Flat Rock Speedway

SOUTHGATE MI (11-7-07)--A large crowd of over 600 guests converged Friday evening at the annual Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways banquet, held at the elegant Crystal Gardens Banquet Center in Southgate, MI. A total of $46,780 in cash and awards was distributed during the awards ceremony, which was hosted by track announcer Gary Lindahl. All the track champions received their championship jackets as ARCA President Ron Drager led the toast to the champions.

Flat Rock's ARCA Moran Chevrolet/Miller Lite Late Models saw Dennis Strickland edge Scott Giroux by just 5 points to claim his first-ever Flat Rock crown. Dennis and his car owner, wife Tina, accepted the championship trophies and a check for $2000. Ron Allen, Eric Lee, Greg Studt, Dick Barker, Paul Pelletier, Steve Cronenwett Jr., Roger Blackstock and Chris Benson rounded out the final top 10 point men for 2007. Giroux was named Rookie of the Year, while Barker notched Sportsmanship honors.

Robbie Loving and his car owner Rob Martel celebrated their second Flat Rock title in a row, grabbing the ARCA Casite Figure 8 crown. Dan Kalinowski, representing Casite, doled out the point fund checks and trophies to the Figure 8 drivers. Dennis Whisman finished second, just 15 markers back. Jeremy Vanderhoof, Billy Earley, Rick Romanini, Sam Hall, Scott Apperson, Nick Bradley, Parker Wade and Ian Jezylo trailed Loving in the final standings. Whisman and Loving's car owner, Martel, garnered the Sportsmanship Awards for the class, while Jezylo was named Rookie of the Year.

The ARCA Jaimes Industries Street Stock class is divided up into A, B and C divisions. 2005 champ Regan Ford grabbed this year's title, at the wheel of his father Dan's number 24 and crewed by his brother Dan Jr. Rick Romanini took second, Brian Norton third, Randy DeMaggio fourth and Derek Wiley fifth in the final point tally, followed by Tim Moore, Rich Frantz, Dave Tanner, Terry Humphrey and Clyde McKee. Bob Swanson picked up his second B Main Championship, edging James Rae by just 20 points. Rich Abel, Eric Fitzpatrick, Ricky Romanini, Chris Hebert, Paul Duffin, Lonnie York, Chris Burkhart and Jim Alvis trailed to make up the top 10. Veteran Jim Stocker, made it 2 in a row by zipping to the C Main championship over Tony Camilli, Ray Coop, Nick Bradley, Ian Jezylo, Paul Falkenburg, Stephanie Bradley, Harold Ackron, Ben Estep and Bobby Lightner. Patrick Zorn was the A Main Rookie of the Year, with B Main Rookie going to Ricky Romanini. Sportsmanship honors went to DeMaggio and Rae.

The Toledo awards began with the Royal Truck and Trailer/Allegiant Air Glass City Gold Cup for the ARCA Late Models. Royal CEO Carl Bumgardner handed out the hardware to Harold Fair Jr., who captured 3 of the 4 point races at the ¨? mile paved oval to grab the title. Strickland and Brent Jack tied for second, Eric Lee was fourth, with Cronenwett Jr. and Justin Schroeder tying for fifth in the final points. Bobby Cruze, Dave Kuhlman, Jeff Bailey and Scott Hantz completed the top 10. The top 3 received 2 round-trip tickets from Toledo to Orlando, Florida, courtesy of Allegiant Air.

Loving doubled up this season by notching the Toledo Casite Figure 8 crown to go with his Flat Rock title. Whisman again was the bridesmaid, back just 20 points to the champ. Studt, Vanderhoof, Bradley, Wade, Chuck Pankow, Jezylo, Herrmann and Scott Apperson were next in line.

The National City Bank ARCA Sportsman division at Toledo saw Ron Allen take his 5th title in the class. Ann Palmer and Katy Johnson, representing National City, presented the point fund checks and trophies. Allen edged out Jim Froling by 30 points, followed by Brian Norton, Gary Denis, Art Rozane, Brad McDonald, Todd Hamilton, Scott Bross, Rich Abel and Brian Pelkey. Hamilton and Bross were named Co-Rookies of the Year, with Sportsmanship honors to Froling.

The Toledo ARCA A-1 Auto Parts Factory Stock division crowned a new champ, as second-year driver Eric Huston collected the championship trophy from A-1 chief Gary Denis. Huston nipped Dave Arnold Jr. by 25 markers to grab the crown. Landon Schuster, Brian Ringger, Dennis Randall, Cory McCaughey, Scot Bunge, Josh Bunting, Mike Mills and AJ Padgett completed the top ten. Bunge was named Rookie of the Year and Amanda Bland took the Sportsmanship award.

The ARCA David's Jewelry 4 Cylinders saw a repeat titlist as Bill Litogot again nosed out Tim Wade to make it 2 in a row. David Maxwell of David's Jewelry presented gift certificates to the top 10 in the final points. The 4 Cylinder crown combines points for the 2 tracks for the year. Brian Sylvester, Chris Pauwels, Kyle Worley, Brad Turner, Eric Pauwels, Dennis Helsel, Matt Brazeau and Michael Giles were next in line. Chris Pauwels garnered Sportsmanship honors.

The Flat Rock Speedway Pepsi Enduro class crowned a points champ for the first time ever. Michael Dailey claimed the title over Jeff Maran, Tom Sprotberry, Rick Johnson, Tristan Dupuis, Derrick Sheppard, Anthony Terris, Marc Ortega, Robb Remick and Tony Rumble.

In other awards, Loving and Allen received a plaque for the WBVS Photos Driver of the Year Award from Bill Barnhart. Announcer Lindahl received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Barnhart for his efforts. Debbie Majchrzak presented the Sterling Printing and Graphics "Woman of the Year" Award to Linda Franzil. The Driven Women's group also presented a $500 scholarship to Suzanne Johnson.

Several drawings were held for the drivers during the evening. Paul Falkenburg, Rick Romanini, Todd Hamilton and Art Rozane won the certificates for 50% off the purchase of a body from 5 Star RaceCar Bodies. Lincoln Welders awarded welders to Kevin Butzin and Bob Swanson. Dennis Strickland won a complete ignition system from Mallory Ignitions/Mr. Gasket.

Point fund sponsors for 2007 were Moran Chevrolet, Miller Brewing, O & W, Inc., A-1 Auto Parts, ARCA, ARP Race Car Bodies, Jaimes Industries, National City Bank, B & H Race Parts, Casite Automotive Additives and Chemicals, Cintas, Five Star RaceCar Bodies, Hoosier Tire, Howe Racing Enterprises, David's Jewelry, Kinetik Racing Batteries, Lincoln Welders, Penske Shocks, Pioneer Performance Products, Bazell Race Fuels, Sunoco, Pro Shocks, Royal Truck and Trailer Sales and Allegiant Air.

The Flat Rock office is now closed for the winter. Flat Rock kicks off the new year the Saturday, April 26, while Toledo opens its weekly 2007 racing season Friday night, May 2. The 2008 schedules are expected to be released prior to the holidays.