Toledo Speedway

(FLAT ROCK, Michigan - June 16, 2012) - A huge crowd ventured to Flat Rock Speedway Saturday night for the Pizza Hut School Bus Figure 8 races.  The fans were treated to a tremendous race card, with action and excitement the name of the game.  Ray “The Animal” Gaddis survived to win the School Bus Figure 8 feature, 13-year old Grant Quinlen drove like a veteran to win the Michigan Legends feature, Gary Cronenwett came out on top in the wild ARCA Parts Galore Figure 8 feature, the team of Tom O’Leary IV/Jim Brazeau took the Figure 8 Train race and Ray McClure was the victor in the ARCA 4 Cylinder main event.

The School Bus Figure 8 feature was just what the fans wanted—fireworks, action, hard crashes and Steve Chartrand’s bus getting over on its side, with the assist from fellow Figure 8 driver Billy Earley.  The crowd roared as Chartrand emerged from his bus and did an interview on the front straight as the track was cleared for more action.  Gaddis stayed out front on the restart but was stopped several laps later when Jack “The Knife” Franzil delivered a crushing blow to Danny Gaddis at the intersection.  The rear end in the Gaddis bus was destroyed and Franzil was done after the radiator exploded in his bus.  Robbie Loving chased down Ray Gaddis in the final laps and with only 2 buses left, Gaddis withstood some hard fender crashing with Robbie to take the win.  Loving, Franzil, Danny Gaddis, Stephanie Bradley, Dennis Whisman, Earley and Chartrand were next in line in the finish.  Bus sponsors were Pizza Hut, Suburban Oil, Sportway Go-Karts/Batting Cages/Mini Golf, Toledo Speedway Automotive, Grillers Select BBQ Sauce, Parts Galore and Jim’s Butcher Shop.

While the 30 lap Michigan Legends Car feature race winner was an unknown to many going into the Flat Rock race, he now has a fan following!  13-year old Grant Quinlen wowed the big crowd and received a thunderous applause when he emerged from his race car to accept the trophy for his first-ever feature race win.  Quinlen challenged John Turnbull Jr. for the lead and the duo battled hard as Grant snuck by for the win.  Turnbull Jr., Tony Monge, Loren Short, Chance Rice, Matt Todd, Rick Kilbourn, Sean McPherson, Rob Fire and Tyler Turner completed the top ten.  Todd and Turnbull took the heat wins.

Chalk up win number 2 of 2012 for Gary Cronenwett as he powered his #08 to victory in the 20 lap ARCA Parts Galore Figure 8 feature.  With a full inversion, the action was fast and hectic as the pack battled.  Gary nosed out front in the early stages of the race, while Billy Earley made his way up to do battle with the leader with 8 laps to go.  The duo dipped in and out of traffic, narrowly avoiding several wrecks at the intersection as the “Motor City Madmen” put on a fabulous show for the fans.  With 2 to go and the lead pair bearing down on a lapped car, Earley made his move.  Billy swung high, Cronenwett stayed low and picked the right spot as he stayed in command for the win over Earley, Danny Gaddis, Robbie Loving, Jerry Lee, Jeremy Miller, Greg Studt, Dennis Whisman, Sam Hall and Allen Bland Jr.  Whisman ended up on top of the wall in turn 1 of the Figure 8 track on the last lap while battling with Lee for position.  The pair banged wheels, sending Whisman’s left front wheel on the wall.  Miller and Scott Apperson captured the heat race wins.  Gaddis set quick time at 20:710.

The 12 lap Figure 8 Train race victory went to Tom O’Leary IV/Jim Brazeau.  The race featured plenty of door slamming and spins throughout the contest.  Adam Plonski/James McClure took second, Andy Holley/Scott Apperson third, Rayce Metdpennigen/Ben Blair fourth and Paul Duffin/Bill Carberry fifth.  Howard Kelley Jr./Tom O’Leary III and Tom O’Leary Jr./Wayne Peterson were next in the final order.

Local resident Ray McClure withstood several challenges on his way to his first win of 2012 in the 20 lap ARCA 4 Cylinder main event.  Fast qualifier and heat race winner Chris Metdpenningen (14:531) challenged Ray at the lap 10 mark, but faded and dropped out of the race.  Jeff Wells Jr. and Brad Turner then took up the charge but McClure was strong out front and grabbed the victory.  Wells was second, Turner third, David Price fourth and David Katafiasz fifth, followed by Chris Pauwels, Billy Cronce III and Metdpenningen.

Saturday, June 23 is a very special event at Flat Rock Speedway.  The Diamond Racing Products Joy Fair Memorial 100 is scheduled, in tribute to the legendary Joy Fair.  Joy passed away in December of 2011.  The 10-time Flat Rock champion and all-time feature win leader will be honored by fans, race teams and track management with this 100 lap race for the ARCA Allegiant Late Model Gold Cup Series.  The ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Model field is expected to draw 25-30 cars for this prestigious event.  Members of Joy’s family will be on hand and a special commemorative program with photos of Fair is being produced.

The track’s Parts Galore Figure 8’s and DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks will also be in action.  The pit area will open at 1:30, practice begins at 3, time trials are at 5 and racing begins at 7 p.m.  ALL tickets will go on sale at 3 p.m. race day at the track.  Fans may purchase their tickets online at www.flatrockspeedway.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on Twitter @flatrockspeed.