[Mud Packer]

We ventured up to Toledo this past Friday for what they bill as "The Fastest Short Track Show in the World". The annual Auto Value Super Sprints and the Midwest Supermodified Association doubleheader was on tap again. I knew that the speedway was doing some improvements but I was quite surprised with what I saw on arrival.

Toledo had Musco lighting installed a number of years ago. That version had a number of the lights down at track level and I always thought that when the cars went by the shadows made it difficult to see for the fans & probably for the drivers as well.

They had taken them out and upgraded to the latest Musco lighting system and WOW, what a difference. I was totally impressed with the new lighting, all of which are high up on the poles.

They also took out all of the old seating (metal frame with wooden seats) except for the main grandstand area. They replaced them with all alluminum bleachers that they purchased form the Michigan International Speedway. They are now much taller and offer a very picturesque view of the 1/2 mile facility.

If you plan on attending the USAC Silver Crown & Midget doubleheader on June 29th you will see firsthand the upgrades to the facility. I have been to all of these shows and we always look forward to a great evening of entertainment at Toledo Speedway with the supers and winged sprint cars.

AVSS notes. Jason Cox set fast time with a lap of 12.473 which just missed Charlie Schultz track record of 12.389. Jason rolled the dice and threw a 10 which put him outside of the fifth row for the feature. He took his time and on the 10th tour around the speedway, he pulled into the lead and took off.

He was followed across the finish line by last years winner Jimmy McCune, Dave Baumgartner, Cody Gallogly and Joe Swanson. After the race ended however, Baumgartner couldn't pass tech inspection and was DQ'ed. That moved sixth place finisher Mike Ling into the top five.

On the MSA side it was Mike Lichty followed by fast qualifier Trent Stephens (13.072) in second, Mark Sammut, last years winner Bobby Dawson in fourth and D.J. Shullick Jr rounding out the top five.