BENNETT KICKS OFF HOLIDAY WITH THRILLING FLAT ROCK WIN
BENNETT KICKS OFF HOLIDAY WITH THRILLING FLAT ROCK WIN
Flat Rock, MI—July 3, 2015: For the first time in perhaps the history of the track, Flat Rock Speedway held a scheduled Friday night race program. The usual Saturday show for July 4 was not scheduled to allow the fans, race teams and officials to celebrate the holiday with their families.
4 divisions saw action Friday night. Rick Bennett nipped Jeff Metdepenningen at the stripe to capture the thrilling Monroe News 250 lap Enduro race, Billy Earley took the ARCA Praxair Figure 8 feature, Landon Schuster notched the ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock race and John Furnas took the MCR Dwarf Car main event and then visited the 7-Up Winner’s Circle.
A sensational 3 car battle over nearly 200 laps came down to inches! Matt Ringger led the 24 car field for much of the race and ran strong out front. But the duo of Rick Bennett and Jeff Metdepenningen bided their time and caught the leader. At lap 184, Bennett steamed by to grab the top spot, but Jeff M. nosed out front on lap 222. That pair put on a great show for the nice crowd, trading paint and the lead, using lapped traffic to grab the point of the 250 lap Monroe News Enduro. With Jeff out front, several lapped cars made things exciting. On the final lap, Jeff chose the inside, while Bennett stormed up to the door going down the back chute. Coming out of turn 4, Bennett just nosed out Metdepenningen for the $1000 win. Jeff grabbed second, Ringger was third, Robb Remick fourth and Jimmy Tucker was fifth. Derrick Sheppard, Jimmy Gullett, Tony Rumble, Jeff Braun and Nathan Sprotberry rounded out the top 10 finishers. Jeff M. set quick time at 14:228.
Billy Earley grabbed win number 3 of the season as he edged out Greg Studt in the 20 lap ARCA Praxair Figure 8 feature. Earley jumped into the lead and kept a 2-3 car length lead for most of the contest. Studt got by Jeremy Miller for second at lap 13, but Billy held on for the win over Studt, Dennis Whisman, Miller, Robbie Loving, Parker Wade, Randy Roberts, Dennis Whisman Jr., David Katafiasz, Ethen Lambert and Race Loving. Scott Apperson and Stephanie Bradley did not start the contest. Studt set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts fast time at 20:950. Robbie Loving and Whisman Jr. took the heat wins.
Landon Schuster led every lap en-route to his second win of 2015 with his victory in the 25 lap ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock main event. Tim Moore came home second, Rob Moore third, Scott Selmi fourth and Kyle Worley fifth, followed by Nick Shanks, Ray Morneau Jr., Gary Calhoun, Craig Lange and Chris Diovardi. Selmi, Worley and Jimmy Little took the heat wins. Schuster set the Fastime Racing Engine and Parts fast time at 13:687.
The MCR Dwarf Cars paid a visit to Flat Rock and the 25 lap feature was a great battle. The non-stop race saw Mike McManman lead the first 5 laps until John Furnas zoomed by for the lead. Kim Hughes was on the charge from the 10th spot and applied pressure to John for the remainder of the contest. Furnas held on for the win over Hughes, Eric Hoffman, Stephen Bobek, Troy Hoffman, Bo Smith, Morgen Baird, Joe McManman, Mike McManman and Rick Ayers. Hughes posted quick time at 12:430.
Saturday, July 11 is a big night of family fun and entertainment at Flat Rock Speedway. The Monroe News presents the Royal Truck and Trailer Triple 50’s and Fireworks show! The annual event will see 50 lap features for each class-the Moran Chevrolet Late Models, Praxair Figure 8’s and DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks. Feature events only are scheduled for this night.
Following the race card, the famous Flat Rock Speedway Fireworks display will take place, courtesy of the Monroe Superstore. Every seat has great viewing for both the racing action and the fireworks extravaganza. The pits will open at 2:30, practice begins at 4, time trials are set for 5:30 and racing begins at 7 p.m.
There is no pre-sale for tickets. ALL tickets will go on sale race day at 4 p.m. when the grandstand gates and ticket office opens.
The 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, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on Twitter @flatrockspeed.