SHEPPARD TAKES WIN; KYLE METDEPENNINGEN/NATHAN SPROTBERRY ENDURO CO-CHAMPS
SHEPPARD TAKES WIN; KYLE METDEPENNINGEN/NATHAN SPROTBERRY ENDURO CO-CHAMPS
August 28, 2021: Derrick Sheppard was victorious in The Vault Antiques and Treasures ARCA 250 lap Enduro Championship race Saturday night at Flat Rock Speedway. Despite the hot and humid conditions, the event was run in its entirety. A race within a race for the Enduro title saw second-generation drivers Kyle Metdepennigen and Nathan Sprotberry tie for the over-all point championship at the track. Brian Oberle of The Vault presented the trophies and greeted the champions in the Monroe Asphalt Winner’s Circle.
Sheppard built up a 1 lap lead on Sprotberry and Robb Remick and kept that margin over the final 100 laps. Kyle’s night started out on the wrong side, as a fuel leak appeared as the race began, sending him pit-side to take care of the issue. He returned to the track down a few laps, but, however, was able to maintain position and garnered enough points via his finish to tie with Sprotberry for the 2021 track championship.
Nathan’s great second place run put him in the co-championship with Kyle, former Enduro champ Remick was third, Rayce Metdepenningen was fourth and Dale Buttrey’s solid run netted him the fifth spot. Kyle Metdepenningen, Justin Chamberlin, Cody Remick, rookie Victor York (his first-ever race) and another rookie, Jeff Evens, completed the top ten. Tadek Stadniczuk, Gabrielle Grigsby, Kenyon Knight, James Rae and Brad Turner completed the finishing order. 2019 champ Ed Case and rookie Brian Culver did not start the 250-lap contest. Kyle Metdepenningen set quick time at 13:982.
The ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks competed in a 30-lap contest. David Liaeff sped to the win, but failed post-race tech inspection, giving Greg Studt, the recently-crowned 2021 track champion, the victory. Caleb Barron was second, Rayce Metdepenningen was third, Johnny Rangel fourth and Arnold Kirsch fifth, followed by Rich Abel, Mike Miller, Lonnie York, Jesse Carrillo and Liaeff. There was no qualifying as the drivers drew for their starting positions.
Flat Rock’s 2021 racing season concludes next Saturday night, September 4 with the CNV Enterprises School Bus Figure 8 race! Stock car racing with the ARCA DTS Street Stocks, ARCA Figure 8’s and The Vault ARCA Factory Stocks will also be a part of the program. A Flag Pole race and the Boat Figure 8 contest are also scheduled, and the night concludes with the School Bus Figure 8 race.
Tickets are now on sale by calling the track at 734-782-2480 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by stopping at the track office during those times. Both reserved and general admission tickets are on sale.
The pit gates for race cars opens at 2:30, the front gate and ticket office open at 3:30, practice begins at 4:15 and racing has a special start time of 6 p.m. A rain date of Sunday, September 5 at 6 p.m. has been set if needed.