Toledo Speedway

Flat Rock, MI  (5-1-10)--  7 Up and Corrigan Oil Opening Night at Flat Rock Speedway brought the ¼ mile paved oval back to life for the new season Saturday.  Eric Lee, Billy Earley, Rob Moore, Paul Duffin and David Price claimed the main event wins on an unusually warm evening for the first week of May.  The track also paid tribute to our military personnel with Armed Forces Appreciation Night, hosting both active and retired members as guests of the speedway.

The 50 lap ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Model feature overcame 1 re-start and then went the distance all green flag.  The field, which included several new drivers, did a great job the entire distance.  Brad Birr, at the wheel of Bob Ward’s #6, took the lead on the green and led for 9 laps.  Dennis Strickland, after repairing his car from a practice incident, darted into the lead on lap 10 and then battled with defending champ Eric Lee.  Lee, starting 9^th, reeled in the leader and on lap 26, took the high side and sailed to the point.  Eric mastered traffic the rest of the distance to claim the win.  Paul Pelletier, who overcame some sheet metal damage on the initial start, was the man on the move as he got back to second spot at the finish.  Third was Strickland, fourth was Royce Cornett and Ron Allen was fifth, followed by Kevin Butzin, Stan Yee Jr., Birr, Dan Trosen Jr. and rookie Jimmy Alvis.  Pelletier set quick time for the 19 car field at 11:792.  Chuck Lindenmuth, in his first Late Model race, captured the first heat, while Steve Peters took the fast heat. 

A wild 20 lap ARCA Figure 8 feature saw Billy Earley take the win after a lap 13 red flag when Dennis Whisman went to challenge Earley for the top spot.  Dennis got crossed up and crashed with Jimmy Rae, Anthony Terris and Greg Studt.  Terris, who led the first 9 laps, gave way to Earley on lap 10 and after the red, Billy took off to take the flag over Jerry Lee, Gary Cronenwett, Chuck Pankow, Jeremy Vanderhoof, Sam Hall, Stephanie Bradley, Terris, Nick Bradley and Whisman.  Vanderhoof set fast time at 20:596, with heat wins to Whisman and Stephanie Bradley. 

It took 4 shots to get a lap in for the ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock A Main, but when it happened, the race went green all the way for the 25 lap distance.  A great battle between brothers Rob and Tim Moore went on up front.  With 5 laps to go, the lead duo was joined by fast-closing Chad Guinn and 2009 king Dan Ford Jr.  The quartet battled tooth and nail to the wire as Rob held back Tim for the big win.  Guinn was impressive with his third place run, Ford Jr. was fourth and Jeff Kurzyniec fifth, followed by Dave Tanner, Tadek Stadniczuk, Clyde McKee, Mike Jaynes and Darrell Krause.  Paul Duffin staged a great battle with defending champ Anthony Camilli on his way to the win in the 15 lap B Main contest.  Jimmy Little led for 5 laps, Camilli took charge on lap 6 and Duffin finally nosed by Anthony on the final lap in the back chute for his win.  Jimmy Rae came on strong in the final laps to nip Camilli for second at the stripe.  Nick Bradley, Chris Diovardi, Kyle Metdepenningen, Michael Phillips, Little and Don Roberts finished in that order.  Heat race winners were Kurzyniec, Harold Davis Jr., Lonnie York, Duffin and Phillips.   Ford Jr. set quick time for the 37 cars at 13:362 and Chris Diovardi led the B Main at 14:440.

A first-time winner emerged in the ARCA 4 Cylinder feature as David Price just nosed out Brad Turner to grab his initial victory.  The duo battled for much of the 20 lap contest as David stayed in the low groove to stay in command.  Thomas Elmore and Taylor Baumann were next in line.  Turner’s fast time was 15:102. 

Saturday, May 8 the Late Models, Figure 8’s and Street Stocks will be in competition at Flat Rock Speedway on Glass Unlimited Night.  In honor of Mother’s Day, all moms will be admitted free when accompanied by a child and receive a free carnation.  It’s also All Faiths Night-just present your church bulletin at the ticket window and receive $5 off admission.  The track will also play host to the Racer’s Reunion.  The gates open at 5 and racing begins at 7 p.m.