Flat Rock Speedway

Flat Rock, MI—July 9, 2016: The 36-year tradition of fireworks following the official 4^th of July holiday continued Saturday night at Flat Rock Speedway. A good crowd turned out for the Royal Truck and Trailer Sales Triple 50’s show, and the evening concluded with the fantastic Monroe Superstore Fireworks display. The feature-only format was in effect, and the fireworks were just completed when rain showers hit the track. Mike Morrison from Royal presented the trophies to winners Paul Pelletier, Nick Shanks, Troy Brehmer and Billy Earley.

The ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Model 50 lapper went green and Paul Pelletier jumped into the lead. The 3-time track champ was solid out front and had pressure from Moran Chevy fast qualifier Jimmy Thiel (11:837) the entire distance. Just 2 yellow flags slowed the action. Thiel looked both high and low to try to gain the lead, and, in the final 10 circuits, the leaders encountered lapped traffic. Paul steadily picked off each car on the high side, with Thiel tucked in on his bumper. Pelletier scored his first win of 2016, making him the sixth different winner in 6 races this season at the track. Thiel’s solid run gave him second, Jeff Vrsek followed the lead duo for much of the race and took third with a strong showing. Brad Riethmeyer made his first appearance at Flat Rock this year and came home fourth in a brand new car, while Stan Yee Jr. made a few slick moves late to grab fifth spot. Corey Duane, Frank Jiovani, Terry Bogusz, Tadek Stadniczuk and Steve Cronenwett Jr. completed the top 10. Dennis Rederstorf, Joe Hawes, Kevin Stepinksi, Steve Hawes, Rob Randa, Sam Coulter, Dan Trosen Jr. Bob Varney and Matt Bullock were next in line at the finish for the 19 car field. Jiovani took the Moran Chevy Hard Charger $50 bonus, while Pelletier racked up the $300 Diamond Racing Products Half-Way leader award.

Nick Shanks took the lead and led the field for the first 27 laps of the ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock 50 lap contest, only to give up the lead to Ray Morneau Jr. on the next lap. But Shanks was far from finished, as he dogged Ray and kept the pressure on. At lap 42, in heavy lapped traffic, the lead pair split 2 lapped cars, going 4 wide down the back stretch! Shanks took the low lane, grabbed the lead, no one spun, the race stayed green and Nick took the big win as the crowd cheered the great racing action! Greg Studt, who was in the thick of things the entire distance, snuck by Morneau with 3 laps to go, but Ray came right back and stole second at the stripe, with Studt third, Jeremy Vanderhoof fourth and Scott Selmi fifth, followed by Tim Moore (in Guy Fire’s #84), Jeff Metdepenningen, Rob Moore, Craig Lange and James Pankow. Randy Cornett, Don Roberts, Robbie Moore Jr., Chris Diovardi, Clyde McKee, Clarity Newhouse, Jeff Luttermoser, Wilburn Parks, Kyle Worley and James Hazlett completed the running order. Just 2 quick yellow flags slowed things during the 50 laps. There have been 6 different winners for the class this season.

Troy Brehmer battled and battled, took the lead and eventually the win in the 25 lap Street Stock B Main race. Rich Abel, Jeffrey Kurzyniec, newcomer Todd Burtscher, Adam Jezylo, Justin Rodriguez, Aaron Greathouse, Robbie Loving and Ian Jezylo trailed the winner. Craig Lange set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts quick time for the 31 car field at 13:643. Ian Jezylo led the B Main cars at 14:471.

Prior to the fabulous fireworks, the racing portion of the night ended with the 50 lap ARCA Victory Lane Oil Change Figure 8 feature. The entire 50 laps were filled with action, great competition for the lead and numerous close calls at the intersection.   Youngster Dennis Whisman Jr. showed his potential as he paced the field out front at the green flag. With years of experience tucked in on his bumper, Dennis maintained control of the race and led the first 32 laps. Jeremy Miller and Jeremy Vanderhoof took turns in the second spot, applying pressure and looking for a way around the #2. At lap 32, the lead trio and with Billy Earley now joining the pack, lapped traffic and the intersection traffic scattered the leaders. Earley shot by everyone and took the lead as Whisman nicked the lapped car but was able to continue on. On lap 33, the red flag was displayed to remove Ricky Ferrell’s car, which had a shredded tire. Whisman Jr. darted into the pits and returned before the race resumed. On the restart, Earley zipped away, but the action continued as now Dennis Whisman Sr. got by Vanderhoof and Miller. At the stripe, Earley took the win over Whisman Sr., Vanderhoof, Dan Apperson, Miller, Whisman Jr., David Katafiasz, Randy Roberts, AJ Padgett, Parker Wade, Ferrell, James Vanderhoof and Travis Earley. Billy also set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts fast time at 20:904 on the Figure 8 track.

Santa Claus will visit Flat Rock Speedway Saturday, July 16 for the NASH ICON 98.3 Christmas in July celebration. A Nickel grab with prizes for kids 12 and under will take place prior to the racing program. The Late Models, Figure 8’s and Street Stocks will provide the action on the track. Race time is 7 p.m.