backstretch wall and retired with a severely injured car to the infield. Schroeder was sent back to the pits after the pair had a difference of opinion of what happened (although there was no contact between the pair).

Ricky Kargel dropped out with mechanical problems; Joe Hawes with a broken tie-rod. Also not finishing were Stan Yee Jr. Keith Nelson II, Dan Trosen Jr., Ron Allen.

There were 28 cars in the pits. Harold Fair Sr. was unable to race because of broken rack in his car. The top 16 cars from qualifying were locked into the feature. Joe Hawes and Brian Norton were the Flat Rock provisional cars and Jeff Bailey was the provisional for the Gold Cup Series. The remaining eight cars ran the transfer race. The transferees were: Royce Cornett, who won, Dan Trosen Jr., Jeff MacZink, Roger Blackstock and Rick Sheppard. Jay Sommers (in the second Yee car), Jimmy Theil and Larry Smouthers Jr. were the three cars not transferring to the feature.

Roger Blackstock made his first appearance of the season. He's been unable to race this season because of a bout of pancreatitis. He made the entire 100 laps, finishing a couple laps down in 14th. "The length of the race didn't bother me much, but it did take the first third of the race to get into rhythm," said the driver of the #12.

Rick Sheppard was here tonight in his son's Derrick's car... which is also Blackstock's backup car. A broken axle parked his ride early in the event.

Ron Allen had a better night in the Street Stock division. Last week he got a ride driving for Dennis Randall and promptly won the A division feature. "I want to thank Dennis (Randall) for calling me and asking if I wanted to drive his car," said Allen. It was his 44th career Street Stock win.

Rich Abel won the B division feature. It's his first win of the season, his last feature win coming in the season championship (Sept. 6) race last year.

Jeremy Miller won his third Figure 8 race of the year at Flat Rock. It was his 36th Flat Rock Figure 8 win (three short of Dennis Whisman who is in fifth place in career Flat Rock Figure 8 wins).