Flat Rock Speedway

FLAT ROCK MI (5-31-2008)-- The best night of weather for the 2008 season brought out a good crowd to Flat Rock Speedway Saturday night. Local favorite Paul Hahn captured the Heritage Newspapers 100 for the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series, while Dennis Whisman topped a thrilling Figure 8 main, Regan Ford and Ed Hindall notched the Street Stock feature wins. Brad Turner capped the night with the win in the 4 Cylinder Main event. Bob DeSloover, representing the Heritage papers, presented the trophies to the winners. A large group of Scouts were on hand for Scout Night, and the UAW Local 387/3000 members were also in attendance.

Hahn, who cut his teeth at Flat Rock, took control of the Truck feature on lap 31 and sailed to victory. The race only had 3 yellow flags, which gave the 20 truck field plenty of green flag racing. Ron Wells jumped into the lead at the start, stayed there for 8 laps and then gave way to Steve Christman. The veteran looked strong but Hahn grabbed the lead on lap 13, only to have Steve get it back on lap 21. A lap 28 yellow slowed things and on the restart, Hahn went to work and took control on lap 31 and that was it, as the Farmington Hills, MI driver stayed in charge for the remainder of the event. Christman, who pitted on lap 53 and came from the back, was second, TJ Stineman had a great run in third, Bill Withers was fourth and Mike Young fifth, followed by Norm Weaver, Duane Bischoff, Brad Yunker, Robbin Slaughter and Kenny Kirsch. Hahn set fast time at 12:554.

While winner Dennis Whisman led every lap, one of the most thrilling and exciting ARCA Speedway Bar and Grille Figure 8 features kept the fans screaming and on the edge of their seats! Numerous intersection shots, a lap 10 hit at the intersection with Jerry Lee and former track Late Model champ Paul Pelletier (in his first Figure 8 race), and just plain close calls made for a great event. Whisman, who almost had to stop at the intersection to avoid a collision, was able to hold back a charging Greg Studt for the win. Robbie Loving was third, Lee fourth and Billy Earley fifth, followed by Jeremy Miller, Jeremy Vanderhoof, Brice Thomsen, Pelletier and Scott Apperson. Studt posted the Loving Auto Care fast time at 20:697.

Defending champ Regan Ford came home with his first win of 2008 in the 20 lap ARCA Greater Detroit Auto Auction Street Stock A Main. Regan got the jump on lap 1 and sped to victory. Dave Tanner took second, just 2 lengths behind the winner, with Dan Ford Jr., Danny Slater, Tim Moore, Randy DeMaggio, Derek Wiley, Scott Selmi, Jeff Kurzyniec and Kyle Worley completing the top ten finishers. Ed Hindall posted his first win of the year in the 15 lap B Main, topping Chris Diovardi, Rich Abel, Bob Swanson, Joe Gramlich, Chris Burkhart, James Rae, Tom Freeman Jr., Lonnie York and Ian Jezylo in the process. The B Main also contested heat races on this night, with Gramlich, York and James Pankow taking the victories. Slater set his first-ever fast time for A Main at 13:354, while Chris Burkhart led the B main cars at 13:726. 51 cars were on hand for the race card.

The ARCA David’s Jewelry 4 Cylinder main saw Jimmy Little lead the first 4 laps until eventual winner Brad Turner took charge on lap 5. Brad, coming from his 7^th starting spot, motored on to the win in the non-stop 20 lap event. Ray McClure had a great battle with Mike Bershback for second, with Mike third, Shawn Bershback fourth and Michael Marlow fifth, followed by Dennis Helsel, Matt Brazeau, Jimmy Little, Adam Maier and Jennifer Cronce. McClure set fast time at 15:360, while Turner and Steve Perkins notched the heat race wins.

A big night of fun and racing is set for next Saturday, June 7 at Flat Rock Speedway, with the WOMC Radio/Seyfert’s Snacks Kids Night and Autograph Night. All kids to age 14 will be admitted FREE of charge, and will also receive a free hot dog, chips and drink courtesy of Seyferts, Pepsi and Sherwood Foods. Fans will be permitted to walk onto the track at 6:15 and racing begins at 7 p.m. The ARCA Late Models, Figure 8’s, Street Stocks and the TKC Go-Karts will provide the action. Racing Fan Club Night is also part of the June 7 festivities at the track.