ARCA: Slaughter wins in Toledo ARCA Trucks; Withers wears the crown
27 September 1999
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Toledo, Ohio- Robbin Slaughter won the race but Bill
Withers
walked away with the crown.
After 15 highly-competitive events on the inaugural ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series tour, Slaughter became the 10th different winner Saturday night under the lights at Toledo Speedway holding off a late-race charge from Chad Guinn to capture the Target Expediting 50 lap main event while Withers, by virtue of his fourth place finish, went into the history books as the first-ever ARCA Truck champion without posting a single victory.
From the eighth starting position, Slaughter, in his Carmens Vacuum-Ed & Co Ford Ranger, chased Johnny Witham for 20 laps before the Columbus, Ohio veteran made his move down the main chute to take command, one that he never relinquished. "Our truck was really hooked good tonight," said Slaughter in victory lane. "It sure was nice to finally win one after coming so close so many times. Witham made it difficult though. Hes hard to pass and I thought we were both gunna wreck when we touched but fortunately it all worked out. I want to congratulate Bill Withers on his championship. They worked hard for it and deserved it. And special thanks to Target Expediting for sponsoring the race." Guinn, in the Sonic Expediting Ford, recovered from an earlier practice crash resulting in a 19th place starting position to finish a close second. Dave Reeb rolled his Accurate Express-Accurate Logistics Ford home in third ahead of Withers and John Toth completing the top five.
Outside polesitter Jack Weethee led from the onset before polesitter Scott Belknap raced his way into the top-spot on the second circuit. Belknaps lead was short-lived however as Weethee charged right back and reassumed command for another 3 laps until mechanical troubles slowed his advance. With Weethee backing up, Witham was there to seize the opportunity and led the next 20 laps with Slaughter glued to his rear bumper while David Clay, Reeb and Withers swapped spots for third, fourth and fifth. Slaughter finally found enough room to get alongside Witham coming off the fourth corner, and as the two trucks exchanged a significant amount of paint, Slaughter edged ahead in turn one and snatched the lead for good off the second corner. Witham eventually retired from competition with a blown engine while Slaughter opened up a straightaway advantage over the field. With less than five laps remaining, Guinn had maneuvered his way into second but had to look hard for Slaughter who by now had all but checked out. However, a caution with 3 laps remaining allowed the runnerup finisher to line up directly behind the leader setting up the three lap dash to the checkers. When the green flag was unfurled for the final time, Guinn worked his ill-handling chassis as hard as he could but in the end was no match for Slaughter who coasted under the checkers with a five length advantage.
The race was red flagged on the 12th round when Greenville, Ohio driver Stan Maitlen tumbled off an inner tire barrier along the main straightaway and barrel-rolled his Ford to pieces through the grassy area beneath turn one. The truck was demolished but Maitlen crawled from his badly twisted Ford unscathed. Weethee finally solved his problems and charged back to finish sixth in front of Clay, Canadian driver Cliff Hodgkinson, Belknap and Tully Esterline who completed the top ten, the last car on the lead lap. Slaughter also picked up the Hoosier Tire Pole award for quick time and the Revenge Racing Bodies Pole-Win bonus for winning the race as well. Guinn, after his outstanding effort, garnered the Ed & Company Hard Charger honors for advancing the most positions.
Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.