BRADEN TOPS 7-UP 125 AT FLAT ROCK

BRADEN TOPS 7-UP 125 AT FLAT ROCK

(Flat Rock, MI—August 16, 2014):  West Virginia driver and current point leader Travis Braden topped a sensational duel with Ali Kern and Steve Dorer in the final 40 laps on his way to victory in the 7-Up 125 lap feature for the ARCA/CRA Super Series powered by Jeg’s Late Models Saturday night at Flat Rock Speedway.  NASCAR driver David Gilliland signed autographs for the fans as did all the ARCA/CRA drivers prior to the race, including Gilliland’s NASCAR teammate David Ragan.

Local driver Matt Hall led the field down to the green flag and took the point.  The red flag came out just 3 laps in when 14-year old Todd Gilliland, David’s son, had no place to go when the field got crossed up.  Todd slammed the turn 3 wall hard, while 2013 track champ Dennis Strickland was also involved, ending both of their nights very early. 

Hall stayed in command on the restart, but Braden had the lead on lap 5.  Hall came right back and led laps 6-14.  Travis was back out front on lap 15 as the field began shuffling of positions as the laps clicked off.  Ragan’s car went up in smoke on lap 54, putting a stop to his evening.  The battle up front was exceptional, as Braden set a very quick pace.  Kern, the only female driver in the 21 car field, picked off car after car and set sail for the fleet Braden, taking the number 1 spot on lap 57, only to have Braden zip back into the lead on the next lap.  Steve Dorer became a player in the second half of the race as he began to move through the field.  Things got very exciting as the battle ensued as Braden used a very high line around the fast ¼ mile oval to stay out front.  Kern followed suit and on a re-start, nosed in front and took the lead as the fans cheered her effort, leading laps 91-93.  Another quick yellow flag came out several laps later and this time Braden charged into the lead.  With the bottom lane open, Kern pushed her #28 machine to the door of Braden lap after lap, and Dorer slid even lower on the track, actually giving all 3 drivers a lane and a chance at victory.  Braden was able to hold on for the win, but was overcome by heat and fatigue, forcing his victory lane celebration to autograph alley after some rest and fluids.  Kern’s fabulous run gave her second spot, a determined Dorer was third, rookie Paul Shafer Jr. was fourth and 4-time Flat Rock Late Model champion Eric Lee came home fifth.  Ross Kenseth, the fast qualifier (12:226), fell back in the pack and then charged through the field to grab sixth, with Jason Dietsch, Rick Turner, JJ Haley and Ron Allen completing the top ten.

Kyle Worley took the lead on lap 16 from first-time Flat Rock racer Dan Monaghan on his way to the win in the 25 lap ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock A Main.  A lap 1 altercation saw point leader Corey Duane get caught up in the mess, ending his night as well as that of Chris Diovardi.  Monaghan, the Windsor, Ontario driver, piloted the orange #03, the same number his uncle, Jack Monaghan, competed with as a top Late Model driver in the 1970’s and 1980’s.  Worley slid under Dan to take the point at that lap 16 mark to take the win over Rob Moore, Monaghan, Tim Moore, Scott Selmi, Clyde McKee, Rich Frantz, Craig Lange, Kevin Stepinski and Joe Haener. 

Lonnie York claimed top honors in the 15 lap Street Stock B Main, topping Jimmy Little, Rich Abel, Don Roberts, Jeffrey Kurzyniec, Justin Rodriguez and Jim Selmi.  Tim Moore set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts fast time for the 29 car field at 13:604.  Little led the B Main cars at 14:269.  Guy Fire, Kevin Stepinski, Mel Worley and Little took the heat race wins. 

Robbie Loving bounced back from a tough Friday night at Toledo and led every lap as he scored the win in the 20 lap ARCA Praxair Figure 8 feature race.  Loving lost the lead at Toledo with 2 laps to go Friday, but ran strong out front Saturday at Flat Rock as he sailed to victory.  Billy Earley, Jeremy Vanderhoof and Jeremy Miller shadowed Robbie the entire distance, in and out of intersection traffic and finished behind the winner in that order.  Dennis Whisman was fifth, with Greg Studt, Dan Apperson, Race Loving, Randy Roberts and Ethen Lambert rounding out the top 10.  Studt set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts quick time at 20:915.  Dan Apperson and Lambert notched the heat race wins.

Saturday, August 23 Flat Rock Speedway will host the Action Exteriors Kids Night and Autograph Night.  Kids to age 14 will be admitted free and will receive a free hot dog, courtesy of Jim’s Butcher Shop, Sherwood Foods and Schwebel Baking Company.  Fans can walk onto the track at 6:15 and meet their favorite drivers!  The ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks will battle in a 40 lap feature, while the ARCA Praxair Figure 8’s will go 30 circuits.  The TKC Go-Karts will also take part in the Saturday’s event.  A flag pole race is also on the race card!  Race time is 7 p.m.

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