Toledo Speedway

(TOLEDO, Ohio - June 24, 2011) - The rains disappeared, the track dried and Toledo Speedway was able to complete its Qualite Sports Lighting Night of racing Friday.  Landon Schuster, Ron Allen, Michael Marlow and Tom O’Leary IV captured victories.  Bill Smith and Nick Page of Qualite presented the trophies in victory lane ceremonies. 

The track also hosted its annual Fan Club Night.  The Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club presented Sportsman driver Kenny McKay Jr. with a helmet bag, while the Dayton Auto Racing Fan Club and its president, Rick Monroe, presented shirts to the feature winners. The race was number 4 of the 10 race Valvoline Instant Oil Change Summer Racing Series being held at the speedway this summer.

The ARCA R & M Recycling Street Stocks ran a special 35 lap feature race and put on a good show for the fans that ventured out to the speedway on a cool and windy evening.  2010 Factory Stock track champ Landon Schuster returned to Toledo for the first time this season and wheeled Eric Huston’s car to victory in the event, which saw just 1 yellow flag.  Rick Cousino took the lead on the green and ran strong out front until Eric Huston got to the high lane and challenged for the lead.  The duo put on a great race for the number 1 spot, running side by side for over 10 laps.  Cousino retired early when mechanical woes set in, ending his night.  Schuster joined them and on lap 17 slid under both cars when they encountered a lapped car.  Landon, moving up from 9^th spot, slid by and took the lead and sailed to the win.  Cory McCaughey moved steadily up and came home second, Huston was third, Dennis Whisman fourth and Mike Hammer was fifth, followed by Luke Davis, Kyle Huston, John Rabideau, Archie Padgett and Dusty Brunt.  Schuster set fast time at 11:730, while McCaughey, Cousino and Troy Brehmer took the heat wins.

Ron Allen was victorious in the 35 lap ARCA ACME Dismantling Sportsman race.  Dave Arnold Jr. led the first 8 laps, with Allen and Jim Froling in pursuit.  On lap 5, Kyle DeLisle dipped low on Arnold and Froling went high, sending Kyle into a spin and collected Howard Kelley Jr. in the process, ending Kelley’s night.  On the restart, Ron went to the outside and got by both cars to take control.  Froling followed Allen and was chasing the leader until he spun in turn 2 on lap 20, bringing out the yellow flag.  Allen sped away and took the victory.  DeLisle came back up through the pack to grab second, Arnold Jr. was third, Mike Young fourth and Greg Stilwell fifth.  Scott Bross, Tom O’Leary IV, Jim Froling, Kent McCloskey and Norm Lewallen were next in line to complete the top ten.  DeLisle Jr., Jeff King and Tom O’Leary IV were the heat winners.  Allen’s fast lap at 17:190 led the 18 car field in time trials.

It’s now 3 in a row for Michael Marlow in the ARCA Jeff’s Collision 4 Cylinder division.  Michael scored another win in the 20 lap feature, which saw a great battle with Perry Marlow, his father, and Matt Brazeau.  They finished in that order, with Jeff Wells fourth and David Katafiaz fifth.  Perry Marlow took the heat race, while Brazeau set fast time at 12:670.

The rescheduled Road Course race proved to be a hit with the fans and the drivers.  The race was rained out June 10 and reset for Friday night.  21 cars took the green flag on the course that uses parts of the ½ mile, ¼ mile and pit road.  Tom O’Leary IV led all 15 laps in the very entertaining race, but he was shadowed the entire way by Anthony Terris and Scot Bunge.  Bunge slid around Terris with about 5 laps to go as the lead trio got into heavy lapped traffic.  The course also features a chicane coming off of turn 4 of the ½ mile and onto the short track, then back onto pit road and up onto the ½ again, using turns 3 and 4.  Bunge notched second, Terris was third, Cory McCaughey fourth and Luke Davis fifth.  Archie Padgett, Sam Hall, Craig Osenbaugh, Mike Hammer and Don Cox completed the top ten.

The USAC Sprint and Midgets will make their annual visit to Toledo next Friday, July 1 as Hemelgarn Racing and Super Fitness will sponsor the night of action.  The non-wing cars, a USAC tradition, have competed at Toledo since the late 1960’s.  A vintage race car display, the USAC Racer’s Reunion and a tribute to the Nemire family will also be a part of the festivities July 1.  Practice begins at 4, time trials are at 6 and racing begins at 7:30 p.m.

Fans can save $5 per ticket on an advance purchase by calling the track at 419-727-1100.  The advance sale ends at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 30.  For more information and the entry lists, log onto www.toledospeedway.com