Toledo Speedway

Mason, Michigan—May 27, 2012:  Spartan Speedway’s “Slugfest” Series, a grouping of Sunday night races, was the proper description for the ARCA Allegiant Gold Cup Late Model Series first visit to the track.  Mike Luberda claimed the Spartan 100 win and a $2000 payday for his efforts as he topped the 23 car field for the victory.

The first 16 laps ran without a hitch as Brent Jack jumped into the lead at the green flag.  And then, the proverbial wheel fell off the race.  Over a dozen yellow flags for incidents marred the event, but no one could debate the hard racing going on for position throughout the field.  Spartan’s tricky turn 4 was the location of a majority of the accidents, and that, coupled with the double-file restarts, kept the caution flag from being put away and resulting in 10 lead changes.

Jack Varney Jr. led lap 17, but a yellow came out and bunched the field.  Coming to the green, Varney tangled with Brent Jack, sending his car up on 2 wheels and causing enough damage to Varney’s car to end his night.  The wreck also took out contender Harold Fair Jr., who had no place to go and collided with the duo.  On the next restart, Eric Lee took charge and held the point until lap 35 when Luberda took his turn up front for the first time of the day.  Lee came back and took control on lap 42, but gave the number 1 spot back to Luberda on lap 45.  A determined Lee took advantage of a side by side restart and became the leader once again on lap 49.  The duo raced hard and at lap 55, it was again Luberda out front.  Several yellows kept things tight, as 18 of the 23 starters were still on the track at the half-way mark. 

As the battles waged on, Brian Nester quietly worked his way to the front.  Troubled with engine problems which limited his practice time and the chance of putting the car on the trailer, Nester’s crew performed the service needed and qualified 17^th.  Brian moved into the top 5 just past lap 50.  Finally things settled down a bit and Nester took the lead from Luberda on lap 60 and gained control of the race until the yellow appeared on lap 88, once again setting up the two by two restart.  Luberda was able to nose out front on the green, but on lap 95 Stan Yee Jr. spun, setting up the 5 lap dash to the checkered flag. 

With Luberda low and Nester on the outside, the pair slammed doors coming to the green.  Nester stood on the gas and stayed fender to fender with the #40 of Luberda, only to have the pair bang wheels and doors again.  Luberda sped away and despite 1 more yellow, was able to hold off Claude Plante Jr. for the victory.  Mike Root, who pitted early, made his patented charge to the front in the final 20 laps and came home third.  Lee took fourth and Steve Cronenwett Jr. stayed in the hunt, coming home fifth after starting 19^th.  Jimmy Thiel was sixth after starting 22nd, with Nester, Ron Allen, Jack and Derek Wiley rounded out the top ten finishers. 

Dennis Strickland, Craig Everage, Joe Hawes, Yee Jr., Dakota Carlson, Chad Guinn, Stehouwer, Ryan, Pemberton, Gallagher, Varney, Fair Jr. and Paul Pelletier were next in line on the finish.

Local favorites Tim Ryan, Dave Stehouwer, Scott Pemberton and Jimmy Gallagher all encountered problems and did not finish.  Ryan and Stehouwer both had moved into the top 10 but were victims of accidents and ended up on the wrecker hook.

Claude Plante Jr. set the $100 Fastime Racing Engines and Parts quick time with a lap of 12:754, just edging out Mike Root, who clocked in at 12:756.  Thirteen cars dipped into the 12 second bracket, and 9 drivers were making their first visit to Spartan.

The ARCA Allegiant Gold Cup Late Model Series now moves to Flat Rock Speedway for leg number 3 of the 6 race series on Saturday, June 23 for the Diamond Racing Products Joy Fair Memorial 100.  Log onto www.flatrockspeedway.com. or www.toledospeedway.com for further information.