Flat Rock Speedway

(TOLEDO, Ohio – May 23, 2014) – Every now and then you hit on a really good story. Of course, this one hit home and came together with the help of all the right people. The right people in this case include a car owner willing to take a shot on another driver (more and more rare in racing), and a sponsor who believes in the team.

All these parts seemed to come together in perfect harmony for Harrison Township, Michigan’s Frank Jiovani, who got the opportunity of a lifetime when longtime outlaw late model racer Dick Barker – known by most in the area as the “Magic” man – offered Jiovani a fulltime ride in his very recognizable No. 45 car. Hence, a new chapter in ‘magic’ came to fruition.

“Mr. Barker’s a local legend,” said the 24-year-old Jiovani. “To have his guidance and mentorship is beyond what I could have dreamed of. But I’ve held this dream ever since I was a little kid – that one day I’d get the opportunity to race an outlaw late model car at Flat Rock.”

It’s no secret that drivers can’t be successful in racing without a willing car owner that has the right equipment and the right sponsor to get the job done. In fact, racing the new-age outlaw late model cars is complicated, technical, not to mention expensive.

As it turns out, Barker, who himself won 20 outlaw late model feature events at Flat Rock over a long, successful career, was looking for a driver that could continue on the winning traditions his team had already established. But not just any driver. Barker wanted the new ‘kid’ on the block with all the right stuff, a guy who behaved appropriately on and off the track.

“We were racing in the Street Stock division…a family deal…and having some success,” continued Jiovani. “We were fortunate enough to win the 2012 Street Stock championship, but we didn’t have the resources to move up.”

And while Jiovani was doing his part in the racecar with what the family-run team had to work with, he was also doing his part outside the car. Jiovani graduated in December of 2013 from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management. Jiovani turned his college degree into a career.

“I got the opportunity to interview with Detroit Diesel in Redford, Michigan. I actually went through several interviews. They liked me and it worked out well. I work in the supply chain side of things…building heavy duty diesel engines and axles.”

Apparently, Barker liked what he saw in Jiovani too.

“Dick had been coming to Flat Rock as a spectator there in 2012…as he was winding down his driving career…the year we won the championship. He was looking for a future driver…someone he could develop…someone with no bad habits. He also was looking for someone who could keep his car safe and finish most of the races. At the end of the 2012 season, he was asking if we had an interest in driving his late model, and we said, ‘of course we do!’. This was something I wanted to do all my life.

“It’s one thing to get an opportunity in an outlaw car, but to get to drive for a local legend means everything. Pat Moran (Chevrolet) is our major sponsor. Dick and him team-up and run the program. It was just my dad, myself and my family before. We never would have had this opportunity without Dick and Pat putting their trust in me. They treat me extremely well; it means a lot.”

And, as the story gets better, Barker’s and Moran’s faith in Jiovani is paying off. After running their first full season together in 2013, Jiovani won Rookie of the Year honors and finished fifth in overall championship standings.

Now spin the dial ahead to 2014 when the storybook opportunity turned into sweet victory, when, in only the second race of the season, Jiovani steered the 45 car into the 7-UP Winners Circle after a photo finish at the final stripe with former Flat Rock champ Paul Pelletier.

"At first, no one knew who won. It had to be called down from the tower. It was really something."

Jiovani also started the year with a second place finish to Eric Lee on opening night.

“Yep, we’re the point leaders in the Moran Chevrolet outlaw division. It’s probably too soon to get too excited about a championship, but we’re thinking about it. But to be leading the points at any point is a real privilege and really exciting for me, personally.”

With all the ‘heavy-hitters’ coming in, Jiovani knows that winning Saturday night’s Diamond Racing Products Joy Fair Memorial 100 at Flat Rock – the first of five events for the 2014 Discount Tire Glass City Gold Cup Series – will be challenging to say the least.

“Oh absolutely. With the travelers coming, it’s always more challenging. I haven’t run a lot of longer races yet, but I did get to run the combined Stan Yee-Joe Fair 150 last year, and I learned a lot.”

Jiovani will be driving a Port City chassis which will have a lot of competition from the Senneker Performance cars.

“Looking around…the Senneker car seems to be the hot ticket out there, but we proved the Port City cars can run with them. No matter which car you’re in, the details are in the set-up. Every car can be just as fast as any other with the right set-up and attention to detail.

“I’m just so honored to be driving for Dick Barker and Pat Moran…so grateful for this opportunity. These outlaw cars are so cool, and so much fun to drive. I feel like I drive it similarly to the Street Stock, but the Street Stocks slide around more. An outlaw car has more grip, and everything happens quicker…the noses are out there longer in front of you. Everything comes faster in the outlaw car.”

Fred Lowry serves as Jiovani’s crew chief while Jiovani’s father Ron still helps as necessary on the car as does “Al”.

“I just want to thank Dick (Barker) and Pat (Moran) for the opportunity. I really look up to them. This has always been a dream of mine.”

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.

@DonRadebaugh
dradebaugh@arcaracing.com
ARCAracing.com