FLAT ROCK HOLIDAY SHOW SIZZLES
FLAT ROCK HOLIDAY SHOW SIZZLES
(Flat Rock, MI—July 5, 2014): A good crowd turned out on yet another picture-perfect evening of weather for Saturday’s racing action at Flat Rock Speedway. Rick Bennett turned the tables on his brother, Danny, to win the 250 lap Enduro race, while Jim Froling took the 50 lap ARCA Aramark Sportsman feature. The duo of Erich Heuschele/Kevin Stepinski won the wild Figure 8 train race.
The second of the 4-race Enduro Series at the track saw a 23 car field take the green flag. Several red flags for stalled cars and Paul Martell’s car losing a wheel stopped the event in the first 50 laps. The remainder of the event was run at a fast pace, with just 12 cars on the track at the finish. The class qualified in groups, with Jeff Metdepenningen setting fast time. Bobby Hugo took the lead at the start, but Robb Remick quickly moved to the front. Hugo would have a tire go down, sending him to the pits. Remick stayed in command but at lap 128, Rick Bennett was on the move, picking off car after car and now was the leader. His brother, Danny, the winner of the May Enduro, moved into second on lap 234 but Rick had a big enough lead to grab his first Enduro win and the $1000 top prize. Danny Bennett was second, Rick McColl third, Remick fourth and Rayce Metdepenningen fifth, followed by Jeff Metdepenningen, Derrick Sheppard, Dave Bennett, Matt Ringger and Hugo. Round number 3 for the Enduro Series is Saturday, August 2.
The ARCA Aramark Sportsman cars, which compete at Toledo, made the first of 2 trips to Flat Rock for a 50 lap contest on the ¼ mile paved oval. The early stages of the race was filled with crashes, but things settled down from there, as Jim Froling scored the victory. Chad Stilwell led for 3 laps until Kent McCloskey took the point. Froling took advantage of a re-start and sailed by Kent on lap 6 on his way to victory over Ron Allen, Kenny McKay Jr., Mike Young, McCloskey, Chad Stilwell, Tom O’Leary IV, Dan Grigsby, Chad Guinn, Andy Harding and Greg Stilwell. Froling set a new track record for the class in time trials with a lap of 13:185.
The crowd laughed and cheered through the 12 lap Figure 8 train race, with first time winners Erich Heuschele and Kevin Stepinski taking their first win in the event. A final lap charge by Kenny McKay/Adam Plonski came up just short. Howard Kelley Jr./Tom O’Leary III, Tom O’Leary IV/Charlie Williams, Tom O’Leary Jr./Jim Brazeau and Scott Apperson/Joe Vanderhoof trailed the winners.
Saturday, July 12 a great night of family entertainment hits Flat Rock Speedway as the annual Monroe News Triple 50’s and Fireworks spectacular show gets the green flag! The ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Models, DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks and the Praxair Figure 8’s will all compete in 50 lap features. The evening will be capped off with the famous Flat Rock Speedway Fireworks show!
The pit gates will open at 2:30, the front gates and ticket office opens at 4, practice also begins at 4, qualifying is set for 5:30 and racing begins at 7 p.m. The NASH-FM 93.1 Street team will be on hand also to greet the fans. The race card will see feature races only on the schedule for the July 12 event.
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 additional information. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on Twitter @flatrockspeed.
I want to compliment Flat Rock Speedway for the development of the Enduro 250 class racing. Last Saturday's event was truly a crowd pleaser. First of all we got to see factory produced "stock cars" like we drove daily on the streets and can relate to, not kit cars. Secondly, there are enough laps in the event to allow passing and recovery from mishaps and still bring the best car/driver to the front. This is what appeals to me as a fan in the stands. I plan to attend all future Enduro events and encourage others to as well.