Toledo Speedway

(TOLEDO, Ohio - April 29, 2012) - A good crowd filled the new grandstand seating system at Toledo Speedway as the 2012 racing season kicked off under sunny skies on Sunday afternoon.  With 60 cars on the grounds, the 7-Up Twin 100’s hit the track for a pair of 100 lap feature events.  Terry Senneker sailed to victory in the ARCA Allegiant Gold Cup Late Model portion, while Brian Campbell edged out Johnny VanDoorn to take the checkered flag in the ARCA/CRA Super Series Late Model 100.  Gladys Cothern and Steve Harsh of the Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group presented the trophies in victory lane ceremonies.

The ARCA/CRA Super Series Late Model tour made their trek to Toledo, with 35 cars on hand.  Campbell set a new track record for the class at Toledo, clicking off a lap of 15:370.  Former CRA Toledo winner Jeff Lane won the last-chance race as 6 cars moved to the 100 lap feature lineup. 

Terry Fisher Jr. jumped into the lead at the start, only to have Eddie VanMeter nose by to take control several laps later.  Fast-moving Johnny VanDoorn, with Brian Campbell on his bumper, moved into the 1-2 positions early on and a 2 car chase for the lead ensued. 

The duo locked horns on several occasions, trading paint and using both grooves as they pulled away from the field, only to have several yellow flags erase their lead over the pack.  At lap 50, the top 5 were VanDoorn, Campbell, Finley, Alec Carll and Scott Hantz.  On lap 63, Campbell nosed by VanDoorn to take control, becoming the 4^th leader of the event. 

At lap 89, the red flag appeared when a 6 car pileup in the front stretch brought action to a halt.  Chad Finley, who had settled into the top 5 in the early stages, got upside down right at the start-finish line.  Chad was checked out and was shaken but ok.  Several more yellow flags slowed things as attrition now became heavy for the 28 car starting field for the final 11 laps. 

A lap 98 yellow bunched things again, giving VanDoorn one last shot to grab the lead on the double-file restart.  The duo bumped going into turn 1, Campbell stayed in control and took the checkered flag.  Boris Jurkovic made a steady move to the front and got by VanDoorn on the final lap to grab second, VanDoorn was third, Carll fourth and female sensation Becca Kasten took fifth, moving up from 25^th starting position.  Fisher Jr., Hantz, Nick Gullatta, Steve Dorer and Brent Jack rounded out the top 10.  Jay Niewiek, Johnny Jenkins, Nate Caruth, Brett Robinson, Brandon Hermiller, Ed Szelagowksi Jr., Martin Latulippe, Jason Dietsch, Kenzie Ruston, Travis Braden, Damon Ecoff, Finely, Andrew Morrisey, Kenny Tweedy, VanMeter, Jeff Lane, Rick Turner and Billy Leslie finished next in the finishing order.

The second segment of the 7-Up Twin 100’s saw just 1 yellow flag in what became a long day of racing.  Terry Senneker put on a dominant performance to rack up the victory in the 100 lap ARCA Allegiant Gold Cup Late Model event for the outlaw-body style cars.  After a complete re-start at the green flag when Ron Allen spun, things settled in and defending Gold Cup champ Dennis Strickland took the number 1 spot.  At lap 17, Mike Luberda was on the move and darted to the outside lane and around Dennis to grab the lead.  Senneker was close behind while Fastime Racing Engines and Parts fast qualifier JR Roahrig was catching the leaders.  Also on the move was Steve Needles, as he moved into the top 5 quickly by lap 40.  Senneker’s smooth run to the front continued as he got by Luberda and built a comfortable margin.

The only yellow of this race appeared on lap 54 when Luberda had an engine let go in the backstretch.  At this point, there were 8 cars on the lead lap-Senneker, Needles, Roahrig, Mike Root, Harold Fair Jr., Allen, Dakota Carlson and Strickland.  Fair pitted just before the race resumed with overheating troubles, followed down pit lane by Allen at the same time.

Senneker zipped along but Needles started to gain some ground with 20 laps to go.  Terry stayed in command and grabbed the win over Needles, Root, Roahrig (nursing a missing engine in the final 15 laps), Carlson, Strickland, Barry Hartwell, Claude Plante Jr., Jack Varney Jr. and Brent Jack.  Craig Everage, Fair Jr., Luberda, Allen, Nick Grodi, Joe Hawes, Scott Hantz, Mike Young, Andrew Morrisey, Steve Cronenwett Jr., Steve Peters and Brian Nester were next in line.  Chad Guinn, Paul Pelletier and Marcus Malcuit were not able to start.  Roarhig’s lap of 14:815 topped the 25 car field.

Toledo Speedway’s weekly Friday night race cards begin May 4, with the ARCA ACME Dismantling Sportsman, R & M Recycling Street Stocks, Parts Galore Figure 8’s and 4 Cylinders in action.  The front gates open at 5 and racing begins at 7:30 p.m

For additional information, log onto www.toledospeedway.com.  Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on twitter @toledospeedway or @flatrockspeed.  The track phone number is 419-727-1100.