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For Immediate Release September 16, 2007.
From Jim Irvine
Merrittville Public Relations
905-892-8266
Thorold, Ontario (Sept 16) In the previous three Konzelmann Estate Winery Enduros, late race
incidents have almost meant disaster for the eventual winners. In the fourth edition that
closed Merrittville Speedway’s 56th Season September 9th, it appeared that Dave Bogusat had
lost the 100 lap Battle Royale Enduro.
Starting from 28th starting spot, Bogusat stayed in the
lead pack of almost 100 cars that started the century grind – taking control of top spot on lap
42. Bogusat became the leader after Todd Gordon dropped from top spot with a flat tire.
Gordon – a regular Saturday Night L. St. Amand Enterprises
358 Modified Driver took top spot just after a lap 33 red flag that stopped the field to clean
up a gas spill from one the cars in turn 4. The field was cleared from the area of the spill
before it was ignited to burn it off. Chris Grabbatin lead the field to the green flag to
resume the event before the second generation driver Gordon took control.
Gordon and Grabbatin had swapped the lead once before
Gordon had made contact with former Hoosier Stock driver Dolph McCready in turn 1 – forcing
McCready’s race to be over.
Prior to this mid race activity – the race was all about
last year’s winner – Dan McNeil. McNeil started from third spot as a result of winning the
final Qualifier back in the race season and he was on a rail to win it again – leading from the
drop of Honorary Starter Anthony Dortono’s green flag.
In a race interview during an early red flag with
co-announcer Clint Geoffrey, Merrittville’s roving reporter questioned MacNeil about his race
strategy .. “we’re doing OK … I’m just trying to stay out of trouble.”
McNeil was doing OK – having held onto the lead through a
number of restarts for minor incidents and while he was setting the pace – the driver with the
seemingly quickest was his brother Terry – who rocketed from his 57th starting to the front of
the field in record time.
Both McNeils appeared to be anything but conservative
though as just before the lap 25 mark Terry would be forced to the pits with a right rear flat
tire and soon afterwards Dan’s car would start to show smoke. It was from tire rub as the tire
would lose increasingly more air with McNeil somehow able to keep the lead.
The same fate would eventually strike Terry as just around
the halfway point – his right rear tire would come loose – sailing high over the Pepsi Bill
Board in turn 4.
“We had like 6 cars entered today,” revealed Terry MacNeil
post-race, “ I think between all of we used up 11 tires … it was such a blast though.”
Bogusat would lead the event through 30 caution-free laps
before another red flag on lap 72. Regular Hoosier Stock competitor Kevin Knapp would stall his
car in turn 4 on lap 79 before contact between two cars in turn 4 would halt the race once
again. Jamie Werstroh had also stalled his car in turn 4 when Nick Sarantakos made heavy
contact. Both drivers were OK but unfortunately Werstroh’s was probably not even fixable by his
sponsor United Motor Collision.
One last sprinkling of water was put down on the real racy
track prior to the return to racing which brought up an interesting observation amongst Race
officials – would the closing laps favor a front wheel or rear wheel drive car?
Quickly Bogusat pulled away to a full straight away lead
on Jason Coutu who was unofficially in the runner-up spot. With 5 laps to go however, Bogusat
appeared to be slowing and by the time Starter Doug Leonard gave the two to go signal – Coutu
had pulled alongside the leader. Coutu eventually overtook Bogusat and appeared to be the race
winner.
Post race however it was determined that Bogusat had
indeed won the event with early leader Robert Wright in second. Coutu was actually third while
Todd Gordon rebounded from earlier misfortunes to take fourth. Chris James was fifth.
Each Enduro competitor supplies a scorer who records lap
times displayed on the Chevron Texaco Global Lubricants Scoreboard and after tallying sheets –
Bogusat was determined to be the winner.
“I don’t know what was going on,” relayed Bogusat of his
Total Auto Repair #28, “ I’ve been so close before … it just started to lose power … cutting in
and out … I’m just so glad it didn’t let me down.”
Previous to this year’s event Bogusat had finished third
and second in the last two events – even leading some laps last year – but this year he lead
the most important lap to become the fourth different winner in as many years of the running of
the event.
Bogusat’s win was worth $1,000.00 in the 56th Season
Finale.
In the 3rd Annual 25 lap Queens Event for Ladies – 2007
Turn 4 Collision 4 cylinder Rookie Driver Jocelyn Wiley earned $250.00 after dominating the
event.
The 25 lap Ladies Race was stopped almost as quick as it
got underway as Randi Lee Overholt flipped hr #32 quite dramatically in turn 4 after the gas
pedal stuck. The driver was unhurt in the display that rivaled flips more common to open wheel
cars.
Randi Lee was unhurt and jumped onto the roof of her
former grocery getter saluting the crowd – her purse in hand … “I don’t go anywhere without
it!”
When the race resumed – it was Darlene Bicknell in control
before Wiley took control on the backstretch.
In the early portion of the event Wiley checked out on the
field that also included first time racer Tara St. Amand – daughter of former racer Terry St.
Amand and former Ladies Race Competitor Karen Kocarik.
As the event wound down, Wiley appeared to be slowing
while first time racer Cherry Halls appeared to be gaining. Halls challenge would fall as a
front tie rod would collapse – leaving the car stranded in turn 2.
The Konzelmann Estate Winery 100 Lap Battle Royale Enduro
concluded the 2007 Stock Car Season and the third tripleheader in Merrittville Speedway’s 56
year history. For further information on upcoming events during the off season and the 2008
Schedule – call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
Now’s the time to start on your 2008 Enduro Car – the
first qualifier is just 7 months away!
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