Toledo Speedway

Flat Rock, Michigan—May 8, 2012:  In the year 1961, John Marcum sanctioned and promoted races across the Midwest.  Joan Simmons was the promoter at Flat Rock Speedway.  Joan had mentioned to Marcum about a race called a Figure 8.  Marcum, in Indiana to promote one of his many oval track races, saw the race that day.  The two icons of the industry put things together, Marcum became the promoter at Flat Rock that next year, and, in 1962, Figure 8 racing at Flat Rock Speedway was born. 

And from that day on, Figure 8 racing became a mainstay at Flat Rock Speedway.  The track will officially celebrate 50 years of Figure 8 racing this Saturday, May 12 as Parts Galore presents Autograph Night and the celebration of 50 years of Figure 8’s at “The Rock”.  A 50 lap feature for the Parts Galore-sponsored Figure 8 cars will be contested on the Figure 8 course to highlight this historic event. (Bob Studt, #54, with Denny Pace, #67 in 1974)

The ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Models and DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock divisions will also be in action Saturday, which includes Autograph Night and a Racer’s Reunion for all former Flat Rock racers.  Fans can walk onto the track from 6:15-7 p.m. to meet the current Flat Rock drivers, with the introduction of all former racers to take place at 7 p.m., just prior to the start of the race events. I

In its infancy, Figure 8 racing was pure entertainment, something that still holds true today.  While the cars have evolved, the division still provides heart-pounding, incredible excitement lap after lap as the cars cross at the intersection at speed!  Today, Flat Rock Speedway is one of just a handful of tracks that offer Figure 8 racing as a weekly division of race car. 

SIMMONS-STUDT-HALL—TOP 3 WINNERS TO BE AT FLAT ROCK 

Fans will be able to honor Flat Rock’s top 3 in all-time Figure 8 feature wins this Saturday night.  Bob Studt, Dick “Little Richard’ Simmons and Chuck Hall are all expected to be at the track for the 50^th celebration. 

Flat Rock’s all-time Figure 8 feature race winner is Bob Studt, a 13-time division champion at the track and the owner of 115 checkered flags.  As with many of the drivers, their sons have followed in their footsteps in the Figure 8 class.  Bob’s son, Greg, is a current competitor in the class and has 2 Figure 8 titles and a Late Model championship to his credit. 

One of the early heroes of the division was Dick “Little Richard” Simmons.  A native of the Plymouth/Livonia, MI area, just north of the track, Simmons was the first champion of the class, the first of 6 track titles for the driver of the famed red and white #771.  Joan Simmons was “Little Richard’s wife.  Dick was also one of the top Super 6 drivers in the area, an oval track class that featured the 6 cylinder engine in the 1970’s.  (Little Richard, left, track announcer Howard Williams, Joan Simmons, 1971)

 Simmons is planning to make the trip from his home in Florida for Saturday’s event.  His son, Billy, also a Figure 8 feature winner at Flat Rock and the 1983 Michigan State Figure 8 champion, will also be on hand at Flat Rock.

 “Little Richard” also captured the World Figure 8 title at the Islip, NY Speedway, a feat also accomplished by fellow Figure 8 king Chuck Hall in later years (Car #5).   Many of the Flat Rock Figure 8 drivers and teams made the annual trip east to New York for the race, which was featured on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” in the 1970’s. 

Simmons is second on the all-time win list with 67 wins and 6 crowns, Hall garnered 55 on his way to 6 championships, while the late Dennis Pace captured 49 victories and 5 titles.  Current Figure 8 racer Dennis Whisman rounds out the top 5 in the all-time win category with 44 to go along with his 5 championship belts. 

The class has also groomed several drivers who went on to become notable Late Model drivers and champions, even moving into the ARCA and NASCAR Stock car ranks during their careers.  And it all began in the Figure 8 division…..the likes of the late John Anderson and Jerry Makara became big-time Late Model drivers in the 1970’s and 1980’s after their careers began in the Figure 8 division.   

The Figure 8 division also has a 3-generation family—Dempsey Apperson, who is still a car owner, his son, Dan, and Dan’s son, Scott.  All 3 are expected to be at the track, with Dan and Scott in competition for the 50^th Anniversary event. 

Practice begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, time trials are at 4:45, the on-track autograph session is set for 6:15 and the introduction of all former racers on hand will begin at 7 p.m. 

Fans are encouraged to arrive early to meet the drivers who have criss-crossed at the intersection at Flat Rock Speedway for all of 50 years—known today as the “Motor City Madmen”—the Figure 8 drivers! 

A special collection of nearly 200 photos will be included with the track’s lucky number souvenir program for this special event.  The track phone number is 734-782-2480. 

Log onto www.flatrockspeedway.com for all information.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on Twitter @flatrockspeed.  Flat Rock Speedway is located on Telegraph Road, 1 mile south of Flat Rock and 5 minutes from I-75 or I-275.