Toledo Speedway

Toledo, OH 5-23-2009-- The Seyfert’s Snacks “Night of Destruction” lived up to its billing Friday evening at Toledo Speedway as heavy hitting was the name of the game in the School Bus Figure 8 contest. A good crowd turned out to kick off the Memorial Day holiday weekend. John Wieck of Seyfert’s greeted the crowd and presented trophies to the winners in the Glass Bowl Lanes Winner’s Circle. Track announcer Gary Lindahl introduced Factory Stock racer Andy Holly to the crowd. Andy is leaving for Iraq Saturday, and he received a standing ovation.

The ARCA David’s Jewelry 4 Cylinder class was also part of Friday’s race card, and a new winner emerged as second-year driver Michael Marlowe grabbed his first-ever feature win in the 20 lap main event for the division. The caution-free contest saw Marlowe assume the lead from the start, with pressure early-on from Darren Koester and David Price. Marlowe built up a good lead and held on for the big win. Brad Turner and Dennis Helsel battled hard for second spot, with Turner taking the runner-up spot on the final lap. Helsel was third, Matt Brazeau fourth and Jimmy Little fifth, followed by Koester, Eric Pauwels, Eric Padgett, David Price and Adam Maier. Marlowe and Koester captured the heat wins, while Turner set fast time at 13:039.

Cory McCaughey nosed to the outside lane, got by race leader Landon Schuster on lap 9 and notched his first win of 2008 in the 20 lap A-1 Auto Parts Factory Stock feature race. This feature also ran without a yellow flag as the group raced hard and clean the entire distance. Dave Arnold Jr. followed Cory around Landon and came home second, Eric Huston was third, Josh Bunting fourth and Schuster fifth, with AJ Padgett, Mike Mills, Rick Cousino, Mike Hassen and Jesse Carillo completing the top ten. The 10 lap B Main went to Craig Osenbaugh over Mike Hacker, Andy Holly, Kevin Little and Chris Pauwels. Brian Ringger, Tim Shine and Osenbaugh captured the heat races, with Rick Cousino Jr. scoring the last-chance race win. Huston set fast time for the 24 car field at 11:785.

Hometown boys Howard Kelley Jr. and Tom O’Leary III teamed up to win the 12 lap Figure 8 Train race, which features 2 cars chained together-front one with the engine, back car with the brakes! The duo led every lap, but had early pressure from Darren and Kelly Koester and Paul Duffin and Lonnie York. Those 2 teams both got tangled up, allowing Kelley/O’Leary III to motor on to victory and a $750 payday. The Koesters were next, York/Duffin were third, Tom O’Leary IV/Adam Plonski were fourth and fifth went to Anthony Terris/William Carberry.

A trio of extra events filled the night, with Eric Huston capturing both the Plywood race and Back-up race. In the rollover contest, Lonnie York and Dave Arnold Jr. both got up and over on their tops. After their first tries, both restarted their cars and went at it again, with Arnold taking the prize as he slid the longest distance to break the tie and win the $500 top prize.

And, of course, the evening was topped off with the School Bus Figure 8 race! Track chief technical inspector Jack Franzil withstood several poundings from his fellow racers to win the event. On lap 2, Joe Koester got over on his side, thanks to Dennis Whisman! From there on, the hits were loud and frequent as no less than 5 buses had the front ends knocked off their rides from the wild and hilarious hits. In the end, Franzil had to slide by Troy Herrmann as Troy chased Jack to slam into his bus. Herrmann wound up crashing, and Franzil put the finishing touches on him by plowing into the side of his bus to end the night! Jeremy Miller, Dan Apperson, Robbie Loving, Whisman and Koester completed the field. Koester never stood a chance, surrounded by Figure 8 drivers and former Figure 8 driver Franzil! Miller and Apperson won the heats.