Toledo Speedway

(Toledo, OH—August 8, 2014):  Picture-perfect weather and $8 adult admission brought out a great crowd for “Great 8 Night” Friday evening at Toledo Speedway.  The fans were treated to a big night of action-packed events at the Glass City oval.

The ARCA Truck Series paid a visit to Toledo for the CGS Imaging 50 lap main event on the ½ mile paved oval.  Current point leader Danny Jackson zipped to the victory, topping Levi Mansfield, Shaun Szep, Brandon Huff and Todd Gearhart.  Jackson set quick time at 16:802.  The Series paid tribute to Michael Fridley, the Truck Series pace truck driver who passed away recently.  During the parade laps, the fans stood and waived checkered flags provided by the Series as the field went down pit road, leaving only the pace truck on the track.  Over 500 balloons were also released in Mike’s memory.

The ARCA Praxair Figure 8’s staged a 20 lap feature race, as Robbie Loving took the lead on lap 11 after tangling with his son, Race, for the lead.  Dennis Whisman had no place to go and tagged the spinning car of Race, ending the rookie’s night.  Robbie was able to continue on and grabbed the victory over Jeremy Vanderhoof, Scott Apperson, Randy Roberts, Dan Apperson, Dennis Whisman, David Katafiasz, Ian Jezylo, Stephanie Bradley, John Lambert, Race Loving and Dave Lambert.  Heat race wins went to Katafiasz, who picked up his initial checkered flag in Figure 8 competition, and Whisman.

Tom O’Leary IV made it 8 for 8 on the 8^th of August by winning the 25 lap ARCA R & M Recycling X Car feature on the ¼ mile oval.  Tom also posted fast time and won his heat race event.  Dennis Whisman took second in the feature, with Archie Padgett, Rich Abel, Craig Osenbaugh, Dave Golembiewski, Joe Rozek, James McClure and Justin Rodriguez following at the finish. Golembiewski also notched a heat race win.

The remainder of the race card was filled with “fun” events!  Bill Carberry took the Boat Figure 8 win over John Rabideau, James McClure and Archie Padgett.  A last corner pass by Padgett gave Archie the win in the Trailer Figure 8 race over McClure and Rabideau.  John Lambert was the victor in the “Road Rage race, followed by Padgett, Golembiewski, Katafiasz and Abel.  Golembiewski grabbed the Flag Pole race over Padgett, McClure, Lambert and Carberry.

A very entertaining Figure 8 Train race saw a new combination of Dennis Whisman/Jim Brazeau take the checkered flag.  The duo traded paint with Tom O’Leary IV/Kenny McKay Jr., with the winners nosing out front with 2 laps to go to take the victory.  Third was Billy Earley and his son Travis, fourth was Tom O’Leary Jr./Charlie Williams and fifth was Kevin Stepinski/Erich Heuschele.  Sixth spot went to Howard Kelley Jr./Tom O’Leary IV.  Kelley flipped his car over on its roof early in the race, ending that duo’s bid for the win.  Howard was ok.

Friday, August 15 is Championship Night for 3 classes at Toledo Speedway!  The ARCA Discount Tire Gold Cup Late Model Series will combine forces with the Main Event Late Model Series for the Miller Lite 100 presented by Grogan’s Towne.  The Praxair Figure 8’s and R & M Recycling X Cars will also stage their Season Championship races.  The evening will be capped off with the Grogan’s Town Grocery Getter Road Rage race!  Race time is 7:30 p.m.  The rain date for this race, if needed, is Friday, August 22