Toledo Speedway

(FLAT ROCK, MI - August 17, 2013) - Angola, IN veteran Scott Hantz led only 3 laps, but they were the last 3 as he took the victory in the 7-Up 125 lap feature for the ARCA/CRA Super Series Late Models powered by Jeg’s Saturday night at Flat Rock Speedway.  The race saw an incredible run of 121 laps of straight green flag racing after a lap 1 yellow flag.  NASCAR driver David Stremme signed autographs and greeted fans at the track.

A 20 car field took the green flag and female star Ali Kern grabbed the lead.  Ali was impressive out front, working traffic to the high and low side and staying in the number 1 spot for the initial 40 laps.  The yellow came out after 1 circuit when Kenny Tweedy spun in turn 2.  The next 121 laps would run green, and with traffic and battles for position, the action was exciting all around the ¼ mile paved oval.

Brian Campbell began to make his run to the front and eventually caught Kern and zipped into the lead on lap 41, using the high groove.  Campbell stayed up top as he set a very quick pace.  Hantz got caught in race traffic, which slowed his progress in the early stages of the race. Fast qualifier and current ARCA/CRA point leader Travis Braden (12:183), steadily move up through the field from his 8^th starting spot.  The long stretch of green flag racing saw 4-time Flat Rock champ Eric Lee, Braden and Hantz stage a great battle for position, while Campbell motored out front. 

At 50 laps, it was Campbell, Braden, Kern, Rick Turner and Lee.  By lap 63, Hantz had climbed to the 4^th spot and got to 3^rd just 2 laps later.  Braden showed his speed as he closed to within 2 car lengths of Campbell by lap 76.  Things pretty much stayed the same, and at the lap 100 mark it was Campbell, Braden, Hantz, Lee and Kern.  With 8 laps to go, the lead duo of Campbell and Braden were nose to tail, as Brian continued to stay up in the 2^nd groove.  Braden dove low and the pair went door to door, as Travis nosed out front.  But in turn 4, Campbell nudged Braden, sending him into a spin and ending the tremendous stretch of green flag.  Both cars went to the tail.  Hantz, who was about a straight-away behind the leaders, now took the point and Lee took up the challenge.

The double-file restart gave Hantz the advantage as he zoomed away on the green at lap 122.  Lee’s car had worked well low, but with him up on the high side, both Kern and Turner dove under Eric on the final 2 laps to grab second and third, respectively.  Lee held on for fourth and Braden came back to take fifth, followed by Mike Stacy, Campbell, Jordan Sims, Michael Simko and Steve Dorer.  The top 7 cars finished on the lead lap.  Hantz is now 2 for 2 at Flat Rock in CRA events. 

Dan Ford Jr. returned to action, took the wheel of the #20 normally driven by Tadek Stadniczuk and nosed out Grant Hedges at the checkered flag to win the 25 lap ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock A Main.  The top 10 qualifiers had some young race fans draw for their starting positions.  Hedges got the number 1 pill, and the current point leader wasted no time in taking control of the race.  Ford Jr. steadily picked off car after car and made his winning charge in the closing stages and just edged out Grant for the victory.  Third was Rob Moore, fourth went to Landon Schuster and fifth was Scott Selmi, followed by Corey Duane, Rich Frantz, Craig Lange, Danny Bennett and Darrell Krause.  The 10 lap B Main saw Don Roberts wheel around Rich Abel and Wilburn Parks on the final lap when that duo tangled, allowing Don to take the win.  Hedges set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts quick time for the 27 car field at 13:624.  Rob Moore, Joe Haener, Jeff Luttermoser and Abel took the heat wins.

Dennis Whisman completed a big weekend, taking the victory in the 20 lap ARCA Parts Galore Figure 8 feature race.  Whisman also won at Toledo and took the Toledo track title Friday night.  His win Saturday was pressure-packed as “The Rebel” and his fellow competitors dodged each other at the intersection lap after lap.  Greg Studt was second, current point leader Jeremy Vanderoof third, Billy Earley was fourth and Jerry Lee fifth, followed by Dan Apperson, Randy Roberts, Ian Jezylo, Stephanie Bradley, Robbie Loving and Danny Gaddis.  Studt set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts fast time at 20:754, while Whisman and Gaddis notched heat race wins.

It’s Autograph Night and Kids Night Saturday, August 24 at Flat Rock Speedway!  Race fans can walk onto the track and meet the drivers!  All kids to age 14 will be admitted FREE and receive a free hot dog, chips and drink, courtesy of Sherwood Foods, Jim’s Butcher Shop, Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, Herr’s Potato Chips and Schwebel Baking Company.   Parents should pick up the kids ticket/food voucher at the ticket windows upon arrival to the track race day.  Please have the children present at the windows.

Leppen Chiropractic, Action Exteriors and UAW Local 3000 will sponsor the night of racing, with the ARCA Parts Galore Figure 8’s, DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks, 4 Cylinders, Michigan Legends and the TKC Go-Karts providing the family fun and entertainment.

The pit area opens at 3, practice begin at 4, time trials are at 5:15, the autograph session begins at 6, the TKC go-karts hit the track at 6:50 and racing begins at 7 p.m.

The track phone number is 734-782-2480.  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, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on Twitter @flatrockspeed.