Toledo Speedway

Banquet:

2023 Banquet:

Justin Schroeder won his third Outlaw Late Model Championship (2015, 2017,2023)20. “I wasn’t planning on running for points, but my little man, Michael, really wanted to keep going (as we were in the hunt all summer). We really struggled with the car this year. We did a lot of testing throughout the season, trying to get better. It finally paid off at the end of the year. I’d like to thank my mom and dad, my wife, Brittany, for everything she does, my kids for all the help in the shop, and Derek Denton for helping at the track. I want to thank my sponsors Fairway Disposal and JMS Transport. We’d like to give Dr. Kabot an extra special shout out and wish him a happy retirement. He sponsored me for 18 years and helped get me to where I am today.”

Kenyon Knight won the Street Stock A Division championship, his first career title. His dad, Ken, won this division’s championship in 2001. “It's been a great year. I mean, I can't complain about anything to start, I've got to thank my dad Ken, my mom Talya, my brother Karson, my girlfriend Caitlin, Grandma and Grandpa Steve and Stephani Cronenwett, and the rest of the Cronenwett family. I couldn't have done it without you guys. A special thanks to my dad, you know, I wouldn't be able to do without you. You help me all the time, for the times I can't make it out to the garage, I can count on you. Thank you, Grandpa, help them when you can and Grandma, you make time to watch you're always working but you make time. Thank you to my sponsor Ken’s Golf Cart Sales and Service and

Steven and Sam, they're not here but they did the graphics on the car. Also got to thank the drivers know you guys are all really good. We all have fun. It's very competitive racing. And that's what I like. We all put on a really good show. So, I got to thank the drivers. Thank you, Flat Rock and Toledo Speedway, and DTS Drive Train for what you do to put on the show for us. If you asked me where I would be at the end of the season, I would never have thought to be standing here accepting this award just like my dad in 2001. It's really an honor to have my name in the books with a lot of drivers that I look up to. It's really great. And I hope you guys have a good offseason and I will see you guys next season for more good races.

Ian Jezylo won the Street Stock B Main Division championship. It’s his third B Division championship and his fourth championship since 2018 (he won a Street Stock championship at Onaway Speedway in 2020, another footnote, son Adam won the B Division championship in 2017. The Jezylos have have a really good last five seasons). It’s I want to thank my girlfriend Sarah, for all she does, keeping my firesuit clean and keeping the cooler packed because otherwise we'd starve to death. I want to thank my kids, Adam, Luke, Chase and Sierra for all they do to help us out. I want to thank everyone from Flat Rock and Toledo does to keep these shows going, fighting rain outs, even though they take a lot of hard hits. There are times we waited it out. You know, it's worth it. There's one guy I want to thank. There's a lot of people in this room who should be thanking Danny Doyle. He’s worked on so many our cars. He's kept me going. He stayed up with me in the garage, so four - five in the morning, yells at me when I'm not doing the right things. I just … I couldn't do this …this whole season would not happen without Danny's help. I just want to thank everybody that I raced it because you guys have always been clean, and you've all given me help when I need it. And I look forward to next year.”

Jeremy Vanderhoof won his third Flat Rock Figure 8 championship (2010, 2011, 2023). “I want to thank all the employees that gave us a place to race week in, week out. I want to thank all my kids, we got four of them working in the pits … Parker, Lane, Avery and Aubrey, they're learning for the next generation. They’re working for us, keeping this sport moving forward. They're all doing a good job of helping out this year, I can't thank them enough. My wife, I think we ran like seven different cars this year. I don't know why, but we did, and she has supported me 100% along the way and never complained once, never, not one time did she complain about me wanting to go race or going racing and that is that is the success behind what we do. My father-in-law puts me in a bad kind of street

(stock)stuff every week. Fortunately, (someone to) travel with and he gives me a place to work on all our cars. He's out there, side by side with me every week, five, six days a week working on these cars, keeping them going. I can't thank him enough. And then there's my Uncle Larry. He's, since I was 18 and started doing this. He supported me 100 percent along the way, you guys know you either really love him or hate him ... he is who he is. I want to thank my sponsors Hoof Transport and Macs Towing. Thank you again to my wife Melissa, my kids Parker, Lane, Avery and Aubrey, Uncle Larry, Bruce and Kathy, the rest of the crew. I'll tell you right now it’s hard enough to win one race, one championship. So, congratulations to all the champions and we'll see you next year.”

Derrick Sheppard won his third Enduro Championship (2018, 2022, 2023). “First, I just want to say thank you to my dad. Paul Pelletier, Len Roberts, Eric Fetter, John Rhode, everybody else who helped out this year, thanks to mom for everything she does, and I just had a lot of fun racing everyone. Looking forward to next year. Thank you.”

Ron Allen won his 11th Late Model Sportsmen Championship. His first one was in 2000, which means he’s won almost half of the division’s championships since then. That gives him 16 ARCA championships (the other five are: two Street Stock A Division; one each of: Toledo Outlaw Late Model, Late Model Challenge and Sportsman Silver Cup), one short of Bob Studt and Joy Fair (17) “Unfortunately, I wasn't here in 2021, (when he won his last championship) I had other commitments. Since this year I am here, I am going to dedicate this championship to my brother, Gary, who I lost in (20)21. He was with me the whole time I raced … my spotter, my friend, a guy that he would tell me exactly how it was. Didn't matter what I was doing, what I wasn't doing. I miss him every day, still thanking Him every day. And now on a brighter note, you know, I gotta thank ARCA, you know, keeping these tracks going, keeping us a place to race as we all know. I, like all of you, I'm glad they're gonna pave Flat Rock, we definitely need it. It is time to make even better racing. And then thank my crew, Jamie, Jimmie, Mike, he wasn’t able to be here tonight. As we know without them, none of us can be here doing this. It takes more than just the driver and my sponsors Churchill transportation, Environmental Metals, Fast Time Racing Engines and Parts. All of them make this happen. Thank you and we hope to see you all again next year.”

Josh Bunting returned to racing this year and won the Factory Stock championship, his first championship. Like the Late Model Sportsmen division, their division is raced between Toledo and Flat Rock. “Thank you very much. Yes, my car is clean, trying to get sponsored to help me out. First off, I want to thank my wife and kids for pushing me to get back into race car after being out since 2014. Want to thank Safety Clean for doing everything they do for division. Also want to thank my sponsors Darren Koester at Monroe Asphalt, Dennis Futrel from 5G's Auto Recycling and my buddy George Minda. And I can’t forget to say thank you to my wife Aubri and my kids, Joshua and Haylee. I'll be back next year 2024.”

I can’t remember the last season we had five Rookies of the Year. The only two divisions without one was Factory Stocks and Enduro (and they don’t give out the award in this division).

RJ Cornett was the Rookie of the Year in the Outlaw Late Models, not sure if he’s the youngest to win the division, but if not, one of them (mostly we don’t get a lot of drivers in the division still in high school). For those of you that don’t know, RJ is the son of 2002 OSLM Champion Royce Cornett. “For my first year in an Outlaw Super Late Model I am super proud of the accomplishments that me and the guys were able to accomplish. I’m blessed with a great backing of sponsors, that truly get me to the track week in and week out. Rich and Karen Pilatowski with R&K industries and American Legion Post 514 in Ida Michigan. Ken Howard at Fairway Disposal in Milan Michigan. Tommy Adams at A&D Auto Parts in Toledo Ohio. Mike Mills at One Stop Speed Shop in Toledo Ohio, and Craig Dippman at Dippman Motorsports in Oregon Ohio. Outside of sponsors, the crew I was blessed with this year was top notch. Keith Nelson, Mason Koechly, Bill Schneider, Randy Cornett, Chris and Matt, Bob and

Terri Baumgartner, and Bob Rosebrock. These guys got me up to speed and had all of the answers to the questions a young driver has. Most of all I’d like to thank my dad, Royce Cornett, for all of his support and always believing that I could do things that I didn’t believe I could. Thank you all for a great 2023, and I hope to see you in 2024!” RJ came from dirt truck racing.

Evan Batkins won the Street Stock A Division Rookie of the Year. “The Flat Rock Street Stock class is an extremely competitive class. I have had my share of difficulties. We try each week to get better, we have tried multiple set up changes throughout the year, some of the changes worked, other changes did not, and we end up chasing the car all day. I am a first-generation racer and car set up is new to us, and I am thankful for my dad’s effort and time. I am also thankful for all the help and advice we have received this year from George and Johnny Rangel, Paul Pelletier, Rick and Derrick Sheppard, Landon Schuster, track officials and I am sure I left others out That I appreciate just the same. I look forward to next year and I will continue to work hard to improve as a driver and competitor. None of this would be possible without my sponsors Gemini Electric, Aunt Dawn & Uncle Craig, CFO and Blue Water Air Compressor. I would also like to thank my mom, friends, and family for coming to the track each race and supporting me.” Prior to running street stock, Evan ran for five years in Dirt Karts. And I always thought his car was Kyle Worley’s old car, sure looked like it but it’s an old Galesburg car.

David Fisher won the Street Stock B Division Rookie of the Year. Thanks David for sending me your rookie story. It’s a little long, but I always tell the champions and rookies, this is your moment, write what you want. Also with the rookies, it’s nice to get a background and maybe some new fans for the driver.

The 2023 race season for me was the fulfillment of a 30-plus year dream. When I was a young child in the early 90s, my dad sold 50/50 tickets for the late Mike McBain and the Southeast Michigan Veterans Service Center at Flat Rock Speedway. Needless to say, I was there every weekend!

I noticed the famous Bunge Blue #71 Outlaw Super Late Model driven by 3-time champion, Steve Bunge, and became an instant fan. Along comes me, this shy little kid, who walked up to Julie Bunge and asked “I am a big fan of Steve. Can I sit with you guys and cheer him on?”. From that day on, it became a weekly thing. That acceptance kick-started my friendship with the Bunge family and my dream to one day race with or drive for Steve Bunge.

Fast forward about 25 years: Thinking my dream of becoming involved in auto racing would never come true, I had a very pleasant conversation with ARCA Menards Series flag woman, Denise Engle, at MIS. I asked Denise, “What does it take for someone with absolutely no experience or knowledge of racing to get involved?” Her answer was simple, ‘Ask!’ So, in 2018 I asked Scott Schultz if he needed track help. I was hired as a track official working on the safety truck in 2019. 2020 was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 saw me train with Mike Tausch as a backup Pit Steward and assisting with front stretch lineups. 2022 had me in the scoring tower.

At the end of the 2022 season, the thought of my childhood dream would not go away! I ‘had’ to tell Steve and Julie Bunge. I had absolutely no expectations other than to tell them how much I respected them and dreamed of racing with or for them. One thing led to another and at the 2022 Flat Rock Speedway/Toledo Speedway Awards Banquet, Steve presented me with the biggest surprise of my life – an opportunity to drive his Street Stock car.

2023 saw me as a rookie in the Street Stock division. I would say, overall, I had a great year. As with any rookie, I had my fair share of spin outs and aggravation. I never gave up though! I was hungry and went out every week with a clear mind to learn every lap. I listened and applied everything Steve and my follow competitors told me. In the 9 or 10 events I ran in 2023 at Flat Rock, nearly half were A-main qualifying runs. For the events I

ran B-main, I was just off the mark for qualifying at the back end of A-main. Not bad for a rookie I’d say!

I ended up with one (1) B-Main heat race win and won the Street Stock B-Main feature on the Stan Yee Memorial 100 make-up night! That was a very proud and exciting moment for me, my family, and Steve & Julie Bunge. It is a night I will never forget. That first win, whether a B-Main or an A-Main is always a cherished memory. I finished the season 5th in Street Stock B-Main points and was chosen 2023 Street Stock B-Main Rookie of the Year. Much appreciation and thank you to Steve & Julie Bunge, my wife, kids, parents, and every person who came out and supported me, Lyn Hall, Cody Hall, and Evan Bieszke for the extra hands in the pits. And thank you to my sponsors B & H Race Parts and the family of Milas Lay (in memoriam). Also want to thank ARCA Menards Series flag woman, Denise Engle, for the words of encouragement, my fellow competitors for your patience, understanding, coaching, and clean racing, The fans of Flat Rock Speedway. Without you, we could not do what we love! Cheers to continuing on with Bunge Racing and Flat Rock Speedway in 2024!

Joel Matkin won the Figure 8 Rookie of the Year. If Joel hadn’t got rookie, he could’ve been given the Sportsman driver award. He let several drivers ‘borrow’ his car late in the season. “I would like to say I had a fun time racing this season,very pleased with the way my rookie year turned out. I would like to thank Gary Earley, Steve Bunge, Joe Vanderhoof and everyone that had a hand in helping me this year and most importantly Melissa Earley for putting up with me putting all the time into making the car what it is. I also want to thank my sponsors AAA transporters and B&H Race Parts.”

Gabriella Grigsby won the Late Model Sportsman Rookie of the Year. She finished fourth in the division and as near as we can figure, that is the highest finish in points a gal in the LMSM division. (Stephanie Bradley, third in the C main points in 2006 (Flat Rock); Megan Osenbaugh, second in the 4-cylinders 2005 (Flat Rock/Toledo) were higher.). “I would like to thank my dad especially for helping me get into this and helping me achieve where I am today! He’s truly my biggest supporter with this and is always pushing me to do better and he’s my biggest sponsor Sunforest Building Company. Other sponsors I would like to thank is Balance Pan Asian Girl and Cutting Edge Painting as well as 1 Stop Speed Shop for always having parts as fast as they can for me (thanks Mike!). I would also like to thank Dillon Zalenski for helping this season, as well as helping in the past! And for my biggest supporter, my mom, I know you always freak out with me racing but you and the rest of the family always screaming my name thank you and love you guys. Rookie of the year for the sportsman class is truly amazing.”

The biggest cheer of the night from the crowd at the banquet this year wasn’t for the champions, but news that soon Flat Rock will be paved. No timeframe was given, but there were a lot of happy drivers in the room. If you missed it online, it’s being paved after the 2024 season. The last repave, July 1999, as near as I can remember. (found this article that I wrote us.motorsport.com/stockcar/news/flat-rock-speedway-1999-07-04/1758120/)

***** Outlaw Super Late Models, Toledo, Oct. 7 *****

The Outlaw Super Late Models were the support race for the ARCA Menard Series’ finale race of the season. Only 10 OSLMs showed up for their 50-lap race. The field broke into two packs and they raced amongst each other within their groups. Quality over quantity can put on a show for the fans. Trevor Berry won his second race in a row as he won the Glass City in 2022 (the ASA Stars National Super Late Model Tour took over the Glass City in 2023).

Trevor Berry won the only Outlaw Super Late Model race of the 2023 season at Toledo Speedway Saturday afternoon. He also won the Glass City 200 in 2022, giving him two wins in a row at the half-mile speedway. “Yeah, it's special (to win here). I feel terrible for the race with Connor (Zbozien). I just been extremely free all day and I got totally loose when he was outside me. I tried checking up, and I got really free and make contact with him. That's just not how I race, and I feel bad about it. So, sorry to him and his whole team. But thanks to Bobby Blount and Larry Zent. Everybody worked hard today. My dad, Kevin O'Connor worked hard on the #5 car. I didn't get a lot of practice and was struggling with a free car and qualifying and it was only good for like six laps and get extremely free. So, I lucked out that there were probably like 10 cars here today. That's unfortunate for the outlaw cars … grew up watching our cars here and it'd be nice to get it all full field here again. Maybe next year, said the driver of the AP Racing Engines, Big Rigs Inc., GT Products, Duco Performance, AllStar Performance, Lane Automotive, Hanley Enterprises. “The cars were a handful today. I think cool temperatures, and we don't normally race with the General Tire that they're on so. (the OSLMs use Hoosier Tires and the ARCA Menard cars use General Tires and had qualified just before the OSLMs). It’s hard to say what they're rubber on the racetrack (did to our cars), if made it slimy or what but that's first time I've been free at Toledo, and I hope I don't have to do it again.”

Trevor led the final 16 laps of the event.

Chris Benson finished second and had to start last after being unable to qualify because of a distributor problem. At times he was running laps coming through the field about what the leaders were running. “The car had been kind of loose for the last 20-30 laps I mean with the last two laps the car came to good and I was really really proud of ourselves. I want to thank Churchill Transport, The Detroit Tubing Mill, Royal Truck and Trailer, Jim's Butcher Shop, Motor City Antique and Glen's Auto Parts. Without their support I couldn't do this, and I appreciate those guys. But yeah, it was it was a fun race.”

Jimmy Theil retired from weekly racing at the end of the 2018 season, but he did return to Flat Rock earlier this year. He led the bulk of the race, 33 laps on his way to a fourth-place finish. It’d the first time since 2017 that he’s raced at Toledo. “I was having a blast trying to put a show on for these fans tonight. They came in and sat in this cold weather. If I had new tires on tonight … they were from 2013 when I drove for Bob Ward tonight, when he passed away. I want to thank him, my dad Rich, he's sick at home, and Matt Bullock. And my sponsor Foundation Restorations. Thanks everyone that helps.”

Mike Mazzagatti finished fourth. “Yeah, the car was real good off and on and was actually good and this little tight in the middle. I barely tapped Jimmy (Theil) but it was my fault, so I took the blame. It was a good, fun race. This was a sprint race for me, but I’d rather run the 100 lappers we usually run here. That’s how we kind of have the car set up. Steve Needles and Bob Sibilia helps us. Think this is only my fifth time here.”

Connor Zbozien was the fast qualifier but tangled with race winner Trevor Berry, damaging the front facia/fender. He made it several laps at speed before the hood popped up, ending his race. “I was the fast qualifier at Toledo Speedway and started sixth with the invert. Tried to make a crucial pass on lap 19 and it resulted in a spin and a tore up nose for me. We restarted at the back and drove back up to third. Made it to a restart with 10 to go before the hood, both fenders and what was left of the nose finally gave way and blew up onto the windshield. Thank you to VanDoorn Racing Development for the bad fast car and Greg Riddle for spotting. I want to thank, Pat Moran, Dick Barker, Moran Chevrolet, McQuade Heating and Cooling, PPG, Painters Supply and Equipment, The Pleasure Zone, Michigan Independent Door Co.”

Returning to racing was Bob Mikolaczyk. The rolling chassis came from Michael Simko and here’s another name people might remember; Jerry Cook drove it back around 2008-2009. It was the

sponsor on the car that got me, and long time LM fans will remember the Canton Tree Farm car. This is that car. Real nice seeing that sponsor back, even though it was just in name only. Bob said he had fun racing again, so hopefully we’ll see him next season at some point. Welcome Back!

If you missed any of the racing you can find it here: www.youtube.com/@MikeMiller28. If anyone else tapes all the races let me know and I’ll add you to the list.

During the off season if you have any news for the 2024 season, message me on Facebook at facebook.com/icechips