Flat Rock Speedway

Flat Rock, MI—September 5, 2015:  A very large crowd filled the stands Saturday night as Flat Rock Speedway’s Dani’s Transport School Bus Figure 8 race kicked off the Labor Day holiday weekend.  The evening was capped off with the wild School Bus Figure 8 race, with Rob Moore taking top honors.  Andy O’Bryan of Dani’s and his grandson presented the trophies to all the feature winners in the 7-Up Winner’s Circle. 

Heavy early-morning rains slicked up the grass sections of the infield at “The Rock”, and, needless to say, the buses did not stay on the pavement for long.  While the wet track made it tough to get a bus on its side, there were plenty of grinding hits, including a 5-bus major sheet-metal altering incident at the intersection.  Eventual winner Rob Moore looked like he was over on his side several times but to no avail.  Jack Franzil chased Pete Shrake and the duo slammed into each other lap after lap, only to become stuck in the infield.  Moore re-started his ride, as did Dennis Whisman, who then made it a demolition derby, backing into the challengers.  In the end, Moore was the only bus running, claiming the trophy over Shrake, Franzil, Whisman, Guy Fire, Billy Earley and Terry Smith.  Bus sponsors were Dani’s Transport, Hop Culture, Budget Tire, Bayou Grill (2 buses), Woodhaven Moose and Big 4 Auto Parts.

In other action, veteran Parker Wade returned to victory for the first time in 17 years as he held back the charge of Greg Studt in the final 3 laps to win the 20 lap ARCA Praxair Figure 8 feature.  Parker had led several events during the season but had not been able to pull off the victory, but Saturday night was his.  He led every lap as Studt closed in late, looked low, pulled along-side Wade, but Parker stayed in front to grab the win and in turn received a huge ovation from the crowd.  Studt was second, Jeremy Vanderhoof was third, Dennis Whisman Jr. fourth and Dennis Whisman fifth, followed by Scott Apperson, AJ Padgett, Travis Earley, Billy Earley and Stephanie Bradley.  Vanderhoof and Billy Earley took the heat race wins.

The 25 lap ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock feature was a classic, as Guy Fire nosed under Kyle Worley going into turn 4 on the final lap to grab the exciting win as the crowd roared its approval.  Veteran Randy Cornett returned to action and led the first lap, with Worley taking charge on lap 2.  Several quick yellow flags bunched the field, setting up the big finish.  Fire and rookie Ray Morneau Jr., along with Clyde McKee, began to gain ground on the leader just past the half-way mark.  A re-start on lap 22 saw Fire look to the high side, then dip low on the final turn.  Kyle got loose and did a great job of hanging on and avoided the pack as the field took the checkered flag.  Fire notched the win over Morneau Jr., Cornett, McKee, Wilburn Parks, Ian Jezylo, Lonnie York, Jarod MacZink, Chris Burnett, Don Roberts, Caleb Barron, Robbie Moore Jr., Worley and Jeff Luttermoser.  MacZink and Worley were the heat winners, while Burnett, at the wheel of Rob Randa’s #67, took the pursuit race.  The race card for the Figure 8’s and Street Stocks were set by random draw for the night.

A very happy Bill Carberry slammed his way to victory in the Boat Figure 8 contest.  AJ Padgett was sailing along with his Barbie boat, but got tangled up and slammed into an errant boat that came loose, ending his night.  Carberry went after Randy Roberts and promptly dislodged the boat and trailer from Randy’s machine, giving him the win.  Adam Jezylo, Trina Apperson and Franzil were the other competitors.

Billy Earley told the crowd the only trophy he did not have was one for a Road Rage race win.  The 2015 Flat Rock Figure 8 champ changed that Saturday, grabbing the win over Whisman Jr., Dennis Whisman, Worley, Scott Apperson, Padgett, Trina Apperson, Mike Miller, Travis Earley, Randy Roberts Jr., Wade and Randy Roberts Sr.  The field follows the Road Rage truck and cannot pass it.  When the lights go out on top of the truck, it’s a battle to the checkered flag.  The truck took a beating Saturday night as pace driver Franzil got hit several times, including a lick that picked the back end of his machine up in the air!

Whisman Sr. continued his domination of the Flag Pole race, which has 2 tires (flag pole), one each in the middle of the front stretch and back stretch.  Each lap, the field must make a loop around each tire, making for some interesting action, cutting in and out of traffic.  Dennis took the win over Billy Earley, Scott Apperson, Whisman Jr., Worley, Miller, Carberry, Travis Earley, Trina Apperson, Roberts Sr., Wade, Roberts Jr. and Padgett.

Next Saturday, September 12 in the final night of racing at Flat Rock Speedway for the 2015 season.  The Monroe News 250 lap Enduro championship race is on the schedule.  The Michigan Legends Cars and the Bandoleros will also be in action.  The race has a 6 p.m. start time.

Fans can bring their ticket stub from the September 5 bus race and receive $5 off admission to the final race of the year at “The Rock”.  The pit gates open at 3, practice begins at 4, time trials are at 5 and race time is 6 p.m.  The front gates will also open at 4 p.m.