TRUCK: Toledo race notes, Hahn wins title

Veteran Christman Wins at Toledo; Hahn Takes Home ARCA Truck Title

TOLEDO OH (10-11-08) -- ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series veteran Steve Christman won the K-100 by Champion Credit Union Saturday afternoon at Toledo Speedway while Canton, Michigan's Paul Hahn, by virtue of a fourth place finish, secured the 2008 ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series championship.

Christman, in the Bagman Racing Chassis-R&B Fabrication Chevrolet, fought of challenges from Todd Gearhart and Nick Gullatta throughout the race before stretching his lead to five lengths in the end to earn his third career series victory.

"I'm ready to go another hundred laps," said the 61-year-old Christman. "Our truck was pushing all day, so we had to stay pretty busy just to stay where we were. Other than that, everything went really well; feels good to win this thing. Both Todd (Gearhart) and Nick (Gullatta) are really good racers; they raced me clean, and that's that. I want to congratulate Paul (Hahn) on his championship; he earned every bit of it."

Hahn, in the Hahn's Powder Coating-Fox Auto Parts-Howe Racing Chevrolet, hovered in the top-five all the way, content with carrying home the title rather than racing for the win.

"There was no sense in pushing the issue too much," said Hahn from the championship stage. "Besides, I don't think we had more than a fourth place truck here today anyway. I'm just so relieved. We haven't raced since Salem, which was a month ago, and it was wearing on me. I just want to thank my crew, my dad, my sponsors' Hahn's Powder Coating, Fox Auto Parts and Howe Chassis. I was just one part in this thing; I had a lot of support from some really hard working and talented people. Preparation was the key, and my crew never came unprepared. I'm glad it's over; now we can enjoy the banquet."

Hahn, who was the 2006 series champion, also earned the 2BKool Fast Qualifier award, the 16th of his career.

Christman led at the onset from the second starting position but could not shake the continual challenge from Gearhart. Gearhart finally raced under Christman for the lead on lap 36 and stretched his advantage to 10 lengths over Christman, who by now was fighting to keep Gullatta and Mike Young at bay.

Then race leader Gearhart spun in turn four on the 54th circuit handing the lead back to Christman. With Gearhart at the tail-end for the restart, Christman took off as the leader with Gullatta, Young, Hahn and Tully Esterline in tow. Gullatta continually worked Christman over for the lead in and out of lapped traffic. However, as the race neared its conclusion, Christman found his groove and slowly pulled away to earn the victory.

Gullatta, in the Thomson Automotive-Mr. Heater-Enerco Chevrolet, finished second thereby securing the runner-up position in points for the third consecutive year.

"I'm disappointed," said Gullatta. "Our motor was down a half-cylinder and we just weren't making enough horsepower to get by Steve (Christman). I could catch him the corners, but he pulled me down the straightaways. We did the best we could today with what we had. I want to thank all my guys for working so hard this year, and Stan and Judi (Rosen), who own the truck."

Young, a hometown favorite from Toledo, finished third in the Hydro Technology-Dave White Chevrolet with Hahn trailing in fourth.

Gearhart, who spun a second time, came back from the tail-end twice to finish fifth in the Blain Miller Service Chevrolet.

Esterline was sixth in the University of Toledo-Rupp Seed Chevrolet in front of Kenny Kirsch, who finished seventh in the Kirsch's Automotive Chevrolet. Ash Hawkins was eighth in the A&K Racing-Stadium Chevrolet. Nathan Trepkowski finished ninth in the B&J Auto Center-Ubly Auto Supply Chevrolet, the last truck on the lead lap.

Two-time series champion Robbin Slaughter finished 10th in the Pennzoil-Ed & Company Racing Supplies Chevrolet.

The next event for the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series will be the championship awards banquet in downtown Toledo Saturday night, November 15th. For ticket info, call (734) 847-6726.

-credit: arcaracing