Flat Rock Speedway

FLAT ROCK, MI (7-12-2008)--  A late morning rain gave way to eventually clear skies and a chance to finally complete a weekly race card at Flat Rock Speedway Saturday night.  For the first time in over a month, the track’s 3 weekly divisions were able to compete.  Saturday’s Miller Lite Triple 50’s were filled with great racing in an action-packed night, capped off by the famous Flat Rock Speedway Volcano Fireworks display.  Dennis Strickland, Dennis Whisman, Randy DeMaggio and Jim Rae captured main event wins.

The ARCA Moran Chevrolet/Miller Lite Late Model 50 lap contest was again very competitive.  With just 1 quick yellow early in the contest, the distance was covered in 12 minutes and 59 seconds!  Defending track champ Dennis Strickland got around race-long leader Scott Giroux on lap 41 and powered his way to the win.  Strickland then scaled the front stretch catch fence and grabbed the checkered flag from the starter’s stand, much to the delight of the crowd.  Giroux jumped out front at the green and looked strong throughout, as a 4 car pack developed up front with Giroux, Ricky Kargel, Strickland and Eric Lee.  The last 20 laps of the event resembled a 4 car dash, with lapped traffic thrown in the mix.  Fighting an ill-handling car, Giroux slowed his pace and Strickland closed in, went by the leader and brought Kargel with him.  Lee, looking both high and low, got by Kargel on a couple of occasions, but Ricky battled back with a couple of good moves to grab second.  At the stripe, Strickland was in front by a car length over Kargel, Giroux, Lee and Justin Schroder.  Greg Studt, Stan Yee Jr., Ron Allen, Chris Benson and Steve Cronenwett Jr. completed the top ten finishers in the 22 car field.  Lee set fast time at 11:555, with heat wins to Joe Hawes, Allen and Benson.

A total of 4 drivers took turns leading the ARCA Speedway Bar and Grille Figure 8 contest, with Dennis Whisman zipping by Robbie Loving on lap 28 to win the 50 lap feature event.  The wild race started out with Billy Earley tangling with Randy Cronenwett Jr. in turn 2 of the Figure 8 course on the first lap, scattering the field.  Earley lost a lap but charged on, while Randy Jr. led the first 2 laps.  Greg Studt assumed command until lap 11, with Loving taking control of the top spot on lap 12.  Whisman followed the defending track champ in his tracks and made his move at that lap 28 mark and sailed to victory.  A lap 5 red flag stopped the action when Joe Whisman tagged Jeremy Vanderhoof at the intersection.  Whisman was done for the night, while Vanderhoof re-entered the contest after several pit stops.  Another red appeared on lap 20 when Jeremy Miller grenaded an engine, coating the surface with oil.  Loving came home second, Jerry Lee was third, Earley fourth and Brice Thomsen fifth, followed by Dan Apperson, Anthony Terris, Sam Hall, Studt and Scott Apperson.  Vanderhoof posted fast time at 20:592 for the 18 car field.

The 50 lap ARCA Greater Detroit Auto Auction Street Stock feature was filled with yellow flags and a red flag.  Through it all, a great battle ensued up front for the win as Randy DeMaggio hung on to hold off Dan Ford Jr. and Steve Cronenwett Jr. (doing double duty) for the popular win.  Randy grabbed the lead at the green, but lost it to Regan Ford on lap 14 and 15, then came back to take the point on lap 16.  He had plenty of company for the entire distance as both Fords, Regan and his brother Dan Jr., took shots at the lead.  Cronenwett Jr. used the high groove to move from his 10^th starting spot to battle for the lead just past the lap 25 mark.  In fact, the top 6 ran under a blanket as Dave Tanner and Derek Wiley whittled the gap to provide great competition up front.  Cronenwett Jr. and Ford Jr. swapped the second spot several times while DeMaggio motored to his 2^nd victory of the year over Ford Jr., Cronenwett Jr., Regan Ford, Tanner, Wiley, Donald Burkhart, Rob Moore, Jeff Kurzyniec and Scott Selmi.  The red flag was displayed on lap 31 when Jimmy Alvis and Danny Slater tangled entering turn 3, while Kyle Worley slid up high to avoid the incident.  Kyle tagged the wall, climbed it and brought down about 10 feet of catch fence.  Repairs were made and the racing card continued.  A lap 11 incident eliminated front runners Tim Moore and fast qualifier Rich Frantz (13:324) from the contest.  

Former B Main champ Jim Rae used the outside lane to grab the lead on his way to the victory in the 20 lap Street Stock B main.  Joe Gramlich looked solid out front as Rae ran down the leader on lap 4 and sped to the win.  Rich Abel edged Gramlich for second, fourth went to Ed Hindall and fifth was Steve Chartrand, followed by Lonnie York, Tom Freeman Jr., Tadek Stadniczuck, Ian Jezylo and James Pankow.  Chris Hebert set fast time for the B Main cars at 13:833.  Heat race winners were Rae, Jezylo and Pankow.  A total of 48 Street Stocks were on hand for the event.

Saturday, July 19 Santa Claus makes a stop at Flat Rock Speedway for Sterling Printing and Graphics Christmas in July prize give-away!  A variety of prizes will be handed out by the Jolly Old elf himself, with the ARCA Late Models, Figure 8’s and Street Stocks providing the action on the track.  A Racer’s Reunion is also part of the festivities of the evening.  The front gates open at 4 and racing starts at 7 p.m.