Nashville, TN – On Friday, July 26th the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance returns to Toledo Speedway for the first time since the Tour’s inaugural event in April of 2011. Friday’s Promenade Pavilion HB Concerts 100 brings the JEGS Tour Championship hopefuls into both familiar and unfamiliar territory, while also welcoming outside hopefuls for a can’t miss showdown on one of the Tour’s fastest tracks.
Toledo Speedway has always been home to historic moments. From being the deciding track in battles for the ARCA Menards Series National points, to world-recognized frustrations, hosting the ASA STARS National Tour, to launching the JEGS Tour into existence – Toledo Speedway is no stranger to the limelight. On Friday, the industry again turns its focus to Toledo as the JEGS Tour brings in over 20 cars and one of the tightest points battles in the nation among one of the most competitive Tours.
Chase Pinsonneault, Blake Rowe, Barrett Polhemus, and Chase Burda are in a classic Championship Points battle that requires precision and consistency the rest of the year to be crowned a Champion. After several seasons of successful “Chase” formats, the JEGS Tour reverted to a traditional points structure in 2023, much to the delight of fans and drivers. This means there is no reset coming in the final four events of the season, which makes Toledo Speedway a key mark on the calendar.
Pinsonneault brings a slight 4-point advantage to a track he has never raced on Friday night. Aside from a few test laps earlier this month, the Canadian rookie has no exposure to the capabilities of Toledo Speedway, perhaps challenging him the most to maintain the top of the Championship Standings leaving the “Glass City”. VanDoorn Racing Development teammate and fellow Championship hopeful, Barrett Polhemus finds himself in a similar situation with a limited notebook on what it takes to run well at Toledo Speedway. The other half of the championship battle, however, is well-versed in Toledo Speedway curriculum.
In 2021, Rowe captured what would be the penultimate installment of the Glass City 200 in split sanction between Template Super Late Models and Outlaw Super Late Models. Rowe and former Redbud 400 Champion, Kyle Crump battled side-by-side for several laps before Rowe edged Crump for the win. At the time, Rowe was more well known for his accomplishments in open-wheel Modified racing; putting him on the map of drivers to watch in Late Model Racing.
For Burda, the 2023 Glass City 200 with the ASA STARS National Tour proved that the now-defending JEGS Tour Champion can handle what Toledo Speedway has to offer. In his first start in northeast Ohio, Burda qualified 8th fastest before bringing home a third-place finish behind ASA Championship contender, Cole Butcher, and now NASCAR Xfinity Series regular, Jesse Love.
The field will also deal with drivers who have momentum on their side coming into Friday’s 100-lap affair. Canadian, Kyle Steckly is staying in the States this week to race again on Friday. The ASA STARS National Tour regular finished second with the JEGS Tour in May at Owosso Speedway, and was also crowned Champion of the Redbud 400 on Saturday night at Anderson Speedway. Plus, Steven Ulman will unload the Prestige Steel No.45 on Friday as the most recent JEGS Tour winner after a thrilling battle at Whittemore Speedway on Saturday, July 6th.
The Championship hopefuls will have to deal with hometown flavor on Friday. Inaugural JEGS Tour winner, Brian Campbell is back to defend his 2011 win. Technically, he is the most recent JEGS Tour winner at Toledo Speedway despite the 13-year gap in action. Campbell has further motivation on Friday night to go to victory lane after losing sole possession of a spot in the record book. For many years, Campbell had been known easily as the all-time winningest driver on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour, but after a win at Anderson Speedway in May, three-time champion, Cody Coughlin tied Campbell’s record at 11. The next closest drivers are Travis Braden and Daniel Hemrick at 8. The nearest active driver is Chase Burda with six after his win at Flat Rock Speedway in June.
Other drivers to watch include David Liaeff who has long called Toledo and Flat Rock Speedway’s home. Jeff Vrsek, Kevin Cremonesi, Ethan Stadniczuk, and the Varney Brothers of Ethan and Brandon also have frequent flier miles at both ARCA-owned facilities. Jimmy Tucker, Greg Stilwell, Jr, Justin Schroeder, and Dan Potts also have Toledo Speedway marked on their “can’t miss” calendar.
The Promenade Pavilion HB Concerts 100 at Toledo Speedway is Friday, July 26th featuring the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance, the Vore’s Compact Touring Series, and Factory Stocks. Advanced tickets are available at ToledoSpeedway.com. Fans who can’t make the trip can catch the action live on TrackTv.com or RacingAmerica.Tv.
For more information on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour or Champion Racing Association, log onto CRA-Racing.com. Find CRA: Champion Racing Association on Facebook and follow @CRARacing on X.
