Toledo Speedway

The Safety-Kleen Factory Stock 500 Series enters its second ever race this Friday at Toledo Speedway, with another 100-lap event on Toledo's short track. As a preview for Friday's big race, we can take a look at Round 1 of the inaugural season at Flat Rock Speedway, back on Saturday May 4th.

The first ever Factory Stock 500 Series feature was one for the record books at Flat Rock Speedway. Rayce Metdepenningen became the first driver to ever take home a Flat Rock Speedway 100-lap Enduro event in this brand new series, and the action on-track backed up the pre-race excitement for the new division.

While Rayce Metdepenningen showed up as the fast qualifier of this event - putting up a lap of 14.828 seconds - it would be Cody Remick and Brad Turner leading the field to green, with 2023 Safety-Kleen Enduro series champion Derrick Sheppard and 2023 Safety-Kleen Factory Stocks champion Josh Bunting just behind.

Remick would pull out to an early lead over the battling pack behind, the 26-car pack proving little room for air, and lots of edges for carnage. As Remick pulled to begin lapping the rear field of the stacked pack, Josh Bunting, Jeff Metdepenningen, Rayce Metdepenningen, and Derrick Sheppard would form a snaking top five.

The first red flag would come out on lap 28, as Ayden Bunting would turn around in the #34 car and wouldn’t be able to get his car going. Under Enduro rules, this would freeze the field and set up for a hard charge for the lead after the restart - Cody Remick ahead of Jeff Metdepenningen, Rayce Metdepenningen, and Josh Bunting.

With some lapped traffic, the Metdepenningens would begin to close in on Cody Remick for the lead, and by the halfway point of the race, Jeff would try for a three wide move for the lead with the lapped car of Tony Rumble in the middle. Remick, Rumble, and Metdepenningen would drive three wide down the front stretch, Remick somehow retaining the lead with a wide move on the outside.

The battle would be fierce and for many laps, exciting the opening day crowd. By Lap 55, C. Remick, J. Metdepenningen, R. Metdepenningen, Nathan Sprotberry, and Derrick Sheppard would accordion back to a nearly nose-to-tail top five, setting up the dash to the finish.

The first event would happen soon after, as contact between leader Cody Remick and Brad Turner in the #72 would send the latter around, forcing the leading pack to scatter. In the shuffle, Rayce Metdepenningen would take second from Jeff Metdepenningen’s #78 car. Less than one lap later, Rayce would slide to the inside of the Cody Remick #19, and take the lead for the first lead change of the day.

Jeff Metdepenningen, Nathan Sprotberry, and Derrick Sheppard would soon shuffle to the inside of Remick, dropping the leader to fifth by lap 64. Cody Remick would eventually settle in at third, where he would finish on the day.

Up front, the dash for the lead turned into a wild one, as Jeff Metdepenningen briefly took the lead from Rayce on lap 68. Rayce would switch back under him, and Jeff Metdepenningen would afterwards slide three spots in three laps, ending up fourth on lap 71.

Two leaders would get together on lap 74, with Nathan Sprotberry and Derrick Sheppard turning around. 

Jeff Metdepenningen and Cody Remick would then begin to close in on the leader Rayce Metdepenningen over the closing 26 laps, but Rayce would hold off to take the first ever Safety-Kleen Factory Stock 500 Series feature win. Jeff Metdepenningen would come home second, followed by Cody Remick in third. Kyle Metdepenningen and Robb Remick would fill out the top five.

Justin Chamberlin, Trevor Buttrey, and Evan Batkins would finish sixth, seventh, and eighth respectively. 2023 Safety-Kleen Enduro Series Champ Derrick Sheppard would finish ninth, and Canadian Tony Rumble would fill out the top ten in his recognizable #04.

The Safety-Kleen Factory Stock 500 Series returns to action Friday Night with Kids Night and Scout Night at Toledo Speedway! Kids under 12 get in free, and get a free hot dog. The second 100-lap race will be live, and it looks to be another wild one under the lights of the Glass City. Tickets are available NOW!

Click here, or follow this link: https://www.toledospeedway.com/events/2004700-kids-night-scout-night-national-compact-touring-series-ohio-wheelman-series-factory-stock-500-series-100-lap-enduro