FAIR JR. SURVIVES HEAT FOR TOLEDO 100 ALLEGIANT GOLD CUP WIN
FAIR JR. SURVIVES HEAT FOR TOLEDO 100 ALLEGIANT GOLD CUP WIN
(TOLEDO, Ohio—July 6, 2012) - Despite temperatures nearing the 100 degree mark and a searing sun, Harold Fair Jr. grabbed the victory in Friday night’s ARCA Allegiant Late Model Gold Cup 100 lap feature event. Dennis Whisman took the 25 lap Road Course race, on a course that used parts of the ¼ mile, ½ mile and pit road. The heat kept the crowd down but a hearty group of fans showed for the night of racing at the Glass City oval.
The 100 lap feature saw a lap 50 break so the drivers could get a drink of water as the hot and very humid weather continues to engulf the area. Claude Plante Jr. and Chad Guinn made up the front row, via the 11 car inversion. Plante jumped into the lead and held the point until lap 22 when Guinn came charging back to take the lead. Prior to that, Fastime Racing Engines and Parts fast qualifier JR Roahrig (15:306) had moved up to 6th by lap 12. At lap 24, Fair Jr. had moved to 3rd, with Roahrig in tow in 4th spot, but JR encountered mechanical woes and called it a day on lap 26. On the re-start, Guinn gave way to Fair and by lap 31 Harold was in the lead, with Dakota Carlson moving to 2nd spot at the lap 35 mark. A hard crash by Plante on lap 36 brought out the yellow again, as Claude was able to somehow get his heavily damaged car to pit road. Fair Jr. held the point to the lap 50 5 minute water break.
The second half of the race was all Fair Jr., but Carlson stayed within striking distance until lap 75 when Fair pulled away to a straight-away lead and on to the victory. Carlson’s great run netted him second, Guinn rode home third, Nick Grodi had a solid run to take fourth and Dennis Strickland was fifth, followed by Jack Varney Jr., Mike Root, Ron Allen, Steve Cronenwett Jr. and Joe Hawes. Brent Jack, Steve Hawes, Mike Luberda Jr., Craig Everage, Plante, Roahrig, Lori Hall and Howard Kelley Jr. completed the rundown of the 18 car field. Chris Benson withdrew from the event due to a family illness.
Dennis Whisman took top
honors in the 25 lap Road Course race over Tom O’Leary IV, Anthony Terris,
Archie Padgett, Troy Brehmer and Jeff Wells Jr.
Santa Claus is readying his sleigh for the annual Christmas in July prize giveaway to be held at Toledo Speedway next Friday, July 13. Lakeshore Utility Trailer Sales and Velvet Ice Cream will team up to sponsor the Toledo night of racing. The ARCA ACME Dismantling Sportsman will stage a 50 lap feature, while the Parts Galore Figure 8’s and R & M Recycling Street Stocks will also be in action. The Great Lakes Mini Cup cars will also make a visit to Toledo for the event.
The front gates open at 5 at Toledo, time trials begin at 6:15 and racing starts at 7:30 p.m.