Toledo Speedway

(FLAT ROCK, Michigan - August 10, 2013) - Phil Bozell, making his first-ever start at Flat Rock Speedway, nosed by Harold Fair Jr. with 10 laps to go, setting up another incredible finish as 4 cars resembling a 4 car dash battled to the wire in the Joy Fair Memorial-Stan Yee Memorial 150, sponsored by Moran Chevrolet and Diamond Racing Products.  Bozell had enough to nip Terry
Senneker, Fair Jr. and Dennis Strickland to win the event, which saw the first 83 laps run without a yellow flag.

As was the case in the 2012 edition of this race, which saw Mike Root pass 2 cars on the high side in the closing laps, this story cannot properly describe this 150 lap classic.  It’s very simple—ask anyone that witnessed this race, which was leg number 5 of the Glass City Gold Cup Series.

Members of the Fair and Yee family presented the Gold Cups and trophy to Phil in the Sun Drop Winners Circle.  A large crowd turned out to fill the Joy Fair Grandstand and witnessed tremendous competition, as 42 cars were on hand for the prestigious race, which has become one of the “can’t miss” Late Model races in the area.

The Fair Memorial, which was originally scheduled for 100 laps, was rained out June 22 and again July 6.  The Yee Memorial fell victim to rain July 27, and with the 2013 schedule winding down, the 2 Memorial events were reset and combined into 1 race for Saturday, honoring Joy Fair and Stan Yee Sr.

Senneker, also making his initial start at Flat Rock, started things off by setting the Diamond Racing Products Fast Time at 11:576 and earning $333 for that lap.  A pair of last-chance races were very exciting for the final transfer spots, as the top 2 moved into the 150 to make up the 25 car field.  Nick Bailey won the first 15 lap event, and the battle between Ron Allen and Steve Cronenwett Sr. kept things exciting, with Allen just getting by Steve to make the feature field.  Don St. Denis, Joe Hawes, Dan Trosen Jr., Michael Simko, Brian Richards and Larry Smouthers were next in line.

The 2^nd last chance race saw a similar pattern to the first race as Mike Root, last year’s 150 winner,  led every lap for the win in the 15 lap race.  A great drive by Craig Everage, using the outside lane, got him into the race as he just inched out Paul Hahn for that final spot.  Chris Benson, Jeff Vrsek, Jeff Plumb, Brad Turner, Paul Calo, Derrick Sheppard, Scott McKenzie and Scot Bunge followed.  The Gold Cup point provisional was Scott Hantz, while Paul Pelletier and Jimmy Alvis were the Flat Rock provisionals.

Brad Riethmeyer, in Bob Fox’s #56 and Phil Bozell made up the front row with the 10 car inversion for the 150.  Brad, another first-timer at Flat Rock, was very impressive as he pretty much stayed in the high groove and led the first 38 laps.  In what was to be 83 laps of non-stop action, the field raced hard and clean, dicing back and forth for position.  Dakota Carlson took up the challenge and became the second leader of the night, taking the point on lap 39.  Dakota set a torrid pace, eventually catching Senneker and a host of other cars at the tail end of the lead lap.  That group of cars put on a show trying to stay on the lead lap.  At lap 50, the top 10 was Carlson, Riethmeyer, Bozell, Justin Schroeder, Fair Jr., Strickland, Scott Pemberton, Terry Bogusz, Stan Yee Jr. and Senneker.

Carlson kept the pressure on those cars for the next 33 laps, as some changes in the running order in the top 10 changed a bit, with again great action the name of the game.  At the lap 75 half-way mark, it was Carlson, Riethmeyer, Bozell, Fair Jr., Strickland, Schroeder, Pemberton, Bogusz, Yee and Eric Lee.

The first yellow at lap 83 saw Bogusz and Yee spin, with both drivers going to the tail and rejoining the battle.  On the restart, Jimmy Alvis got crossed up and tagged the backstretch wall.  Brent Jack had no place to go and was collected in the incident, ending his night.  On the next restart, Riethmeyer wanted the lead back and took it from Carlson on lap 85.  Fair Jr. jumped into the lead trio, went to the outside of Carlson and then Riethmeyer and stole the lead on lap 91.  The tremendous racing action continued and at lap 100, the top 10 consisted of Fair, Riethmeyer, Carlson, Bozell, Strickland, Pemberton, Lee, Senneker, Hantz (from 23^rd) and Pelletier (from 24^th).

The final yellow flag of the night came out on lap 109, erasing a nearly-straightaway lead that Fair Jr. had built up.  Harold took off again on the restart and it appeared that he was headed to the victory.  Bozell had moved into second at lap 125, with Senneker now up to third.  It still appeared that Fair Jr.  had everything in control, but, this is the 150…….

With 15 to go, Fair Jr.’s lead began to disappear.  Dennis Strickland had now closed in also, chasing down Bozell and Senneker.  That trio continued to erase the lead of Fair Jr., setting up an absolutely stunning 4 car dash-style final 10 laps.  With Fair’s tires pretty much used up, the battle was on!  Bozell went to the high side, Senneker to the low side and Strickland right on their bumpers!  With 7 to go, the top 4 had the crowd cheering.  Bozell and Fair Jr. were door to door, and Senneker got into the rear bumper of Fair, but both held on as Phil charged by With the checkered flag raised, Phil Bozell grabbed the huge win, with Senneker second, Fair Jr. third, Strickland fourth and Nick Bailey, who passed several cars in the final 50 laps, came home fifth.  Carlson, Hantz, Pelletier, Andy Bozell and Pemberton completed the top ten.

Yee Jr., Lee, Riethmeyer, Steve Cronenwett Jr., Schroeder, Frank Jiovani, Root, Brian Clay, Ron Allen, Bogusz, Jim Bailey, Jack, Alvis, Derek Wiley and Everage completed the finishing order.

Dan Apperson had a smile for the crowd, as his victory in the 20 lap ARCA Parts Galore Figure 8 feature made up for a tough season for the Carleton, MI driver.  Dan led every lap enroute to his win.  Robbie Loving applied the pressure in the final laps and had to settle for second, with Billy Earley third, Jeremy Vanderhoof fourth and Greg Studt fith, followed by Dennis Whisman, Danny Gaddis, Jerry Lee, Randy Roberts, Ian Jezylo, Stephanie Bradley and John Lambert.  Studt set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts quick time with a lap of 20:847.

Ron Allen, doing double duty, took top honors with his win in the 50 lap ARCA ACME Dismantling Sportsman feature.  The division, which competes at Toledo, made their second appearance of the season at Flat Rock.  Kyle DeLisle Jr. put on the pressure in the late stages of the event and ended up second, Chad Guinn was third, Jim Froling fourth and Kenny McKay Jr. fifth, followed by Greg Stilwell, Norm Lewallen, Chad Stilwell, Jeff Myers Jr., Tommy O’Leary, David Frantz, Rich Abel, Brian Pelkey, Dan Grigsby, Andy Harding and Mike Young.  Young was running up front until mechanical woes ended his night.  DeLisle Jr. set fast time at 13:226.

Saturday, August 17 race fans will get the chance to meet NASCAR driver David Stremme at Flat Rock Speedway and get his autograph!  On the track, the ARCA/CRA Super Series Late Models will compete in the 7-Up 125 lap feature for the stock-bodied cars.  The track’s Parts Galore Figure 8’s and DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks will also be in action.  Race time is 7 p.m.