Toledo Speedway

(TOLEDO, Ohio - April 15, 2011):  Toledo Speedway will open its 2011 racing season with a special event Saturday, April 23 with the VR-12/Easter Bunny 100.  The Easter Bunny will make his grand appearance, kids 12 and under are free, and an Easter egg hunt and nickel/penny Goldrush will take place at 5:30 p.m.  The JEG’S/CRA All Star Late Model tour presented by GM Performance Parts will compete in their first-ever event with a 100 lap feature, with the USA Modifieds also in action.  Race time is 6 p.m.

VR-12, a cooling system protection product, is entering into its initial sponsorship of racing at the Glass City paved oval. 

The track will also host Union Day April 23.  Union members may show their union card at the ticket window and receive a $5 discount on a full-price admission ticket (one ticket per card). 

On-track action begins on Friday, April 22 with an optional practice session from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The pit area opens at 1 p.m., while the grandstands will be open to spectators just prior to practice time.  Following practice, the Speedway Bar and Grille, located adjacent to the track, will host a welcoming party.  Food and drink specials are planned and the NASCAR Truck race will be shown live on the SPEED Channel at 8 p.m.  Admission is free to the bar/grille activities.

Race day activities begin with practice at 12:30 p.m., time trials are set for 4, the Easter Egg hunt and nickel/penny Goldrush for kids 12 and under takes place at 5:30 and the first green flag of the new racing season drops at 6 p.m.

The inaugural race for the JEG’S/CRA All Star tour has drawn a list of 25 entries as of April 14, with several more still expected.  The stock-bodied, crate engine Late Model group has a wide list of talented, young drivers and seasoned veterans to make up an interesting mix for the Toledo 100 lap contest.  Wyoming, MI driver Brian Campbell leads the list.  Brian, the son of Late Model star Fred Campbell, has a great Toledo resume which includes a win in the track’s prestigious Glass City 200 Late Model race.  Other Michigan drivers include youngster Erik Jones, who had great success last season through-out the Midwest.  Chad Finley and John Turnbull Jr. are also entered.  Veterans Eddie Hoffman (Wheaton, IL), Jason Dietsch (Edgerton, OH), Jack Smith (Medina, OH), Danny Jackson (Batavia, OH), Jimmy Carter (Strongsville, OH) and Brent Downey (Brownsburg, IN) and local driver Jared Marks (Napoleon, OH) are just a sampling of the drivers entered for the VR-12/Easter Bunny 100.

Drivers from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana will fill the field for the USA Modified portion of the April 23 Toledo race card.  Brian Nester (Hamilton, IN), Kyle Jones (Springfield, OH), Tim Burkett (Ft. Wayne, IN), former Toledo USA winner Tony Dager (Spencerville, IN), Dave Christenson (Flint, MI), Harold Scott (New Castle, IN), Damon Breedlove (Greenfield, IN) and Jonathan Martin (Ft. Wayne, IN) are some of the early entrants.  The USA Modifieds will compete in a 50 lap main event.

All tickets are general admission and there is no advance sale.  The ticket office will open at 3:30 p.m., just prior to the 4 p.m. qualifying session.

Toledo Speedway’s weekly Friday night race cards begin May 6 with the 7-Up/PNC Bank opener, featuring the ARCA ACME Dismantling Sportsman, Parts Galore Figure 8’s, R & M Recycling Street Stocks and the Jeff’s Collision 4 Cylinders.  Friday night racing has a 7:30 p.m. start time.