Toledo Speedway

(FLAT ROCK, MI - July 18, 2013) - For the past several seasons, Flat Rock Speedway’s biggest race of the year, the Moran Chevrolet/Stan Yee Memorial 150, has been incredible in terms of action, excitement and competition.  And the 2012 edition was perhaps the best yet, as Mike Root passed both Harold Fair Jr. and Scott Hantz in the final 3 laps to record the thrilling victory, much to the delight of the large crowd on hand.

And now the question looms…..can this year’s race live up to last year’s event?  The story of each of these races starts with the quality of the field of cars that have ventured to “The Rock” to run 150 laps on the tight, yet fast ¼ mile oval.  For those of you that have yet to visit, the track has 2 grooves for great side by side racing.

Last year, the story of this grand race started early.  Again, quality throughout the field in terms of equipment and drivers.  First-time Flat Rock visitor Jeff Ganus wheeled into the lead and then battled with Scott Hantz for much of the event—Hantz in the low groove, Ganus up top in the 2^nd lane.  Enter Harold Fair Jr. into the picture and the battle was on…again, incredible action!  Meanwhile, Mike Root, who has become known at least in these parts as the guy that lays back and then powers his way into contention, did just that.  With less than 50 laps to go, Root was back to 14^th spot.  It was time—time to go.  1 by 1, car by car, Root picked them off; high, low, up, down.  Ganus faded slightly, Fair moved into second and began to pressure Hantz----but no one had any money on Root.  The red #9 moved to the top of the track, stayed in the throttle and nosed by first Fair and then Hantz in the final 3 circuits as the crowd stood and cheered loudly. 

The stories of the texts and phone calls to friends that weren’t at the track…and you know who you are, to tell them what they just missed keep being repeated, to remind them of what they missed.  And, that this race is one that you have to see.

Based on the fields that have been at Flat Rock for the twice rained-out Joy Fair Memorial 100 this season (36 cars each time), perhaps the best field of talent for the Moran Chevrolet-Stan Yee Memorial 150 may assemble at Flat Rock July 27.

The event will pay $2533 to win and $533 to start the contest, with over 30 drivers from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Canada expected.  Flat Rock’s Figure 8 and Street Stock classes will also be in competition as support divisions.  Each class will run features only on this night.

Speed51.com will provide minute by minute coverage of the race, while BCSN (Buckeye Cable Sports Network) will tape the event.  The race will be available on-demand by going to www.bcsn.tv. 

An open practice is scheduled for Friday, July 26 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the track for race cars of all types.  The pit area will open at 4 p.m.  Friday pit pass purchasers will be treated to dinner, courtesy of DTS Drive Train Specialists.

In addition to the $2533 posted to win, Diamond Racing Products will award $333 for fast time.  Add to that $5 in lap money per lap, and a driver could walk away with nearly $3500 in cash and prizes for a victory.  To date, lap money sponsors include Miracle Spray/Strikehold-10 laps; Performance Images-10 laps; Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club-2 laps; WBVS Photos-$25 bonus for lap 75; Mike Damic Racing Photography in memory of John Damic-10 laps; and Driven Women-5 laps.  To become a lap sponsor, please call 419-727-1100.

Entry blanks are now available by calling the track office or the entry may be downloaded off the track website at www.flatrockspeedway.com.  It is located under the form button.  Drivers are encouraged to get their entries in quickly as parking will be tight. 

Yee, a hugely successful car owner for over 40 years, passed away May 18, 2008, just 2 days shy of his 76^th birthday.  Stan’s son, Stan Jr., competes in the Moran Chevrolet Late Model class at Flat Rock.  Stan Sr. and his drivers captured numerous titles and big race wins, but perhaps his greatest accomplishment may well have been mentoring Stan Jr. to the 2003 Flat Rock Speedway Late Model championship.

Stan was a fixture in Midwest Late Model racing since the 1960’s.  Both on dirt and the asphalt, Stan’s famed #33 cars won countless races.  Drivers such as Marv Parenteau, Joe Ruttman, Artie Sommers, the late John Anderson, Rick Sheppard, Danny Byrd, Harold Cook, Chuck Roumell, Steve Lee and Stan’s son, son, Stan Jr., piloted Yee’s Collision machines.

While legendary drivers such as Bob Senneker, Dick Trickle, Ed Howe and Joy Fair pioneered the short track heydays of the 1960’s and 70’s, Stan Yee was the car owner version of the time when it came to preparing winning race cars.  Yee was an innovator of the sport and was always willing to help out fellow racers.  Stan’s garage was always filled with race cars.  He always had time for questions and had the answers.

The 2013 edition of the race marks the sixth year for the Memorial race at Flat Rock.  Justin Schroeder won the first event in 2008, with Mike Luberda Jr. scoring the win in the 2009 race.  Mike Root came from Grand Rapids, MI to win the 150 lap race in 2010, while defending Flat Rock champ Eric Lee grabbed the victory in 2011, with Root putting his name in the books for the second time with the 2012 win.

“My dad’s favorite race of the year was the 150 at Flat Rock,” noted Stan Jr.  “My entire family, crew and friends are very pleased to have the Stan Yee Memorial again as part of the Moran Chevrolet 150.”

This year’s 150 is leg number 4 of the 6-race ARCA Glass City Gold Cup Series.  The pit area will open at 1:30 p.m. on July 27, with practice for the Late Models set to begin at 3.  Time trials begin at 5 and racing starts at 7 p.m.