TRACKSIDE TIDBITS BY DEBI DOMBY

TRACKSIDE TIDBITS BY DEBI DOMBY

The fans that braved the hot humid temperatures for the Stan Yee 150, again saw a great race. Series point's leader Jeff Ganus won his third race of the season.

"Holy cow! That was just such an intense race with everyone here ... and so many good cars. Then battling back and forth with Terry (Senneker) and Brian (Bergakker), man it wore me out. It was definitely fun (out there). And thanks all the fans from coming out and watching, I think they saw another good show. So hopefully we have to get some more Gold Cup races here (Flat Rock) next year" said the driver of the Direct Detail, Hutter Engines, Senneker Performance, Sweet Manufacturing #18.

Jeff Ganus has done something that has only happened three times in the 19 year history of the Gold Cup Series. Prior to Saturday's night win only three other drivers had won three races in a season. Last time it happened was in 2009 when Scott Hantz did the feat (oddly enough he also won Race 1-3-5, the same as Ganus). Harold Fair Jr. in 2007 and Dave Kuhlman in 2006 are the other two drivers. Ganus is the only one of the four to win races at two different tracks (Hantz, Fair Jr. and Kulhman's wins were all at Toledo). No driver has ever won four races in a season.

Tonight's win moves Ganus into a tie for sixth on the all time list. (tied with, Eric Lee, Terry Senneker, Steve Bunge and Royce Cornett.

Brian Bergakker, the current point’s leader at Berlin in their Outlaw Late Models, finished second "This place is a riot. I didn't realize you could ... but everyone said you could run three wide and I didn't believe it because how narrow it is (the track). This is racy and I had a good time. I've heard it's like a mini Kalamazoo, but it's more like Berlin only smaller. It fun to race with Jeff (Ganus) and Terry (Senneker) ... you know you can rough them up a little bit and they're going to do it back and do nothing to wreck you. It's a lot of fun racing with those guys. And it's 1-2-3 Senneker Performance cars,' said the driver of the RJS Expediting, Michigan Marking, Earnest Performance #12.

I had thought it interesting that Brian referenced that Flat Rock reminded him of his hometrack of Berlin, most drivers from the other side of the state usually say Flat Rock reminds them of Kalamazoo. Thanks for writing me Brian. "The reference to Berlin was at Berlin you are always turning the way the track is shaped and how the groove is you never really go straight and Flat Rock is the same. With very little brake and no need for a big motor just like Berlin. As for the Kalamazoo reference, Kazoo has multiple grooves for racing ... Flat Rock has a little more room but you can still go two-wide no problem."

Terry Senneker won the Joy Fair 100 earlier this year and looked like he was on his way to winning his second Gold Cup race of the season. He led a race high 79 laps and had over a straightaway lead when the second caution flew on lap 83. He lost it to Jeff Ganus on lap 106, but got it back on lap. Traffic was not kind to him and he dropped back to fourth, but got back to third. "Ah man, this is a hard one to swallow. We had a car capable of winning, but the door opened up for (Jeff) Ganus on the bottom and they closed for us and we got freight-trained. I feel we could've competed for the win ... but guess that's racin'... and that's Flat Rock racing, you never know. It's definitely a driver's track and it's somewhat of a lottery draw when it comes to the lapped cars. It's even harder to swallow, the 18 (Jeff Ganus) has been hard to beat this year and when you get a chance to do it you hope you can capitalize on it. And Brian (Bergakker) was really fast today, they did a great job. I'm still happy," said the driver of the Senneker Performance, Oetman Excavating, Enterprise Iron-Metal #37

Two time series champion, Dakota Carlson finished fourth. "When we practiced on Friday we almost thought about going home because the car was so bad. I think if our stager wouldn't have grown we may have been able to keep contact with the leaders possibly. I'm glad we stayed. It's hard for us to ever give up. Wish we had more races at flat rock. Enjoy that place!" said the LeClair Racing, Port City Racecars, Performance Engineering #8.

There was 31 cars in the pits. Jack Varney and Brian DeVos did not qualify. Last Chance transferees were: Scott Hantz and Corey Duane from the first LC race and Joe Hawes and Don St. Denis from the second one.

Tadek Stadniczuk won the B main over Jimmy Ward. "Winning the race Saturday night was bitter sweet. We were really disappointed not to be in the big race but it was nice for the team to get a win. I have to thank my crew for working so hard. They are the best. Thank you Andrew, Dave, Ethan, Gary and Phil. Thanks to Paul Young and Justin Schroeder for their help as well. Thanks to my family for their support. All of the race teams work long hours to put their cars on the track and none of us could do it without the support of our families. Thank you to my sponsors: Monroe Co. Breast Center, Bedford Dental and Dr. David Clark, E.S. Billing Solutions, DTS Marketing , 1 Stop Speed Shop and Budget Tire. We couldn't do it with out your support.Last but not least....thank you to ARCA for adding the second race for those cars that didn't make the big show. They don't have to do that but the racers really appreciate it. It keeps the teams like us, that are learning a new car/division, coming back to learn some more."

For those of you that thought the skies were going to open up any second and left at lap 90, the "Race Car Vortex" as Darrell Waltrip calls it worked and they ran the remaining 60 laps straight through without a caution. There were three lead changes you missed (I'll admit I was one of those that thought we were going to dumped on). So here's the link to watch it.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLD8fHRyBXI

Twenty-four cars started the event, Paul Pelletier got the unofficial Move Up Award (I don't think there was an actual one). He started in the last row and finished 11th, moving up 12 positions. I've been giving money for a couple of the finishing positions, but I might go for the move up award next time.

Only six cars dropped out of the event: Bryan Richards, Nick Bailey, Craig Everage, Harold Fair Jr., Scott Pemberton and Stan Yee Jr. Bryan said on his Facebook page that the car was good, but he dropped out because of a blown engine. Craig on his FB page said that he had a great car, and he'd like to thank the Ward crew for the driveshaft. I had a good car and was excited to make it to the 150 mark. Stan dropped out on lap 133 in his #33.

We had a new driver, actually last week was his first race, but since I wasn't at the track, he'll get his mention for this week. Will Sahutske returned to racing last week after a 10 year absence from racing. The former mini sprint driver (he raced those for 10 years) says it's a big change but he's enjoying it so far. His car was the car once owned by Ricky Kargel.

Congrats to Dennis Whisman on winning the Figure 8 race rescheduled from last week (ironically this week's race was also postponed because of rain, just like last weeks). Here's the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceu6hrP75nQ&feature=em-subs_digest

Rookie Jacob Lee was involved in an accident in the intersection with Greg Studt. Greg was fine and finished sixth. Jacob was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a concussion and bruises. He told me in a Facebook message, he wanted to thank everyone, but couldn't remember who they all were because of the concussion. The Figure 8s at Flat Rock have the week off.

 

Some leftover items from July 18.

 

Congrats to Scott Selmi who won the Street Stock feature. After three bridesmaid finishes this year he finally came out on top. He told me in message that he's won at least one feature a year since 2010. And also a couple bus races. The ARCA program says it's his ninth win, but Scott said it's his 10th win and he has the same amount as his dad, Jim.

Steve Cronenwett won his second LM feature aboard his Giles Auto Body, Roush Competition Engines, Varsity Ford #21.

Clarity Newhouse won her first Late Model heat ... which is also her first win in racing. Her sponsors are: Quick Lane of Plymouth at Blackwell Ford/Sunny Media/JD Racing Indoor Karting.

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