Toledo Speedway

(Toledo, OH—August 1, 2014):  15 year-old Race Loving, third generation driver Tom O’Leary IV and second generation driver Mike Young were the big winners Friday evening at Toledo Speedway.  Meijer and Qualite Sports Lighting sponsored by Kids Night/Autograph Night.  All kids to age 14 were admitted free and received a free hot dog, courtesy of Jim’s Butcher Shop, Sherwood Foods and Schwebel Baking Company.  The track also hosted City of Toledo employees as guests of the speedway.  Mayor D. Michael Collins greeted the crowd and waved the green flag on the first race of the night.

History was made in the 20 lap ARCA Praxair Figure 8 feature as Race Loving, also a third generation racer, picked up his very first victory.  Race was pressured the entire distance by veterans Jeremy Vanderhoof and Dennis Whisman, but the youngster picked his spots in traffic, zipped through the intersection and sailed to the big win.  Race was greeted with a standing ovation from the fans.  His father, Robbie, not in competition for this race, and mother, Jonelle and the rest of his family greeted Race in the 7-Up Winner’s Circle.  Race thanked car owner Rob Martel, who suffered a heart attack during the week and is in the hospital recovering.  Vanderhoof chased Loving across the stripe and took second, Whisman was third, Dan Apperson fourth and Greg Studt fifth, followed by Randy Roberts, Scott Apperson, John Lambert, Ian Jezylo and David Katafiasz.  Loving and Vanderhoof took the heat race wins.

The ARCA R & M Recycling X Cars ran a pair of 25 lap feature events, with Tom O’Leary IV remaining undefeated this season in the class.  In the first 25 lap main, Craig Lange had the lead for 3 laps, with Dennis Whisman taking control and holding the point for 10 circuits.  O’Leary slid by Dennis on lap 14 and stayed there for the win over Whisman, Archie Padgett, Greg Studt, Lange, Guy Fire, Lonnie York, Joe Rozek, James McClure, Craig Osenbaugh, Josh Bunting, Dave Golembiewski and Stephanie Bradley.

The finish of race 1 saw the 13 car field inverted for the second 25 lap contest, and again O’Leary zipped to the front after a great battle with Greg Studt.  Studt was strong while battling for the point, but his engine soured and Greg slowed quickly, giving Whisman no place to go.  Dennis tagged Greg and bent the hood on his machine.  On the restart, the hood bent even farther up, giving Whisman not much of a view but the veteran put on a show as he ran strong to the stripe, much to the delight of the fans.  O’Leary knocked down win number 7, with Whisman’s great run to second.  Padgett, Fire, Lange, Osenbaugh, McClure, York, Rozek, Studt, Bunting and Bradley were next in line at the stripe.  O’Leary also posted fast time at 11:542.

Howard Kelley Jr. jumped out front after taking the lead from teammate Chad Guinn on lap 4, built up a sizable lead, but had company on the way as Mike Young broke free of a 4 car pack and began closing in on Howard in the 35 lap ARCA Aramark Sportsman feature.  Mike got to within 2 car lengths of Kelley and the first yellow flag of the night at lap 16 bunched the field.  Mike, in the high groove, battled hard with Kelley for 4 laps as the duo ran side by side, with Young just a nose out front.  By lap 20, Young was in command and zipped along to the win.  Fast qualifier Jim Froling (17:255), came from his 9^th starting spot and finished second, Kelley Jr. was third, Ron Allen fourth and Kenny McKay Jr. fifth.  Guinn, Jeff Myers Jr., Andy Harding, Chad Stilwell and Dan Grigsby completed the top ten.  Guinn and Kelley Jr. notched the heat race wins. The Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club presented Mike with a helmet bag for his efforts.  The Dayton Auto Racing Fan Club awarded 1-year memberships and a T-shirt to all feature winners.

Friday, August 8 is Great 8 Night at Toledo Speedway!  Adult tickets are just $8 each!  On the track, a majority of the events will take place on the Figure 8 track.  The ARCA Praxair Figure 8 division, a Figure 8 Train race, Figure 8 Trailer race and the wild Figure 8 Boat Race will provide the fun and entertainment.  The ARCA R & M Recycling X Cars will also be in action, and a Flag Pole Race and Road Rage Race are also on the race card!  The ARCA Truck Series will tackle the ½ mile paved oval for a 50 lap feature as an added attraction.  Practice begins at 5, the front gates and ticket office open at 5 and race time is 7:30 p.m.