(FLAT ROCK, Mich.) – A strong entry list filled with many of the top super late model drivers in the Midwest is assembling for the ARCA CRA Super Series 7Up 125 Saturday night, September 8 at Flat Rock Speedway.
The 2-groove, ¼ mile paved oval is hosting the Series for the first time. Big Wheel races for kids 12 and under will take place prior to the show, while the track’s 300 lap Enduro Championship race will get the green flag following the 7-Up 125.
Like many of the ARCA/CRA drivers, current point leader Johnny VanDoorn will be making his first appearance at “The Rock”. The Coopersville, MI driver has had a great season to date, building up a solid lead over 2nd place driver, female star Kenzie Ruston. Johnny has racked up victories at Springport, MI, Berlin, MI Raceway and the famed Winchester, IN Speedway in ARCA/CRA competition so far in 2012.
VanDoorn, Ruston and the other first-time visitors to Flat Rock will encounter a group of drivers who have made the hard left turns at the Southeastern Michigan track. Scott Hantz, Brent Jack and local favorites Stan Yee Jr. and Paul Hahn are also entered for the race. Hantz and Jack, both from the Hoosier state, have made frequent trips to Flat Rock the past several seasons, while Yee Jr. is the 2003 Outlaw Late Model champion at the track and has 8 wins. Hahn, a former Flat Rock Street Stock and Late Model driver, as well as an ARCA Truck Series champion, recently purchased a stock-bodied ARCA/CRA car and will make his debut with the Series September 8. Paul recorded 1 victory at Flat Rock prior to moving to the ARCA Trucks. Brent Jack also has 1 Flat Rock win.
The September 8 schedule has the pit area opening at 1 p.m. for the ARCA/CRA teams. Practice for the group will go from 3:30 to 4:30. Registration for the Enduro teams will begin at 4:30. At 5:30 p.m., pole qualifying will take place. Big Wheel races for kids 12 and under begin at 6, with an on-track autograph session with all the ARCA/CRA drivers to take place at 6:30. The green flag will drop just after 7 p.m.
Flat Rock’s 300 lap Enduro Championship race will go after the ARCA/CRA 7-Up 125. The 4th and final event of the Enduro Series has Matt Ringger with a 35 point edge over Kyle Metdepenningen, 45 points up on Rick McColl and Derrick Sheppard just 50 points behind the leader. Rayce Metdepenningen and Ed Case are both 75 points back. A field of 25-35 cars will take the green flag in a race that begins from a standing start, lined up 3 wide. No yellow flag is used, with the race stopped on a red flag for safety precautions. The 300 lap contest has extra excitement as most drivers have to pit for fuel, bringing strategy into play in the finale for the Enduro class.
Tickets for September 8 may be purchased online at www.flatrockspeedway.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toledoflatrock or follow us on Twitter @flatrockspeed. The track is located on Telegraph Road, 5 miles from I-75 or I-275. The track phone number is 734-782-2480.
Flat Rock Speedway will conclude its 2012 season the following Saturday, September 15 with the Griller’s Select BBQ Sauce School Bus Figure 8 races. The track’s Street Stock division, the Michigan Legends and a Boat Figure 8 race are also on tap for the season finale. The September 15 event has a special start time of 6 p.m.