Toledo Speedway

(TOLEDO, Ohio - June 14, 2013) - A huge crowd witnessed a great night of open wheel racing at the 2013 version of the All American Coach/Super Fitness/Hemelgarn Racing Fastest Short Track Show in the World Friday night at Toledo Speedway.  Hometown star Jimmy McCune flew to victory in the non-stop 40 lap MSA Super Modified feature, while Tampa, Florida native Troy DeCaire etched his name in the record books, grabbing the win in the 30 lap Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Super Sprint (AVBBSS) main event.

Tom McGuire and his family from All American Coach and Super Fitness boss Ron Hemelgarn presented the 5 foot trophies to the winners in the Sun Drop Victory Circle.

A total of 24 Sprints and 18 Super Modifieds made the trip to Toledo for this one-of-a-kind event, created by Toledo management 13 years ago.  Zach Gibson tagged the turn 1 wall in practice when his Super Mod lost a right rear wheel, ending his night.  Earlier in Sprint car practice, 2012 race winner Jason Cox had an axle snap, sending his machine spinning into the turn 3 wall.  Both drivers took hard hits but were ok.

The 2 fastest types of short track race cars on the planet hit the track for the special time trial session, with 2012 MSA Fastest Show winner Mike Lichty turning up the wick in his machine with a lap of 12:940, just missing the Super Modified track record set by Chris Perley in 2009 at 12:893.  DJ Shullick, Kyle Edwards, Trent Stephens and Mike McVetta rounded out the top 5 qualifiers.

A total of 8 AVBBSS Sprinters rocketed into the 12 second bracket, led by Cody Gallogly with an outstanding lap of 12:591.  Charlie Schultz’s ultimate track record for Toledo at 12:389 remains safe for at least another season!  Jason Blonde, McCune, Jim Swain, Kody Swanson, Ryan Gillenwater, DeCaire and Aaron Pierce were the 12 second cars.

An incredible pace in the 40 lap Adkins Glass MSA feature thrilled the crowd not only with the sheer speed and no yellow flags, but it made the local fans happy as hometown hero Jimmy McCune blasted to the victory.  McCune set sail at the green from his outside front row starting spot and powered his way to complete 40 laps in just 9 minutes and 18 seconds!  The win also puts McCune in the Toledo record books as the only driver to record wins in both classes for the Fastest Short Track Show.  Jimmy took the Sprint car win in 2011 at the ½ mile paved oval.  While McCune just flat flew out front, Jim Paller stayed within sight of the leader in the second spot.  Lichty, locked into some early race traffic, finally broke loose and made up a big chunk of ground on the flying leader and Paller.  McCune had a straight-away lead or more at 1 point.  Tim Ice, running in the top 5, dropped out on lap 16.  At lap 21, Lichty went 3 wide in the front straight with McVetta and Dave McKnight, wowing the crowd as they barreled into turn 1.  Lichty’s #84 grabbed third with that incredible move and let him fly to try to catch the lead duo.  At lap 34, Mike got by Paller for second but McCune was gone as he grabbed the big victory.  Lichty was second, Paller’s great run gave him third, Trent Stephens was fourth and DJ Shullick fifth, followed by McVetta, Charlie Schultz, Kevin Jaycox Jr., Matt Marlow and Kyle Edwards.  McCune and Lichty took the heat wins.  Inaugural race event winner (2001) Lou Cicconi suffered mechanical problems and was scratched for the night.

It was more of the same in the AVBBSS Sprint feature as just 1 yellow flag slowed a unreal pace in the 30 lap main.  That came on lap 8 when Kyle Feeney had a tire go flat and spun into the infield in turn 3.  Troy DeCaire took charge on the start  from the outside front row and sailed away from the field.  Aaron Pierce challenged Troy after the lap 8 yellow, but DeCaire held tough out front.  Jason Blonde got a good jump on the restart and moved up 3 spots going into turn 1 and got by Pierce for second on lap 24.  By then, DeCaire was out of sight as he scored the popular win.  Blonde came home second, Kody Swanson got to third at the checkered flag, Gallogly took fourth as Pierce dropped back to fifth at the stripe.  McCune, Gillenwater, Mike Ling, Swain and Kevin Feeney completed the top ten.  DeCaire also claimed a heat win, along with Tyler Underwood and Darren Roberts.

Toledo returns to its weekly Stock Car racing card next Friday, June 21 for the rescheduled Autograph Night and Scout Night, sponsored by Marco’s Pizza and Qualite Sports Lighting.  Scouts in uniform and leaders in uniform or with an ID card will be admitted FREE.  The first 100 Scouts will receive a free slice of pizza, courtesy of Marco’s Pizza!  Fans can walk onto the track and meet their favorite drivers at 7, with racing at 7:30 p.m.  The front gates open at 5 p.m.  The ARCA ACME Dismantling Sportsman, Parts Galore Figure 8’s, R & M Recycling Street Stocks and the 4 Cylinders will all be in action.