ARCA/CRA-Midwest Tour "Border Wars" invade Toledo in season opener; 7-Up 150 coming April 20

Stout Entry List already for historic event (Special from ARCARacing.com) 

March 23, 2013

Toledo, OH (March 23, 2013) – Never before in history has the ARCA CRA Super Series and the ARCA Midwest Tour competed together in the same race at the same track. That all changes in a big way in 2013 when both tours battle it out together and side-by-side at Toledo Speedway in April and again at Madison Int'l Speedway in August.

The inaugural "Border Wars" 7-Up 150 takes shape at Toledo Saturday afternoon, April 20, followed by the Mid-Summer ARCA Super Late Model Challenge at Madison August 10 and 11.

Toledo Speedway promoter and ARCA president Ron Drager likes the idea of bringing both tours together for the first time at ARCA's home track.

"We are very pleased to hold the first combination race for these two ARCA-sanctioned template Late Model Series at Toledo," Drager said.

"We are anticipating a very successful event and a large field of cars for the 7-Up 150. We applaud the efforts of both groups working together and laying the groundwork for this race and for future events."

While the ARCA CRA Super Series concentrates on tracks in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, the ARCA Midwest Tour focuses on tracks in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The combination of the two tours will unite an interesting mix of veterans and rookies from both sides, including 15-year-old Kyle Benjamin (ARCA CRA Super Series), who has been tearing up the late model ranks no matter where he walks through the gate.

Benjamin (right), who is also slated to race in seven ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards events in 2013, recently won the 37th annual Hardee's Rattler 250 at the South Alabama Speedway. A month earlier, Benjamin won four consecutive Super Late Model events in the 47th annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway during Speedweeks 2013. The Easley, South Carolina rising star also finished second in his ARCA Racing Series debut at Mobile Int'l Speedway in early March.

The first official entry comes from three-time ARCA CRA Super Series champion Scott Hantz, who can lay claim to having ‘home-court' advantage on the renowned half-mile, high-banked oval. Hantz is also the all-time ARCA CRA Super Series winner with 30 career victories. His accomplishments at Toledo are impressive as well where the Angola, Indiana veteran has nine career wins in ARCA CRA and Outlaw Late Model competition.

Defending ARCA CRA Super Series champion Johnny VanDoorn, of Coopersville, Michigan, has verbally committed to his entry for the Toledo opener. "That will be my first race of the year," VanDoorn said. VanDoorn, whose No. 61 entry is pictured above, is also a winner at Toledo in the Outlaw Late Model division.

Brandon Hermiller is also expected to enter in the HS Die-Visi-TST Software Chevrolet. Hermiller is the nephew of three-time ARCA Racing Series national champion Tim Steele.

Renowned late model champion Bubba Pollard is another probable entrant. Pollard won the Rattler 250 last year, in addition to winning track championships at Five Flags Speedway and Mobile all in the same 2012 season. Pollard is also a three-time Miller Lite Late Model champion.

Past champions from the ARCA Midwest Tour expected to compete include defending Midwest Tour champion Jonathan Eilen, 2011 champion Andrew Morrissey, 2008 champion Dan Fredrickson, and 2007 champion Nathan Haseleu.

Other entries on the unofficial entry list include late model veterans Kenny Tweedy, Brent Jack, JR Roahrig, Nick Gullatta, Chris Wimmer and James Swan. Swan is the 2012 Midwest Tour Truck champion.

The 7-Up 150 will also air on the Buckeye Cable Sports Network (BCSN) on "Sunday Night at the Races" at 9 p.m. on the local Toledo cable access channel Sunday, April 21. The race can also be purchased through BCSN's video-on-demand programming at bcsn.tv/vod.html.

An optional open practice session is set for Friday, April 19 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. All Friday pit pass purchasers will be treated to a bbq chicken dinner following the practice at the Speedway Bar and Grille, located adjacent to the track.

Race day, Saturday, April 20 will see practice begin at 11 a.m. with qualifying set for 3, followed by racing beginning at 5 p.m. The schedule includes a last-chance race (if necessary), an on-track autograph session and the 7-Up 150-lap feature, which will be all green flag laps of racing. A 10 minute break is planned at lap 76. A rain date of Sunday, April 21 at 1 p.m. has been established if necessary.

Race fans can save $5 per ticket if purchased prior to race day by calling the Toledo track office at 419-727-1100 or downloading the 2013 ticket order form at www.toledospeedway.com, located under forms. The order can be electronically mailed to the track.

Toledo Speedway is located at the I-75/Alexis Road exit on Benore Road at the Michigan-Ohio border.