Studt, Apperson, Tanner and Abel Open Flat Rock with Wins
Studt, Apperson, Tanner and Abel Open Flat Rock with Wins
FLAT ROCK MI (4-26-08)--A very windy and cool evening greeted race fans and teams as Flat Rock Speedway kicked off its 2008 season with the Quality Clutches Season Opener Saturday night. Greg Studt won a thrilling Late Model duel, Dan Apperson captured an emotional Figure 8 win, while Dave Tanner and Rich Abel scored wins in the Street Stock class. Complete Results
A great field of 25 ARCA Moran Chevrolet/Miller Lite Late Models put on a great show for the opener. The 50 lap main saw Stan Yee Jr. lead the first lap, with Greg Studt charging to the lead on the outside lane. Greg stretched his lead until a lap 26 yellow bunched the field. Paul Pelletier was in the hunt the entire distance as he pressured Studt the entire way. Heavy lapped traffic kept things interesting and as the laps wound down, Eric Lee joined the lead duo. Eric, starting from the 9th spot, kept moving up and got by Pelletier on lap 49 going into turn 2. Studt held on for the big win, with Lee second, Pelletier third, Yee Jr. fourth and Ron Allen fifth, followed by Justin Schroeder, Dennis Strickland, Ricky Kargel, Scott Giroux and Darrell Howard Jr. Kargel, the fast qualifier at 11:686, dropped back a bit from his 10th starting spot and was moving up fast as the checkered flag fell. Giroux started 13th and was also strong the entire distance. All 24 cars finished the event as only 1 yellow flew. Studt, Jeremy Vanderhoof and Michael Simko took the heat wins. Vanderhoof was in his first race ever in a Late Model.
Dan Apperson changed his colors and number to honor his brother Rich, who passed away during the off-season. Sometimes things just work out as Dan led from start to finish to win the 20 lap ARCA Speedway Bar and Grille Figure 8 feature race. A short field let the drivers stretch out for the complete race that went non-stop. Second was Billy Earley, third was Jeremy Vanderhoof, fourth was Jeremy Miller and fifth went to Greg Studt, with Robbie Loving, Dennis Whisman, Jerry Lee, rookie Anthony Terris and Chuck Pankow next in line. Loving set the Loving Auto Care fast time at 20:943, with the heat race going to Whisman.
Dave Tanner led the final 5 laps after Rich Frantz spun in turn 1, giving Dave the lead and the win in the 25 lap ARCA Greater Detroit Auto Auction Street Stock A Main. Tim Moore finished second right behind Dave, with Dan Ford Jr., Regan Ford, Danny Slater, Randy DeMaggio, Rob Moore, David Kind, Jeff Kurzyniec and Derek Wiley completing the top ten. 
Rich Abel nabbed the lead in the final 2 circuits to score the win in the 15 lap B Main over Clyde McKee, Chris Diovardi (who led the first 13 tours), Jason Shinn, Jim Kourtakis, Ricky Romanini, Mike Hans, Joe Gramlich, Tony Camilli and Ian Jezylo. Ford Jr. topped the A Main qualifiers at 13:274, while Kyle Worley was the quick B Man at 13:906. A total of 47 Street Stocks made it to the track for opening night. DeMaggio, Rick Romanini, Dave Stadniczuck, Bob Swanson, Harold Ackron and Jim Stocker took the heat race wins.
Saturday, May 3 is Armed Forces Appreciation Night at the track. All military personnel will be admitted free with military ID. It's also Good Neighbor Night, with Flat Rock, New Boston and Carleton residents getting 2 for 1 admission by showing their driver's license at the ticket window. The Late Models, Figure 8's and Street Stocks return for night number 2 of racing at "The Rock".
Sunday, May 4 is the Flat Rock Historical Society Flea Market from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For table rental information, call 734-782-5220. Admission is free.
For current information, check out the track website at http://www.flatrockspeedway.com/. The track phone number is 734-782-2480.