Toledo Speedway

Toledo, Ohio—November 4, 2016:  Race teams, officials, family and friends gathered Friday evening at the Crystal Gardens Banquet Center in Southgate, MI for the annual Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways Awards Banquet.  Each of the champions received their championship jackets and banners from ARCA President and Flat Rock/Toledo owner and promoter Ron Drager.  Over $34,000 in cash and contingency awards were paid out at the annual event.

Prior to dinner, Drager presented a plaque to Greg Studt, who became the first driver in the history of the track to win titles in each of the 3 weekly classes-Late Model, Figure 8 and Street Stock. The 3 divisions have been featured at the speedway since 1977.  Greg captured the Street Stock title this season to secure his place in history.

Flat Rock’s ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Models were presented their point fund checks and trophies from Moran Chevrolet representative Dick Barker. Paul Pelletier claimed his fourth Flat Rock Late Model crown at the ¼ mile paved oval.  Paul and his father, car owner David Pelletier, accepted the championship trophies and a check for $1500 from Moran Chevrolet.  Stan Yee Jr., Frank Jiovani, Corey Duane, Jimmy Thiel, Matt Bullock, Bob Varney, Jeff Vrsek, Joe Hawes and Terry Bogusz completed the top ten in the final point tally.

Second generation driver Billy Earley make it back-to-back Flat Rock ARCA Victory Lane Oil Change Figure 8 titles, the 3rd in his career. Billy topped Jeremy Miller by 40 points in a see-saw battle for much of the season.  Dennis Whisman Sr., Dennis Whisman Jr., David Katafiasz, Randy Roberts, Dan Apperson, Travis Earley, Ricky Ferrell and Jeremy Vanderhoof followed.  The Co-Rookies of the Year were Travis Earley and Ricky Ferrell.  Victory Lane Oil Change representatives Justin Shiaella, Jim Harrington and Jim Thompson presented the point fund checks and trophies.

The ARCA DTS Drive Train Specialists Street Stock class saw Greg Studt notch his first Flat Rock Street Stock title over 15-year old Ray Morneau Jr. by just 25 points. Third spot went to Rob Moore, fourth to Nick Shanks and Craig Lange rounded out the top 5 in the final point tally.  Randy Cornett, Landon Schuster, Kyle Worley, Clyde McKee and Rob Moore Jr. completed the second 5.  Rob Moore Jr. was named the Rookie of the Year for the class.  Studt also took home a $500 product certificate, courtesy of AR Bodies, for his championship run.

Jeffrey Kurzyniec, another second-generation driver, repeated his 2015 title for the DTS Drive Train Specialists ARCA Street Stock B Main crown. Jeffrey presented his father, Jeff, with a championship jacket for his dedication and support. Rich Abel, Adam Jezylo, Stephanie Bradley, Ian Jezylo, Todd Burtscher, James Baber, Justin Rodriguez, Don Roberts and Wilburn Parks were next in line to complete the top 10.  Burtscher captured the B Main Rookie of the Year honor.

The Monroe News Enduro Series championship went to Jimmy Tucker. Jimmy was unable to attend the ceremonies due to a prior commitment.  His father, Jim Gullett, accepted Jimmy’s awards.  Dave Zewicky of the Monroe News was on hand for the trophy presentations. Troy Brehmer came up just 5 points shy of the title to take second spot, third was Robb Remick, just 25 points back.  Derrick Sheppard, Rick Bennett, Tony Rumble, Paul Martell, Cody Remick, Joe Appel and Derek Halka finished out the top ten.

The Royal Truck and Trailer Gold Cup ARCA Late Model Series title went to St. Joseph, MI driver Steve Needles. At the wheel of Brian Short’s #18, Steve captured 4 of the 6 races in the Series.  The championship was comprised of a race at Sandusky, OH Speedway, 2 races at Flat Rock and 3 at Toledo.  Harold Fair Jr. Jimmie Ward Jr., Nick Grodi, Dennis Strickland, Nick Bailey, Scott Hantz, Frank Jiovani, Alex Rosenberry and Dakota Carlson trailed the champ.

The Toledo ARCA Aramark Uniform Services Late Model Sportsman division crowned Ron Allen as the champ, his 9^th title in the class.  Jim Froling was second, Tommy O’Leary IV third, Kent McCloskey fourth and Andy Harding fifth, followed by Mike Young, Greg Stilwell, Craig Osenbaugh,Kenny McKay Jr. and Levi Mansfield.  Allen also received a $500 product certificate from AR Bodies for his title. 

Allen also notched the 3-race Silver Cup Series for the Late Model Sportsman, sponsored by R & M Recycling. Mike Rogers Jr. and Dillon Ritter from R & M presented the trophies and checks to Allen and the remainder of the top 5—Froling, McCloskey, Young and Harding.

Rookie Derek Halka topped the ARCA Factory Stocks to claim the title belt over Jacob Thomas, Matt Ringger, Paul Martell, Craig Osenbaugh, Mike Miller, Jesse Carrillo, Ryan Mallory, Robb Remick and Cory McCaughey.

Rob Moore and James Baber (Street Stock) and Tom O’Leary IV and Craig Osenbaugh (Late Model Sportsman) took home $500 product certificates in a random draw, courtesy of 5 Star RaceCar Bodies, while Jim Froling (LMSP) and Adam Jezylo (SS) won the random draw $500 product certificate from AR Bodies.

A bonus program posted by Corrigan Race Fuels at Flat Rock and Bazell Race Fuels at Toledo awarded cash bonuses to the top Sunoco Race fuel purchasers for the season. Greg Stilwell and Andy Harding were the Toledo recipients, while Kyle Worley, James Pankow, David Katafiasz, Billy Earley, Dennis Rederstorf and Stan Yee Jr. collected the Flat Rock bonus money. 

Point fund and contingency award sponsors for 2016 included Moran Chevrolet, Victory Lane Oil Change Centers, Aramark Uniform Services, Royal Truck and Trailer, ARCA, AR Bodies, B & H Race Parts, DTS Drive Train Specialists, Five Star RaceCar Bodies, Hoosier Tire, Penske Shocks, R & M Recycling, Bazell Race Fuels, Corrigan Race Fuels and Sunoco Race Fuels.

The winter office for both tracks may be contacted by calling Toledo at 419-727-1100.  The 2017 schedules will be released around the holiday season.  Always check the official websites at www.flatrockspeedway.com, www.toledospeedway.com or www.arcaracing.com.