SWANSON WINS TOLEDO ROLLIE BEALE SILVER CROWN 100
SWANSON WINS TOLEDO ROLLIE BEALE SILVER CROWN 100
Flat Rock, MI: May 4, 2018: California resident Kody Swanson captured Friday night’s Hemelgarn Racing/Super Fitness Rollie Beale Classic 100 for the USAC Silver Crown Cars at Toledo Speedway. Ron Hemelgarn presented the trophy to Kody in the Monroe Asphalt Winner’s Circle. Jim Froling and Craig Osenbaugh took the wins in the ARCA Aramark Late Model Sportsman and ARCA Factory Stocks, respectively.
A strong front of storms with winds over 50 mph Friday afternoon just grazed the track around 2 p.m., leaving the speedway pretty much unscathed. Just 2 miles north of the track, trees were toppled, power lines were down and roads closed, as thousands of residents lost power. The sun set brightly over the track as the race program began.
Fast qualifier Justin Grant (15:170) sat on the pole, but quickly fell back on the green flag. Jerry Coons Jr. zoomed into the lead and was chased by Swanson, Eric Gordon, Bobby Santos and David Byrne. With only 1 yellow, the pace was quick as Coons stayed in command. At the lap 40 mark, Kody got by the leader and never gave it up. A yellow on lap 96 closed the gap for the field on the leader, but Swanson had enough to take the win over.Santos, Byrne, Gordon, Aaron Pierce, local favorite Austin Nemire, Cody Gerhardt, Matt Goodnight, Travis Welpott and Grant.
Jim Froling battled with Howard Kelley Jr. and nosed out front as he sailed to the win in the 35 lap ARCA Aramark Late Model Sportsman feature race, the first of the season for the class. Jim got the jump at the green, but a yellow flag set up a double-file restart. Kelley was able to gain a slight edge on the green, and the duo traded paint in turn 4, with Froling slipping by for the lead and eventually the win. Kelley Jr. got sideways in the final laps, allowing Greg Stilwell to grab second, Tommy O’Leary IV got third and Kelley recovered for fourth. Landon Schuster, Dan Grigsby, Andy Harding, Robert Meiring and Ron Allen completed the finishing order. Froling set fast time at 17:105.
Defending track champ Craig Osenbaugh snared the lead from Paul Martell on lap 10 and held on for the win in the 20 lap ARCA Factory Stock feature event. Jacob Thomas applied pressure in the closing laps but settled for second, Matt Ringger, Ethan Stadniczuk, Jesse Carillo, Martell, Adrian Sharp and Randy Padgett Jr.
In pre-race ceremonies, the family of Rollie Beale was introduced to the crowd. The annual open-wheel Racer’s Reunion attendees were also acknowledged and several Vintage Race Cars took laps around the speedway.
The all-new Street Drags will hold a test night this Friday, May 11 at Toledo Speedway from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The pit area opens at 5 p.m. The “Drive it In and Race It” concept will hold 3 race dates in 2018. The track is 300 feet on the Toledo front stretch. For additional information on the Street Drags, go to www.toledospeedway.com. Click on the forms button and follow the drop-down menu for Street Drag information.