Flat Rock Speedway

SOUTHGATE MI (4-29-08)--Greg Studt (#86) won the Super Late Model Feature. It was his second career Late Model win at Flat Rock. He also won his heat race on Saturday. "It was a great race. Paul (Pelletier #44) kept the heat on and later Eric (Lee #5). I want to thank Jack's Garage, Gonyea Auto Supply, Porcupine Racing... I'm probably forgetting someone, so all my sponsors and my team. Also thanks to the fans for bearing the cold," said Studt.

All 24 cars that started the race finished. Larry Smouthers was unable to start the race.

Ricky Kargel (#18) is running part time this season in the Late Models, was the fast qualifier.

Second place finisher, Paul Pelletier, kept the pressure on Studt most of the race, but his car got loose in the closing laps, allowing Eric Lee (#5) to pass him. Paul's car was bottoming out and the steering rack dragging the track, so if you saw sparks, that's what it was.

The Late Models are on a harder compound of tire this year.

We have four rookies in the Late Model division: Bill Litigot (#6), who won the last two ARCA 4-cylinder championships (the only two seasons he participating in the division). he's running for long time owner, Bob Ward. Randy Cronenwett Jr. (#15) moves up from the Figure 8 division, joining cousin Steve Cronenwett Jr. in the division. Our third rookie is Jeremy Vanderhoof (#9), also moving up from the Figure 8 division. Larry Smouthers (#98) moves up from Street Stocks. For opening night, Jeremy won his heat, and in his first LM race too (he finished 16th in the feature). Randy was the top finishing rookie in the feature, finishing 14th. Bill finished 21st after spinning. Larry had car troubles and was unable to start the feature. We'll keep track of these guys progress throughout the season.

Returning to the division after a long hiatus was Dave Henneberry (#63). He drove a couple races at the end of 2007, but prior to that, his last full season racing was 10 yrs ago. When Dave raced regularly his car was #36, but at that time #63 was the number he really wanted, so he was able to get that one this time... thing is, I can't remember who had that number back then.

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Dave Tanner (#22) was running second when leader Rich Frantz's (#10) started sparking like crazy and he dropped into the infield. "I would like to thank my Crew Chief, Tom Koenig, and Chassis Specialist, Steve Walters, for setting up an awesome car for me. My last win was at the end of the season, School Bus night. It was a good feeling to win the opening night of 2008," said Tanner. "I would also like to Thank my sponsors, I couldn't race without them: Herkimer Radio Service, C-dogs Bar and Grill, Suburban Acee-Ducee Porta Can, Hollister Drywall, Special Projects Inc., Baker's Gas and Welding Supplies, Ron's Pizzeria, The Orchards, Les Anson Trucking and GateWay Equities."

Rich Frantz's sparks were from a broken header.

Rich Abel (#50) won the B division feature. It was a hard fight with Clyde McKee and the pair drove side by side for quite a few laps. "Thank the Lord," Abel said after exiting his car. "The car's still in one piece. I couldn't see where the pavement ended in the turn so I had to guess at it. I just looked at my tire, I forgot to tighten the lugs on it before the feature and I'm surprised the tire didn't come off."

Several cars had problems during the course of the night: James Pankow (#5), vibration; Donald Burkhardt (#47), lost oil pressure; Dan Leppen (#71), miss in the engine. Nick Bradley (#76), Stephanie Bradley (#34) and Ed Hindall (#48) had various mechanical problems. Steve Prucnell had apparent engine problems. Hindall, Leppen and the Bradleys had their problems in hot laps and didn't race.

Chris Diovardi led the first 13 laps of the B division feature and finished third, his career best finish in the B main. Also posting his best career finish in the B division feature was Tony Camilli (#54) who finished ninth.

There was only 47 Street Stocks in the pits, an uncommonly low number of them, and only 43 attempted to race. The last time there was this fewer cars in the pits was 1998, when there was only 42 that raced opening night (1999 had 47 in the pits, but 46 raced).

The last time Dan Ford Jr., raced in the Street Stock division on a regular basis was 1996, although he's run races now and then in the division (and ran regularly in the LM division for years). He's in the car his brother Regan drove last year to the championship ... I think. And brother Regan is back in Bill Meade's #86. The brothers had a great night... Dan was fast qualifier and finished third with Regan right behind him in fourth.

2008 is shaping up to be the year of returning to a division or the track. After a long absence, Billy Cronce III returns to the Street Stock division. Saturday was the first time back in a Street Stock since 1990. He ran the #19 from 1987 to 1990, then took time off to raise family, who are helping him now. Last year Billy raced in the 4-cylinders, this year his wife will take over the driving duty for that car.

One brand new driver was Justin Boatman, who has Tom Freeman Jr.'s car from a couple years ago.

As I said, it's the year of returning drivers. In the Figure 8 division... Jerry Lee Jr. is back to driving full time in the division. His last full year was 2005, but he's driven a few times the last couple years.

Winning the Figure 8 feature was Danny Apperson, his seventh career Figure 8 feature. I thought it was light night for the Figure 8's for an opening night, but when I was researching the Street Stocks, looks like 13-15 is a normal opening night, so the 12 in the pits weren't too much off of what they normally have.  Hopefully both divisions will be back to normal amounts soon.

Anyone with tidbits, write me at icechips@hotmail.com. I'll be happy to include your tidbit. I normally can't make Toledo, so anyone racing there, send me items and I'll include those too.