Trackside Tidbits, by Debi Domby
Trackside Tidbits, by Debi Domby
After qualifying, which Root was the fast qualifier and Hantz was relegated to a 14th place starting position because of a broken hub, the duo was tied at the top of the standings. The inversion was 11, which put the points leaders within a couple positions of each other ... and the race for the championship was on.
There was racing all throughout the event with third place pointsman, Harold Fair Jr., leading the first 43 laps before being passed by Paul Pelletier. Root soon moved into second and battled with Pelletier for the lead. The pair had built up a straightway lead on the now third place Hantz by the time caution number six flew when Brent Jack and Ron Allen tangled. It was a caution that involved both Pelletier and Root, and saw both cars receiving front-end damage after sliding into Jack. There were several lapped cars between Root and Hantz, but Scott made quit work of them and when the final caution flew on lap 97 the pair were nose to tail for the restart. The final three laps the duo battled, with Hantz trying everything to get around Root ... whoever finished higher would be this year's champion. Hantz got a nose under Root's car several times, but he couldn't complete the pass. In the end Root finished second and was crowned the Allegiant Air Gold Cup champion for the second year in a row. Pelletier went on to win his first Gold Cup feature.
This year the championship was a nail-biter for Mike Root and his crew. He was tied with Scott Hantz going into the feature. Things seemed to be going along great for Root the first 93 laps, then Brent Jack and Ron Allen spun right as the leaders, Paul Pelletier and Root were about to lap them. Both drivers slid into the melee and received front-end damage.
The car was just not the same after that. And then the final scare in the battle for the championship happened with three to go when Hantz was able to catch up to Root and was on his tail for the restart of the final caution. The pair raced tightly and cleanly with Root winning the championship by the narrowest of margin, five points, the closest points finish for the Gold Cup since 2002 (Harold Fair Jr. over Ron Allen). "Guess winning the championship by five points is as good as winning it by 100. Whoever won the race was going to win the championship. It was nice to have a good battle for the championship and we won a race this year. Glad Scott (Hantz) was able to run the full season this year. After the accident something was wrong with the front end because it wouldn't turn. I want to thank all my sponsors Universal Graphic Solutions, Creatingaccents.com, Renegade, Amsoil, Ace Auto Body, Extreme Images and Buck the Dog," said the two-time Gold Cup Champion.
Scott Hantz came up one position short for the championship, the first time he's raced the entire Gold Cup Series. "(Car owner) Dick Poe would be proud of us. We lost him last week. Third is as good as a win. We broke the hub in qualifying so starting back in 14th didn't help. I had fun racing here this year. Dick's wife Jackie said that the team would continue to operate. I want to thank my crew and sponsors EMF Corp., Indiana Wire Assemblies," said the driver from Pleasant Lake, Ind. The third place tied his best finish at the track.
"The (bent) sheetmetal doesn't matter. I want to thank my sponsors Detroit Tube Mill, Fight XC Cage Fighting, ABC Plumbing, Dusty's Collision, Exotic Automation, Berringer Law and all the fans for being here. It's really easy to watch in the mirror, everyone behind me. I had a lot of fun racing these guys," said Pelletier, who won his first Gold Cup feature (and his second of the season at Flat Rock). After the race the team found five 1/8th inch grooves carved into his right front tire.
Fourth went to Harold Fair Jr., who's having a feast or famine type of season. "Getting kind of disgusted with the year. The only car we had left was a bent up one and I paid for it tonight. We'll have a new one together for Glass City," said the driver of the Royal Truck and Trailer, Performance Racing Engine #71. Fair, the 2001, 2007 and 2008 Gold Cup champion finished third in the points this season.
Running only his second race of the season, Dave Kuhlman, one of two Giles Automotive cars in the race, came in fourth. "We were out last week, but that was a disaster. We worked really hard this week on the car and went back to an old set up. Don't know what happened with these tires. But I had a blast out there. Thanks everyone for their support," said Kuhlman.
Twenty-nine cars were on hand tonight. Those not transferring to the feature were: Rookie Jimmy Alvis, Dan Trosen Jr., Jason Burkhart, Paul Calo and Corey Whitely who had fuel pickup problems.
The race got off to an shaky start with eight cars tangling in between turns one and two. The race was red flagged for clean up and everyone was able to make repairs and rejoin the race. Only three cars were out at the end of the event. Ricky Kargel had mechanical problems, Jimmy Theil, handling problems and Brent Jack was involved in a late race accident. There were 12 cars on the lead lap.
Don Burkhart made his first Gold Cup race, finishing 14th, one lap down. "I'm real happy with the finish," said the sophomore driver.
Chad Guinn won his third feature event of the season. "I really wanted this win. My last win was car owner Bill Meade's 85th ARCA win as a car owner and tonight's his 86th win, which is the same as the car number," said Guinn.
Rich Frantz finished second, his best finish of the year. "We found some issues last week, and it obviously made the difference by correcting them. Thanks to Nick and Shannon for really workin hard this week...Two 16 year olds for a crew ... go figure!!"
Billy Cronce II won his second career Street Stock B division feature. "That was a fun race, lots of action for the fans. I was surprised when everyone got tied up in turn 1 and 2 and a hole opened up, so I took it. My car was pushing really bad but the motor was running really strong for some reason. We got looked at in Tech after the race, and everything was fine.If we don't get the championship this year it won't be from a lack of trying. I'm just proud, everyone we're running with is a past champion, and we can keep up. My crew has been awesome and everyone's been very supportive, helping out were they can. Jim and Becky Alvis (late model #64) have been a great help. I also want to thank Its Blossom Florist, thanks to them we'll be able to finish out the year. Well, we got 4 more races to go..Hopefully the racing Gods keep smiling on us."
Greg Studt won his third feature win in a row at Flat Rock. I've only been keep tracks of wins since 2006 but the hat trick's only happened twice before ... last year, Randy DiMaggio and Jimmy Rae won three A and B mains, respectively. "I can get used to this... Winning on Butch Giles Memorial night means a lot to me. Butch did a lot for me and my family ... sponsoring me (1997-1999) and my dad (1993-1999). The car's been running great lately.
Thanks to Billy, Greg and Rich for sending me a note.
Three drivers made their first starts of the year. Two are brand new drivers, the other returns after several years absence.
Nick Grzesik made his first street stock start. He comes from the enduro ranks and also drove a couple Factory Stock races at Toledo. Nick has the car formerly driven by Chris Burkhart.
Also making his first start in a Street Stock is Dennis Hensel. Dennis comes from the 4 cylinder class where he has a few heat wins a couple years ago. He missed all of last year building his street stock.
Returning after a three year absence is Craig Lange. Craig is driving the car formerly piloted by Tony Camilli.
Brad Wyatt won his first career Street Stock win tonight. Brad drove in the Dwarf Car division for two or three years. He hopes to move up to the Late Model Division soon.
Troy Brehmer posted his career fastest lap ... 13.711.
If you'd like to send me a note on your night, send me an email at icechips@hotmail.com or send me a message on Facebook.