TOLEDO HOLDS ON, 2012 FRIDAY NIGHT OPENER IN THE BOOKS
TOLEDO HOLDS ON, 2012 FRIDAY NIGHT OPENER IN THE BOOKS
(TOLEDO, Ohio - May 4, 2012) - Despite an early afternoon rain, Toledo Speedway held out, the rain drifted away and the first Friday night race of the season was held. Ron Allen, Greg Studt, Michael Marlow and 16 year old Kyle Huston posted victories and visited the Sun Drop Winner’s Circle. The new lighting system was superb, adding to the new grandstand construction at the 1/2 mile paved oval.
The 35 lap ARCA ACME Dismantling Sportsman feature saw a complete restart when several cars got together in turn 3. Dave Arnold Jr. motored into the lead at the green when the race got started. A quick yellow saw the new double-file restart procedure in place and put Howard Kelley Jr. side by side with Dave. The duo ran door to door for 3 tours until Kelley nosed into the lead. Ron Allen followed Howard and the battle was on. The duo used all the asphalt until Allen dove to the bottom on lap 15 to take the lead and pull away to grab the victory. Jim Froling made a late charge to take second, Kelley Jr. third, Arnold Jr. fourth and Kyle DeLisle fifth, followed by Mike Young, Norm Lewallen, Kenny McKay Jr., Jeff King and Greg Stilwell. Allen set quick time for the 19 car field at 17:299. Heat winners were Arnold Jr. and Dave Frantz.
Second generation driver Greg Studt zipped in and out of intersection traffic on his way to the win in the 20 lap ARCA Parts Galore Figure 8 feature. Greg had to avoid a spinning Nick Bradley in the late stages as he sped to victory. Dennis Whisman, Robbie Loving, Gary Cronenwett, Sam Hall, Archie Padgett, Nick Bradley and Ian Jezylo were next in line at the stripe. Whisman took heat win.
Defending champ Mike Marlow took top honors in the 20 lap ARCA 4 Cylinder main event. Mike was followed by Perry Marlow, Megan Osenbaugh and Jeff Wells. Wells notched the heat win.
A thrilling finale to the night saw 16 year old Kyle Huston display great patience, used the outside lane, battled hard with Rick Cousino and Cory McCaughey and grabbed his first-ever feature win in the 20 lap ARCA R & M Recycling Street Stock feature race. The trio put on a great show for the fans that ventured to the track. Kyle nosed out front in the final 4 laps to take the huge win. McCaughey took second, Cousino third, John Rabideau fourth, with Pat Fields and Don Cox next in the finishing order. Huston set fast time at 11:768. McCaughey took the heat race win.
Next Friday, May 11 is Burger King Scout Night at Toledo. All scouts in uniform are admitted FREE and leaders in uniform or with an ID card will also be admitted free. Race fans can visit the Greater Toledo Burger King restaurants for a money-saving ticket voucher for the May 11 event.
The ARCA ACME Dismantling Sportsman, Parts Galore Figure 8’s and R & M Recycling Street Stocks will be in action, while a Racer’s Reunion is also scheduled as part of the activities for the May 11 show.
The front gates open at 5 and racing begins at 7:30 p.m. Toledo Speedway is located on Benore Road at the I-75/Alexis Road exit on the Michigan-Ohio border. The track phone number is 419-727-1100.
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