Toledo Speedway

(TOLEDO, Ohio - September 2, 2011) - Toledo Speedway kicked off the Labor Day weekend in the Glass City with the Wendy’s Night of Destruction Friday evening.  A very large crowd filled the stands to see the mayhem and entertaining event.  Wendy greeted the fans and the Wendy’s employees and staff provided trinkets for the kids and families throughout the evening.  Wendy then presented the winners their trophies in the Sun Drop Winner’s Circle. 

The Wendy’s School Bus Figure 8 feature was filled with bone-crunching hits, front-end collisions and plenty of bent sheet metal.  AJ Padgett, at the wheel of the Valvoline Instant Oil Change Centers bus, captured the victory over Joe Koester, Troy Herrmann, Dennis Whisman, Sam Hall, Jack Franzil and Jeremy Vanderhoof.  Additional bus sponsors included Wendy’s Hamburgers, Burge Wrecking, PB Fabrication, Mayfly Tavern, Steve Grabke’s Body Shop, First Choice Auto, Woodville Auto and R & M Recycling. 

The 25 lap Road Course race was wild as Scot Bunge captured his first-ever feature in the contest.  Early leader Mike Hammer was challenged by Bunge, Dennis Whisman and Chris Cox.  Hammer spun out of the lead at the chicane, handing the lead to Bunge.  Whisman got ready to make a bid for the lead and he spun at the chicane.  Cox then was ready to go after the number 1 spot, but tangled with a lapped car just before the chicane, ending his great run.  At the checkered flag, it was Bunge, Whisman, Hammer, Don Cox, Craig Osenbaugh, Troy Brehmer, Tom O’Leary IV, Chris Cox , John Rabideau and AJ Padgett.  19 cars took the green flag but only 9 cars finished in the event.  Matt Ringger got up on his passenger door at the chicane, bringing out the yellow.  Matt was fine, but he was done for the evening.   

Other winners on the night included Osenbaugh in the backup race, Cory McCaughey in the Race Car Bowling and the Boat Figure 8 race, Luke Davis in the Plywood contest and Howard Kelley Jr./Tom O’Leary IV in the Figure 8 train race.  Tom O’Leary IV/Jim Brazeau, Lonnie York/Rich Abel, Adam Plonski/James McClure, Tom O’Leary Jr./Charlie Williams, Trina Apperson/Amanda Bland, Randy Roberts/Mike Niebrowski and Wes Felver/Ron Duvall were next in line at the stripe. 

Toledo Speedway’s next event is set for Sunday, September 11, a tribute to the men and women who serve and protect us both at home and overseas.  The Toledo Police and Fire Departments are conducting a pre-race ticket sale for the race, with 50% of the pre-race ticket sales proceeds to be donated to the group.  Tickets are available at both the Toledo police and fire museums and the credit unions. 

The track will host all active and retired police, fire and military as their guests at the track September 11, with proper identification.

The Earsmart Stars and Stripes 100 presented by the Toledo Blade and Cumulus Radio will highlight the afternoon of racing.  The ARCA Allegiant Gold Cup Late Model Series 100 lap Championship race is slated for action, along with a 50 lap ARCA Truck Series feature and the ARCA R & M Recycling Street Stock Season Championship event. 

Earsmart will give away earplugs to race fans on race day while supplies last. The pit area will open at 9 a.m., practice begins at 11, time trials are at 12:30, the pre-race ceremony will start at 1:30 and racing begins at 2 p.m.  The pre-race ceremony will include a color guard and vintage and current police and fire vehicles.   Toledo Speedway’s phone number is 419-727-1100.  The track is located on Benore Road at the I-75/Alexis Road exit on the Michigan-Ohio border.  For more information, log onto www.toledospeedway.com