Flat Rock Speedway

Trackside Tidbits, by Debi Domby

   NOTE: I can’t get into the pits right now because of the restrictions. If I missed your sponsors this week, send me a note through Facebook Messenger https://www.facebook.com/icechips or icechips@hotmail.com. I will add them to my next column. If I didn’t mention you this week, send me a few sentences and your sponsors and I’ll be put it in my column next week. I have several teams I check their Facebook page or website, and pick up their recount of the night’s race. If you have either, please contact me through Messenger or the above email.

   THE RACE CARS ARE BACK! It was nice to be in the stands doing normal things. Starting their 2021 season off with a win were: Justin Schroeder (OSLM), Greg Studt (SS A division), Wilburn Parks (SS B division) and Dennis Whisman Jr (Fig 8).

   Two-time Outlaw Super Late Model champion, Justin Schroeder started his season out with a victory. It was the second time he won the season opener since 2010. The last time he won opening night, 2017, he won the first three races of the year. “It’s a brand-new car, a lot of work went into it. My little man was giving me grief about not winning as much as we used to, so glad to get this one out of the way. I made one shock adjustment. Thanks, Terry Senneker. I called him up and one shock adjustment he gave me did it. I knew as long as we have no trouble, that it was ours to lose. So, I got to thank my guys. I’d also like to thank my parents, Senneker Performance, Bryan, Austin, and my wife for the graphics, I really appreciate that. Also, my sponsors G Michael Kabot Orthodontics, Maybee Water Hauling, and JMS Transport. We'll see next week,” said Schroeder. This year the late model winners get the Innovative Fluid $150 bonus from Steve Peters. “Pretty cool, absolutely, really appreciate that really helped us out. This stuff doesn't go down any and it really helps us.”

   Defending division champion, Frank Jiovani finished second. From his Facebook page, “Great start to the 2021 Flat Rock Speedway season with a second-place feature finish. We have some room for improvement and will gain some more speed from the VanDoorn Racing Development #45. I can’t thank my family, friends and sponsors who all make this possible. The crew was hard at work last night! Thanks to Dick Barker, Ron Jiovani, Pat Moran, Michael Salisbury, Pat Vinton!” said the driver of the Moran Chevrolet, Painters Supply and Equipment Co, 4th Street Auto Care, McQuade Heating and Cooling Plumbing and Refrigeration, JV Auto Repair & Francis Engineering for the great power plant.”

   Four-time division champion, Eric Lee, finished third. It’s the first time he’s raced on opening night since 2014 (he won that race). The last several years he’s raced partial seasons. “I didn’t race at all last year, so I really didn’t know what to expect out of the car or myself, but it felt good to get behind the wheel again. The car was working pretty good … we need to make a few more adjustments and then we should be right where we need to be, said the driver of the Lee Motorsports Inc., Action Drywall, Todd Rosebrugh Trucking, Lixey Storage #5.

   Stan Yee Jr. finished fourth. The last time he finished fourth was July 7, 2018, although he’s had six top 10s since then.

   Steve Cronenwett Jr finished fifth, and led nearly half of the feature. “We are working hard to get our car back up front. Making small gains every time we go out. We have a lot of work ahead of us to catch the 4 car. It was nice to win the heat but we would like to be in the lead at the end of 50 laps as well. Thanks to be family and crew for making it possible,” said the driver of the ABC Hauling and SC Weld-Fab #21. He also won the fast heat … his first heat win at Flat Rock since May 2017.

   Rookie Austin Thiel (former champion Jimmy Thiel’s son) won the other heat. ““Last night’s race was extremely hard on me. I was struggling with a tight car the whole day and not able to loosen it up. I got very lucky in my heat race starting pole and just tried to hold on. Even though I did very poorly in qualifying and starting last, in the feature to finish 11th one lap down with old tires. I don’t think I did that bad for how tight my car was. I did not have the best car at all, I really struggled with the car being super tight the whole race – I got myself all worked up because pf my poor qualifying and having to start last in the feature. I was just trying to hold on with the car I’m racing with again this year. It’s hard with old stuff, I don’t have any sponsors and tonight I was running on three-year old tires, but me and my team will not give up this early in my full time 2021 rookie season. I am shooting for a top 5 or maybe even a big win. I wanna make a name for myself just like my dad did.”

   Guy Fire returns to the OSLM division. He raced six times in 2015 before returning the Street Stock division. His night didn’t go as plan as he dropped out of the feature midway. His sponsors are Moccia Lawn & Landscaping, Cass sheet metal, Downriver for Vets, Lobo Auto Detailers.

   Greg Studt won the Street Stock A division feature. “It feels great to be back at the track and I love seeing people here that showed up and hopefully keep coming back. Now, we have problems in qualifying tonight. I’ve started ninth plenty of times, so I don't feel bad about starting up front. It wasn’t that easy, had to hold off four-five different guys on those restarts and it was never the same guy twice. You know, it's not like I ran off hid and it's a tough group of cars. I was happy to come home with front tonight.” I’m using his 2019 sponsors because he told me at practice most of them are still around… I’ll fix it come autograph night. Apollo Broach, Budget Tire, Wine Town Party Store, Mark Sherrard.

   Max Fair finished second, a career high. His previous best finish was ninth in his rookie year. His sponsors are Fair Racing Development and Royal Truck and Trailer and Drive Train Specialists.

   Rob Moore Jr finished third (and also won a heat) in the A division feature. “Well tonight was opening night at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. day started out good, car was fast. qualified seventh and won the heat race. started third in the feature and battled back and forth to finish in third. Got teched and was disqualified for my carburetor that has ran there for over 4 years and never been touched. Doesn’t make much sense to me or to them either I’m guessing, but it is what it is. no chance for a championship run again this year. Sucks to say but we’ll get them sometime. Stay golden. My sponsors are Moore Racing, Dow Engines, Southgate Transmission, and Purple for Casen John. Thanks to everyone that helps.”

   Fast time went to Landon Schuster, “We have a lot of companies on our team and that's the only reason we are able to go out and run our program. They are all amazing and I'm thankful for them all. I've done a lot of homework for this year and we are hoping it will show. My sponsors are UA Local 50, JL Mechanical, A&D Auto Parts, Joseph's Beverage Center, Reliance Propane, Envirometals Recycling, Sidelines Sports Eatery, Rockys Bodyshop, and photos by Kuyoth.”

   Clarity Patton won her heat. It was the seventh A division heat. From Clarity’s Facebook page: “Great fun on opening day at Flat Rock Speedway! The season started with a heat race win in my Varsity Auto Group 22 Street Stock. It was great being back, thanks to Varsity Lincoln - Novi and Varsity Ford- Ann Arbor, my awesome crew and supportive family. Thanks to everyone who came out to the races. We look forward to being back at Flat Rock Speedway next Saturday, May 7th at 4 p.m. See you there!”

   Lonnie York won his heat on opening night. It was fourth A division heat since 2010 (my records only go back that far).

   Wilburn Parks won his eighth B feature win. “Great way to start the season off. Heck of a battle with Caleb Barron. I just couldn't get rid of him, he’s good racer and I couldn't shake him. I kept trying, but he kept saying right there with me.” Wilburn has never finished worse than seventh in a B division feature, with now five wins.”

   Caleb Barron arrived at the track late and the rules state if you don’t qualify you race in the B division feature. In 2019 and 2018 he ran in the A division, winning twice in 2019. “On opening night … second in the B main. The policy for missing qualifying is that you get placed in a heat race, and then you get to start in the back of the B-Main. With Caleb’s work schedule, that is what happened this past Saturday. Luckily, Collin was able to “shake-down” the 103, while still attending to his ride in the #4, and, thanks to the track (especially pit-gate Mike) for giving Caleb three laps before the A-main to get a feel before his race. He literally ran into the pits to get the opportunity to do a few laps. With just those three laps, we made a pretty big swing at a chassis change, and it paid off, as the car was awesome on the outside, turning some really good lap times in that outside groove. After hanging back on the ever-dangerous first lap, Caleb quickly went to work on the outside, passing two cars in two laps, and working his way to third by the fourth. With the leader having an engine issue just seven laps in, the restart put Caleb on the front row outside. It was a pretty good battle for several laps, with Caleb leading three out of four of them. The last lap was quite the learning experience- we learned A LOT about racing in the B (it’s been a few years since the last time), and will for sure have a different outcome if the last-lap situation arises again!” from the team’s website… “All of this would not be possible without the incredible support of our advertisers: Becky Hernandez, 31; Mills Gymnastics; Michigan Massage Professionals; Shearrer’s Arts ‘n Motion; And our newest, Dr. Jeremy Bezzo, D.D.S.” For most of his racing career Caleb has been the A main. Prior to last week, he had only raced twice times in the B division finishing second and fourth. His last B division feature prior to last week was in June 2017 and he also finished second that night.

   Caleb’s brother Collin returns to racing after taking the 2019 season off. He’s driving Clyde McKee’s #4 sponsored by: Aday Roofing-Taylor, Alliance Catholic CU-Taylor, Blossom Florist-Allen Park, Mac's Towing, Inc.- Taylor, SP Guns-n-Ammo-Southgate, Siegel Chiropractic, Woodhaven. Collin will eventually have a teammate, Former Figure 8 champion, Jeremy Vanderhoof in the #46. His sponsors will be: Arrow Trucks and Parts Co.-Detroit, Blossom Florist - Allen Park, Mac's Towing, Inc. -Taylor, Siegel Chiropractic -Woodhaven

   Taylor Papineau was leading the B division feature when the car went up in smoke from a rod going through the oil pan. He did have some good luck earlier in the evening, winning his second career B division heat race. His other win coming July 27, 2019.

   We have a gaggle of new drivers this season. Gary Cronenwett made his second Street Stock start with a fourth-place finish in the A division feature. Gary returns to racing after four-year hiatus. He ran the latter half of 2017 in the Figure 8 division. Driving his first Street Stock race was Lance Lipasek, he finished 14th. The third rookie in the A division today was Johnny Rangel, he ran 4 races in 2017-2018 in the B division, tonight was his first A division feature where he finished 15th. (Johnny’s dad, George ran in the OSLM division but had problems and dropped out of the feature). David Hanna finished third in his first feature. Ryan Smith had some sort of mechanical issue in his heat;, Mike Miller, finished fourth in the feature, moves up from Factory Stocks/Enduro; Rob Liedel moves from behind the scenes to driver and Robert Stewart finished seventh in the feature after dropping out with issues; and Ryan Smith had mechanical issues in his heat.

   Rob Liedel, who finished fifth in the B division feature, is driving in honor of Alan Kennedy. “Yes, I have 4 starts in a street stock in non-points events at The Rock. This past Saturday marked my first points paying start at the track, driving the #80. The car was owned and driven by my uncle through marriage, Alan Kennedy. Alan was tragically killed last July in an incident at the Telegraph Cruise. I worked as Alan's crew chief and supporter as he wanted to go racing with no previous experience. I helped him win Rookie of the Year in the Street Stock B Main division in 2017. After his death, my family decided that the best way to honor his memory was for me to get the car on track, just the way it came off the last race it was run. With help from Mel and Kyle Worley, and my son Dylan, I will drive the car in select races for the 2021 season. I would like to thank the sponsors that supported Alan and continue to support me this season in Churchill Transportation and Budget Tire.” Alan won four races in the B division and he never finished worse than sixth. Rob continued the tradition of top 6 finishes, hopefully soon he’ll get a win to match Alan’s accomplishments.

   Former B division champion, Rich Abel had engine problems in the group qualifying and didn’t compete. He and Steve Hawes in the OSLM division are the only cars that didn’t run tonight.

   Dennis Whisman Jr won the Figure 8 feature. For the last three opening nights, a Whisman has won the feature (Dennis Whisman Sr 2019, Dennis 2021, 2018, 2016) “First, that was a ball racing with Ethan (Lambert). First of all, I could thank all my sponsors Diamondback Building LLC, Affordable Transmission, Elite Property Services & Construction, Mark’s Toy Box, Royal Truck and Trailer, Rebel Racing Custom Graphix & Tees willing to help that out this year. This guy right here, for putting this bad boy together. I wanna thank everyone that comes down to the tracks and supports me every week. We have an awesome team that busts their butts making this car fast. Especially my dad, I definitley wouldn’t be in this spot if it wasn’t for him. And a heck of a job to Ethan lambert we battled almost the whole race with just clean hard racing. Doesn’t get better than that. Had an awesome weekend hopefully we can do the same next week.” I asked him where his dad was and Dennis Jr wrote me … My dad is done racing as of right now although he might be in a car a few times. But he is focusing more on me. And running his outlaw car full time.

   Jakob Lee was the fast qualifier and finished second in the feature. “It was a good opening night. Considering we had no practice before Saturday the car ran excellent. I had put too much gas in the car and created a little push but other than that I was completely satisfied with the night. Lee power for first and second. If anyone needs any transmission work, take it to Affordable Transmissions or call and speak to Jerry. I'd like to thank my uncle Richie for putting a fast racecar together for me, from a bare chassis to a race ready car in three days and came out and set fast time.”

   Brice Thomsen returns to driving Figure 8 car after an 11-year absence. His last race was June 27, 2009. “It was a so-so night. First practice was good, go to qualify and transmission broke. Huge thanks to Scott Apperson for loaning me his transmission. We got it changed in time for the heat went out and won the heat. Started at rear of feature drove up to sixth in a couple of laps and spun out, car stalled and wouldn’t restart. We will regroup and assess the problem and hope to be back next week. Thank you, Dennis Whisman Sr, Dennis Whisman Jr, Jakob Lee, Robert Thomsen, Benjamin Thomas, Eugene Worden, and Joey for all your help. And a huge thank you to my wife Crystal Whisman-Thomsen for putting up with me this last year being all about my racecar lol.” Brice is sponsored by Rebel Racing Custom Graphix & Tees.

   And if you missed any of the racing you can find it here. Even though Mike Miller’s racing this season, he’s still posting the night’s racing. Let’s all thank Mike’s mom for filming this season… what moms won’t do for their kids… Happy Mother’s Day a bit early. You can find the videos here: Https://www.youtube.com/c/MikeMiller28