 TOLEDO,
OH (October 12, 2008) -- An almost unbelievable series of events occurred in
the ARCA RE/MAX Series season finale Sunday afternoon at Toledo Speedway. No
doubt, they will be talking about this season's finish for years to come.
Although entering the final event in third place in the standings, Justin
Allgaier never lost hope. The talented youngster not only won the Hantz
Group 200, but also captured the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series championship when
the first and second place drivers crashed each other out.
Mathematically, four drivers entered Sunday's race with at least an outside
chance of winning the series championship. Scott Speed was the obvious favorite
with an 85 point advantage over Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Justin Allgaier and Frank
Kimmel were still in the hunt albeit 105 and 145 points behind Scott Speed
entering the 200-lap race. The pair would need some help for any chance at a
title. Who'd of thought they'd get the help from the two point leaders.
Forty-three cars were entered in the 100-mile race. Justin Lofton set a new
track record in qualifying circling the 1/2-mile track in 15.860 seconds
(113.493 mph) in the Lofton Cattle Dodge..
Three other drivers also broke the 16-second barrier in qualifying
including; Dexter Bean at 15.914 seconds in a Chevrolet, Scott Speed at 15.953
seconds in a Toyota and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. at 15.972 seconds in a Ford.
The race featured 11 leaders among seven different drivers as 35 cars took
the green flag.
Drivers leading during the event included; Justin Lofton 1-72, 169-171 (75
laps), Justin Allgaier 73-85, 172-184, 189-200 (38 laps), Frank Kimmel 86 (1
lap), Brandon Thomson 87-94 (8 laps), Tom Hessert III 95-105 (11 laps), Matt
Carter 106-120, 185-188 (19 laps) and David Ragan 121-168 (48 laps).
The short track event was slowed for cautions 12 times for a total of 83
laps.
In fact, the series championship came down to a pair of cautions that
determined the 2008 champion.
The first came on lap 27 when Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. was running third behind
Scott Speed. Stenhouse, who entered Sunday's race trailing Speed by 85 points,
made contact with Speed sending the point leader crashing into the outside
wall.
The race resumed with Speed a lap down after repairs. As racing resumed and
the field made its way around Speed's injured Toyota, Speed turned right into
Stenhouse sending him into the outside wall while Speed crashed hard into the
inside wall.
The pair effectively ruined both their chances for a title as a
result of their on-track feud.
ARCA officials black flagged Speed for his rough driving, while Stenhouse
was able to return after substantial repairs albeit 69 laps off the pace.
The altercation opened the door for Justin Allgaier and Frank Kimmel to
determine this year's champion.
After starting ninth, Justin Allgaier made his move for the win past Matt
Carter with just 12 laps remaining. Allgaier held on the rest of the way to
capture the win and the series crown.
Allgaier commented after the win, "This
is unbelievable. We came into the race third in points. We had Frank (Kimmel)
right behind us."
The new series champion continued, "We
had nothing to lose. So we did what we do every week. We raced as hard as
we could and went for the win. As things turned out, it also brought our team
the championship."
"I'm so proud of all these
guys on this crew," Allgaier proclaimed. "They're the reason
I'm up here tonight."
Matt Carter finished in second
place followed by defending series champion Frank Kimmel.
Patrick Sheltra finished in fourth after starting 24th with Tom Hessert III
finishing in fifth place.
John Wes Townley finished in sixth followed by Bryan Silas, Taylor Malsam,
Parker Kligerman and Todd Bowsher in seventh through tenth, respectively, with
10 drivers finishing the race on the lead lap.
In the final point standings, Justin Allgaier claimed the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX
Series national championship title with 5260 points followed by Frank Kimmel
with 5210 points.
It should be noted, Frank Kimmel had won the last eight series championships
(nine overall) before starting his own race team this season.
Matt Carter finished in third place with 5175 points driving in the #46 car
that Frank Kimmel won his many championships in.
The top five in the final point standings was rounded out with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
in fourth place (5155) followed by Scott Speed (5150) who had entered the final event in first
place in the rankings.
Talk about momentum for next season, Justin Allgaier, son of Hoosier Tire
Midwest owners Mike and Dorothy Allgaier, recently signed on to drive for
Penske Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series next year.
Since signing on with Penske, the 22-year-old Allgaier has won all three
ARCA events he has competed in. Even more impressive was those three victories
came on three different type of race tracks. One was on a road course, one was
on a superspeedway and his last win was on a short track.
All told, Allgaier won six of 21 races this season and appears to be more
than ready for next year's challenge.
Hoosier's ARCA Series manager Doug Barnes commented, "I'm very happy
for Justin. He's a great kid who has worked very hard to get the opportunity he
has earned from Penske Racing."
On behalf of Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. we would like to congratulate Justin
Allgaier on his ARCA RE/MAX Series championship and wish him well as he moves
on to the Nationwide Series next year.
Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. would also like to recognize all the ARCA
competitors for making this season one to remember.
This season concludes the 14th consecutive year Hoosier has been the
exclusive tire supplier for the ARCA RE/MAX Series.
For more information about the ARCA RE/MAX Series visit their website www.arcaracing.com.
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