Flat Rock Speedway

Flat Rock, MI—July 2, 2022:  Conner Zbozien nosed out Eric Lee in a thrilling finish to score his first win of 2022 in the 50 lap ARCA Moran Chevrolet Outlaw Super Late Model feature Saturday night at Flat Rock Speedway.  Dennis Whisman Jr. and Dave Sensiba also picked up feature wins on a very pleasant summer evening.  The Flat Rock Schools Band Boosters, who conduct the 50/50 raffles at the track, included a Gas Card Bonanza drawing Saturday, awarding 5-$100 gas cards in addition to their 50/50 raffle.

George Rangel took the lead at the start of the 50 lap Moran Outlaw Super Late Model event.  Paul Pelletier edged by George on lap 6 and stayed out front while Zbozien made his charge to challenge for the top spot.  That duo ran door to door for several laps, with Conner nosing into the lead on a restart on lap 17.  Eric Lee broke loose from a bit of traffic and began to pressure Zbozien as the laps wound down.  A lap 46 yellow bunched the pack, setting up the exciting finish.  Conner and Eric traded the lead, running door to door the final 4 laps.  Zbozien was able to get the advantage off turn 4 to score his win, the first of 2022 and his initial win in the #45.  Lee continued his strong finishes with second, Chris Benson took third, Stan Yee Jr. was fourth and Pelletier fifth, followed by Rangel, Austin Thiel, Derrick Sheppard, James Pankow and Bryan Moore.  Lee set fast time at 11:890, with heat wins to Pelletier and Yee Jr.

Defending track champ Dennis Whisman Jr. reeled in leader Brice Thomsen, took the lead on lap 10 and then held off the charge of Billy Earley in the final 3 laps to take the victory in the 20 lap ARCA R & M Recycling Figure 8 feature.  Greg Studt was third, Jakob Lee was fourth and Eugene Worden fifth.  Dennis Whisman Sr., Stephanie Bradley and Thomsen were next in line at the stripe.  It was Retro Night, putting practice, qualifying and the heat race on the oval, which was the format for many years.  Earley set fast time on the oval at 13:780.  Whisman Jr. notched the heat win.

The neat-looking Engine Pro Vintage Modifieds made an appearance at Flat Rock Saturday, with Dave Sensiba taking the 25-lap feature win.  Duane DeBonte led the first lap, but was black flagged for leaking fuel.  That put Brian Beukema on the point.  Sensiba, moving quickly from his 10^th starting spot, grabbed the lead on lap 6 and held the top spot for the win.  Gene First, Johnny Montgomery, Todd Cowan, Don Smith, Beukema, Mike Ouendag, DeBonte, Shawn Smon and Ken Quimby completed the finishing order.  First and DeBonte were the heat race winners.

Flat Rock Speedway will celebrate an historic occasion with the Royal Truck and Trailer Sales 70^th Anniversary event, scheduled for Saturday, July 9.  Four divisions of racing will hit the track, with the track’s three mainstays of racing since 1977, the ARCA Moran Chevrolet Outlaw Super Late Models, the R & M Recycling Figure 8’s and the DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks in action.  They will be joined by the ARCA Salenbien Excavating Late Model Sportsman division for the July 9 race card, which will consist of features-only for this night.

To cap off the night, race fans and teams will witness the largest fireworks show in the history of the speedway, sponsored by the Monroe Superstore.  “This is a great way to cap off a very entertaining, exciting and historic night for Flat Rock Speedway,” noted Owner and Promoter Ron Drager.

The track will also hold its Annual Racers Reunion.  Many former drivers are expected to attend. 

There is no advance ticket sale for this event.  All tickets will go on sale race day Saturday, July 9 at 4:30 p.m.  The ticket office and front gates will open at 4:30, practice begins at 4:30, followed by qualifying.  The pre-race ceremony, including the introduction of former racers on hand, will begin at 6:30 p.m.  Former ARCA and track official Jack Wyman will serve as the Grand Marshal. Race time is set for 7 p.m.