Toledo Speedway

FLAT ROCK, MI: (5-2-09): Week number 2 of the 2009 racing season at Flat Rock Speedway maintained a level of great competition in all 3 classes. Corrigan Oil served as sponsor the night and guests of the track included our military and veterans for Armed Forces Appreciation Night. Steve Cronenwett Jr., Robbie Loving, Randy DeMaggio and James Rae took feature wins on a cool and windy evening.

It took Steve Cronenwett Jr. just 1 race to get command of his new car in the ARCA Moran Chevrolet/Miller Lite Late Models.  The youngster came back this week and set fast time for the 19 car field at 11:656 and moved from his 9^th starting spot and into the lead on lap 20 to win the 50 lap feature race.  Dick Barker also got things figured out with his new car as he jumped into the lead at the green and was strong out front.  Barker stayed in control in the early stages.  Front runners Eric Lee and Brian Norton brought out the yellow on lap 2 when the duo tangled, sending them to the tail of the field.  Royce Cornett, making his first start in over a year, was also very quick, but a lap 16 yellow for a fire on his car ended his fine run.  Barker held the lead as the pack began to move up to challenge.  By lap 20 Cronenwett had worked his way to the front, using the outside lane on his way to the point.  Ron Allen followed and Lee charged his way to challenge Steve Jr.  At the stripe it was Cronenwett Jr. by 2 car lengths over the fast-closing Lee, Allen was third and Dennis Strickland made a fast run to the front in the final 15 laps to take fourth.  Barker was fifth, followed by Joe Hawes, Keith Nelson, Dan Trosen Jr., Chris Burkhart and Kevin Butzin.  Norton Jason Burkhart took the heat wins.

Second generation driver Gary Cronenwett piloted the #01 to the lead at the green in the 20 lap ARCA Figure 8 feature, but he had plenty of company.  Former champ Robbie Loving applied the pressure and got by Gary on lap 12 after a great battle between the duo, giving Robbie the lead and the win.  Cronenwett, the cousin of Steve Jr., drove a fine race and has shown great improvement this season.  Gary looped his machine on lap 14, recovered and continued to the finish.  Jeremy Miller took second, Jeremy Vanderhoof third, Billy Earley fourth and Dennis Whisman fifth, followed by Jerry Leek, Jerry Vanderhoof, Anthony Terris, Cronenwett and rookie Tim Murphy.  Lee posted fast time at 20:549 for the 18 car field, while Greg Studt, Terris and James Rae captured the heat race wins.

Randy DeMaggio sailed into the lead after challenging early leader Danny Slater for several laps, taking the lead on lap 10 and holding back a late charge by defending champ Dan Ford Jr. to win the 25 lap ARCA Street Stock main event.  Slater, looking for his initial win, was strong out front as the pack battled for position.  With an inversion of 11, the action was exciting, with plenty of door to door racing.  Ford Jr., moving from that 11^th spot, sliced in and out of the pack and got to Randy's bumper with just a few laps to go.  Dan moved up the track and looked outside, but DeMaggio had enough for the victory over Ford Jr., David Kind, Rich Frantz, Dave Tanner, Rob Moore, Derek Wiley, Clyde McKee, Regan Ford and Jeff Kurzyniec.  Ford's fast lap was a time of 13:310 for the 24 cars.  Rob Moore, Joe Gramlich and Ray Coop notched heat race wins.

James Rae, pulling double duty each week in the Figure 8 and Street Stock classes, never looked back in the 15 lap Street Stock B Main as he zipped by Chris Diovardi on lap 3 to grab the win.  The field was short as several cars could not make the event due to mechanical woes.  Rae was followed by Anthony Camilli, Billy Cronce, Alan Beno, Diovardi, Jimmy Little and John Huebner Jr.  Cronce and Diovardi captured the heats, while Rae set quick time at 14:121.

Saturday, May 9 is a treat for all Moms as Ray Hunter Florist will provide a free carnation to the first 500 Moms in attendance.  All Moms will be admitted FREE when accompanied by a child.  It's also All Faiths Night at Flat Rock Speedway.  Present your church bulletin at the ticket window and get a ticket for the event for just $5!  The Late Models, Figure 8's and Street Stocks will again provide the great fun and family entertainment.  The gates open at 4 and racing begins at 7 p.m.