Toledo Speedway

Dennis Strickland led the entire 100-lap distance to win the opening race of the Allegiant Air Gold Cup Series race at Flat Rock Speedway. The last time someone led the entire distance in a Gold Cup race was when Harold Fair Jr. did it in July 25, also at Flat Rock.

Tonight’s win was Strickland’s second Gold Cup Series victory, his other coming in July 2004 at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway. “I was tight in qualifying, we’re doing bump stops this year and getting everything right can be a challenge. Eric (Lee), thanks for driving me clean, you’re a class act.”

Eric Lee finished second, his best finish in a Gold Cup since June 2009. “Thought I had something for Dennis, but my car wasn’t good in lapped traffic. Dennis ran a great race ... our car’s in one piece, so it’s a good night.

Dan Ford Jr. was the event’s fast qualifier with a time of 11.671 seconds. “We had a great night! We have really learned a lot testing and I think we will be up front every week. Thanks to the crew, Remerica Country Homes, Baker Performance,” said the driver of the #20.

Harold Fair Jr. arrived late to the track and his dad Harold Sr. had to hot lap the car for him. “Fourth is good. We needed to adjust it ... getting to the track just before qualifying isn’t the best thing. The Toledo car is sitting at home, we haven’t touched it since the Glass City. Congradulations to the winner,” said the driver of the Royal Truck and Trailer, Performance Engines #71.

Paul Pelletier was the fifth place finisher. “We were so tight it was loose out there tonight,” said the driver of the #44.

The 2009 and 2010 champion got caught up in an accident late in the race with Jason Allison. Root, who won the Stan Perry Memorial last weekend, retired with radiator and bolt on damage.

Jared Allison came back and finished seventh, the first car a lap down. Jason is our long distance driver, coming up from Cocoa, Florida, to race. Not only did he travels a long distance to race, but the car is owned by the Rievleys out of Indiana. And how did this unlikely group get together? “We met during (New Smyrna) Speedweek’s and the Rievleys said I could race the car when Brian wasn’t running. I told them I’d pay the tires, I’d have to pay for them anyways if I was racing my own equipment,” said the Floridian driver. The partnership was going great, ninth place qualifying spot, and running in or near the top 5 for most of the race. On lap 79, Allison and Mike Root tangled and both spun into the backstretch wall, with Allison being able to continue. He finished seventh, one lap down; Root was unable to continue and finished 21. Nick Grodi also was involved and suffered a sprained wrist.

Two newcomers were in the pits.  Dakota Carlson and Drew Carlson (who did not run) ... and no they're not related.

Dakota Carlson made his first start and finished eighth in a car that was too loose. He is driving for the team that won the first Stan Yee Memorial race in 2009 with Mike Luberta. He’s hoping to run the entire Gold Cup Series.

Former Street Stock driver, Jeff Plumb made his Late Model debut tonight. He finished seventh in the Last Chance race was didn’t transfer to the feature. Also not transferring to the feature was: Kenny Matthews (running his first race of the season), Paul Calo and Todd Perkins. Jack Varney Jr. was in the pits but had wheel problems in the hot lap session and was unable to compete. The Last Chance race was won by Rick Sheppard, with Stevie Cronenwett, Steve Peters and Dan Trosen Jr. all transferring to the feature.

Only four cars dropped out of the race. Dan Trosen Jr., dropped out with electrical and George Rangel, Mike Root and Nick Grodi with accident damage.

Scott Selmi won his third A division Street Stock race in a row. It’s the first time this has happened in the A division since Randy DiMaggio did it in 2009. Other three times in a row winners over the last two years were Paul Pelletier in the Super Late Models and Greg Studt in the Figure 8s, both in 2010. “Third feature win, but my fourth career. Car is running really well so far this year ... I put a lot of time and effort into the set up this year, made a number of changes to the chassis and it is paying off. Lots of advice from many successful SS racers also helps! My Dad, Ron Allen, Brian Norton. You pick up a little here and there and apply the one that work for you. I hope the success continues. My goal is the top 5 in points, but that may be difficult considering I missed the first two weeks,” said the driver of the Stephen’s Home Work, Victory Racing Parts #24. He might’ve missed two weeks, but is making up for it with all the wins.

Eric Fitzpatrick and Darrell Krause both ran their first races of the year. Eric got 10th in the A division feature, Darrell Krause (did you notice the nifty pair of eyes? Too cool) finished 15th. 

Robbie Loving drove Randy Padgett Jr.’s car. He’s getting his two races in so he can run the 100-lap A division Street Stock race coming in mid-July.

Mike Phillips won his first career feature, winning the B division race. “I really wasn't expecting to win. My car had transmission problems all day. We worked on the car and was just hoping to start and run a few laps just for points. I knew the 26 car was fast and right there with me, I thought for sure he was going to pass me, but the trans stayed together helped me hold him off barely for my first feature win. But without my buddy Terry that built the trans and helped me with the problems all day, I don't think we would of made it out on the track that night. Without my sponsors Dayles Bar and Grill, Matt's Auto Service, Flamingo Restaurant, Ronys Body Shop, Hi Tech Auto, and Websters Bbq I wouldn't be racing today. I really need to thank is my mom and dad, my girlfriend Amanda for being there for me and without Danny Dow, Scott Hill, and Rob and Tim Moore, the car wouldn't be what it is today without them setting its up and helping me with any problems I have with the car ... so this win is for you guys. Thank you guys,” said the driver of the #53.

A couple weeks ago Aaron Greathouse finished a career high sixth in the B main. Tonight he had fan belt problems but still finished seventh.

Greg Studt won the Figure 8 feature. “I needed that. We fought a carburetor problem all day. As much as the car was bogging down, I kept waiting for Jeremy (Vanderhoof) to pass me,”

Landon Schuster won the Street Stock race at Toledo on June 24. “Eric Huston called me up on Thursday and asked me if I would like to come out and break his car in for him and make sure that everything was good on it, we have always raced well with each other throughout the years so he knew that I would take care of his car and not put it into a bad situation... I worked on the car throughout practice and the heat race for the feature and I got the car going pretty good. We just had an old set of tires on the car, nothing special and we set fast time with it and won the feature from ninth starting spot so I was very happy about that. I haven't been on the Toledo short track since last year so it felt good to get back on the track with some of my racing buddies there and run well still. I miss the fans and the people there, I have always had great support from the people at Toledo and some great races over the years there. I would love to get back to Toledo again sometime soon! I have to give a shout out to Eric for trusting me with his car and letting me take it out. We are having a great time at Flat rock too, the competition there is very tough, and that pushes us to be better every week. The fans are awesome there, and the guys I race with there and have been awesome, very accepting and helpful group of guys. It has been a very fun year of racing so far and we are looking forward to the rest of it!” said the street stock rookie.

Eric Huston made his debut at Flat Rock the next night winning his first career Street Stock heat and finishing second in the B main.

Please send your tidbits to me at icechips@hotmail.com or send me a message on Facebook.