Tough Luck For ThorSport, Big Wrecks, ARCA In Toledo; Motorsports News and Notes

Trucks at Kansas

Sandusky-based ThorSport Racing had driver Ben Rhodes in position for the teams first win of 2017 Friday night at Kansas Speedway. Rhodes was leading with eight laps to go when a piece of debris made its ways through the grille of his No. 27 Safelite AutoGlass Toyota Tundra puncturing the radiator and eventually blowing the engine. Rhodes would finish 23rd.
Matt Mills, who has ties to New Philadelphia, Ohio ran Friday nights NCWTS race for Faith Motorsports. Mills started 25th and finished 17th

Almirola Injured
Aric Almirola was injured in Saturday night’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway after he was involved in a wreck on lap 199. The driver of the No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports was alert following the crash and transported by helicopter to an area hospital. Almirola suffered a compression fracture to his T5 Vertebra and was released from the hospital Sunday.

#LetsRaceTwo At Eldora
Logan Schuchart and Donny Schatz were victorious with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Friday and Saturday night at Eldora Speedway. Two of Ohio drivers were involved in a scary crash during Friday night’s main event. Travis Philo was off the pace in turn 1 when he hit the wall. Jac Haudenschild couldn’t get slowed down and slammed into Philo causing both cars to flip. Both drivers were transported to the hospital but have since been released. You can see video of the crash here:

Last September Robert Ballou suffered serious neck injuries in a crash at Calistoga Speedway in California. Ballou, who was the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car champ in 2015 returned to racing over the weekend, finishing 7th Friday and winning Saturday night’s USAC event.

ARCA In Ohio
The ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards will visit Toledo Speedway this weekend. Among those entered for Sundays Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care; Riley Herbst in the Gibbs Racing entry, Thad Moffitt who is the grandson of Richard Petty, ARCA points leader Austin Theriault who won the series opener at Daytona and Bobby Dale Earnhardt who will be making his ARCA debut. Bobby Dale is the oldest grandson of Dale Earnhardt Sr.

More Racing Added To Schedules
Muskingum County Speedway is slated to open this Saturday. It was announced earlier this month that mod lites had been added to the schedule, joining late models, modifieds, street stocks and 4-cylinders. In Mansfield, street stocks have been added to the July 2nd date that will also feature the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The street stock feature winner will take home $2,000.

Weather Still Causing Problems
High amounts of rain this month have forced numerous cancellations. 250 Speedway in Cadiz has yet to open due to wet grounds.  Portsmouth Raceway Park has moved opening night to May 28th due to the Ohio River exceeding its banks.

Skyline Cancels May 21st Show
Citing promises and respect to other tracks, Skyline Speedway has canceled its show for May 21st. A release on the tracks Facebook page says they will use the time to make “track prep improvements and adjustments.” The June 2nd show will be $5 fan appreciation night.

INDY In Indy
Will Power won the INDYCAR Grand Prix Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Up next for the Verizon INDYCAR Series; the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500. Practice and qualifications will run through May 22nd with the race set for May 28th.