Truck: Toledo summary

Otting Gets Career-First ARCA Truck Victory at Toledo

TOLEDO OH (5-19-07)--It took some time to get there but it was well worth the wait for Plainwell, Michigan driver Mark Otting, who earned his first career victory in the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series Saturday afternoon at Toledo Speedway in his 70th series start.

"I can't believe it," said Otting from victory lane. "I never dreamed it would feel this good. I would have rather won it a little differently, but I'm not going to turn it down. Our truck was very fast today, and certainly capable of winning. These wins are hard to come by, so we'll take this."

Otting, in the No. 00 Westfalia Surge Chevrolet, inherited the lead on a lap 42 of the 50-lap main event when race leader Steve Cronenwett suddenly slowed with handling issues.

Otting then held off rookie challenger Mike Young to seal the win. Young, in the Dave White Chevrolet, finished a career-best second, five lengths away.

Cronenwett, who led much of the way, cut down a tire on the final restart and had to pit for service. He was credited with the 16th finishing position.

Toledo, Ohio native John Kasmierski led the first 15 laps before rear-end problems ended his day early. He settled for 20th in the Carpenters Local 1138 Chevrolet.

Nick Gullatta finished third in the Thomson Automotive Chevrolet followed by Robbin Slaughter, who charged from the tail-end to finish fourth in the Bennett Race Development Chevrolet. Steve Christman, in the Shrader Tire & Oil Chevrolet, finished fifth. Justin Marks, Bill Withers, Duane Bischoff, Frank Wilson and Ron Wells completed the top-10 respectively.

-credit: arca