Allen Tunes Up for Flat Rock Late Model Showdown
Allen Tunes Up for Flat Rock Late Model Showdown

(FLAT ROCK, Mich. - July 24, 2010) - Driving the Giles Auto Body No. 88, Ron Allen tuned up for next weekend's Butch Giles Memorial 100 with his win in the 50-lap ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Model feature on All Sport Night at Flat Rock Speedway. Dan Ford Jr., Steve Chartrand, Greg Studt, and Levi Rouster all picked up feature wins. The track staff worked right up until practice to get rid of the water from Friday night's heavy storms, and just as the program ended, the rain returned Saturday evening.
With just one yellow flag in the Late Model feature, the pace was quick throughout. Allen darted out from his pole position and stayed there the entire distance. Current point leader Paul Pelletier shadowed Allen for most of the distance and came home second. Fast qualifier Eric Lee (11.704 seconds) was third, Joe Hawes continued his solid runs with a fourth-place finish, and Dennis Strickland was fifth. Royce Cornett, Nick Grodi, Matthew Bullock, Donald Burkhart, and Stan Yee Jr. completed the top ten. The heat race winners were Cornett, Donald Burkhart, and his brother, Jason Burkhart. Four-time Flat Rock champ Dave Kuhlman made his first appearance of 2010 and experienced mechanical problems throughout the night.
After a tough two weeks, Dan Ford Jr. returned to winning form by taking the victory in the 25-lap ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock A Main feature. Rookie Josh Bunting led the event and was strong out front, but Ford moved steadily up on the leaders, taking the lead with just under 10 laps to go and grabbing the checkered flag over Bunting, Chad Guinn, Rob Moore, Frank Jiovani, Tadek Stadniczuk, Jeremy Vanderhoof, Rich Frantz, Jeff Kurzyniec, and Steve Prucnell. Former B Main champ Steve Chartrand took top honors in the 15-lap B Main, topping James Rae, Billy Cronce, Lonnie York, Kyle Metdepenningen, Anthony Camilli, Jimmy Little, and Shonda Harbin. Vanderhoof, at the wheel of the Harold Davis Jr. No. 129, set fast time at 13.498 seconds. Camilli led the B cars at 14.543 seconds. The heat race winners were Stadniczuk, Kurzyniec, Paul Duffin, and Rae.
Two-time champ Greg Studt made it two in a row by notching the win in the 20-lap ARCA Figure 8 contest. Studt, locked in a great chase with current point leader Jeremy Vanderhoof for the 2010 track title, scored his second win in a row this season at "The Rock." Troy Herrmann took second, Vanderhoof was third, Dennis Whisman fourth and Jerry Lee fifth, followed by Anthony Terris, James Rae, Sam Hall, Jeremy Fragassi, Chuck Pankow, and Stephanie Bradley. Vanderhoof's quick time was 20.617 seconds. Vanderhoof grabbed the heat race win.
The Michigan Legends Car Series made their first of two visits to Flat Rock Saturday night, with a solid 19-car field on hand. Levi Rouster likes Flat Rock and it showed Saturday as he powered his way to the win in the 30-lap main event. Brian Nuckles, Brandon Mahoney, Tony Monge, Sean McPherson, John Turnbull Jr., Ben Rouster, Matt Todd, Loren Short, and Keera Allen completed the top 10. Todd, Chance Rice, and Nuckles collected the heat wins.
Saturday, July 31 is the date for the Butch Giles Memorial 100 for the ARCA Allegiant Air Late Model Gold Cup Series. Flat Rock will host the fifth and final leg of the 2010 Gold Cup events, with the race named in the honor of Giles, who passed away early this year. Giles was a car owner and sponsor at the track for over 20 years. A field of 25-35 Late Models is expected for the 100-lap contest. The race pays $2000 to win and $425 to start for the 24-car field. Indiana native Scott Hantz leads Mike Root by just 15 points going into Saturday night, and both drivers are entered for the race. The track's Figure 8 and DTS Drive Train Specialists will also be in action.
The pits open at 1:30, practice begins at 3, time trials are set for 5, and racing begins at 7 p.m. All tickets will go on sale at 3 p.m. when the front gate and ticket office open. The adult ticket price has been reduced to $16 each, with children 6-14 $3, and those under 6 admitted free. The track phone number is 734-782-2480. Log on to http://www.arcaracing.com/ for further information.