Toledo Speedway

(FLAT ROCK, Mich. - August 14, 2010) - Stoney Creek Auto Parts Autograph Night at Flat Rock Speedway Saturday evening was a hit with the fans, as the track's race teams treated them with photos, souvenirs and goodies.  NASCAR driver David Ragan also signed autographs for over an hour.  Kevin Butzin, doing double duty as race night sponsor and Late Model competitor, presented the trophies to feature winners Paul Pelletier, Dan Ford Jr., Steve Chartrand and Gary Cronenwett.

Current point leader Paul Pelletier continued his great season, taking the win in the 50 lap ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Model feature event.  With just 1 yellow, the pace was hectic from the start.  Paul rolled a 3 for the inversion, which gave Joe Hawes the pole.  Joe zoomed out front on the green, with fellow front row starter Ron Allen and Pelletier in his tracks.  Paul got by Allen in lapped traffic and on lap 14 took control  of the event and sailed away to the win.  A great battle for spots 2-7 kept things interesting with Hawes holding on to 2nd, third was Allen and fourth to Ricky Kargel, followed by Stan Yee Jr., Dennis Strickland, Royce Cornett, Nick Grodi, Dan Trosen Jr. and Jeff MacZink.  Pelletier's fast time for the 21 car field was a lap of 11:735.  Strickland, rookie Jim Alvis and Donald Burkhart took heat race wins. 

The best race of the night had the fans on their feet as Dan Ford Jr. just nipped James Hazlett to win the 25 lap ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock A Main contest.  Hazlett took the lead from his pole starting spot, with Dave Tanner in pursuit.  Tanner took a couple of looks high and low but to no avail as the race moved quickly along, slowed by 2 short yellow flag periods.  Ford Jr., the defending track champ and current point leader, got up in the high groove and worked his way to the front.  With 5 to go, Ford Jr. got by Clyde McKee and Harold Davis Jr., moving into third spot.  With 2 to go, Tanner was next as Ford wheeled his machine into second spot. On the white flag lap, Hazlett and Ford were dead even crossing the stripe. Dan nosed out front going down the back chute, but a determined Hazlett dove hard into turn 3 and pulled even.  Out of turn 4, Ford slipped just a bit, Hazlett put the pedal down and Ford just nosed out a valiant run by Hazlett to claim the victory by less than ½ a car length.  Tanner was third, Davis fourth and McKee fifth, with Chad Guinn, Tim Moore, Danny Slater, Josh Bunting and Scott Selmi next in line to complete the top ten. 

Flat Rock resident Steve Chartrand topped Michael Kieffer, James Rae, Lonnie York and Anthony Camilli on his way to victory in the 15 lap DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock B Main.  The race was stopped on lap 5 when newcomer Grant Hedges and Jimmy Little tangled.  The wrecker crews had to pull apart the pair and both rejoined the race.  Glenn Gregg, first-time racer Jeff Luttermoser, Little, Chris Diovardi and Nick Grzesik rounded out the top ten.  Ford Jr. set fast time for the 39 car field at 13:404.  Diovardi was fast man for the B cars at 14:172.  Heat race winners were Tanner, Steve Prucnell, Jim Selmi and Kieffer .  Hedges and Shonda Harbin also notched heat wins, their first checkered flags at Flat Rock.

Third-generation driver Gary Cronenwett led every lap to take his 2^nd win of 2010 in the 20 lap ARCA Figure 8 feature race.  The 17 car field provided plenty of intersection action and a red flag.  The race was halted when Robbie Loving and Jerry Lee got involved with a pack of cars, and Lee ended up on top of the fender of Randy Roberts.  On the restart, Cronenwett held his lead all the way to the checkered flag.  Greg Studt was second, point leader Jeremy Vanderhoof was third, Dennis Whisman fourth and Anthony Terris fifth, followed by Troy Herrmann, James Rae, Loving, Chuck Pankow and Sam Hall.  Terris and Chris Cox took the heat wins.  Vanderhoof posted fast time with a lap of 20:656 on the Figure 8 track.

Flat Rock Speedway presents Kid's Night next Saturday, August 21.  ALL kids to age 14 are admitted FREE and receive a free hot dog, chips and a drink, courtesy of Sherwood Foods, Bar S Hot Dogs, Seyfert's Snacks and the Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group.  Parents are reminded to pick up their kids ticket/food voucher at the ticket office upon arrival to the track. 

UAW Local 3000 will sponsor the night of racing, featuring the Figure 8's, Street Stocks and 4 Cylinders.  ALL tickets go on sale at 4 p.m. race day.

The pit area opens at 3 p.m., practice begins at 4, time trials are at 5:30 and racing begins at 7 p.m.  Flat Rock Speedway is located on Telegraph Road, just 5 minutes from I-75 or I-275.  Log onto www.flatrockspeedway.com for further information.