Richard "Dick" G. Frantz, age 71, the father of ARCA Street Stock driver Rich Frantz and Ron Frantz, passed away Sunday, March 4. 

Dick was a longtime supporter of ARCA and actually began his racing career as a driver at the Cloverleaf (Cleveland) Speedway, and was a big part of getting his sons Ron and Rich involved in racing.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia, sons Ron and Rich, a brother, Ed and sister, Betty, along with 6 grandchildren. 

Services will be held at the A. Ripepi and Sons Funeral Home, 18149 Bagely Road, Middleburg Heights, OH  44130.  Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 7 from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 6 p.m.-8 p.m.  Interment will follow on Thursday, March 8.

TOLEDO, OH: (2-16-09): One of Toledo's most-established Classic Car clubs will hold their Thursday night cruises at Toledo Speedway in 2009. Beginning May 7 and running each Thursday through October, the Placers Car Club Cruisin' will be held in the track parking lot and grounds, located just a ¼ mile from I-75 on Benore Road.

This past weekend was the annual Triple 50 races at Flat Rock.

Condolences to the family of Steve Bunge on the death of his mother, Carol Bunge. Steve Bunge raced in the ARCA Late Model division for over 30 years at Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways and is a 3-time champion in the division at Flat Rock. He also operates the B&H Race Parts trailer at both tracks, as well as participating as an ARCA Racing Series official. Visitation for Carol Bunge is from noon to 8 p.m. Monday March 8 at Rupp Funeral Home in Monroe Michigan, with funeral services at 9 a.m. Tuesday March 9 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Ida Michigan.

(TOLEDO, Ohio - July 3, 2010) - 2009 champ Jeff Maran made it two wins in two events by taking a very competitive 250-lap Enduro race Saturday evening at Flat Rock Speedway. Eric Hoffman took the MCR Dwarf Car feature, David Price won the 4-Cylinder event, Don Cox was the top dog in Race Car Bowling, and Bill Carberry sailed to the win in the Boat Figure 8.

Garnett Linwood Hawes (Lin) Hawes, the father of ARCA/Flat Rock and Toledo Speedway Late Model drivers Joe Hawes and the grandfather of Steve Hawes, passed away Friday, June 7.  Lin’s other son, Gary, was also a driver in both the Late Model and ARCA Racing Series in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

He was very involved with Gary & Joe's racing careers for many years, and was listed as Gary’s car owner in the ARCA Racing Series.  Lin enjoyed traveling to the races. He leaves behind a long list of friends, and respect from all who knew him.  Lin worked as a mechanic his whole life, and moved to North Carolina for retirement. He enjoyed snowmobiling at his retreat near Higgins Lake MI in the winter with family and friends. He was also an avid motorcycle rider and loved his Harley Davidson.

Lin was born on March 21, 1937 and passed away June 7, 2013 after a battle with cancer.

He is survived by his loving wife Bunny, sons Gary, Joe and daughter Jeanette, and grandchildren Steve, Rachel, Blake and Samantha.

Visitation and the funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 16th at the Weise Funeral home, 7210 Park Ave. Allen Park MI. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  The service time is still pending.  The funeral home website address is www.weisefuneralhome.com

(FLAT ROCK, MI - July 13, 2013) - After 3 weeks of rain, sunshine and racing returned to Flat Rock Speedway for the track’s official 60^th Anniversary celebration.  Eric Lee, Jeremy Vanderhoof, Clyde McKee and Craig Lange were victorious and visited the Sun Drop Winner’s Circle.  A good crowd turned out to witness the historic and what turned out to be a long, long night of racing, capped off with the annual Fireworks display.

A great battle for the lead for much of the event kept things exciting in the 60 lap ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Model feature.  The 23 car field took the green and Dennis Strickland nosed into the lead.  Eric Lee worked his way up from his starting spot and pressured Strickland as the laps clicked off.  Paul Pelletier was the man on the move as he steadily moved up from 12^th spot to slide into contention for the win.  That trio put on a great show in the final 15 laps, as they worked their way through race traffic.  Lee, using the high groove, grabbed the top spot with 11 laps to go and grabbed the victory.  Pelletier dove to the inside of Strickland in the final 5 circuits to cap off his great run to second, Strickland was third, Steve Cronenwett Jr. recovered and charged back up to fourth spot. 
Steve had been in fourth for the first half of the race, but got bounced back several spots in heavy traffic, only to zip back up to fourth at the stripe.  Fifth was Ron Allen, followed by Derek Wiley, Justin Schroeder, Frank Jiovani, Scott Pemberton and Jeff Plumb.  A lap 50 red flag saw Jeff Vrsek and Brad Turner eliminated from competition.  Both drivers were ok.  Jiovani, Dan Trosen Jr. and Derrick Sheppard were heat race winners.  Lee set fast time at 11:731.

(FLAT ROCK, Michigan - August 24, 2013) - The best weather of the 2013 racing season brought out another good crowd to Flat Rock Speedway Saturday night for the Leppen Chiropractic/Action Exteriors/UAW Local 3000 Autograph and Kids Night.  Fans walked out onto the track to meet the drivers under brilliant sunshine and blue skies.

Kids to age 14 were admitted free and received a free hot dog, chips and a drink, courtesy of Sherwood Foods, Jim’s Butcher Shop, Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, Herr’s Potato Chips and Schwebel Baking Company.

Feature winners visited the Sun Drop Winner’s Circle and were greeted by Dan Leppen, representing Leppen Chiropractic, a long-time sponsor of the track.  Rob Moore, Jeff Luttermoser, Robbie Loving Grant Quinlen and David Katafiasz took the main event victories.

TOLEDO SPEEDWAY

Tuesday, Sept. 10:  Placer’s Car Club Classic Car Cruisin’

1st, 2^nd and 3^rd Tuesdays of each month!

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  FREE admission!

**FINAL RACE IS SAT. SEPT. 28 AT TOLEDO!

GREAT LAKES HELICOPTER GLASS CITY 200

LATE MODELS—200 LAPS!  Tickets now on sale!!!

Plus Sportsman and X Car Invitationals—5 p.m. is race time!

**6 p.m. start for remainder of 2013 schedule!!!!!!

GRILLERS SELECT BBQ SAUCE SCHOOL BUS FIGURE 8!

Plus Boat Figure 8, Street Stocks, Figure 8’s!

Pits

ARCA members $20

All Non-members:  $30

Minimum age for pits is 12, with minor’s release signed by parent(s) at registration (must be with minor).

Grandstands

*TICKETS NOW ON SALE (Reserved only)  Call 734-782-2480 or stop at track!  9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

ALL General admission tickets and kids tickets go on sale at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (and any remaining reserved seats)

ALL RESERVED SEATS:  $16 (regardless of age)

General Admission:  Adults:  $15

Children 6-12 are $3, under 6-free

Pit gate: 3:30 p.m.

Front gates:  3:30 p.m.

Practice:  4:30 p.m.

Racing:  6 p.m.

Both Tracks:  FREE parking on track grounds; all concession items are priced from .50 to $3.50.  Beer is available ($4-4.50); Happy hour-$3-16 ounce drafts, 5:30 to 6:30 at Flat Rock.

Flat Rock Speedway is located on Telegraph Road, just 5 minutes from I-75 or I-275.  The track phone number is 734-782-2480.  Log onto www.flatrockspeedway.com for further information, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on Twitter @flatrockspeed.

Toledo Speedway is located on Benore Road at the I-75/Alexis Road exit (behind Meijer store).  The track phone number is 419-727-1100.  Log onto www.toledospeedway.com for further information, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on Twitter @toledospeedway.

Toledo, Ohio—September 27, 2013:  The race car rigs are pulling in and the gates are open at Toledo Speedway for the 25^th Anniversary of the Great Lakes Helicopter Glass City 200!  And guess who’s in line? 

It’s 2011 race winner and short track star Augie Grill, a late entry for the Silver Anniversary of this classic event.  The Hayden, Alabama driver will once again be at the wheel of Canadian Jerry Artuso’s car, numbered this year as #112, the number that adorns most of Grill’s race cars.  The duo teamed up and put Grill in the Winner’s Circle in his very first race at Toledo and, his first race in an outlaw-bodied Super Late Model for the Glass City 200.

That puts the entry list at 34 cars—27 cars are already on the grounds as of 3 p.m. Friday afternoon.  Tonight’s schedule has a short practice session from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Fans can watch the practice free of charge.

The advance ticket sale will end tonight at 5 p.m. Some reserved seating remains for Saturday’s prestigious event and may be obtained by stopping at the track office or calling 419-727-1100.  Most major credit cards are accepted.

The race day schedule has the pit area opening at 9:30 a.m., practice begins at Noon, time trials are set for 3 and racing begins at 5 p.m. The front gates will be open to watch practice during the afternoon; at 2:30, the grandstands will be cleared and tickets will go on sale.

Any remaining reserved seat tickets and all general admission and kids tickets will go on sale when the ticket office opens at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. 

Log onto www.toledospeedway.com for the entry list, lap money sponsor list and all the history and background on the one and only Glass City 200!

(FLAT ROCK, MI - February 3, 2014) - Flat Rock Speedway’s ARCA Street Stock division, one of the most competitive weekly racing classes in the area, has backing again from Warren, MI business DTS Drive Train Specialists.  The company returns for their 4th season of sponsorship of the division, a staple of weekly racing at Flat Rock since 1977.

(TOLEDO, Ohio - July 15, 2011) - A nice crowd turned out for Toledo Speedway’s Lakeshore Utility Trailer/Velvet Ice Cream Christmas in July prize giveaway Friday night, with special guest Santa Claus and surprise guest, the Valvoline Grinch.  Dozens of prizes were handed out to fans of all ages, while the Valvoline Instant Oil Change Summer Racing Series race card provided great action and entertainment.

After 9 years of racing, Sam Hall scored his first win in the Parts Galore Figure 8 feature, Jim Froling topped the ACME Dismantling Sportsman event and the duo of Howard Kelley Jr./Tom O’Leary III captured the wild Figure 8 Train race.

Toledo Speedway has cancelled tonight's Friday, July 22 Teamsters Local 20 race event due to rain and the threat of more of the same.

All Teamsters tickets will be honored next Friday, July 29. 

Harold Davis Sr., the 1961 Modified champion at Flat Rock Speedway, passed away at his home in Marshall, NC.  He was 85 years old.  Harold drove and later owned Late Models after he retired from the driver's seat, with his #129 on the doors. 

Harold is survived by his wife, Donna, and children Harold Jr., who races at Flat Rock; and daughters Debbie, Dorothy, Lisa and Rose.

Services are pending at the Madison Funeral Home, 1750 Highway 213 in Marshall, NC.  28753.  A memorial service is being planned in Livonia, MI at a later date.

North-bound I-75 from the Ohio line to LaPlaisance Road (exit 11) will go from 3 lanes down to 1 lane starting at 8 p.m. tonight, Friday, May 4 until Sunday, May 6 at 9 p.m.

Fans and race teams returning to Michigan from the Toledo Speedway races tonight or going to Flat Rock Speedway Saturday may want to take Telegraph Road north as an alternate route.

Expect road construction in just about any direction and location throughout the area all summer!

We'll try to keep you up to date as much as possible.

(TOLEDO, Ohio - May 15, 2012) - ARCA’s Allegiant Late Model Gold Cup Series for the outlaw-style bodied cars is preparing to branch out just a bit for the very first time since the beginning of the Series in the mid-1990’s.  Sunday, May 27 Spartan Speedway in Mason, MI, just minutes from the state capitol of Lansing, will host the Series for a 100 lap shoot-out on the ¼ mile paved oval.

(TOLEDO, Ohio - May 19, 2012) - As Frank Kimmel aims for his 75th ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards victory and first since 2008, no track may be a better venue than Toledo Speedway, where he has won nine times.

Just a reminder that effective with the Saturday, June 2 event, Flat Rock Speedway will use the following time schedule for “weekly” race shows until further notice:

Pits open:  3 p.m.

Practice:    4 p.m.

Time trials: 5:30 p.m

Racing:       7 p.m. 

LAP MONEY BEING TAKEN FOR JOY FAIR MEMORIAL JUNE 23 

Lap money is being sold for the Diamond Racing Products Joy Fair Memorial 100 for the ARCA Allegiant Gold Cup Late Model race Saturday, June 23. 

Lap money is $5 per lap.  The sponsor’s name will be listed in the souvenir program stuffer sheet on the date of the race.  Public address announcements will also be made prior to and on race night.  Cash or checks will be accepted for this sponsorship program. 

Lap money is also available for the Saturday, July 14 Street Stock 100 and for the Saturday, July 28 Moran Chevrolet Stan Yee Memorial 150 Gold Cup event. 

Toledo Speedway has lap money available for the Friday, July 6 Late Model Gold Cup 100 lap race also.  Again, it’s just $5 per lap! 

It’s a great way to support the race teams!  Sponsorship for laps can be obtained by calling the Flat Rock office at 734-782-2480 or the Toledo office at 419-727-1100. 

Great Lakes Helicopter GLASS CITY 200

Toledo Speedway--September 28-29, 2012

Late Models:  Unload, place car on jackstands; TECH GARAGE:  3 CREWMEN PER CAR, PLUS DRIVER.  NO ONE ELSE IN TECH BARN DURING INSPECTION!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

2 p.m.             Pit registration opens AT TICKET OFFICE; rig parking; tire sales/LM over-under tech

5 p.m.             Optional practice session for all classes

7 p.m.             Practice ends—GARAGE CLOSES AT 8 P.M.  LOCK UP YOUR EQUIPMENT AND TRAILERS!

7:30-9 p.m     Dinner for all pit pass buyers at Bar/Grille, courtesy of Francis Engineering; additional dinners available at $10 per plate.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

9:30 a.m.        Pit registration is at Pit Gate Saturday.  Pits open: 

Late Model tech open…only Late Models to tech barn--Must go thru tech line before you go on-track; you will draw for qualifying at tech.

11 a.m.           Tires released from impound—no more than 4 tires at a time.

11:15 a.m.     Late Model Driver’s meeting-tech barn

Noon-12:45   Late Model practice

Noon:             Sportsman cars through tech barn—do not block aisle

12:45-1:10     Sportsman practice

1:10-1:20       X Car practice

1:20-1:55       Final Late Model practice/final scuff session

1:30 p.m.       Sportsman, X Car driver’s meeting-tech barn

1:55-2:15       Final Sportsman practice

2:15-2:30       Final X Car practice

2:30                Break; clear grandstands; ticket sales begin

2:30                Tech line opens for LM qualifying---first 15 cars and so on.

2:55                X Cars on ½ mile to qualify—IF 20 cars or more

3 p.m.             X Cars qualifying—See above.

3:10 p.m.        Qualifying:  Sportsman-must be on 1/4 mile at end of X Car qualifying. 

                        LM’s will follow (in groups of 15) Top 20 locked in.

                        LM B Main tires to be released after qualifying is completed.

                        **LM B crews, SP crews can set up on pit road after qualifying is concluded.

4:45 p.m.        PASSTIME LM pole award presentation.

4:50                Pre-race ceremonies:  Invocation-Jerry Stewart

                        Canadian Anthem and National Anthem—Meghan Chmiel

5 p.m.             LM B Main race—25 laps (top 6 advance to 200) (if necessary)

                        (LM Feature cars-remaining impound tires released during LM last-chance race)

Sportsman feature—40 laps

                        X Car feature—30 laps

LM Crews can go to pit road anytime during X Car feature

LM’s to turn 4 to line up for 200 at lap 15 mark of X Car race.

Moran Chevrolet Random Tire draw-on front-stretch

Introduction of Grand Marshall-Danny Byrd

                        Introductions of past champions and Glass City 200 winners, sponsors,

                        200 lap Glass City 200--**Driver introductions TBA depending on weather, time.

            *Allegiant Travel drawing-2 round-trip tickets for fans giveaway at lap 101 break

SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE (rain date is Sunday, Sept. 30—1 p.m. race time (or as soon as possible)

TOLEDO, Ohio (January 19, 2010)--Congratulations to long-time ARCA car owner Robbie Martel of Westland, Michigan. Martel was named Mechanic of the Year by the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club at the organization's annual Awards Banquet and Dinner Dance on Saturday night, January 16.

Martel has owned Figure 8 cars driven by Robbie Loving at Flat Rock Speedway and Toledo Speedway for the past ten years. Loving, one of several ARCA Champions honored at the Awards Banquet, accepted the award on Martel's behalf.

(TOLEDO, Ohio - September 17, 2013) - Butler, IN driver and most recent Toledo Late Model winner Brent Jack has filed his entry for the 25^th Anniversary of the Great Lakes Helicopter Glass City 200 presented by Francis Engineering, Woodville Auto Finance, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express.  The 200 lap outlaw-bodied Late Model invitational is set for Saturday, September 28 at Toledo Speedway.

Both the 2005 and 2006 Glass City 200 races will go down in history, but for different reasons. John Doering Jr. captured the rain-shortened race in 2005, the first Glass City race to ever be cut back by the elements.  And, 2006, well, who could forget?  Michael Simko took off running and put a flying drop-kick on the windshield of Don St. Denis during a red flag, St. Denis scrambled from his car and the duo squared off in the infield!  The incident drew world-wide attention and made news for several weeks.  To their credit, both drivers have moved on and have raced against each other.   In fact, both drivers are expected to be at this year’s race this Saturday.

September 25, 2013:  It’s almost here!  And the weather forecast is….well, we’ll wait to see what Saturday brings to the Toledo Speedway!  Just more notes, news and more photos for you as the 25^th Anniversary of the Great Lakes Helicopter Glass City 200 arrives Saturday, September 28.