TRACKSIDE TIDBITS

TRACKSIDE TIDBITS

NOTE: If you’d like to send me something for the column send me a note through Facebook Messenger www.facebook.com/icechips or email me at icechips@hotmail.com. I will add them to my next column. If you have a website or Facebook page for your team, let me know and I’ll visit there after the races for an update.

The 2023 season opened with 57 cars taking the green flag for features. It’s the largest field since 2017 when 60 cars took part in feature races. The Outlaw Super Late field of 16 was a couple less than opening night last year. The 28 Street Stocks was the largest opening night for the Division since 2017, when 30 cars competed. The 13 Figure 8s was the largest since the opener in 2017 when 14 started the feature.

The Outlaw Super Late had a first time ARCA feature winner, Justin Claucherty. Justin normally runs the long-distance races at the track with his previous best finish of third in the Joy Fair 100 (June 2016). “It was great to be back at Flat Rock Speedway after a two-year hiatus, and the car was fast right out of the trailer. Had a great race with Chris and Eric and was fortunate enough to be in position to capitalize and take the lead when the opportunity presented itself. Special thanks to sponsors S.A.S. Auto Club, Complete Tree, and KT Trucking.”

Welcome Back, Len Roberts! He last raced at Flat Rock in July 2007. The car number is familiar to long-time fans, a 0 with a star in it. The car was formerly raced by Dennis Strickland, so it’s a good one. Len finished 11th in his first night out in 17 seasons.

Two rookies were in the field. Craig Osenbaugh and RJ Cornett. Oddly the duo are numbers 7 and 8, respectively. Both names are familiar in different ways. Craig is a long-time competitor at Flat Rock and Toledo and over the years, has driven nearly all the different divisions at the tracks. Late models is probably the one of the few he hasn’t competed in yet; RJ is the son of former OSLM champion Royce Cornett.

“I’ve raced Figure 8 in Factory Stock and I was one of the first to race Figure.8 chain race. I’ve also raced Toledo Street Stocks, X cars, Sportsman, and Late Model Sportsman. I owe a thanks to my sponsor Mitch Duckwall for taking a chance on me as well as Beabout Racing in the factory stock division and also Brian Moore and family for the opportunity of racing his OSLM for the season, which is not an easy task but a welcomed challenge,” said Osenbaugh, the 2017 Factory Stock Champion at Toledo.

RJ is at the other end of the spectrum, racing only several years, mostly dirt trucks. Mom Tiffany sent me a couple really nice articles that can be found here

Defending Street Stock A Division Champion, Jeremy Vanderhoof, was victorious in the Street Stock A division feature. It breaks a streak of three opening night wins for Greg Studt (he finished sixth). “First and foremost, I want to wish my wife a very happy birthday. Yeah, I'm not sure when we're going on in the heat race, it just wouldn't run. Brought it back to the pits after the heat race and the best guy in the business went to town on a it and wasn’t 100% but … Would’ve like to run a lot harder but still missing out a little bit but you have to take it when you can get it. Yeah, we had a tight car, so once we moved up that helped it a little bit. You know Doug's a very good driver. He's definitely got some wins coming his way. Like to thank our sponsors: Patrick Signs, Aero Truck Parts, SP Guns and Ammo, Seigel Chiropractor and new this year, Garner Jewelry and Exchange.

Brandon Randa won his first career Street Stock A division heat race. Dad, Rob, who was in a new OSLM also won his heat.

Two of the Street Stocks have changed their numbers for the 2023 season. Austin McKee has changed his number from #5 to #6 to match the number he wore in Lacrosse. Kenyon Knight was #21 last year and is now #19. Bobby Stewart was in #27 this year rather than his #68.

Troy Brehmer ran his first Street Stock B division race since July 2019 (he normally races in the Enduro Division) and made it count with a victory in the same division. It was his first feature win since August 2019 when he won the B Division feature as part of the Street Stock 100 night. “Fantastic night tonight. Fantastic crowd. Thank you. It's wonderful to drive it here into the winner's circle on opening night.”

Although Greg Studt’s streak of opening night wins in the Street Stock A Division was broken, all was not lost as he won the Figure 8 feature, so getting a win on opening night now stands at four in a row. It’s his first opening night win in the Figure 8 division since 2015. “Man, that was more like a race and nice job. We had the oil in the corner and had the red flag. You know, once we run it in good, you try to test it out on the warm up lap. We're running it in and kind of gauge what it is but I had no problem. The street stock (feature) didn't end up where we wanted but we got one of the two cars victory lane. This one (Figure 8 feature) gives me a chance to redeem myself. I was a bit out to lunch in the Street Stock feature, but this guy right here, she's running good. I might run a little more often.”

If you missed any of the racing you can find it here: www.youtube.com/@MikeMiller28. If anyone else tapes all the races let me know and I’ll add you to the list.

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