Trackside Tidbits by Debi Domby
Trackside Tidbits by Debi Domby
For Billy Earley, it's his first championship, for Dennis Whisman it's his fifth at Flat Rock including the 2008 championship. The championship came down to the last corner, last lap, when Earley moved into third, one position behind Whisman, which gave them the tie.
Earley was the 1995 Figure 8 rookie of the year and then took some time off. He came back in 2001 and been trying for that illusive championship since then. "I would like to thank my wife Crissy and kids Travis, Kelsey and Kylee for their support, my dad Gary "Porkchop" Earley, Ray "Wolfie" Herman, and Andy Wilson for helping work on the car every week. Special thanks to Rob Martell, Robbie and Jonelle Loving and family for giving me the opportunity to finish the year by putting me in one of their race cars after mine broke. Last but not least, I would like to thank all of my family, friends and fans who made an effort to come out every week to watch and support me. I couldn't have done it without all of you!" said the first time championship.
Whisman was the 2008 Figure 8 champion at Flat Rock (also 1995, 2004, 2005). "I'd like to thank my car owner Rich Lee. Also my sponsors Sportway Go Carts, Leppen Chiropractic, Affordable Transmission, WBVS Photos, Stanley Market and my family and whole crew," said the driver of the #1. He also has three Figure 8 championships at Toledo (2002, 2005, 2008)
Anthony Camilli is the first rookie to win a weekly division championship since Nick Bradley won his first C division championship in 2002 (Anthony may be the first rookie B division champion since Jim Hubbard won the first B championship in 1995). Anthony may also be the youngest Flat Rock (regular weekly divisions) champion, at age 17. I can't remember anyone younger in the 28 season's I've been going to the track, (if there was a younger driver that won a weekly championship at Flat Rock let me know). "I'd like to thank are my brother Jimmy Little for building and paying for pretty much everything on the #56. I'd like to thank my sponsor Tonys Tires and my dad Tony Camilli for helpin' with entry fee and gas, My mom for supporting me throughout my life and getting me to where I am. I'd also like to thank Lonnie York and Rich Able for racing tips on lines and other stuff. Flatrock Speedway is one awesome track and I love it and will be back next year to defend my title," said the B champion.
The Street Stock A division championship went to Dan Ford Jr. It is his second consecutive championship, and his fourth Street Stock A division championship overall. Dan along with Rick Knowles (1990, 1992, 1997, 1998) are the only two drivers with four A division championships. With brother Regan (2004, 2005, 2007), the Ford brothers have now won the championship five of the last six seasons (Stevie Cronenwett won it in 2006). "We ran pretty good, got the job done, but not enough for the win. Sometimes it's been a shore this season, kind of get burned out working on the car all year. Then you win and it's all worth it. I'm thrilled to win my fourth championship. I want to thank my family and crew. I'll definitely be back next season and try to win my third in a row. I probably just jinxed myself, but ..." said the driver of the Remerica Country Homes, J.A.F. Enterprises, Moose McGregors, Targey Steel, Flat Rock Tire #99.
None of our 2009 champions went through the roller-coaster of emotions that as Eric Lee did. He probably had the worse luck the last three races of the season. He went from a comfortable lead to leading Dennis Strickland by 20 points going into the night. The last three races have been a flat tire, an accident and then tonight he was involved in the lap 48 skirmish. In the end Eric took his third division championship by 15 points over Strickland. His first two SLM championships came in 2004 and last year (2008). "It was a heck a year. Kind of got a flat tire late in the season but limped home to take the championship. Special thanks to my father Steve and everyone who helped out this year: Joe, John, George, Don, Jeff and Scott from Baker Performance. Also to my friends, family and fans who supported me all year and my sponsors: Arrow Uniform Rental, D&E Landscaping, Whitney's Collision, Complete Prototype Services, Auto/Con, LaBelle Electrical, Applied Roofing, Powertran Transformers, Posen Construction and Nortown Autoglass. Without them I would not be here," said the driver of the #5.
Ricky Kargel has to love season championship nights. He won his first career Super Late Model race in the season's finale, and he won again this year. This year he was running second battling leader Paul Pelletier for the lead. Pelletier and a lapped car tangle bringing out the caution when the lapped car slid through the turn one infield and back onto the track in the path of the field. Kargel, and points leader going into the race, Eric Lee were two of the vehicles involved. Kargel sustained damage to his spoiler, leaving only about half up it still attached. "I benefited from that (the wreck a couple laps from the end of the feature). I only had a half of spoiler left. We talked about it during the red whether that half of spoiler would hurt anything. The car was really loose those last two laps. I want to thank my sponsors, Mike's Barber Shop, Klotz, Quality Clutches, Sunbelt Rentals, Apollo Broach, Mallory Ignitions, Landrum Springs, Precision Suspension. Also thank Earl Bonner for the engine, my family and crew," said the driver of the #18.
Dennis Strickland finished second in the SLM points (after finishing second the last three races in that division). He started several races into the season driving in relief for Danny Slater and tonight gave the team their second victory of the season, winning the A division feature. To celebrate he did a batch of doughnuts. "I had to do something after that LM feature to make me look better. The team worked really hard all year and it shows. I wasn't sure I had enough to keep Chad (Guinn) back. I got saved by that caution, because I got the lead back. I'll take it," said the driver of the Southgate Transmission and Complete Auto Care, Auto Zone, Cochran and Foley Associates, Leppen Chiropractic, High Impact, REJ Accounting, Benedicts Flowers, Charlie's Family Dining, Downriver Coney Island, Clark Plumbing, Family Dentistry, RJ Nixon Funeral Home, Thom Funeral Home #3. It was Strickland's ninth career street stock win.
Lonnie York won his third B division feature of the season. I love racing Rich (Able). I was waiting for him to come up and race me for the lead but he didn't get there. We had a pretty good last half of the season," said the driver of the #25.
And a leftover from last week. Troy Brehmer forgot to thank a very important person for her support, his wife, Elizabeth. "You get up there and things just fly out of your head. Later on I knew I should've thanked her for letting me race."
Adding last week's non points race at Flat Rock. David Kind won his first career Street Stock A division feature. I only have the B and C division feature wins back to 2005, so if he won a feature in one of the other divisions, I don't have it listed. The race was a combination of the Street Stock and Figure 8 classes.
2009 Toledo Factory Stocks points runner up, Cory McCaughney won the Factory Stock feature at Flat Rock.
Robbie Loving finished 20th about of I think it was 45 or 47 Figure 8's at the Indianapolis Speedrome last weekend.