Toledo Speedway

TOLEDO OH (9-15-07)--The Burge Wrecking "Night of Destruction" lived up to its billing Friday evening at Toledo Speedway, as the large crowd enjoyed an action-packed night of entertainment on a cool evening. A total of 8 different contests took place, topped off by the School Bus Figure 8 feature, won by weekly Figure 8 driver Troy Herrmann.

The evening started off with the Race Car Bowling contest, featuring cars knocking down plastic barrels in a slide through a water-soaked track. Jeff Maran had a strike, sending the barrels flying in all directions as the crowd cheered. Jeff edged AJ Padgett's spare to win the event. Cory McCaughey and Anthony Terris tied for the third spot.

Not to be outdone, the Plywood race was up next. Drivers had to hold a sheet of plywood on the roof of their car while completing 4 laps. Padgett and Maran, along with Tim Barrie, took the white flag and entering turn 1, the lead duo lost their sheets simultaneously, giving Barrie the win. Just as he passed the pair, his plywood sheet flew in the air, with help all night from a brisk wind.

After numerous driving incidents that took out the leaders, 2007 track Factory Stock champ Eric Huston took the win in the 15 lap Factory Stock Figure 8 race. Tim Barrie was in command at the white flag, but had to take evasive action at the intersection to avoid oncoming traffic. Huston zipped by for the lead and held off Anthony Terris for the victory. Third was Barrie, fourth went to Jesse Carillo and fifth was Art LaFreniere, followed by Bill Carberry, Alan Bland Jr., Andy Holley, Amanda Bland and Landon Schuster.

Huston then proved he could run in reverse also as he charged through an 11 car field to win the back-up event, which was highlighted by spins, wall crunches and fender contact, all in 6 laps! Padgett, Amanda Bland, Carillo and Bland Jr. were next in line at the stripe.

A total of 9 Figure 8 Train teams entered the 12 lap feature event, which has 2 cars chained together; the front car with the engine, the back car with the brakes. The duo of Jeff Maran/Troy Brehmer avoided traffic and accidents to take home the $750 top prize over Anthony Terris/Bill Carberry. Early leaders Dennis Whisman and Lonnie York slowed when Whisman's car burned up all of its oil, giving Maran/Brehmer the shot at the lead as they also got by 2^nd place runners Tom O'Leary IV/Adam Plonski. Howard Kelley Jr./Tom O'Leary III also made a bid for the win, but with 4 laps to go, the pair clipped one of the turn tires, ending their night. Track announcer Gary Lindahl, pulled around by chief starter Frankie Bockstanz, took a wild ride as the bumper pulled off Frankie's car, leaving Lindahl stranded at the intersection for several laps and many close calls! Finally the red flag came out to move a very scared Lindahl, whose hair turned an unbelievable shade of gray, more than ever (if you know Gary, his nickname is the Greydog-you get the picture). At the checkered flag it was Maran/Brehmer, Terris/Carberry, Whisman/York, Kelly Koester/Darren Koester, O'Leary IV/Plonski, Kelley Jr./O'Leary III, Craig Osenbaugh/Larry Arnold Jr., Paul Duffin/Jim Rad and Bockstanz/Lindahl.

Lonnie York did a sensational 3 ¨? rolls to win $500 in the rollover contest, topping Larry Arnold Jr., who got on his roof for a ¨? roll. Arnold's car quit, so jeep driver Ron Olah pushed Arnold at speed on the ramp!

The wild Figure 8 boat race featured 5 boats/trailers towed by Factory Stock cars, with Bill Carberry taking the win over a determined AJ Padgett. Padgett had his boat and trailer flip over, only to right itself again as he chased down the leader. The boat finally went flying, the trailer tipped over and Carberry had his first-ever racing trophy! Terris, Amanda Bland and Osenbaugh also competed in the contest.

The fun-filled evening was capped off with the School Bus Figure 8 feature contest. The race kicked off with Mike Ernst and "Doc" racing before the field was ready! So, the green flag flew and within 2 laps, Ernst was rolled over on his side as the crowd roared its approval. After an interview with the announcer, Mike jumped back in his bus and fired it up and rejoined the field! The rest of the event was the real Night of Destruction as each bus was "used up". Despite trying to roll his bus, Troy Herrmann sailed the PB Fabrication bus to the win. Troy tried to clip other buses, was assisted by his fellow competitors as they slammed into each other, but kept on going despite the heavy damage. Additional Figure 8 pilots Dennis Whisman, Robbie Loving and Jeremy Vanderhoof were joined by Ernst, "Doc" and Joey Koester to fill the field. Bus sponsors for the night were Burge Wrecking, PB Fabrication, B & P Wrecking, Avenger Motorcycle Club, Curves, Lee Williams House of Meats and Roadway Express.

Toledo Speedway has a Saturday night race up next week, with the 19^th running of the Miller Lite Glass City 200 presented by National City Bank and Allegiant Air. The 200 lap Late Model invitational is steeped in tradition and carries a $70,000 cash purse for the September 22 event. Many of the top Late Model drivers in the Midwest will be at the track going for the $7000 top prize. The ARCA Sportsman will compete in a 40 lap feature, while the ARCA Factory Stocks have a 25 lap feature slated for the night. Practice begins at noon Saturday, time trials are set for 3 and racing has a special start time of 5 p.m.

Friday the track has an optional practice session set from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the Late Models and Sporstman cars.

Race fans will have a chance to win 2 round-trip air tickets from Toledo to St. Pete, FL, courtesy of Allegiant Air. $500 in cash will also be awarded to a lucky race fan in the Wynn's/LV Enterprises Half-Way Challenge. The leader of lap 100 will draw out a fan's name at the lap 101 break.

Tickets are now on sale by calling the track at 419-727-1100. The rain date for the event is Sunday, September 23 at 1 p.m. For the time schedule, stories and current entry lists, check out toledospeedway.com., which takes you to the ARCA website. Click on the Toledo logo and the 2007 schedule and go to the September 22 date.