TRACKSIDE TIDBITS
TRACKSIDE TIDBITS
Trackside Tidbits, by Debi Domby
May 5
It's the second week of racing and no repeat winners between the two weeks and only a couple duplicate winners in the heats and qualifying. The season is starting out great with lots of different winners and some really great racing. If you missed the Street Stock A division feature scroll down for the link to the YouTube channel where you can see it.
Craig Everage won the Late Model feature. "I'd like to thank Scott Hantz (2014 Gold Cup Champion), he's worked his butt off for two weeks. Last week it was a brand new setup and we were out to lunch … but it was cold, whole different night, you know. I really want to thank Scott (Hantz) and my team. He drove up here, on his own, he's a great setup guy. I'm very happy, we did get a little lucky. We changed a bunch of stuff before the feature. This is a great race track, no scratches again tonight. You can come and race and do a little maintenance during the week and come back. There's a lot of great race drivers and great track. The laps went really fast … when you start in the back, have to get up on the wheel. I was worried about Jimmy Theil, don't know what happened to him, but he's won something like the last five races in a row, so we're lucky to beat Jimmy (Theil)," said the driver of the
Everage Auto. Com, Fort Wayne Auto & Truck Auction 101. In his email to me, "I want to thank Scott Hantz for his help. Flat Rock is a Great Place To Race. I'm going to have to cut back a little with my children getting bigger ... Only run a few select races. I'm coaching Little league baseball. We Hop has taken some extra time as well."
If you missed the Street Stock A division feature you missed an awesome race. Side by side and three wide racing, with none of the competitors bouncing off each other. In the end, Rob Randa won his second career A division feature. "It was an awesome race. It's great to drive with the guys that race clean. We had just enough room to run three wide there. I'd like to Dave and Bonnie Randa (mom and dad), Patty (wife), Brandon Randa, Mike, Jack, Gabi, Dana, Mr. Newby (motor builder) … and my sponsors Tom's Cabinetry, Doug's Muffler; Mount Clemen's Transmission and Tire."
It's not common to get the second-place finisher's on track comment, other than big races, but that was such a fantastic race, Jeff Metdepenningen "We try to put a good show on for the fans. That's what is all about, we're in the entertainment business we got to entertain."
Jerry Farmer won his first B division feature, his first since 2004. "We got to win one every now and then. I had fun running on the outside there for a little bit. I figured it was going to end like that, me and him (son Trevor) side by side. Don't know what happened (Trevor and Jimmy Pankow tangled and both went to the rear)." Jerry's last feature win was a C division win in May 2003.
Trevor Farmer was in the car his grandfather, Leroy drove last year, after crashing his own car opening night. Get well wishes go out to Leroy who going through some health issues.
Opening night saw Trevor's younger brother, LJ, starting his racing career. LJ, who is 14, is driving the car Trevor drove last year.
This week in the features the Late Models and Street Stock A division ran without a feature. It was 83 laps of features before we had a caution in the Street Stock B division.
Billy Earley won his first race of the season. "Pretty good old car, isn't it? We got second last week, and a win this week so a good start to the season. Got to thank the good Lord, D& H Race Parts, my dad, (something Express), my wife and family.
Returning after a long layoff (his last feature won was in 2007) was Regan Ford. He told me it was a "rented" car, which Scot Bunge drove for a bit. He shook off the rust pretty good and won his heat race but had troubles in the feature and dropped out.
Alan Kennedy had a nasty crash in his heat, severely damaging the #80.
Opening night (April 28) winners….
Jimmy Theil won his fifth late model feature in a row, winning the last four races of 2017. The only other driver to win five in a row was Scott Selmi in the Street Stock A division features in 2011.
Defending Street Stock A division champion Ray Morneau Jr won the Street Stock A division. "That's the way anyone likes to start a year! We got a lucky starting spot but we had a ton of cautions but we were able to hold on to it. I want to thank my sponsors, Méme's Sugar Shack, Hallmark Memorial
Scooter Pro, Highland Tools, Sun Parlour Trailers, George Newman, Morneau Family Law, Double R Reworks, Rivard Snowplowing, CNR Tire and Auto, Jr Graphics."
Congrats to Jimmy Pankow who won the Street Stock B division feature and
Dennis Whisman Jr. won the Figure 8 feature. " My crew and everything that puts up with me, my parents, my mom letting me do this, and my dad helping me through this. He is a big part in this with me from at the track and at home. Jeff, joe Richie, Mindy for providing my rocketship … the whole Woodhaven Welding Crew, and I love racing with every single one of them out there. Thanks to my sponsors A1 transmissions, Leppen Chiropractic, Mikes Barber Shop, Woodhaven Welding, Marks Toy Box, Tina Worden Photography, E.W. Mobile Repair."
Miss the races, visit Mike Miller's YouTube page to check it out again: https://www.youtube.com/user/10yearnascarfan
Anyone who would like to get their sponsors mention, I'd love to hear from you. Send me a few sentences on your night and your sponsors. Remember sponsors who get mentioned are happy sponsors because they're getting mentioned more. I can be reached at icechips@hotmail.com or send me a message on Facebook, www.facebook.com/icechips (message me, don't post on my page, I'll never find it with all the posts).