Toledo Speedway

(FLAT ROCK, Michigan - July 1, 2011) - A sweltering, hot and sunny day turned into a race to beat the weather Saturday night at Flat Rock Speedway. With temperatures in the high 90’s and storms all around the track, the rain finally hit the speedway with 11 laps completed in the 250 lap Enduro race. After a delay of over 90 minutes, the race resumed and was completed.

Prior to the Enduro event, Ryan Myers whittled down a big lead and made the winning pass entering turn 4 to win the 30 lap Buckeye 305 Sprint Car main. Jeff Maran took the Enduro flag, while Mike Berschback notched the Jeff’s Collision 4 Cylinder feature. Steve Matusiewicz won the wild and entertaining Boat Figure 8 race.

Despite the heat, the Buckeye Sprinters put 5 cars in the 10 second bracket in time trials, led by Ryan Gillenwater with a lap of 10:673. Mike McVetta and Zach Gibson took the heat wins, setting the stage for the 30 lap feature as the storms moved closer to the speedway. With just 2 yellow flag for minor spins in the first 7 laps, the pace was extremely quick as Talon Stephens moved out to a comfortable lead. Ryan Myers and Gillenwater, the top 2 qualifiers, started 9^th and 10^th and battled hard to move up front as Stephens clicked off the laps. With 7 laps to go, Myers had moved to within a straight-away of the leader. Stephens began smoking the right rear tire on his Sprinter and Myers moved in. At 2 to go, Ryan looked to the high side of Stephens and on the white flag, made his move entering turn 1. A lapped car caused Myers to check up, but he quickly got back on the throttle. Entering turn 3, Ryan buried his car into the low lane as Stephens slid up the track just slightly, but it was enough daylight for Myers to slide by and, with no contact, Ryan pulled off the sensational pass to take the checkered flag in another Flat Rock last-lap pass for the win. Stephens held on for second as Gillenwater also charged up at the finish and came home third. Fourth was Gibson and fifth was Frank Neill, followed by Joe Speakman, Doug Berryman, Danny Shirey, Mike McVetta and Joey Wycoff.

2-time defending champ Jeff Maran withstood an early challenge from Jeff Metdpenningen and heavy traffic for the entire distance to pocket $1000 and the checkered flag in the 250 lap Enduro race. With 11 laps in the books, the heavy rain set in for about 30 minutes, followed by a great lightning show. Finally, the storms moved out and after the long delay, racing resumed. Maran chased down Jeff while the pair exchanged the top spot back and forth for the first 50 laps. Jeff Maran then set sail to take the win over Metdpenningen, Robb Remick, Derrick Sheppard, Rick McColl, Bob Swanson, Tom Sprotberry, Troy Brehmer, Marc Ortega and Canadian resident Tony Rumble. Mike Findlay was cruising to 3^rdplace finish but dropped out with about 15 laps to go. 30 cars started the event.

Mike Bershback made his first appearance of the season and promptly won the heat and the 20 lap main event for the ARCA Jeff’s Collision 4 Cylinder division. Second was David Price, third was Brad Turner, fourth went to Jeff Wells and fifth was Bill Cronce III, followed by Katie Coseo, Scott Marshall and Matt Laycock. Turner set fast time.

The Boat Figure 8 race tore up a bunch of boats and trailers, much to the delight of the crowd. Chief Inspector Jack Franzil entered the track surface with 2 boats hooked together behind his van, and needless to say, lost both as they slid off and rolled over. Steve Matusiewicz battled with Bill Carberry and grabbed the victory as Carberry lost his boat that slammed into the turn 4 wall of the oval. Troy Brehmer was the first driver to have his boat and break loose and sail across the track.

Saturday, July 9 Flat Rock Speedway will present its biggest Fireworks show in the history of the track as Budweiser presents KABOOOOOM Night! The ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Models, Parts Galore Figure 8’s and DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks will be in competition. The evening will conclude with the Fireworks show.

ALL tickets go on sale next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Race time is 7 p.m. Log onto www.flatrockspeedway.com for further information.