Toledo Speedway

TOLEDO OH (3-31-08)--There's something about walking into Frenchtown Square Mall in Monroe and Westfield Franklin Park in Toledo at this time of year and seeing the freshly-painted, sharp-looking race cars on display in the concourse, signaling the fast-approaching racing seasons at Flat Rock Speedway and Toledo Speedway.

Well, maybe everyone doesn't get quite as excited as the rest of us, but fans, officials and race teams are getting ready to go as both mall shows this past weekend stirred the thoughts of burning rubber as ARCA's short tracks get ready to kick off their 2008 racing seasons. Healthy crowds visited the two venues this past weekend, while more than 75 drivers were seen roaming the malls, checking out the new paint schemes and bench racing with their fellow racers and teams as curious mall patrons checked out the cars that dotted the mall concourses.

One lucky race fan--Braeden Madasz of Sylvania, Ohio--was the winner of a bright orange Go Kart, courtesy of Cadbury Schweppes in promotion of the company's Orange Crush flavored soda.

While the weather certainly hasn't cooperated as far as allowing crews to get out and start preparing for opening day, the mall shows get everyone moving a step quicker and plans go into motion to prepare for that special day at each track.  About 15 inches of snow covered both tracks in the last 8 days.  The quick melt has now caused pools of water throughout the area, but workers will get outside this week and begin the task of getting each venue race-ready.

Toledo's staff has just under two weeks to prepare for the ASA Late Models Glassbreaker 200 Saturday, April 12.  The track has been leased for the event and will feature a Friday practice from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the ASA cars, USPRO machines and the USA Modifieds.  Race time for Saturday is at 5 p.m.  Toledo's first Friday night show, the Speedway Tire and Auto Season Opener, is set for May 2 and features the ARCA National City Bank Sportsman, Speedway Bar and Grille Figure 8's, A-1 Auto Parts Factory Stocks and the David's Jewelry 4 Cylinders.  Friday night racing begins at 7:30 p.m.

Flat Rock action begins Saturday, April 26 with Quality Clutches Opening Night.  The ARCA Moran Chevrolet/Miller Lite Late Models, Figure 8's and the Greater Detroit Auto Auction Street Stocks will fill the race card.  Saturday night racing begins at 7 p.m.

Each track will host open practices prior to the openers.  Flat Rock's testing session is set for Saturday, April 19 from Noon to 5, while a Wednesday, April 23 test will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Toledo's open test has a Sunday, April 20 date from Noon to 5 p.m.

Another pair of mall show are still on tap prior to racing season; Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13 the cars will be on display at the Southland Center in Taylor, MI and also at the Westland Shopping Center in Westland, MI.  The tracks will staff an information booth at both malls, with pocket schedules, season ticket information and much more available.