Flat Rock Speedway

Flat Rock, MI-June 16, 2018: Mother Nature finally cooperated and greeted a good crowd with a big night of racing at Flat Rock Speedway Saturday on Victory Lane Quick Oil Change Night. A total of 86 cars for the 4 classes gave the fans a full night of action and entertainment. Jim Harrington of Victory Lane and a huge group of kids presented the trophies in the Monroe Asphalt Winner’s Circle.

All kids to age 12 were admitted free and received a free hot dog, compliments of the track. The Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club feted Grant Hedges with the helmet bag for his efforts on the track. The long night was the result of the rescheduling of events due to the rash of rainouts this season.

Ron Allen returned to victory by capturing the 35 lap ARCA Aramark Late Model Sportsman feature, which was also race number 1 in the R & M Recycling Silver Cup Series for the class. Greg Stilwell led the 16 car field to the green and held the lead for the first 2 laps until Howard Kelley Jr. slipped by to take the number 1 spot. Good pack racing and just a pair of yellow flags kept thing exciting. Kelley, fighting a handful of steering wheel in the corners, had Landon Schuster up on the outside and Allen tucked low for about 8 laps. In turn 4 on lap 11, Howard nearly spun, causing Schuster to slow and opening up the low side for Allen, who darted into the lead and held it the rest of the way for his first win in over a year, and his 60^th career win at the track. Jim Froling closed in on the leaders in the final 5 laps and grabbed second, Mike Young was third, Schuster fourth and Kelley Jr. fifth, followed by Tommy O’Leary IV, Kent McCloskey, Andy Harding, Stilwell and James Pankow. O’Leary and McCloskey took the heat race wins, while Froling set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts fast time at 13:294.

The 40 lap Michigan State Figure 8 Championship race was contested for the ARCA Victory Lane Quick Oil Change Figure 8 division Saturday night. 3 drivers took turns leading the race, as Jeremy Vanderhoof scored his second win of the season in the event. With a 10 car inversion, competition was strong. Joseph Vanderhoof led the first 8 laps until Jeremy Miller took the point. Vanderhoof began to thread his way up to do battle with the leader and on lap 18 he slid by Miller and never looked back on his way to the win. Billy Earley stayed in the top 3 the entire way and got to second at the stripe with Miller third, Dennis Whisman fourth and Dennis Whisman Jr. fifth. Greg Studt, Ethen Lambert, Eugene Worden, Dan Apperson and Travis Earley completed the top 10. Dave Lambert, John Lambert, Joseph Vanderhoof, David Katafiasz and Scott Apperson completed the finishing order. Jeremy V. also set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts quick time a 21:124.

The first Monroe News 250 lap Enduro race of the year, which was originally scheduled for May 19, hit the track and the 22 drivers put on a great show for the fans, running the entire distance without a red flag. The final 30 laps became a shoot-out as Frank Trupiano ran down leader Rick Bennett, with the duo swiping the top spot several times as the checkered flag neared. Frank finally took control of the lead on lap 231 to score his first-ever victory, piloting his 4 Cylinder machine to the win. Cody Remick and Jimmy Gullett were the early leaders until Bennett took the top spot. Rick held the point unchallenged for over 150 laps. On lap 188, Bennett looped his machine in turn 1, straightened out and continued on. However, his big lead was now erased and set the table for the final laps. Trupiano grabbed the lead on lap 217, as the pair diced back and forth for the win. Bennett came right back and took the lead on lap 228, only to have Trupiano grab the lead on lap 231 on the way to his big win over Bennett, Kyle Metdepenningen,Troy Brehmer, Derrick Sheppard, Robb Remick, Gullett, Nathan Sprotberry, 14 year-old Kenyon Knight (in his first-ever stock car race) and Justin Chamberlin. Ethan Stadniczuk set fast time at 14:196 but retired early in the event with mechanical woes.

Jeff Metdepenningen notched the win in the 25 lap ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock A Main feature race. David Liaeff took the lead on the green and held the top spot for 8 laps. A rash of yellow flags bunched the field and Jeff took the point on lap 7, holding the lead the rest of the way for the win. Ray Morneau Jr., Dan Ford Jr., Rob Moore, Steve Searles, Grant Hedges, Liaeff, Clarity Patton, Rob Moore Jr. and Jeff Luttermoser completed the top 10. Wilburn Parks piloted his #56 machine to the win in the 15 lap B Main feature over Ian Jezylo, Paul Duffin, Jerry Farmer, Rich Abel, James Pankow, L.J. Farmer, Gary Navarre, Trevor Farmer and Scot Bunge.

Rob Randa was the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts Fast Qualifier for the 32 car field at 13:582. Rob was involved in an accident in his heat race and did not make the feature. Bunge was the B Main leader at 14:203. Rob Moore Jr., Patton, Collin Barron, Trevor Farmer and Jerry Farmer took the heat race wins.

Fans will see 200 laps of Late Model racing next Saturday, June 23 at Flat Rock as the Level Pebble 200 hits the track. The ARCA/CRA stock-bodied Late Model Series powered by Jeg’s will make their annual stop at Flat Rock for a 125 lap feature, while the ARCA Gold Cup Series outlaw-bodied Late Models will battle in a 75 lap main event. The ARCA Victory Lane Quick Oil Change Figure 8’s will also be in action.

Advance tickets are on sale for $20. Race day price is $25. The advance sale ends at Noon Friday, June 22. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 734-782-2480 or at the track office. Cash and most major credit cards are accepted.

Practice begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, time trials are at 5:30 and racing begins at 7 p.m.