Toledo, OH (Tuesday, September 22, 2020) - Carson Hocevar, Steve Needles, and Katie Hettinger found themselves in Victory Lane on Saturday at the 32nd Running of the Central Transport Glass City 200. Hocevar paced himself early in the 100 lap event for the ARCA/CRA Super Series. When it was go-time, it was clear that Hocevar wasn’t going to be denied once again. Hocevar picked up his third win in as many weeks with his brand new number 14 machine, with the others coming at Lebanon I-44 Speedway, and at Berlin Raceway in the Money in the Bank 150.
After several solid performances over the years, most ending with mechanical woes, Steve Needles finally picked up the win that has eluded him - the 100 lap feature event for the Outlaw Super Late Models. The Outlaws put on a show for the ages, with several drivers exchanging the lead throughout the event. But, it was a lap 78 restart between Brian Bergakker and Needles that would be the deciding moment. Needles would restart on the outside of race leader Bergakker, and sailed his number 14 machine on the high side through turns one and two. Coming off turn two, Needles would grab the race lead and pull away. Even a late-race caution could not stop Needles from picking up the long-awaited victory. Frank Jiovani, Cayden Lapcevich, Scott Hantz, and Dennis Strickland would complete the top 5.
Needles told Horsepower Happenings the final caution was pretty upsetting. “Talk about frustrated,” Needles said with a laugh. “My whole team, we were all just beside ourselves,” he explained.
In the Victory Custom Trailers CRA Junior Late Model feature event, it was all Katie Hettinger, leading from start to finish in the 25 lap event. The win would be Hettinger’s second of 2020. The Dryden, Michigan driver would also take over the championship point lead over Kody King after King had problems early in the event.
Toledo Speedway now moves on to its final event of 2020 on Sunday, October 4th. The Hemelgarn Racing/Super Fitness Rollie Beale Classic 100 for the USAC Silver Crown Series will be on tap. The event will decide the 2020 USAC Silver Crown Series champion. The ARCA Late Model Sportsman, Street Stock, Factory Stock, and Figure 8 divisions will also be in action. Tickets are available only at www.toledospeedway.com . Gates will open at noon for the afternoon event, with the first green flag flying ay 2:00 pm.
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Story by - Rich Frantz, Horsepower Happenings
Photo - John Lund, CRA