Toledo Speedway

I had hoped to get this article out a couple months ago, but things happen, I’m cleaning out my inbox and my Facebook messages for a season ending article. Thanks to everyone that sent me something.

Ron Allen won the Sportsman Championship, his sixth of the division. He also won the championship in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2007. “It was a great year at Toledo speedway had ten races, got 10 fast times, won five times with four seconds and one race rained out after heat races. Gotta thank the crew Michelle, Gary, Charlie, Jimmy, Mikey and my mom and sister for comin’ to all my races and all my fans for their support. Good job all year and the best race cars Dillon Race Cars, Fastime Race Engines and Parts, Royal Truck & Trailer and Bonner Engines.” At the banquet Allen was awarded a champion’s ring for his 10th ARCA championship. Most of his championships came in the Sportsman Division at Toledo (2000, 2001, 2--4, 2006, 2007 and 2011. Bob Studt was the last driver with over 10 ARCA championships (mostly in Figure 8).

Dennis Strickland had a career season, he won the Gold Cup Championship for the fourth time (2001, 2004, 2005, 2011), finished second in the Late Models at Flat Rock and finished second in the Glass City 200. One of the prizes for winning the Gold Cup Championship was a test session in an ARCA RE/MAX Series car at Daytona. “I am really exited about the Daytona test day, to run some laps at Daytona and hang out with some of the ARCA guys should be pretty cool. This year has been very enjoyable due to the fact that our new Port City car has been fast almost every time we unloaded it, again I thank Harley and Johnny VanDorn at Port City Chassis for there help, Glass City weekend we spun the car during Friday’s practice and backed it into the retaining blocks when I pulled in the pit area VanDorn was one of the first guys there with a drill motor working on the car even though he had his own car to worry about, I thought that was pretty neat of him to help us like that.

Sunday after our 2nd place Glass City run we got home from Church and the phone ran of the hook all day long people congratulating us on our performance, Dick Barker called me and was telling me how they were cheering for me during the race ... I got to tell you when I was 19-years old interested in oval track racing Dick was one of the racers at Toledo Speedway that to me was one of the sports stars and for him to call me and give me praise like that well this is something I will never forget.  Tina (wife) and I ran into Jack Wyman at the local restaurant he commented how we represented Flat Rock well in the Glass City 200 which makes me realize how big of a event the Glass City race is maybe next year we could be blessed enough to win it, I think if that happens I may just have to retire with that win.”

Eric Lee won his fourth Flat Rock Late Model Championship, winning it in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011. “The whole points battle was tight going into this last race.  We had a great start at the beginning of the season and then had a DNF that set us back pretty far.  We were fortunate enough to have good finishes and a couple of wins that last half of the year to get our 4th championship.  I can't thank my father enough for all the time and effort that he puts towards our racing program.  I also need to thank Joe for all of his hard work, late nights at the shop and help on every race day along with John for his help.  Without my sponsors I would not be here too Lee Motorsports Car Sales, Arrow Uniform Rental, Whitneys Collision, LaBelle Electric, D&E Landscaping, Posen Construction, Powertran Transformers, Nortown Autoglass and Action Drywall.

The Street Stock A division at Flat Rock had a first time Champion in Tim Moore. “I would like to thank my dad Dow engines for building me a strong engine. My sponsors JT Motorsports, Northend Scrap Metal (in Wyandotte), A-lot Sealcoat and Striping, Yost Collision,Fastime Racing for the fast time sponsor, and DTS Drivetrain Secialist. You guys were a huge part of this championship. Also have to thank my family for putting up with me the last month of the season ... My pit crew who put a lot of hours on the car due to me working 12 to 14 hours a day and not having much time to keep up on the car myself. I really appreciate the hard work. I waited 21- years to get this championship and I finally did it not just because of me but because of all of the help from you guys. Including all the fans that come support us every week. I also have to thank all the guys that offered me their car if anything happened to mine the last three weeks of the season. Just shows the respect and sportsmanship out there. I know its been 21-years but I still never thought I would get a championship just because of the competition out there ... 24 cars in the a feature and there is only 4 tenths of second between first and last. It wasn't easy at all. Thanks to Ron Drager, Scott Shultz, and all the officials at Flatrock for keeping Flatrock Speedway and Toledo going because without this sport we wouldn't know what to do. Save the best for last. My grandfather started racing at Flatrock back in the day then passed it to my dad. Then the day I turned 16 passed it on to me and my brother. Ever since then we have had a blast. Crashed ... Bent frames ... Yelled at ... long nites ... Lots of money ... Losses ... Wins ... And now championships. All because of my grandfather who recently passed away. So I have to thank him for starting this whole racing thing. Even though he isn't here this year he was a huge part of this championship. So again thanks everyone for there support and hope to see you next season.”

Jeremy Vanderhoof swept the Figure 8 championships, winning his second consecutive at Flat Rock and the 2011 at Toledo. Jeremy would like to thank his Uncle Larry and Aunt Tammy and his family for all their support and sacrifices and his sponsors CM Smith, Food Town Pharmacy, Greig Race Cars.

After 31 years of racing, Jeff Metdepenningen won his first championship, the ARCA Enduro Championship. He won three of the four races and finished second the other race. Jeff wants to thank his wife, Michelle, for allowing him to go to the banquet to pick up his trophy. The couple were suppose to be vacationing celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary ... a true racer’s wife.

Congratulations to Jimmy Rae who won his fourth Street Stock B division championship (2002, 2004, 2008 and 2011). During his acceptance speech, Jimmy told everyone he was retiring from racing to spend some time with his family and travel to some of the different Michigan tracks and be a specator.

The 4 Cylinder champions were Brad Turner at Flat Rock (his third 2008, 2009 and 2011) and Michael Marlow at Toledo, it was his first championship.

Thanks to Kevin Stahl Jr., who sent me a message:

“After a lot of hard work and anticipation we finally got the car together and ran the last two shows at Toledo. The car ran pretty good for an old factory stock turned street stock that ended up as a sportsman with a rookie driver. I would like to thank my dad, without him this wouldn’t be possible and who knows maybe next year we will be competing against each other, I would also like to thank Jim Rafels, Vicki’s Home Health Care, Jacobs Proformance Engines, AVENGERS M.C. and Apex Metal Fab and all the guys that help out at the track ... it’s been a long road to get this car done and they’ve all been a big help. Can’t wait for next year, we will have 2 sportsman cars 1 driven by me and the other by my dad. Should be interesting racing against the old man.”

After many second place finishes, sophomore driver, Frank Jiovani, finally got his first victory (in the final race of the season). First off I want to thank my Dad for all of the time and hard work he has put into this team, my family and friends for all of their support this year, rain or shine. Also my 2011 sponsors JV Auto and Duvall Investigations. It was my first pole starting spot in a street stock and I knew I had to take advantage of the of it. And with Tim Moore breathing down my neck I knew I could not mess-up for one second. I also want to thank everyone at the track and behind the scenes for all their hard work, all year long, putting on great race programs every Saturday. Can’t wait for 2012 to start already!”

The Rookie of the year: Derek Wiley over Terry Bogus, Late Models – Flat Rock; Landon Schuster over Grant Hedges, Street Stock A division – Flat Rock; Mark LaVoie over Steve Searles, Street Stock B division – Flat Rock; Steve Chartrand, Figure 8s – Flat Rock; Luke Davis over Luke Huston, Street Stock – Toledo and Mike Young, Sportsman – Toledo (Note there was only one rookie in the top 20 for Figure 8s and I’m not sure who was the second rookie in Sportsman).

Happy Holidays everyone! Next spring we do this all again! My email is icechips@hotmail.com if you want to send me something next year.