Trackside Tidbits

This weekend we crown our 2026 champions at Flat Rock.

Aug 15 … Conner Zbozien, after a horrific last month or so, has won his second feature in a row, The first time he’s done that. “Lost a water pump belt in practice after setting the quickest time. Chris Benson had the same size allowing us to get back on track. When we got it fixed, cars were already on track qualifying so I had to rush into the car where I broke the track record once again. Started 2nd after the redraw getting the lead on lap 4 and leading the rest of the race for our 2nd win in a row. I want to thank: Moran Chevrolet, McQuade Heating and Cooling Plumbing and Refrigeration, PPG, Painter’s Supply and Equipment, The Pleasure Zone, Dynamite Machining, Michigan Independent Door Co., Asphalt Control Corporation, VanDoorn Racing Development, Francis Engineering, Pat Moran, Dick Barker, Brian Zbozien, Tracy Noechel Zbozien, Daryl Palm, Doug Noechel, Collin Schramm, Lauren Zbozien, Tom Terzo, Scott Laskowski, Emily Tausch, Jay Kendziorski.”

Jeff Metdepenningen won his first Street Stock A feature since 2023. “It was a good night. It was a night for the old guys me and Dennis Wisman I’d like to thank my sponsors Action Dry Wall and it also like to thank my Crew, my brother Chris, Larry, Lamay, my grandson, Jacob, Bill, and Rayce and Kyle and Matt and Randy without them guys I couldn’t do it and also I can’t forget the wife for allowing me to do it but it was a good night luck went my way, and sometimes you’d rather be lucky than good. The boys were all around me just waiting for me to screw up and luckily, I didn’t thank the good Lord for that. I’d also like to give a shout out to Greg Studt. He probably could’ve taken me out at any time but being the good man and good racer he is he drove me good and clean. As words from Kyle Bush says, you never no one it’s gonna be your last one. It’s been a while since the last one so this one was pretty special.”

It was sort of a theme tonight with the Street Stock and Figure 8 divisions. Drivers that hadn’t won in a long time. And in the Street Stock B division, a driver that hasn’t been at Flat Rock for 12 years. Benn Finch III won his first ever B division feature driving a car formerly owned by Dennis Randall. “Oh man, it was wild. We were fighting this car. We had Josh set last week ... bad oil leak. I haven't been in a race car in 12 years, so to come back out here and be able to win at least the B main is terrific. All the hard work paid off. It's been a long time. We've been drag racing, so it's a little different to go wheel to wheel with somebody and be able to pull off the win. The rain definitely made it real slippery, like when we racing dirt again. So just had to drive it. I wasn't sure the rain was going to stop, and it did, and it held out. We was able to get it done. The biggest thing I learned today was Throttle control, mainly with this car.”

Not to be outdone was our Figure 8 feature winner. Nearly to the day of his last points paying race in 2019, Dennis Whisman Sr was victorious. “I won Sept.2023 at the bus night. Also, Saturday was ARCA win #101. Need to thank Carl at Royal Truck and Utility Trailer, Andy at CNV, Brice and Crystal at Rebel Racing Graphics and Tees and Mark's Toy Box for all their help and support. Thanks to my crew Jr., Jayden, Kevin, Ben, Robert, and a big thanks to Rich Lee. And thanks to Big Hoss and long time sponsor WBVS Wild Bill.” Dennis is only one of five drivers with over 100 wins: Joy Fair, Bob Studt, Ron Allen and Chuck Hall are the other four.

Points going into the final race of the season: Outlaw Late Models: Paul Pelletier leads RJ Cornett by 150 points and Gary Cronenwett by 170. With the smaller fields, he just has to start the feature to win his fifth championship and second consecutive one.

In the Figure 8s, Despite five victories (everyone else in the division has one win), Billy Earley is leading Dennis Whisman Jr by 45 points, defending division champion Avery Vanderhoof by 70 points and Travis Earley by 110 points.

In the Street Stock A division, multiple division champion Greg Studt leads defending division champion Johnny Rangel by 60 points, Doug Litogot (who has the most wins in the division this season at five) by 95 points.

In the Street Stock B division, Tom Lafollette locked up the championship last week. It’s his first career championship.

The Factory Stock 500 Series is tight with Kyle Metdepenningen leading his brother Rayce by 30 points, Ayden Bunting by 40 points, and Justin Chamberlin by 95 points.

Some season statistics entering championship night. I apologize if anyone’s name is misspelled. I have to use My Race Monitor and these are their spelling.

Outlaw Late Models

Wins; Paul Pelletier, 3; Conner Zbozien, 2 Brian Bergakker, 1, Eric Lee, Kyle Crump, Scott Hantz, 1

Races; Paul Pelletier; Chris Benson; Gary Cronenwett; RJ Cornett, 9; Conner Zbozien; Derrick Sheppard; John Ledwidge; Stan Yee Jr, 8; Jim Bailey; Roger Blackstock, 6; Dennis Rederstorf; Eric Lee; Steve Hawes, 5; Jeff Vrsek; Corey Duane, 4; Scott Hantz; Craig Everage, 3; Brian Bergakker; Lenny Roberts; Joe Hawes; Joe Genise, 2; Kyle Crump; Blake Childers; Kyle Drake; Austin Theil; Harold Fair Jr; Max Fair; Austin Thiel; Scott Pemberton; Doug True; Bill Heeney Jr; George Rangel, 1

Top 5s; Paul Pelletier, 7; Conner Zbozien; RJ Cornett; Eric Lee, 5; Chris Benson; Gary Cronenwett; Stan Yee Jr; Jeff Vrsek, 3; Scott Hantz, 2; Jim Bailey; Dennis Rederstof; Steve Hawes; Corey Duane, 1;

Top 10s; Paul Pelletier; Gary Cronenwett, 8; Chris Benson; Stan Yee Jr; Derrick Sheppard; RJ Cornett, 6; Conner Zbozien; Jim Bailey; Eric Lee, 5; Roger Blackstock; Steve Hawes; Jeff Vrsek, 4; Scott Hantz; Dennis Rederstorf; Corey Duane, 3; John Ledwidge, 2; Craig Everage, 1

Figure 8s

Wins: Bill Earley, 5; Travis Earley, Avery Vanderhoof, Jeremy Vanderhoof, Dennis Whisman Sr, 1

Races; Bill Earley; Travis Earley; Avery Vanderhoof; Dennis Whisman Jr, 9; Mitch Thomas; Dennis Whisman, 8; Jeremy Vanderhoof, 6; Randy Roberts; Kenny Heebsh, 5; Robbie Loving; Brice Thomsen; Race Loving, 4; Stephanie Bradley, 3; Norm Seegart, 2; David Lambert; Gary Cronenwett, 1

Top 5; Bill Earley, 9; Avery Vanderhoof, 8; Travis Earley, 7; Dennis Whisman Jr, 6; Jeremy Vanderhoof; Robbie Loving; Brice Thomsen, 4; Dennis Whisman, 2

Top 10; Bill Earley; Travis Earley; Avery Vanderhoof; Dennis Whisman Jr, 9; Dennis Whisman, 8; Mitch Thomas, 7; Jeremy Vanderhoof; Kenny Heebsh, 5; Robbie Loving; Brice Thomsen, 4; Randy Roberts; Race Loving; Stephanie Bradley, 3

Street Stock A division

Wins; Douglas Litogot, 5; Greg Studt, 3; Johnny Rangel, 2; Jeff Metdepenningen, Regan Ford, 1

Races; Greg Studt; Johnny Rangel; Landon Schuster; Jeremy Vanderhoof; Jayden Bullock; Jeff Metdepenningen; Scott Bunge, 12; Regan Ford Jr; Douglas Litogot, 11; Tyler Meeks; James Pankow, 10; Dale Cronenwett; Austin McKee, 8; Rob Moore Jr, 7; Riyan Smith; Ron Allen; Noah Cronenwett; Dan Ford Jr, 6; Arnold Kirsch; Chuck Pankow, 5; Randy Cornett; Regan Ford; Bobby Stewart; Tom Lafollette; Rob Randa; Harry Dacheux; Kenny Heebsh; Steve Cronenwett Jr; Andrew Bogusz; Jim Froling; Kenyon Knight; Steve Smith, 3; Michael Allemon; Jeremy Cronenwett; Kyle Worley; Chase Jezylo; Matt Bunting, 2; Brice Thomsen; Stephanie Bradley; Jerry Smith; Frank Plotkowski, 1

Top 5; Greg Studt, 11; Johnny Rangel; Douglas Litogot, 9; Jeff Metdepenningen, 6; Ron Allen, 5; Regan Ford Jr; Steve Cronenwett Jr, 4; Jeremy Vanderhoof; Dan Ford Jr, 3; Landon Schuster; Jayden Bullock; Austin McKee; Kenyon Knight; Regan Ford; Rob Randa, 1

Top 10; Greg Studt, 12; Douglas Litogot, 11; Johnny Rangel; Landon Schuster; Jeff Metdepenningen, 10; Jeremy Vanderhoof, 9; Jayden Bullock, 8; Ron Allen, 6; Regan Ford Jr; Dan Ford Jr, 5; Steve Cronenwett Jr, 4; Arnold Kirsch; Austin McKee; Regan Ford; Rob Randa, 3; Rob Moore Jr; Riyan Smith;

Tyler Meeks; Kenyon Knight; Noah Cronenwett, 2; Andrew Bogusz; Scott Bunge; Randy Cornett; James Pankow; Jim Froling; Kenny Heebsh, 1

Street Stock B division

Wins: Tom Lafollette, Matt Bunting, 2; Harry Dacheux, Ben Finch III, 1

Races: Tom Lafollette, 5; Bobby Stewart, Harry Dacheux, 4; Chase Jezylo, Kenny Heebsh, Michael Allemon, 3; Chuck Pankow, Matt Bunting, 2; Frank Plotkowski, Joe Rozek, Stephanie Bradley, 1

Top 5: Tom Lafollette, 5; Bobby Stewart, Harry Dacheux, 4; Michael Allemon, 3; Chase Jezylo, Kenny Heebsh, Matt Bunting, Chuck Pankow, 2; Frank Plotkowski, 1

Top 10s, same as races, most cars in a race was eight.

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.

If you got to the end, I’d love to hear from you. Contact me on messenger www.facebook.com/icechips or email me at ddomby@juno.com. Let me know how your season went and you can get your sponsors mentioned one last time.