Thorold, Ontario (July 6) – Race Fans enjoyed quite an action packed night of racing as July opened up at Merrittville Speedway. 

RK Shaver Chartered Accountants were joined by a rain-delayed Global Warranty Corporation as presenters of the July 5th Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Race Card. 

Global Warranty Corporation meets and exceeds the needs of today’s drivers by providing the ULTIMATE in DRIVING PROTECTION for both Automotive and RV owners.  

They ought to think about providing coverage for race cars as well. 

Each of the night’s features on saw numerous cautions and several red flags – bringing things to a complete standstill as the track came up unusually slick.  

“There’s no full moon tonight … I just can’t explain it!,” offered up by Merrittville Speedway Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Driver Shawn Sliter in Victory Lane for the fourth time of 2008. 

Scott Wood, James Friesen, Barry Blanchard and Aaron Wiley all may have been thinking the same thoughts after winning their respective events in the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders. 

Just before Scott Wood took control of top spot of the 35 lap 358 Main Event on lap 26 – Boyd MacTavish led the field through a longer green flag run. Once Wood took control – that run extended right through to the checkered flag – his second of the season. 

The second generation driver was not having a good night prior to that. 

Wood didn’t qualify out of his heat and could do no better than 6th in the B Main to earn a 21st feature starting spot. Early in the main event, Wood and 12 other drivers were involved in a major incident between turns 1 and 2. Fortunately he was able to pull away to rejoin the field. 

“The track re-working really threw us for a loop,” revealed Wood after he saw a brand new track in the B Main, “in the main … I just stayed around the bottom … everyone else was high … I just worked my way to the front.” 

After Todd Gordon set the initial pace at the drop of the green, Dan Miller took control of top spot until lap 5 when MacTavish become the third different leader.  

Wood was followed by Pete Bicknell, Boyd MacTavish, Fred Carleton and Derek Lemyre. 

In Victory Lane for the second time of the season, James Friesen revealed a somewhat unorthodox garage strategy, ”I just slept all day … I’ve been real frustrated lately … nothing I was doing was working … so I didn’t do anything … but really I have got to thank Larry Lampman  and Dan and Veronica Miller … they helped me get this thing  back on track.” 

Friesen would only lead one lap – actually a very short part of one – nipping Mike Bowman at the checkered flag by at most a car length. 

“I was focusing on Mike … and keeping my line,” revealed Friesen, “when I got by him … it was then that I saw the checkered flag.” 

Up until the last lap, Bowman had led from lap 3 when he took top spot from earlier leader Darren Zumpe. Friesen – who started 9th – worked his way to the runner-up spot on lap 6. At one point Bowman had a comfortable lead but in the later stages Friesen was able to close in – the two running side by side for a number of laps before the challenger found the edge. 

Friesen and Bowman were followed by Brandon Easey, Jim Johnstone and Chad Chevalier. 

A full field of 24 Hoosier Stocks took the initial green flag with Ron Loggie in control. Brent Begolo soon became the new leader. The sophomore third generation driver’s pace was slowed almost right away for a multi-car incident that had Loggie as one of the cars involved. 

Begolo set the pace on the restart but would soon be challenged by second generation driver Billy Bleich. Bleich would take over top spot on lap 8 until an incident on lap 10 involved a number of cars including many of the front runners. 

Begolo and Mike Dooley came together which somehow launched Dooley’s car forward into Bleich’s on the backstretch – ending the night for both drivers. 

When the race got to the halfway point – the field had whittled down to just 13 cars left on the track. 

Kevin Knapp was the new leader on the restart and in the closing laps faced a challenge from Barry Blanchard. With Knapp showing signs of smoke late in the race, Blanchard was able to get by and at the finish – enjoyed a car length margin. 

“We had a great battle,” commented first time Merrittville Feature Winner Barry Blanchard, “I kept going at him …. and snuck around … this is a big night for us … thanks to my sponsors … my car owners and my wife!” 

Blanchard and Knapp were followed by Shayne Pierce, Jeff Dayman, and Rob Murray. 

Since some winter racing at the East Bay Raceway in Tampa Florida, Shawn Sliter and his Modern Corporation team-mate Jamie Gilbert have been sharing a little mascot -  ‘Palmer’ – a coconut friend that make it’s way into either driver’s Victory Lane photos. 

Palmer will only bring one of the two drivers ‘luck’ on a given night. Tonight was Sliter’s turn. 

Sliter took control of the 20 lap Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Feature after a lap 6 restart prior to both Jason Corless and Dan Russell leading in the early stages. 

Sliter eventually opened up a huge lead until that advantage disappeared on lap 14 for a caution. On the ensuing restart, rookie driver Dale Leonard flipped his car in turn 3. Once racing resumed, Gilbert and Adam Leslie got together in turn 1 and collected Rick Brubacher who ended up flipping his car. 

Both drivers were OK – Leonard’s car suffering the most damage. 

With two late cautions – no one was going to catch Sliter who earned his 4th win of the season. 

Sliter’s nephew Josh Sliter continues to impress in 2008 and took the runner-up spot with Wayne Robins, Jamie Gilbert and Jason Corless as the top 5. 

Aaron Wiley is looking good for a repeat title in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Series. 

Wiley won the opener and in taking the second event – led the entire 20 lap grind for his 3rd Victory of 2008. 

The 2008 Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Series concludes Saturday August 30th with another 20 lap event as part of the Brian’s Tire Repair Labor Day FANtastic. 

Merrittville Speedway Results – Saturday July 5, 2008

RK Shaver Chartered Accountants Global Warranty Corporation Night 

L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature – 35 laps 

Scott Wood, Pete Bicknell, Boyd MacTavish, Fred Carleton, Derek Lemyre, Larry Lampman, Brian Stevens, Scott George, Dan Miller, Travis Cunningham, Chris Steele, Chad Brachmann, Tim Jones, Ken Cosgrove, Rick Richner, Travis Braun, Darren Peters, Derek Wutzke, Todd Kendrick, Todd Gordon, Bill Bleich, Roger Chrysler, Tom Flannigan, George Bosse. DNQ – Andrew Sittler, Graham Mackay. 

L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Heat Winners First –Brian Stevens, Second –Travis Cunningham, Third – Dan Miller. 

L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified B Main Winner – Darren Peters. 

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature – 25 laps 

James Friesen, Mike Bowman, Brandon Easey, Jim Johnstone, Chad Chevalier, Darren Zumpe, Joe Middlemiss, Luke Carleton, Mat Williamson, B.J. Willard, Brad Rouse, Rob Knapp, Mark Dixon, Tyler McPherson, Mark Chiddy, Justin Sharp, Tony Cowal, Darrell Farraway, Ron Macaulay, Kevin Sharpe, Robbie Rounce, Mark D’Ilario, Rick Bellante. 

Sportsman Heat Winners First – Rick Bellante, Second – Mike Bowman, Third – James Friesen. 

Hoosier Stock Feature – 20 laps 

Barry Blanchard, Kevin Knapp, Shayne Pierce, Jeff Dayman, Rob Murray, Mike Ward, Mark Fawcett, Brent Begolo, Kirk Wilson, Rob Disher, Kevin Kocarik, Vince Fargnoli, Michael Bosse, Cody McPherson, Billy Bleich, Mike Dooley, Dolph McCready, Terry Laska, Tyler Anderson, Ron Loggie, Russ Davidson, Jason Fontaine, Brett Robbins, Dave Small. 

Hoosier Stock Heat Winners First – Billy Bleich, Second – Jason Fontaine, Third – Brent Begolo. 

Hoosier Stock B Main Winner – Brett Robbins, 

Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Feature – 20 laps 

Shawn Sliter, Josh Sliter, Wayne Robins, Jamie Gilbert, 19, Jeff Johnson, Wally Billing, Blair Young, Dave Russell, Scott Billing, Scott Philips, Kellie Mason, Rick Brubacher, Derek Bredin, Bob Bredin, Kory Howe, Dale Leonard, Dave Russell, Lorne Colling, Jordan Curran, Adam Leslie. 

5 Star Racing Products Lucky Dog Winner – Scott Phillips. 

Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Heat Winners – First – Shawn Sliter, Second – Adam Leslie, Third – Jamie Gilbert. 

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Race # 2 Feature – 20 laps 

Aaron Wiley, Matt Deschamps, Garnet Wilson, Abel Castelein, Trevor Goulding, Ron Cosco, AJ Castelein, Rocco Conte, Greg Wilson, Damian Gore, Chris Laskey, Tony Braster, Mike Giberson, Rick Grundy, Roger Gilbert, Kyle Pelrine, Jocelynne Wiley, Ed McLean, Terry Larmet, Tony Kelly, Bob Gill, Rob Overholt.  

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Heat Winners – First – Aaron Wiley, Second – AJ Castelein.  

MERRITTVILLE PIT NOTES – After having their May 3rd 57th Opening Event rained out, Global Warranty returned to stage quite a front display including the cars of Tim Jones and Scott George. Both drivers handed out Global Kendrick T Shirts. 

Merrittville Co-announcer Fran Buschardt and St. Catharines Standard Motorsport Columnist John Steckley held the winning ticket in the Thorold ASI Group Blackhawks 406 Auto Parts 50-50 Draw. The two split just over $1200. 

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY 

Lucas Oil will present a Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Race Card featuring the 50 lap Lucas Oil Shootout for the 358 Modifieds the Jerry Winger Memorial – Saturday July 5th. 

Merrittville Speedway’s Reunion Committee will once again play host to Alumni and will present the L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Inductions for 2008. A wide array of Vintage Race Cars will also take to the track – allowing long-time fans the chance to reminisce and for newer fans – the chance to see what racing was like ‘back in the day.”

The Grand Marshall Contest for the Monday August 4th Advance Auto Parts Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Trevor Wilkens Memorial continues. 

Gates open at 5:30. Show time is at 7:00. For further info call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.   

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS

The 2008 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to fans by partners including RK Shaver Chartered Accountants and Global Warranty Corporation in addition to contingency sponsors Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Hoosier Tire Canada, Inside Track Motorsport News, Intercomp, ISC Racer’s Tape, Jaz Products, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Motorsports Safety Systems, Port City Racing, R.J.S. Racing Equipment, Sway-A-Way, Ultra Shield Race Products, Outerwears and XRP, Inc. 

You’re among friends at Boston Pizza and Merrittville Speedway. Check your Merrittville Speedway Ticket stubs for a special offer from the Niagara Street Welland Boston Pizza location. 

Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem-solving additives. 

Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive in the industry.  

Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favorite automotive retailer including the St. Catharines and Niagara Falls PartSource locations, Drummond Home Hardware in Niagara Falls and through RCM Racing Equipment.