There’s rain in the area for the ARCA kids in Topeka. NHRA is also in that area this weekend and has been dealing with the elements throughout the weekend. The television broadcast began a few minutes later than scheduled. I saw an email that they were drying the track earlier. The clouds are heavy as the field takes the green flag led by Dalton Sargent.
Harrison Burton is running in this race. Jeff’s son has been making waves in the K & N series reportedly.
The race is scheduled for 200 laps. A car hit the wall on lap 14, but the field stayed green. I think the ARCA officials are trying to get as much of the race in as possible, as quickly as possible, in case the rain returns.
On lap 45 of 200 Nick Higdon spins around after getting a tap in the left rear.
Caution on lap 63 for Thad Moffitt, Richard Petty’s grandson, getting into some blocks on the side of the track. They look like a form of SAFER barrier.
Raindrops on the camera lens as the field heads back to the green flag on lap 69 of 200.
Caution on lap 77 of 200. Mark Muenier and Tyler Dippel go around on the track. Dippel’s car has caught on fire. Dippel hopped out quickly and the officials brought out the fire extinguishers.
As we’re coming back from the commercial break the caution comes out on lap 79 of 200 for Con Nicolopoulos getting turned around and stuck in the grass which is wet from the rain. There are two officials who are actually pushing the car from the infield grass back onto the pavement.
So far there have been 21 laps of caution.
Everyone seems to be under the impression that rain is coming.
Now that we’re underway and looking through an in-car camera you can see some rain on the windscreen though quite light.
We’ve reached the halfway point of the race.
Caution on lap 107 of 200 for Mark Muenier and Mike Basham going around on the track and getting into the walls.
After leading almost all of the laps Dalton Sargent loses the lead to Chad Finley on the restart on lap 113.
Caution with 78 laps to go. Mark Muenier again. He’s stuck in the grass.
Restarting with 54 laps to go and Dalton Sargent re-takes the lead leaving Chad Finley and Harrison Burton to battle for second.
Caution on lap 165 of 200 for Bobby Dale Earnhardt – Jeffrey’s brother – spinning and getting into the fence. He’s making his first start in the ARCA series.
They’ll restart with 28 to go.
Harrison Burton was challenging hard for the lead off the restart, but it appears Dalton will hold the lead.
Caution is out with 27 laps to go. Bo LeMastus goes around.
Frank Kimmel is coaching/spotting for Dalton Sargent. Jeff Burton is coaching/spotting for Harrison.
Restarting with 22 laps to go this time.
Suddenly the sun has come out.
Harrison Burton is dogging Dalton Sargent as the laps wind down.
Harrison did a bump an run with eight to go.
Dalton returns the favor.
They’re racing side by side for a lap. Harrison ends up with the best of that battle.
Harrison is driving away with six to go.
Finley is now dogging Dalton Sargent.
Harrison has lengthened his lead as he gets the white flag.
Harrison wins in his second ARCA start.
Dalton Sargent held off Finley to finish second.
Harrison is going to drive a KBM truck this season. He won Bristol and South Boston in the K&N Series so far this season.
ARCA News:
- Burton wins Menards 200 at Toledo.
- Track drying underway at Toledo; full speed ahead with Menards 200.
- Qualifying canceled for rain at Toledo; Menards 200 field set by practice speeds.
- With heavy heart, Nemire ready for Menards 200…Hoosier 100, Little 500 next.
- Late entry from Tyler Dippel at Toledo.
- Natalie Decker on camera at Toledo; just one of the “guys” on raceday.
- Sargeant takes “dream team” to Toledo.
- Video: Theriault Takes First Laps with Ken Schrader at Toledo Speedway.
- Smith, Hylton Motorsports bring Big Brothers Big Sisters to Toledo.