Stapleton Automotive 150

The Stapleton Automotive 150 was a ARCA Menards Series race held at Shady Bowl Speedway in DeGraff, Ohio, It was first held during the season for the ARCA Menards Series in 1995, and remained a part of the series through the 1999 season. The race date fluctuated, being run in June, July, and August over the course of its existence.

History
The track, listed on Dayton-based Baltes Commercial Realty’s website for $625,000, was on the market for 90 days, broker Terry Baltes said. He said there was a lot of interest for the track before it was sold to Young. They closed the deal June 3.

Both of Young’s sons are longtime racers. Don Mahaffey Jr., 40, won the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Ohio state points standings for late models last season after racing at both Kil-Kare and Columbus Speedway. Jason Mahaffey, 38, is a modified driver at Kil-Kare.

The family previously owned Affordable Auto Parts in Dayton.

They’re hoping to reopen the track in late June or early July, and have several big changes in store.

The current point leader raced underneath Eric Smith on the 72nd circuit to take control, held off Frank Kimmel's Advance Auto Parts Chevy for the duration as well as a late-race charge from Mark Gibson, and drove his Saturn Machine-Eagle One Chevrolet under the checkers three lengths ahead of Gibsons JaniKing Ford. Windsor Ontario driver Randy Churchill, aboard his Beaver Express-JR Traffic Chevrolet, recovered from an early race spin and charged back to finish third beating fourth place finisher Kimmel at the stripe by inches. Jeff Finley, in Ed Rensis Dura Lube Chevy, finished fifth.

"The car was absolutely perfect all night," said the Sturgis, Kentucky driver in victory lane. "Once we got the lead, we were able to set the pace, run our own race and take care of our tires, and thats key here at Shady Bowl. If you lean on em too hard too soon, theres nothing left at the end. Kimmel had me nervous for awhile. Of course, anytime you have the 46 car in your mirror, it keeps your attention. I want to thank my crew chief Keith Strunk and the whole crew. Theyre awesome. You know when we go home, the celebration will be short lived because this crew will go right to work and thats what it takes to win championships. But I love this old race track. Its just a ton of fun to drive. Youre always busy in the seat."

Tracy Leslie started the night out with a Talladega Pole Award in Jack Bowshers #21 Zinsser Paint Products Ford but gave up the top-spot to outside polesitter Smith at the onset. Smith stretched his advantage to ten lengths until Baird, who had already wrestled second away from Leslie, tracked down the two-time ARCA winner to challenge for the lead. Baird contented himself with following Smith for several rounds before a hole opened up off turn four. Baird filled it and brought Kimmel, Gibson, Bobby Gerhart and Mike Ciochetti along for the ride while both Leslie and Smith continued to back up. Baird, Kimmel and Gibson then hooked up in a tight line for the remaining laps before Baird began pulling away near the end. However, 12 cautions, all for minor incidents, disallowed the eventual winner any real opportunity to build any sizeable lead while several spirited battles raged in his rear view mirror, most notably, the battle for second. Kimmel and Gibson swapped back and forth until with two laps to go, Gibson gave Kimmel a nudge off the fourth turn and raced underneath for the second spot. But in the end, no driver had anything for Baird who earned $11,990 for his efforts.