Flat Rock Speedway

Dan Ford Jr. returned last week to the Street Stock division and finished second ... this week he was victorious in the Corrigan Oil Street Stock 100-lap feature. He led the final 13 laps on the way to his 22nd career Street Stock A division feature. He has also won eight late model wins. "We had the car set up for a 100 laps, but the outside wasn't happening tonight. I got a good run on the leader out of (turn) four ... it was just good hard short track racing. We pushed each other to the brink of wrecking, we both held onto our cars. Rob's (Moore) an excellent driver and I have a ton of respect for him and his whole gang, they did a great job and everyone did a great job today. I proud ... I want to thank Tom Graham for letting me drive this car. And I'm happy to win one again in the old Young Country car again. It's an old car but still a good car and I'm happy to have it back. We have to change a couple little things to get more bite out of the corners and I think we'll be real good.

And in an email from Dan... "My dad built that car for me in 1995, back in those days it was known as the Young Country Radio street stock and was very fast.  In 1999 we sold the car to Carl Bumgardner, he let me drive it one night in 1999 and that's when I broke the track record driving the same car.  Tom Graham recently bought the car from Dave Tanner and asked me to drive it. My last full season of street stock competition was 2010, however I have made a couple of appearances in the division since 2010 winning 3 times. I am also proud to say that I have never lost a street stock championship since 1995 when I have run the full season. The sponsors are FERMI 3 party store, Lee's Market, and A/C Deer Processing."  Thanks for the email...

I always wanted to figure out the ancestry of some of the older cars racing at Flat Rock and Toledo. So here's what I'd like to find ... who has the oldest car out there running? Dan's car is 19 years old, anyone have one that's older?

Rob Moore finished second after leading the most laps, 53. "The car ran well but got too loose the last ten laps or so. I'd like to thank my sponsors: Dawn Moore, North American Iron & Metal, Beyond Reality, Mark's Toy Box, Yost Collision, Dow Engines, Jerry's Ace Hardward, Moore Lawn Care, Drivetrain Specialist, Down River Coney Island,, Bayou Bar & Grill, Fastime Racing.

Rick Bennett had a career best finish in the Street Stock A division in his first Street Stock race of the season. His car wouldn't start and after getting the linkage fixed, he started at the rear. He steadily moved up. "It's my best finish in the A main by far. Think I might've finished 12th. I knew I couldn't beat either one of those cars (Ford Jr and Moore) and didn't want to go on the outside and maybe lose third," said the driver of the PASI, Sign-A-Rama, Jeff Maran Racing #11.

Josh Bunting finished fourth, his career best in the annual 100-lap event. "I want to thank my Brother in Law, Ben Finch,, I wouldn't be here without him. I want to thank Matt, Bud, Carl for helping (if I missed someone it's my fault for not getting them written down) And also my sponsors Glass City Collision, 1 Stop Speed Shop, Ray's Overhead Door and All Star Performance."

Tadek Stadniczuk finished fifth after running in the top five most of the event. "I was too loose... Congratulations to Dan Ford Jr and his team. I'd like to thank my sponsors, Monroe County Breast Center, Dr. David Clark & Bedford Dental, Health Services Connection, 1 Stop Speed Shop and Speedway Golf Carts."

Rich Abel won the Street Stock B division feature for the third straight week. "I want to thank Corrigan Oil for sponsoring tonight. And my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for keeping me safe and healthy and safe and taken care of me and letting me race. Lonnie was back there again, but I didn't feel him beating on me this time. I want to thank Utility Lakeshore Trailer. They give me rivets when I tear up the car...I really appreciate those guys doing that for me. And Tony's Tires for sponsoring me.

2009 Flat Rock champion, Billy Earley won the Figure 8 feature. It is his 16th Flat Rock Figure 8 win. "That was one of the most fun features I have won; every lap was exciting! I'd like to thank B&H Race Parts for everything they do, my wife Crissy and kids for being there and supporting me every weekend, and my sisters ... no matter what I'm racing, all of them are always there. I would like to especially thank my dad, if it weren't for him I wouldn't be racing!"

From the Email bag:

From Jeff Maran on Rick Bennett: "I just wanted to share a bit on my experience with racing. When I started racing I learned some stuff the hard way. Then I realized that there was help from my family, My racing family. I found that everyone at the track is like a huge family. I was reminded of that at the 100 lap Street Stock race. I was helping Rick Bennett with his car this year, we got a late start on the car and this was the first race for him this year. He qualified 16th and as the command was sent to start your engines he was pushed off the track. When he got to me he said the gas pedal fell to the floor, I started pulling the hood off to see the linkage at the carburetor fell off, looks like someone forgot to tighten it. (Sorry Rick, My mistake) when I looked up, my family was all around helping! I had people I didn't know from other crews handing us tools, helping us out. Thank You to all of you. Everyone was pitching in to help, they are all a great group of guys.

It is why I like to help and pay it forward from my past experiences, I met Danny and Rick Bennett in the Enduro series. I watched these two guys grow in the sport, the first Enduro of the season they finished first and second side by side for the win, a very cool finish I think they have been waiting for. At the 100 lap Street Stock race Rick had to start last because I didn't tighten a nut. I watch him drive his heart out, He drove a very smart race and was patient. When he cracked the top 10 I was happy ... with less than 20 to go he was in the top 5, on the final lap he was third, running right with the 99 (Dan Ford Jr.) and the 82 (Rob Moore). He beat some of the best out there and was keeping pace with the top two. I think this was the highest finish for a rookie in the 100. Nice job Rick, I'm proud of you."! ... You know what Jeff, that might be the best for a rookie.

From Street Stock Rookie Jeff Kurzyniec: "Had some high intentions to run a bunch of practice laps with the free hour practice session but the second time out the motor started smoking bad so we came in and checked. The valve cover was leaking oil from the right side so that took most of the practice session to fix ... didn't get to get back out that time but we did for the second go around and went out and when we came in that side was fine but other side was leaking from the breather so we got that fixed and went onto the feature. Was running ok until lap 13 where I ran out of talent again and spun out but then on the restart the next lap according to race monitor I ran the fastest lap of everyone in the race and ran a 14.210 ... which is by far my fastest lap yet. Ended up getting by Don Roberts when he spun and I didn't finish last for the first time in the feature. Hopefully all will stay on track and will be able to stay consistent with the low 14s now and pass some cars and have a shot at the B main feature soon."

From Figure 8 Rookie Race Loving: "After the last 4 weeks we have had a miss in the car. Thanks to Richie Lee for finding the problem in my dad's car. I want to thank all the sponsors Flo Air, Brownstown Liquor. And my night went bad, got wreck on lap one and wreck it all up  ... can't wait for Saturday to get back at it

Missed any of the races this past weekend? Want to watch it again. Visit Mike Miller's U-tube page: www.youtube.com/user/10yearnascarfan/videos.

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