Toledo Speedway

FLAT ROCK, MI: (8-15-09): A large crowd turned out to meet NASCAR driver David Ragan Saturday night as part of the Leppen Chiropractic/United Way of Monroe County Night at Flat Rock Speedway. Ragan spoke to the crowd and signed autographs for over an hour. On the track, Paul Pelletier, Robbie Loving, Dan Ford Jr. and Jimmy Rae notched feature wins. Former racers were introduced to the crowd and several vintage race cars took laps prior to the start of the race card. A large contingent of firefighters from Monroe County was on hand as guests of the speedway.

A spirited battle for the win ensued in the 50 lap ARCA Moran Chevrolet/Miller Lite Late Model feature event.  Harold Fair Jr. powered into the lead at the green and held the point for 33 laps, but had plenty of company.  Dennis Strickland cut Fair's lead down and took several looks to the outside during the first half of the race, while Paul Pelletier worked his way up to Strickland's bumper, setting up the 3-car battle.  The yellow flew on lap 10 when Eric Lee and Royce Cornett got together, with Chris Benson tagging the turn 1 wall, ending his night.  Cornett took the blame, Lee, the fast qualifier at 11:786, got his spot back and the race resumed.  The top 3 again got away from the rest of the pack.  Strickland appeared to be quicker than Fair Jr. at times and went to the high side several times, then ducked back into the inside groove.  Pelletier decided it was time to go and he went outside, getting by both Strickland and then Fair, taking the lead on lap 34 and grabbing his first win of the season, as the 2006 track champ continues to get stronger every outing with his new ride.  Strickland was second, also getting around Fair Jr., with Harold third, Ricky Kargel fourth and Stan Yee Jr. scored his best finish of the year, taking fifth spot after starting 10^th.  Ron Allen, Jeremy Vanderhoof, Kevin Butzin, Joe Hawes and Lee completed the top ten.  Lee faded in the final laps with mechanical problems after running in the top 5.  Jimmy Thiel, Butzin and Allen took the heats races.  21 cars were on hand.

The fans were treated to great racing the entire night, and the ARCA Figure 8 feature was no exception.  Loving Auto Care fast qualifier Robbie Loving (20:739) started 4^th, snared the lead from Greg Studt on lap 6 and held him at bay to score the win in the 20 lap contest.  Filled with intersection shots, the caution-free event was fast-paced and hectic.  While the top 2 moved a slight bit away from the pack, the battle for third went to the wire as Dennis Whisman just nipped Gary Cronenwett and Billy Earley in a race to the line.  Sixth was Jeremy Vanderhoof, Jeremy Miller seventh, rookie Chris Cox eighth, Sam Hall ninth and James Rae tenth.  Miller and Cox took heat wins, as Cox captured his first-ever checkered flag in his heat race.

Current point leader Dan Ford Jr. played the patience game, taking the lead with 3 laps to go on his way to the win in the 25 lap ARCA Street Stock A Main feature.  Carleton, MI resident Dave Tanner ran strong out front and paced the field for 22 laps in front.  Dennis Strickland and Ford Jr. made it a 3-car race for the win until Dennis looped the #3 in the back chute.  Tim Moore joined the battle and closed in late.  On lap 22, Ford Jr., using the outside groove, steamed by Tanner to take the win over Tanner, Tim Moore, Randy DeMaggio, Clyde McKee, Derek Wiley, Chad Guinn, Tadek Stadniczuk, Jeff Kurzyniec and David Kind. 

James Rae and Troy Brehmer ran side by side for the final 4 laps, with Rae nosing out the victory at the checkered flag in the final race of the night.  Four different drivers took turns leading the 15 lap B Main, with Michael Phillips in charge for the first 5 laps.  James Pankow took control for the next 3 tours until Brehmer grabbed the lead on lap 9.  Rae made his way to the front on the high side, got to the door of Troy on lap 11 and finally edged out front at the strip at the finish.  Pankow was third, Rich Abel fourth and Lonnie York fifth, followed by Phillips, Carl Dickey, Billy Cronce and rookies Anthony Camilli and Alan Beno.  Strickland set quick time for the 43 car field at 13:380, while Darrell Krause led the B Main cars with a lap of 14:106.  Rich Frantz, Jarod MacZink, Chris Fitzpatrick, Pankow, York and Glenn Gregg were the heat race winners.

Calling all kids for this Saturday night at Flat Rock Speedway!  Stoney Creek Auto Parts and the Monroe Evening News present Kid's Night Saturday, August 22.  ALL kids to age 14 will be admitted FREE and receive a FREE hot dog, chips and a drink, courtesy of Sherwood Foods, Seyfert's Snacks and the Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group.  Parents should pick up the kids ticket/voucher at the ticket window race night.

A big night of racing is on tap, with the 100 lap Street Stock feature on the slate, which was rescheduled after being rained out 2 weeks ago.  The B Cars will go 35 laps, a 50 lap ARCA Figure 8 feature, the Michigan Legends and a Rollover contest make up the remainder of the race card.  The pits open at 2, practice begins at 3:30, time trials are set for 5 and racing begins at 7 p.m.  ALL tickets go on sale when the ticket office opens at 3:30 race day.