Toledo Speedway

FLAT ROCK, MI: (6-13-09): A dismal-looking day ended in sunshine and a packed house for the Marco's Pizza School Bus Figure 8 races Saturday evening at Flat Rock Speedway. Jeff Kurzyniec scored the victory in the wild Bus race, Dave Arnold Jr. topped the Factory Stock feature, Chance Rice notched the win in the Michigan Legends race, Shawn Bershback was victorious in the 4 Cylinder show and Lonnie York thrilled the crowd with his win in the Rollover contest.

A total of 8 full-size school buses hit the track for the School Bus Figure 8 feature and the drivers used every inch of asphalt and the grass infield in 15 action-packed laps.  Jeff Kurzyniec was victorious as he sailed to the win.  Danny Gaddis got on his side when he got tagged at the intersection, with his bus going left, went right and finally ended up on its side.  The crowd roared as Gaddis climbed out and stood on top of the bus, saluting the crowd!  On the start, the Gaddis duo of Danny and his father, Ray, both former Figure 8 drivers, excited the fans with fireworks exploding from the top of their buses via remote control, with fireballs, flames and more filling the air!  Kevin Rapley, Dennis Whisman, Kevin Stepinksi, Gary Majchrzak and Jack Franzil piloted the buses.  Sponsors of the buses were Suburban Oil, Grillers Select BBQ Sauce, Sterling Printing and Graphics, George's Used Cars, Sportway Go-Karts and the employees of Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology Group.

The ARCA Factory Stocks, which compete weekly at Toledo, made their first trip to Flat Rock this season and battled on the ¼ mile oval.  2008 Toledo champ Dave Arnold Jr. posted the win, taking the lead from Jesse Carillo on lap 6 on his way to the victory in the 20 lap contest.  Landon Schuster was second, Dave Arnold Sr. third, Cory McCaughey fourth and Eric Huston fifth, followed by Randy Padgett, Carillo, Danny Bennett, Rick Bennett and Brian Ringger.  Jeff Maran led the 18 car field in time trials with a new track record of 13:890.  He then turned his car over to Danny Bennett for the feature race.  Schuster, Huston and Carillo were the heat winners.

17 year old Chance Rice sped to the win in the 30 lap Michigan Legends Car feature race.  Tony Monge took off on the green flag to take control, as Rice made his way to the front and assumed command on lap 8, keeping a comfortable margin over runnerup Brian Nuckles all the way to the finish.  Monge was third, with Ben Rouster fourth and Brandon Mahoney fifth.  Matt Todd, Levi Rouster, Tyler Rycenga, Roy Nicholson and Gary Joppich were next in line.  A great 4 car battle for fourth went on the entire race between the Rousters, Todd and Rycenga.  Todd, Rycenga and Rice were the heat race winners.

A short field was no factor in the competition of the ARCA 4 Cylinder battle.  Three different drivers took turns leading the race.  Tony Thomas jumped out front and led until lap 3 when Dave Stadniczuk took over the top spot.  Dave had plenty of company as Shawn Bershback and Brad Truner applied the pressure.  The trio had a great run racing clean and for the lead.  Bershack finally got by Stadniczuk on lap 14 to win the 20 lap contest over Turner, Stadniczuk,  Matt Brazeau, Michael Marlow, Perry Marlow, Gary Ambrus and Tony Thomas.   Turner set fast time at 15:025, while Bershback also took the heat race.

An incredible 5 rolls put Lonnie York on top for the $500 first place money in the Rollover contest, topping 3 ½ rolls by Dave Arnold Sr.  Arnold was shaken up on his try, but climbed from his machine on his own.

Saturday, June 20 Flat Rock Speedway and Big Red Crème Soda will team up for another great night of racing!  The ARCA Figure 8's, Street Stocks and 4 Cylinders will return to action, and will be joined by the Figure 8 Train race.  The train race features 2 cars chained together---the front car with the engine, the back car with the brakes!  Race time is 7 p.m.