Toledo Speedway

(FLAT ROCK, Michigan - August 18, 2012) - Trenton, MI resident Paul Pelletier recorded his 5^th win of 2012, taking the victory in the 50 lap ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Model feature Saturday night at Flat Rock Speedway.  Saturday was arguably the best weather of the season that greeted a good crowd that attended the Leppen Chiropractic/UAW Local 3000 Autograph Night.  Fans had the chance to walk on the track and meet the drivers prior to the start of the show.  Dr. Cecilia Leppen, together with her son and grandson, presented trophies to the winners, which also included Tim Moore, Rich Abel and Dennis Whisman.  The speedway also honored members of the military for Armed Forces Night, as all military personnel were guests of the track Saturday evening.

Pelletier, the current point leader with one race left in the season, zipped to the outside groove to reel in the leaders early in the 50 lap contest.  Lori Hall became the first female to lead a Late Model feature race at Flat Rock, as she set the pace and held off heavy pressure from Derek Wiley and Dennis Strickland in the early going.  Lori, the daughter of former 3-time Late Model champ Steve Bunge, gave Wiley a look at the bottom groove for the first 15 laps.  Derek could not quite get his car to stick to get by Lori, and then Strickland charged up on the outside to wage a fabulous 3-car battle for the lead.  When Wiley would drop back a bit, Dennis would pull up on the outside and look to get by Hall for the lead.  Pelletier, from 8^th spot, zoomed to the front as the crowd cheered for the great competition.  The top 3 bobbled just a bit and Paul grabbed 2^nd spot on the high lane.  A lap 15 yellow brought the double-file restart into play and Pelletier charged to the number 1 spot on the restart and never looked back.  He showed his speed as the final 30 laps ran without a yellow, allowing Pelletier to build a big lead on the way to the win.  Eric Lee, who started 4^th and got shuffled back as far as 16^th at one point as he got trapped several times in the pack, recovered and was very strong as he got to second spot at the checkered flag, taking that position from Steve Cronenwett Jr. on lap 42.  Cronenwett came home with a fine third place run, with Stan Yee Jr. coming home with 4^th place, as he continues to show progress late in the season, while Chris Benson brought his new ride home to a solid 5^th place run.  Jim Bailey was very impressive with 6^th spot, followed by Joe Hawes, Ron Allen, Terry Bogusz and Strickland, who encountered a problem in the late stages and fell back to 10^th.

Wiley set fast time for the 20 car field at 11:692.  Heat race wins went to Joe Hawes, Dan Trosen and Jimmy Alvis.

Defending ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock champ Tim Moore has had a tough season, but came back on the right foot by leading every lap to win the 25 lap A Main.  Tim held on despite several yellow flags in the final 10 laps, which erased his lead each time and set up the double file restarts.  Clyde McKee pushed Tim for pretty much the entire race, but Rob Moore, Tim’s brother and last week’s winner, snuck under Clyde in the final 3 laps to grab second, with McKee third, current point leader Frank Jiovani fourth and Tadek Stadniczuk fifth, followed by Kyle Worley, Grant Hedges, Landon Schuster, Darrell Krause and Rich Frantz.

Rich Abel topped Anthony Camilli, Don Roberts, Aaron Greathouse and Mark Lavoie to win the 15 lap B Main event.  The heat races provided plenty of action and excitement.  The wildest wreck of the night saw Mike Isler take Greathouse and Rick Bennett into the turn 1 wall, with Isler flipping his machine on the hoods of the other cars.  All drivers were ok, but a 20 minute delay took place to clean up the mess and turn over the flipped car.  The Fastime Racing Engines and Parts Fast qualifier was Tim Moore at 13:535.  Heat race wins went to Rob Moore, Steve Searles, Matt Bunting and Abel.

Dennis Whisman sailed to victory in the 20 lap ARCA Parts Galore Figure 8 feature race that ran non-stop.  The top 10 qualifiers drew for start position and the fast Whisman grabbed the number 1 spot, took off at the green and dodged intersection traffic to take the win.  Danny Gaddis was second, Gary Cronenwett was third, Robbie Loving fourth and Scott Apperson fifth. Jeremy Miller, Billy Earley, Greg Studt, Dan Apperson and Ian Jezylo rounded out the top ten.  Nick Bradley, Stephanie Bradley, Steve Chartrand, Allen Bland Jr.,  and Anthony Terris were next in the finish. 
Quick time was set by Anthony Terris in Greg Studt’s backup car at 20:753.  Heat race winners were Whisman and Dan Apperson.

Saturday, August 25 is the first of Flat Rock’s “Final Four Fun Nights” of the season.  Action Exteriors will sponsor Kids Night, with all kids to age 14 admitted FREE, and each child will also receive a FREE hot dog, chips and a drink, courtesy of Jim’s Butcher Shop, Sherwood Foods, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and Herr’s Potato Chips.

The ARCA Parts Galore Figure 8’s, the DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stocks and the ARCA 4 Cylinders will be in action.  The TKC Go-Karts will also stage several exhibition races prior to the start of the show.

The pit area will open at 3:30 p.m., practice begins at 4:30, time trials are at 5:45 and racing begins at 7 p.m.  tickets will go on sale at 4:30 p.m. race day at the track.  Fans may purchase their tickets online at www.flatrockspeedway.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on Twitter @flatrockspeed.