Toledo Speedway

(TOLEDO, Ohio - April 18, 2012) - AuGres, MI driver Mike Luberda Jr. and Hamilton, OH resident Brian Nester are now entered for the Sunday afternoon, April 29 race at Toledo Speedway in the ARCA Allegiant outlaw-bodied Gold Cup Series portion of the 7-Up Twin 100’s.  The ARCA/CRA Super Series template-bodied Late Models will also be in competition, with each series running their respective 100 lap feature races on the fast, ½ mile paved oval.

The second half of the event will be headlined by the ARCA/CRA Super Series Late Models.  Recent entries for this class include second-generation driver Billy Leslie, the son of former Toledo and ARCA National champ Tracy Leslie, and another second generation driver, Chad Finley, the son of former ARCA driver Jeff Finley.

Defending ARCA Allegiant Gold Cup champion Dennis Strickland and 2009/2010 champ Mike Root have filed entries, along with track record holder JR Roahrig, Wisconsin driver Andrew Morris and Michigan veteran Claude Plante Jr.   Local drivers Joe Hawes, Steve Cronenwett Jr., Steve Peters, Chad Guinn, Mike Young and Todd Perkins are entered, in addition to Terry Bogusz and Steve Needles, one of the top Late Model pilots in the Midwest.  The April 29 Toledo event for the outlaw-style bodied ARCA Allegiant Gold Cup Late Models is the first of six races on the 2012 tour.

Entries for the ARCA/CRA Super Series Late Model portion of the 7-Up Twin 100’s at Toledo April 29 stands at 23 cars, 11 days before the race.  Angola, IN driver Scott Hantz leads the list, while Brent Jack and Johnny VanDoorn have experience at the Glass City oval.  All 3 are previous feature winners at Toledo.

Other ARCA/CRA entries included 2 of the top female Late Model drivers in the nation—Mooresville, NC resident Kenzie Ruston and Mequon, WI driver Becca Kasten.  Jason Dietsch, Nick Lay, Peter Cozzolino, Rick Brown, Jay Niewiek, Travis Braden, Ed Szelagowski Jr., veterans Kenny Tweedy, Rick Turner and Terry Fisher Jr. will be at Toledo.  Additional entries have been received from Keith Herp, Justin Alsip, Johnny Jenkins, Nate Caruth, Nick Gulatta and Mark Lambert.

The ARCA/CRA Series returns to Toledo after a 1 year hiatus.  Work continues on Toledo’s new grandstand seating system, with the anticipation that 1 of the 2 sections will be ready for the 7-Up Twin 100’s April 29.

“This is a great way for us to start our new season,” noted track owner and promoter Ron Drager.  “With the addition of the new grandstands and kicking off the 2012 schedule with the top Late Model drivers in the Midwest for the 7-Up Twin 100’s, we are looking forward to an exciting day of racing.”

An open practice session is slated for Saturday, April 28 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Sunday’s schedule has practice beginning at 11 a.m., time trials at 12:45 and racing at 2 p.m.  The pits will open both days at 9 a.m.  Saturday’s practice session can be viewed from the grandstands by fans at no charge.  The ticket office and grandstand gates will open at 11 a.m. Sunday morning.

The ARCA Allegiant Gold Cup 2012 champion and the ARCA/CRA Super Series champion will receive a test ride at the ARCA test in December at Daytona International Speedway, courtesy of Fast Track Driving High Performance Driving School president Andy Hillenburg.  The top 3 in the final points will receive a pair of round-trip tickets, courtesy of Allegiant Travel.

A total of 3 provisional starting positions, based on the final Gold Cup points of the Series have guaranteed starting spots in the season-ending Great Lakes Helicopter Glass City 200 at Toledo, which is set for Saturday, September 29 this year.

For additional information, please call 419-727-1100, or log onto www.flatrockspeedway.com or www.toledospeedway.com.  Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on twitter @toledospeedway or @flatrockspeed.