LEE TAKES FLAT ROCK WIN, RAIN CONQUERS REST OF THE NIGHT
LEE TAKES FLAT ROCK WIN, RAIN CONQUERS REST OF THE NIGHT
(FLAT ROCK, Michigan - August 13, 2011) - With threatening weather on the horizon, Eric Lee got by Jimmy Thiel in a great battle to win the 50 lap ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Model feature on Leppen Chiropractic/UAW Local 3000 Autograph Night at Flat Rock Speedway.
A pair of Figure 8 heat races was also completed before a heavy thunderstorm, accompanied by strong winds and lightning hit the track. The area was put under a tornado warning, as track officials cleared the grandstand and called off the remainder of the racing program.
Tickets purchased Saturday night will be honored for ANY remaining event at the track this season, at their face value. All rain checks must be exchanged at the ticket office upon arrival to the track. If there is a difference in admission, fans will pay that amount.
ALL tickets from Leppen Chiropractic, UAW Local 3000 and the United Way of Monroe County will be honored Saturday night, August 27 only. Those tickets also must be exchanged at the ticket office August 27.
As race fans enjoyed meeting the drivers during the on-track autograph session prior to the 7 p.m. start, the decision was made to run the Late Model feature as the first race of the night. The race, which was rained out July 23, picked up where it was stopped at the lap 4 mark. 19 cars re-started the contest, with Jimmy Thiel jumping out to a big lead. Just a pair of quick yellow flags slowed things up, as Eric Lee reeled in a strong Thiel in the second half of the race. Eric got up to Jimmy’s door by lap 41 and the duo put on a great show, running side by side and even made it 3 wide on 2 separate occasions as they went by a lapped car. Lee finally nosed out front with 6 to go on the way to the victory. Thiel, who has been working the bugs out of his new car in the last few races, notched a great second place run. Ricky Kargel made up some ground and was catching the top 2 when the checkered flag fell, ending up third at the stripe. Dan Ford Jr. was right behind in fourth and Derek Wiley fifth. Dennis Strickland, Jack Varney Jr., Ron Allen, Paul Pelletier and George Rangel completed the top ten.
The ARCA Parts Galore Figure 8 division snuck in their 2 heat races before the storm hit. Gary Cronenwett and Joe Whisman were the winners of the 8 lap contests. Current point leader Jeremy Vanderhoof set fast time at 20:674.
The ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks got qualifying in, as point leader Tim Moore set the Fastime Racing Engines and Parts quick time at 13:504 for the 39 car field. Rookie Steve Searles led the B cars at 14:247.
Saturday, August 20 Flat Rock Speedway will play host to the MSA Super Modifieds, marking the first time in 30 years the wild, winged, low-slung machines will tackle “The Rock” for a night of racing! The MSA cars will be going after the all-time track record of 10:239! NASCAR driver David Ragan will also be at the track to meet the fans and sign autographs. David will also give away 6 tickets to the August 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway, through his twitter and facebook accounts. The Figure 8’s and Street Stocks will also compete in full race cards.
The front gates open at 3:30, time trials begin at 5 and racing starts at 7 p.m. Flat Rock Speedway is located on Telegraph Road, 5 minutes from I-75 or I-275. The track phone number is 734-782-2480. For more information, log onto www.flatrockspeedway.com