Flat Rock Speedway

Flat Rock, MI—June 11, 2016: A very warm and humid day kept fans from arriving early to Flat Rock Speedway for Saturday’s Lakeshore Utility Trailer Sales School Bus Figure 8 races. But arrive they did, as a standing-room only crowd was treated to a very entertaining night of action.

Jack Franzil rolled his bus 2 times, including one to finish the race as he claimed the win in the grand finale’ School Bus Figure 8 contest. Terry Smith also got on his side as the huge crowd roared with delight for the rollovers and some thundering hits during the event. Billy Earley and Jeremy Vanderhoof applied the assistance by slamming Jack and Terry’s buses at the perfect time to get them over. Dennis Whisman, Kyle Worley and Chris Benson also took their shots. Bus sponsors were Lakeshore Utility Trailer, Budget Tire, Hop Culture, LLC, Monroe Superstore, Veterans Cleaning, Sportway and Jani King.

The ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Models were on hand for their final tune-up race before the June 25 Diamond Racing Products Joy Fair Memorial 100. A great battle up front between Jimmy Thiel and Justin Schroeder saw the duo exchange the lead in the early stages, with Thiel on the bottom and Schroeder charging hard up on the top lane. Justin actually slid back a bit on a re-start, but motored right back up to second to set the stage for a great 10 lap battle with Thiel. Schroeder continually worked the high side, getting to Thiel’s door on several occasions. Thiel mastered lapped traffic in the final laps and held on for his first win in several years at Flat Rock. Frankie Jiovani came home third, Paul Pelletier was fourth and Stan Yee Jr. was fifth, followed by Michael Simko, Scott Pemberton, Corey Duane, Terry Bogusz and Chris Benson. Schroeder set the Moran Chevrolet fast time for the 22 car field at 11:815. Heat race winners Thiel, Jimmie Ward Jr. and Brad Turner.

A sensational last-lap battle for the win saw Jeremy Vanderhoof edge out Greg Studt at the stripe to win the 20 lap ARCA Victory Lane Oil Change Figure 8 feature race. Studt took command early in the contest as the battle heated up. Vanderhoof made his move coming out of turn 2 of the Figure 8 course on the final lap. Greg came right back and stayed door to door as the duo had a drag race to the finish line as Jeremy nipped Greg in an outstanding finish. Third was Jeremy Miller, fourth went to Billy Earley and fifth was Dennis Whisman. David Katatiasz, AJ Padgett, Travis Earley, Ricky Ferrell and Dennis Whisman Jr. completed the top ten. Heat wins went to Miller and Katafiasz, while Earley posted the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts quick time at 21:049.

Dennis Whisman captured the Flag Pole race, topping his son, Dennis Jr. for the win. Mike Miller, Bill Carberry, Paul Duffin, Mark Lavoie and AJ Padgett trailed the winner.

The Figure 8 Boat Race saw AJ Padgett take the win in his pink Barbie boat. The star of the race was youngster Travis Earley. Travis had trouble keeping his car running, but finally got it to go. Travis whipped his car around the corners as his boat went over, came back up, went back over and bounced back and forth, thrilling the screaming crowd. Bill Carberry, Paul Duffin and Mark Lavoie also pulled boats for the event.

Saturday, June 18 is round 2 for the Monroe News Enduro Series at Flat Rock Speedway. The 250 lap race will follow a complete race card for the ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks, which will be their final tune-up for their biggest race of the season on July 2-the Corrigan Race Fuels 100. Fans that attended the June 10 bus race may present their ticket stub at the ticket windows on race day and receive $5 off the admission price. Race time is 7 p.m.