Toledo Speedway

Flat Rock, MI  (5-23-09)--  The weather finally cooperated on a Saturday night in Flat Rock, MI, and the fans responded as a good crowd made the trip to Flat Rock Speedway for a great night of racing, capped off with a fantastic fireworks display.  Danny Jackson took top honors for the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series, Mike Bershback won the ARCA 4 Cylinder feature and Tristan Dupuis cruised to the win in the 250 lap Enduro race.  Over 600 kids were on hand for the Kids Night, which featured free admission for children to age 14 and a complimentary hot dog, chips and a drink, courtesy of Sherwood Foods, Seyfert’s Potato Chips and the Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group of Toledo.

The 100 lap ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck race was very competitive and ran with just a handful of yellow flags for minor incidents.  Second-generation driver Danny Jackson held back the race-long challenge of local favorite Paul Hahn to score the big win on the ¼ mile paved oval.  Jackson, second quick in time trials, started on the pole and got the jump on Hahn going to the green flag.  The first 33 laps ran all green, as the lead duo zipped in and out of traffic in the 22 truck field.  At the ½ way mark, Nathan Trepkowski and Nick Gullatta had joined the pair to battle for the lead.  Hahn seemed to bide his time, tucked in on the bumper of Jackson, and just waiting for this chance.  TJ Stineman came on strong in the last 40 laps and with the aid of a late yellow, joined the fray.  With 10 laps to go, Hahn made his challenge for the lead.  He peaked to the high side on several occasions, dipped back low coming out of turn 4 and then went again to the high groove coming out of turn 1.  With 5 to go, lapped traffic got very heavy, but Jackson held on to score the big win, with Hahn second, Gullata third, Stineman fourth and former Flat Rock Street Stock champ Brian Norton was fifth, followed by former Flat Rock 4 Cylinder driver Mike Young, Trepkowski, Tim Schafer, Bill Withers and Steve Christman.  Hahn set fast time at 12:548. 

Mike Bershback took the lead from Mike Marlow on lap 3 and never looked back, posting the win in the 20 lap ARCA 4 Cylinder feature race.  Brad Turner, David Price, Shawn Bershback, Ray McClure, Matt Brazeau, Marlow, Perry Marlow, Jennifer Cronce and Tony Thomas completed the top ten.  Turner set fast time at 15:206. Shawn Bershback won the heat race.

Venturing over from the west side of the state, Alto, MI driver Tristan Dupuis was at his best Saturday, sailing his way to a 1 lap advantage over the 33 car field to win the 250 lap Enduro race and the $1000 payday.  Early leader Jeff Maran gave way to Dupuis and came home second, third was Jeff Metdepennigen, fourth was Michael Dailey and fifth spot went to Matt Ringger.  Robb Remick, Bob Hochradel, Jeff Rohde, Tom Sprotberry and Rick Johnson completed the top ten finishers in the contest, which took just 80 minutes. 

Saturday, May 30 at Flat Rock Speedway is Valvoline Instant Oil Change/Pinnacle Race Course Scout and Autograph Night.  Fans can visit their local Valvoline store for $5 admission coupons for the event.  All Scouts will be admitted FREE when in uniform and all leaders FREE in uniform or with an ID card.  Race fans will be permitted to walk onto the track to meet their favorite Late Model, Figure 8 and Street Stock drivers at “The Rock”.  The track will also host the members of the Monroe County 4-H.  The gates will open at 3, practice begins at that time, time trials are set for 4:30, the on-track autograph session is at 6:15 and racing begins at 7 p.m.