SHIRLEY ALLEN
SHIRLEY ALLEN
Shirley Allen, whose late husband Archie Allen served in various capacities during a 23-year run as an ARCA Official at Flat Rock Speedway, and whose sons Gary Allen and Ron Allen have raced at Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways, died Sunday night. Allen, 87, a fixture in the grandstands at both tracks for decades, had been in declining health and died of natural causes.
Archie Allen drove at a number of tracks including Flat Rock, Mt. Clemens and Motor City Speedway during his racing career. He worked at Flat Rock Speedway from 1981 through 2004 as an ARCA official on race nights, in addition to working on the grounds and maintenance crew during the week. Archie and Shirley Allen’s sons Gary and Ron both raced ARCA Late Models, and Ron Allen’s successful ARCA racing career includes 12 driving championships at Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways and over 100 career feature wins in ARCA Street Stock, Late Model Sportsman and Late Model competition.
Shirley Allen is survived by sons Gary and Ron; daughter Gloria; 4 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Services will be at Michigan Memorial Funeral Home, 30895 Huron River Drive, Flat Rock MI 48134, (734) 783-2646. Visitation is scheduled Tuesday from 1-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. with funeral services Wednesday at 1 p.m.