Flat Rock Speedway

As we all deal with the COVID-19 virus and the changes in our everyday lives, we take time to look back at our sport of short track racing in our area….hopefully to take a just a bit of a break from the issues of the day.

Photographer Mike Damic has had a 35-year career of venturing to short tracks across the Midwest.  Mike will be providing photos to us and we will share them with you.

One of the most popular drivers back in the 1980s and 90’s was none other than the “Carolina Flash”, Royce Cornett.  Royce began his career in the Figure 8 class and also ran the Street Stock division, capturing the 1977 ARCA Street Stock title at Toledo, the first year the class was in competition.  This is a 1974 shot with his Figure 8 car!

He quickly moved into the Late Models and ended his career with 28 Flat Rock wins, good for 5^th on the all-time win list.  Royce also captured the 2002 Late Model title, at the wheel of his #8 Ford.

Royce is pictured after one of his 3 Flat Rock ARCA Late Model Gold Cup wins.  Cornett battles Dennis Strickland (#90) for the top spot in the 100 lap feature. 

The Temperance, MI resident stays busy at his repair shop on Lewis Avenue, and spends many of his weekends go-kart racing with his son, RJ.