TOLEDO KICKS OFF 2021 SEASON

May 17, 2021 19:55

Toledo, OH—May 16, 2021: Sunshine and comfortable temperatures greeted a nice crowd of fans as Toledo Speedway opened its gates for the Central Avenue Truck Parts School Bus Figure 8 event. There was plenty of action throughout the day as the fans enjoyed Toledo’s return to racing.

Jack Franzil topped the competition, including NASCAR winner Ken Schrader, in the School Bus Figure 8 race. Greg Stilwell Jr. powered his way to the ARCA R & M Recycling Late Model Sportsman win, while Randy Padgett Jr. notched the win in The Vault ARCA Factory Stock feature. Dave Lambert motored to victory in the Boat Figure 8 contest.

School Bus sponsors were Central Avenue Truck Parts, Earnest Brew Works, R & M Recycling, PB Fabrication, Enviro Tire Recycling/All Resource Recycling and Northwest Trailer.

Schrader was right at home as he pushed and shoved his bus around the Figure 8 track, where no one gave ground all day! AJ Padgett did a slow-motion roll, much to the delight of the fans. The lift rolled his bus back over and AJ motored on! There were many hits and misses as Franzil snuck by, damage and all, to the win. Stephanie Bradley, Dennis Whisman, Dennis Whisman Jr., Padgett, Schrader and Sam Mills were next in line at the finish. Schrader had the crowd laughing in his post-race interview, showing once again he is a big fan favorite in the Glass City.

Greg Stilwell took the lead after race leader Grant Hedges and Mike Young tangled while lapping a car, grabbing the lead and zipping away to win the season opener for the R & M Late Model Sportsman division. Ron Allen took second, Howard Kelley Jr. was third, Young got back to fourth spot and Kent McCloskey was fifth, followed by Andy Harding, Cody Hall, Kyle Worley, Dan Grigsby and Robert Meiring. Young set quick time at 16:962, with heat wins to Allen, McCloskey and Grigsby.

Hometown driver Randy Padgett Jr. held back several challengers on his way to a win in the 20 lap The Vault ARCA Factory Stock feature race of the day. Brian Ringger returned to the driver’s seat after sitting out for a few seasons and took second, Jeff Metdepenningen was third, Steven Smith fourth and Jacob Thomas fifth. James Rae, Gabrielle Grigsby, Craig Osenbaugh and Ryan Mallory trailed the first five, in that order. Smith had fast time at 11:798. Padgett Jr. and Rae were the heat winners.

A pair of Boat Figure 8 captains had to scratch out of the event when their cars encountered mechanical troubles. Dave Lambert, however, was ready to go and steered his way to a win over Kevin Stepinski, Ryan Mallory and AJ Padgett.