New Boston driver stalks title in Flat Rock Speedway's biggest race

FLAT ROCK — Paul Pelletier ranks second in the season points for Late Models at Flat Rock Speedway.

But that was news to him.

“We never run for points,” the 46-year-old New Boston resident said. “We just go for the wins and whatever happens (with the points), happens.”

Pelletier owns 23 career wins at Flat Rock since he started racing in 1999 and owns a nearly a handful of season points titles.

“We’ve won four of them and never tried for one of them,” he said.

Pelletier will be trying for a win Saturday in the biggest race of the season at the speedway.

He is one of the drivers registered for the 150-lap Stan Yee Memorial.

“We won it in 2006 and have been second two other times,” Pelletier said.

Pelletier and the rest of the field will be taking aim Saturday at Brian Bergakker. The Middleville driver has taken home the championship trophy in the last four runnings of the Yee Memorial.

What makes Bergakker unbeatable at Flat Rock Speedway?

“I have no idea,” Pelletier said. “I would like to know myself. The west side (of Michigan) cars are an anomaly. It’s been that way since I was growing up. The west side cars always seem to have more speed.”

Especially Bergakker’s car.

“When he shows up, we’re all running for second and third,” Pelletier said. “But it’s not from lack of effort.”

Pelletier has been working hard on his car in preparation for Saturday’s big race.

“We’ve had about a month off,” he said. “We’ve been out there every night.”

Family legacy: New Cornett at the wheel

Pelletier, who originally hails from Trenton, was introduced to racing by his uncle, Brian Pelletier.

“I’ve been around it my whole life,” he said. “I used to work on my uncle’s car, then saved every penny to buy my own car. … We only ran together twice. He passed away (in 1999) at Toledo in his car.”

Driving dynasty: Bergakker stalks fourth straight title in Flat Rock Speedway's biggest race

Pelletier is a truck driver by trade. He spends almost all of his time around engines in the summer.

“I work eight or 10 hours a day, then spend six or seven in the garage – or more,” he said. “This is my fishing, my everything. It’s all I do.”

His family supports his hobby.

“We’re a racing family,” he said. “My son (Ryan, 9) is racing quarter midgets. He’s been driving since he was 2 in the backyard. We snuck him into quarter midgets when he was 4. I think you are supposed to be five. … It’s neat to see.”

His wife, Jill, also has motor oil in her veins.

“She’s from a racing family,” he said. “All her uncles ran at Flat Rock. Her brothers just start racing and all her cousins.”

Pelletier will be facing a strong field Saturday.

Photo Gallery: Opening night at Flat Rock Speedway

In addition to Bergakker, former champion Justin Schroeder (2008), this season’s points leader Conner Zbozien and 2003 points champion and son of the race’s namesake Stan Yee Jr. will be competing for the title Saturday.

Stan Yee Sr. was a championship late model car builder who competed in the midwest short track racing scene for over 40 years. The Chinese-American East Detroiter was known as an innovator and a champion for the length of his career.

Saturday’s racing card also will include Street Stocks and Figure 8s.

There are no advanced sales for the race. Tickets will be available when the gates open at 4:30 p.m. Go to www.flatrockspeedway.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: New Boston driver stalks title in Flat Rock Speedway's biggest race