Toledo Speedway

TOLEDO OH (9-23-07)--Brian Campbell drove to victory in the 19th running of the Miller Lite Glass City 200 presented by National City Bank and Allegiant Air Saturday night at Toledo Speedway. Campbell, of Jenison, Michigan, led the final 76 circuits around the Toledo half-mile oval to earn his first career Glass City 200 victory in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd on a perfect night of weather. Steve Sauve finished second, with Brent Jack third, John Doering Jr. fourth and Dave Kuhlman fifth.

Results Photo Gallery

The win marked Campbell's career first Glass City 200 victory in his first outlaw bodied Late Model start at Toledo Speedway. In addition to the $7000 top prize, Brian also collected the $500 Kayo Lumber Fast Time bonus, a $300 product certificate from Howe Racing Enterprises and two round-trip tickets from Toledo to St. Petersburg, Florida, courtesy of Allegiant Air.

Brian pulled a 9 for the inversion of the race, putting Jack and Claude Plante Jr. on the front row. In all, four drivers exchanged the lead during the 200-lap contest, including eventual winner Campbell, early race leader Jack, Claude Plante Jr. and three-time Glass City 200 winner Sauve. Jack took the point position early in the 200-lap contest, leading the first 43 laps before making contact with lapped traffic. He was sent to the rear, where he had the task of working his way through the 31-car field. Meanwhile, Sauve passed Plante Jr. for the lead on the restart. A rash of yellows led to a very long first half of the event. Harold Fair Jr. was strong early, as was Johnny Belott, who dropped out early in the contest, eliminating his chance for victory. Front runner Joe Bush was also sidelined on the lap 43 incident, ending his evening. 16 year old rising star Jake Francis was also quick until tangling with Jerry Artuso, sending his car into the infield blocks and stopping his great run to the front. Ageless veteran Harold Fair Sr. ran in the top five and looked like a serious threat until mechanical woes set in. Fair Jr. lost 4 laps early in the contest when his car quit running just before a re-start while inheriting the lead. The odds-on-favorite suffered another stroke of misfortune in this race after winning 4 of 5 races at the ¨? mile this season.

Sauve's leads were continually washed away by the accidents, allowing Campbell and Jack, who zipped through the field and back to the front, to close in as the lap 101 mark approached. At lap 98, Brian applied the pressure to Sauve and went to the outside lane, looking for the $500 Wynn's/LV Enterprises Half-Way bonus. Each time Sauve, the 3-time winner of the event, held back the second-generation star as the 20 minute break came at lap 101. As the checkered flag flew, Brett Jursik pounded the turn 4 wall, ending his night. Jursik had run a brilliant race as was ready to come home fourth in the first segment until his inicident.

The second half of the 200 ran without much trouble, as the 99 lap stint was completed in about 40 minutes. Sauve led the pack to the green to get things going again, with Campbell and Jack in hot pursuit. With heavy lapped traffic approaching, Campbell made his move on lap 124 and dipped low on Sauve in turn 2 to take control. Jack also got by to grab second, with Sauve third. Doering Jr. and Kuhlman had also closed in but Campbell was very strong out front as he set sail in pursuit of a big victory. Sauve and Jack battled for the last 50 laps for second spot, with Sauve getting by and settling for second at the finish. Jack, Doering and Kuhlman, who pitted several times to repair his car from an early incident, completed the top five. 2006 winner Jack Landis stayed in the top ten all night and came home sixth, with Artuso, Rick Sheppard, Scott Giroux and rookie AJ Lane completing the top ten. Lane made the field by winning the B Main and was steady throughout and he came from 31st to 10th at the finish, netting him the Burge Wrecking $250 Hard Charger bonus.

The top 16 finishers also received subscriptions to the Michigan Racing Scene, courtesy of publisher Terry Fitzwater. Rick Sheppard and Justin Schroeder each earned a $100 All Star Performance product certificate for finishing eighth and 12th in the 200, respectively. Campbell's lap of 15:157 topped the 39 car field.

Campbell now joins a long list of former Glass City 200 winners at Toledo Speedway, including Jack Landis (2006), John Doering, Jr. (2005), Steve Sauve (2002-2004), Jr. Hanley (2001), Tim Ice (2000), Tim Felver (1999), Bob Senneker (1977, 1971, 1970), Ed Cooper (1975), Jim Bickerstaff (1974), John Anderson (1973), Joe Ruttman (1972, 1969), Danny Byrd (1971) and Joy Fair (1968).

Carleton, Michigan's AJ Lane earned a Glass City 200 starting spot by winning the 15 lap R & M Recycling Late Model B Main Feature as he topped Steve Peters, Bill Litogot, Tod Sturgeon Jr. and Adam Purdy. The Drive Train Specialists (DTS) last-chance races saw the top 3 also move to the 200. Mike Luberda won the first 12 lap event over Mike Jaynes, Michael Simko, Litogot, Dan Bailey, Purdy and Roger Blackstock. The second event was claimed by Sheppard over Dr. Bob DuCharme, Gary Denis, Lane, Peters and Sturgeon Jr.

James Hazlett drove his way to victory in the 25 lap A-1 Auto Parts Factory Stock feature, leading 15 laps en route to victory. Dave Arnold, Sr., finished second, followed by Brian Ringger, Mike Hasson, AJ Padgett, Matt Bunting, Jesse Carillo, David Frantz, Josh Bunting and Brian Moore. Arnold set fast time for the 17 car field at 12:051.

Ron Allen won the interesting 40-lap National City Bank Sportsman Feature, crossing the finish line over Greg Stilwell, Kevin Butzin, Scott Bross and Tom O'Leary IV. An early multi-car accident eliminated early contenders Howard Kelley Jr., Terry Jones and Art Rozane. Brian Norton took the point after the wreck and sailed out front, only to drop out in a cloud of smoke. Rick Sheppard inherited the lead and had Randy Cornett on his bumper as the duo pulled away from the pack. Allen, who went to the tail of the field during the first incident, moved through the pack and got to third. On lap 33, the lead pair of Sheppard and Cornett came together, sending both cars to the pits. Allen was now in command and picked up the win. Todd Hamilton, Sheppard, Chad Stilwell, Jim Alvis and Brian Pelkey completed the top ten. Allen set fast time for the 30 car field at 17:568. Andy Harding scored his first checkered flag of his rookie season in the 12 lap last-chance race, topping Jason Burkhart, Scott Selmi, Alvis, Tom O'Leary III and David Kind. Those drivers all advanced to the 40 lap main.

Toledo Speedway returns to action October 12-14 for ARCA Championship Weekend. The Andersons ARCA Fan Fest presented by Wolverine Boot will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 12-14. The Ford Racing Performance Tour, several racecar simulators, show cars and activities for kids are scheduled, including a kiddie carnival. An autograph session with up to 20 ARCA drivers from all divisions is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Admission to The Andersons Fan Fest presented by Wolverine is free of charge.

Racing action returns to Toledo Speedway on Saturday afternoon, October 13, with ARCA RE/MAX Series Pole Qualifying, and the Champion Credit Union 50 season finale for the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series. The nationally touring, nationally televised ARCA RE/MAX Series Hantz Group 200, presented by Belle Tire, is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 14. Tickets are now on sale by calling the track at 419-727-1100.

Toledo Speedway is located at 5639 Benore Rd.,Toledo, Ohio, near the intersection of I-75 and Alexis Road. For more information, please call ARCA at (734) 847-6726, or Toledo Speedway at (419) 727-1100.

SPONSORS: Miller Lite-Metropolitan Distributing-Toledo, OH, Allegiant Air, National City Bank, Kayo Lumber, DTS-Drive Train Specialists, Burge Wrecking, Wynn's/LV Enterprises, Howe Racing Enterprises, All Star Racing, R & M Recycling, Bazell Race Fuels/Sunoco, Giles Auto Body, NEMSYS, Toledo Blade, Celebrations Fun Food Factory, Michigan Racing Scene, Sandusky Speedway, Sterling Printing and Graphics, Clean Sweep, Vivid Maintenance.