Toledo Speedway

(FLAT ROCK, Michigan - August 6, 2011) - A pair of rain showers and the continued threat of more rain didn’t stop Flat Rock Speedway from completing its race card Saturday night.  Chris Bailey Jr. took the 100 lap ARCA Truck Series win, Jeff Metdpenningen was victorious in the 250 lap Enduro race, Brad Turner was the winner of the ARCA Jeff’s Collision 4 Cylinder main and the brother duo of Rayce/Kyle Metdpenningen captured the Figure 8 Train feature event.

The first rain hit the track at 3 p.m. as the pit area was opening its gates.  Despite the 45 minute shower, the track dried quickly and practice began as scheduled at 5.  The next hit of weather occurred just as the 21 ARCA Truck Series field was getting ready to stage their trucks for the 100 lap contest at 6:45.  The rain shower only lasted 10 minutes, but pushed back the start of the race about 35 minutes. 

The trucks were returning to Flat Rock after rain wiped out the May 28 event.  Both track management and the Truck Series officials worked together to get things going when the track was finally ready for racing.  When the green flag dropped, Kenny Kirsch zoomed out front in the early stages of the 100 lap feature for the ARCA Truck Series.  Mike Young, Ash Hawkins and Chris Bailey Jr. chased Kirsch through the first 50 laps of the event.  Local favorite Paul Hahn was on the move, coming up through the pack after pitting on one of several yellow flags.  On lap 62, Kirsch and Bailey tangled, allowing Chris to slide into the lead, while Kirsch dropped back in the pack.  The youngster Bailey stayed in command and scored his big win over Young, Hahn, Shawn Szep, Rick Groetch, Chad Poorman, Hawkins, Bob Mikolajcyzk, Brad Yunker and Brandon Huff.

The 250 lap Enduro race ran with just 1 red flag as Jeff Metdpenningen sailed to the victory and the $1000 top prize.  Heavy traffic was the norm for much of the contest as 21 of the 28 car field were still on the track when the checkered flag dropped.  Jeff took off on the start and grabbed the lead with defending champ Jeff Maran, Danny Bennett, Rick McColl, Robb Remick and Matt Ringger the top 6 for the first half of the event.  On lap 160, Maran pitted with a front end issue and never returned, giving Metdpenningen an even bigger advantage over the field.  Remick had now moved into 2^nd spot, with Ringger and McColl in close quarters and all 3 on the same lap, but behind the leader by 2 circuits.  Jeff maintained his steady pace, worked traffic with patience and grabbed the win over Remick, Matt Ringger, Danny Bennett, Jeff Rohde, Brian Ringger, Derrick Sheppard, Rick Bennett, Jeff Braun and Bobby Hugo.  Round 3 of the 4 race Enduro Series is set for Saturday, September 17.

Brad Turner started 11^th, avoided the fender-banging and cruised to victory in the 20 lap ARCA Jeff’s Collision 4 Cylinder main event.  Rookie Jeff Wells led the first 9 laps until Turner broke loose and moved to the front.  Brad then sailed away to the win over Ray McClure, Mike Bershback, David Price, Wells, David Katafiasz, Katie Coseo, Billy Cronce III, newcomer Joe Appal, Scott Marshall and Doug Beasley.  McClure set fast time at 15:092.

Not to be outdone by their dad, Kyle and Rayce Metdpenningen entered their first Figure 8 Train race and took the victory in the 12 lap contest and the $750 top prize.  Both of Jeff’s sons have competed at Flat Rock in the Street Stock division, and the duo put their driving skills to work, holding off a last-lap challenge by Tom O’Leary IV/Kenny McKay to grab the win.  Spinning cars, close calls at the intersection and just plain wild, crazy action dominated the race of 9 train teams!  Howard Kelley Jr./Tom O’Leary Jr. took third, Charlie Williams/Jim Brazeau were fourth and Lonnie York/Thad Finley took fifth, followed by Adam Plonski/James McClure, Allen Bland Jr./Scott Apperson, Trina Apperson/Amanda Bland and Carl Dickey/Andy Holly.

The ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Models, Parts Galore Figure 8’s and DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks return to action next Saturday, August 13 for Leppen Chiropractic/UAW Local 3000 Autograph Night.  Race fans can walk onto the track and meet the drivers at 6:15, with racing set to start at 7 p.m.  The track will also host its annual United Way of Monroe County fundraiser outing.

Flat Rock Speedway is located on Telegraph Road, 5 minutes from I-75 or I-275.  The track phone number is 734-782-2480.  For further information, log onto www.flatrockspeedway.com.