O’LEARY IV-FROLING-PARKS-WHISMAN SNARE FLAT ROCK VICTORIES
O’LEARY IV-FROLING-PARKS-WHISMAN SNARE FLAT ROCK VICTORIES
Flat Rock, MI—July 14, 2018: Flat Rock Speedway hosted the R & M Recycling Autograph Night Saturday. Tommy O’Leary IV (ARCA Aramark Late Model Sportsman), Jim Froling (ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks), Wilburn Parks (Street Stock B Main) and Dennis Whisman (ARCA Victory Lane Quick Oil Change Figure 8’s) captured feature wins. Kody King ventured from Iowa and won the Bandolero feature. The trophies were presented by family members of the late Wayne Pelkey, a former driver and car owner in the Monroe Asphalt Winner's Circle.
The Aramark Late Model Sportsman made their second and final appearance at the track, with third-generation driver Tom O’Leary IV scoring his first win of the year and third of his career in the class at Flat Rock for the 35 lap feature. Andy Harding took the lead on the start and gave way to Landon Schuster as he powered by Andy on the outside lane on lap 2. Landon ran strong out front, staying up top. O’Leary closed the gap and moved into contention by lap 20. Tom ducked under Schuster on lap 28 coming out of turn 4 to take the lead. 3 laps later, Schuster spun coming off turn 2, bringing out the yellow flag. O’Leary pulled away on the restart to grab the win over Howard Kelley Jr., Jim Froling, Kent McCloskey, Greg Stilwell, Schuster, Craig Osenbaugh, Harding, Robert Meiring and Dan Grigsby. O’Leary and Kelley won the heats, while Froling posted quick time at 13:462.
Froling then jumped into the #26 Street Stock owned by Wayne Pelkey’s son, Brian, and steered his way to an emotional victory for the Pelkey family in the 25 lap ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock A Main feature. Fastime Racing Engines and Parts fast qualifier Dan Ford Jr. (13:598) pulled a 7 for the inversion, putting Froling on the pole. Jim led every lap and held off a late charge by Rob Randa. A late yellow bunched the field, giving Randa a chance to reel in the leader. Froling was able to hold on for the big win, with Randa on his bumper for second. Grant Hedges, Ford Jr., Ray Morneau Jr., Greg Studt, Rob Moore Jr., David Liaeff, Jeff Metdepenningen and Clarity Patton completed the top ten finishers.
Wilburn Parks and rookie L.J. Farmer ran door to door for nearly 10 laps until Parks edged out front on a late restart on his way to the win in the 15 lap B Main for the DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks. A late charge by Anthony Camilli gave him second, Farmer was third, Ian Jezylo fourth and Rich Abel fifth, followed by Johnny Rangel, Dillon Zalenski, Aaron Greathouse, Scot Bunge and Trevor Farmer. While Ford led the 32 car field with his best lap at 13:598, Vaughn Chambless was the fast man for the B field at 14:230. Froling, Patton, Kyle Worley, Bunge and Trevor Farmer took the heat wins.
Fresh off his win at Toledo Friday night, Dennis Whisman made it a weekend sweep in the ARCA Victory Lane Quick Oil Change Figure 8 class by scoring the win in the 20 lap feature Saturday night. Ethen Lambert led the first 4 laps until Dennis motored by for the lead. The race saw an unusual 2 red flags that stopped the action and an intersection collision with 3 laps to go. Second place Jeremy Miller tangled with Dave Lambert at the crossover, sending Miller into a wild spin. Jeremy restarted his car and continued on. Billy Earley closed the gap on Whisman in the final laps but settled for second, Lambert was third, Scott Apperson fourth and Eugene Worden fifth. Dennis Whisman Jr., Miller, Dave Lambert, Travis Earley, David Katafiasz and Joseph Vanderhoof completed the finishing order. Earley set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts quick time at 21:044. Dennis Whisman and Travis Earley took the heat wins.
A trio of Bandoleros made long trips to compete at Flat Rock Saturday night. 11 year-old Kody King from Forest City, Iowa won the 12 lap feature over Jessica Ziewiecky and her brother, Justin, both from Concord, Minnesota. Flat Rock Speedway will continue to work at growing the class for ages 8-14 in these purpose-built race cars. The Bandoleros have 2 more dates at Flat Rock this season and will be part of the track’s 2019 schedule and beyond.
The track also held a Powerwheels Derby during a break in the action Saturday for children ages 3-10.
Saturday, July 21 is the biggest race of the season at Flat Rock Speedway! The Moran Chevrolet Stan Yee Memorial 150 for the ARCA Gold Cup Late Model Series/Moran Chevrolet Late Models will see the top Late Model drivers from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana in competition. A field of 20-25 cars is expected. The ARCA Victory Lane Quick Oil Change Figure 8’s will also be in action,
Fans can save $5 on advance tickets by calling the track at 734-782-2480 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The advance sale ends at 5 p.m. Friday, July 20.
A Friday night practice session will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.