Flat Rock, MI - With storms looming, Flat Rock Speedway was on a fast track to get the Moran Chevrolet Stan Yee Memorial 150 competed on Saturday night. The same can be said for Brian Bergakker, as he moved from his 12th starting position to take the lead on lap 77, and control the remaining 73 laps to capture his 3rd consecutive victory in the event.
Harold Fair Jr would jump out to the early race lead, and controlled most of the first half of the event. At one point, Fair would open a straightaway lead over second place Eric Lee. A rash of caution flags would tighten the field just prior to the halfway point, allowing Bergakker to move through the field while saving his valuable Hoosier tires.
Several drivers would attempt to make a charge to the front in the second half of the event, only to be bitten by mechanical issues. Steve Cronenwett Jr made his way into the top 5, only to be bitten by a broken fan belt on lap 60, and Fair Jr would retire due to a mechanical issue on Lap 71 while running second. Justin Schroeder looked to be the one to challenge Bergakker, as he closed in to within a couple car lengths of the #12 machine with 25 laps to go. But the mechanical bug bit Schroeder, as he slowed and stopped on the race track in turn 2 with a flat right front tire. Schroeder would make his way down pit road to get the tire replaced and hope to take another shot at Bergakker, but was assessed a 5 lap penalty by race officials for stopping on the race track to bring out a caution.
On the restart, Bergakker would once again drive away, and secure the $2,633 payday, plus lap money. Victory Lane celebrations were slightly delayed, with the heat getting the best of Bergakker. 2019 Co-Rookie of the Year Connor Zbozien drove a very smart race, and got by Craig Everage for the runner-up position in the final laps. Everage would come home 3rd, with Zbozien’s Rookie of the Year counterpart Hayden Sprague and Stan Yee Jr. rounding out the top 5.
Story - Rich Frantz
Photo - Level Pebble Racing Pics