Flat Rock Speedway

(TOLEDO, Ohio – May 22, 2014) – The ARCA Discount Tire Gold Cup season will get a major-league boost this Saturday, May 24 at Flat Rock Speedway where the annual Diamond Racing Products Joy Fair Memorial 100 kicks off the 2014 Gold Cup outlaw late model campaign.

The entry list is already budding with top-notch equipment and big talent.

Macomb, Michigan’s Eric Lee, who won opening night at Flat Rock in late April, is considered one of the favorites. Lee, a four-time Flat Rock late model track champion, scored his 25^th career outlaw late model win at Flat Rock on opening night. No driver entered has more outlaw late model wins at Flat Rock than Lee.

“We’ve done well over the years,” Lee said.

The “we’ve” part in Lee’s reference includes his father Steve Lee, who prepares his son’s racecars. Lee’s father knows a thing or two about set-ups, having won 20 late model features at Flat Rock prior to his son’s success.

“I’d really have to credit my father for a lot of our success. He’s retired and he’s got time to tinker. He puts in a ton of hours every week, researching different set-ups. He puts in 100% of his effort and it shows in the way run. We wouldn’t be as good as we are without his input.”

Lee’s 25 late model wins at Flat Rock place the second-generation racer sixth on the all-time win list at the renowned race track. Only Fair, Dave Kuhlman, Steve Bunge, Danny Byrd and Royce Cornett have more wins at Flat Rock.

Lee, as well as anyone, understands the track, which means he also understands how challenging the tiny, quarter-mile Flat Rock bullring can be.

“I think there’s more of a challenge on these longer races. The tires fall off after 50 to 60 laps, so you have to conserve them so you have something left at the end.

“Tires are important, but the biggest thing I think is conserving the car. Keeping the fenders clean and free of damage is really critical. As much as you need to conserve, the tricky part is…is that it’s not always possible. It depends on the pace they’re setting up front. You can get a lap down real fast, and you’ve got to stay on the lead lap. But you’ve got to also find a way to conserve the car…keep it in one piece.

“I’d say the first three-quarters of the race is mostly a formality. Then there comes that time in any race when you’ve got to go, but you have to have something to race at the end to go with.”

The race is named in memory of the legendary Joy Fair, who passed away December 10, 2011 at the age of 81. Fair was one of the top short track racers in the country, amassing over 800 career feature victories around the Midwest over a career that spanned over six decades. Fair was a 10-time Flat Rock champion and seven-time Toledo Speedway champ, and is the all-time win leader at both tracks. Fair is the all-time feature win leader for the ARCA late model division at Flat Rock with 159 victories, and the career win leader at Toledo with 97 checkered flags in late model competition. 

“I certainly knew of him (Fair), but I didn’t know him personally. We were all aware of who he was and how important he was, and still is to our sport. I have a lot of respect for him; I know he won a ton of races at Flat Rock. My dad raced against him. He’s a legend. We come to win every week, but this race automatically rates higher because it’s got his (Fair) name on it.”

Looking over the entry list, Lee also understands that winning Saturday’s Joy Fair Memorial 100 will be no simple thing.

“(Mike) Root (Grand Rapids, Mich.) runs really good there; he’ll be one you’ll have to beat.”

Also entered is defending ARCA Discount Tire Gold Cup champion Scott Hantz whose credentials also include three ARCA/CRA Super Series touring titles.

“Scott’s (Hantz) got so much experience, and he’s really good in the longer races. (Dennis) Strickland’s always there at the end; you can always count on that.”

Strickland, of Carleton, Mich., won last year’s Glass City Gold Cup race at Toledo. Strickland has also earned 11 ARCA titles overall between the Gold Cup tour, Flat Rock and Toledo.

Harrison Township, Michigan’s Frank Jiovani, who won the late model feature at Flat Rock back on May 3, is also entered as are ARCA champions Ron Allen, Joe Hawes, Paul Pelletier, Dakota Carlson, Stan Yee, Jr., Grant Hedges and Steve Cronenwett, Jr.

Lee, married with three children, is on the management team at the Van Dyke Transmission Plant for the Ford Motor Company when he’s not behind the wheel of his No. 5 outlaw late model racecar. Lee, who puts in 50-60 hours a week on the job, helps manage the assembly line that builds front-wheel drive transmissions.

The pit gates for Saturday’s Joy Fair Memorial 100 open at 1:30, with practice at 3 followed by qualifying and racing beginning at 7. The front gate and ticket office opens at 3. 

Parking is FREE on the track grounds. Flat Rock Speedway is located on Telegraph Road, just 5 minutes from I-75 or I-275. The track phone number is 734-782-2480. Log onto www.flatrockspeedway.com for further information, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on Twitter @flatrockspeed.