Thorold, Ontario (June 15) June began last week with 4 new winners and one repeat winner at Merrittville. The results were a little reversed in the SMS Machine CAW Local 199 June 14th date at Merrittville. 

Scott Wood was the lone new home track winner – earning his first L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature while in the only visit of the sprint-car like New York Modified Midgets – Erick Rudolph won his first as well – both just in time for Father’s Day. Wood is a second generation driver while Rudolph is the third generation to get behind the wheel. 

Kevin Knapp, Jamie Gilbert and Aaron Wiley were all repeat winners with each driver earning their second wins of 2008 in the Hoosier Stock, Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Divisions respectively. 

In a night that was almost a full moon – it may have well been one with several strange occurrences throughout the night.  

George Bosse was first to lead the 35 lap L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature before a lap 1 incident slowed the field. Out front once again, Bosse and the field were slowed again on lap 3 when point leader Pete Bicknell exploded a right rear tire on lap 3. 

Bosse was pressured right away on the restart from rookie Travis Braun – the two running side by side until Bosse had control of top spot. Scott Wood quickly joined in the battle for top spot with the three pulling away from the pack. 

Another caution on lap 11 again slowed the torrid battle for top spot with Braun edging ahead until Bosse regained the lead on lap 14. Also jumping into the fray was Chad Brachmann who took 4th at the half-way point and surged into 2nd on lap 23. 

With a good green flag run – Bosse, Brachmann and Wood again pulled away from the pack. 

Brachmann took over top spot on lap 30 but in almost the same spot that he gained the lead – lost it. Wood took advantage of a slight bobble by Brachmann in turn 2 of lap and went on for the win. 

Quite a nice turn around for Wood who finished last week’s race with much of the right side body panels torn off his car after a multi-car incident. 

“Chad was fast on the top … but I was just as fast around the bottom,” revealed Wood in Victory Lane, “I just tried to hit may marks ... and hold my line.” 

A multi-car incident on lap 1 of the Hoosier Stock Feature slowed early leader Ron Loggie’s pace.  

Once racing resumed, Ron Kingsbury was the new leader. Kevin Knapp was also on the move in the early going and eventually caught up to Kingsbury, the two eventually were side by side – neither driver having a clear lead. Kingsbury would edge ahead only to have Knapp surge back.  

With the thrilling battle for top spot brewing – the field was some four wide behind them racing for 5th. 

Would it be déjà vu for Knapp with Kingsbury holding him off?  

Knapp was quite involved in rebuilding Kingsbury’s car in the off season and even raced it at a pre-season special at Black Rock. 

Eventually Knapp found an advantage – taking over the lead and in the closing laps – stretched his lead to almost a ¼ lap. 

After cooling down from quite a race and his traditional fence climb salute to the fans, Knapp was quick to thank all his sponsors and his brother, “with the track this tacky …I could really drive it in … I’ve got to thank Kevin for all his work in setting this thing up.” 

Scott Billing was the early leader of the 20 lap Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Feature – an event that was slowed twice in the early going before it was stopped altogether. The lead got shuffled a bit as Wayne Robins took control before Jamie Gilbert stormed into top spot along the back-stretch. 

No sooner had Gilbert took control … his team-mate Shawn Sliter lost control of his own car sending the point leader into a series of flips in turn 1. 

It appeared that while setting up for the turn, Sliter’s 71 got real high then shot back into the groove when the car dug in. Sliter almost saved it but to no avail.  

With Gilbert out front, invader Mikey Hay had raced his way back to the front after being involved on one of the earlier accidents and was in the runner-up spot as the event neared half way. 

One final caution on lap 15 saw Gilbert swinging real high and wide out of the turns with Hay trying to get a run on the leader on the inside. 

“It was a perfect track … lots of bite,” remarked Gilbert in Victory Lane for the second time of 2008, “I knew he would be running the bottom … I just had to run my race up top.” 

Rookie second generation driver Damian Gore was first to lead the 15 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature.  

Gore set the pace with Trevor Goulding pressuring the new-comer with the veteran eventually gaining control. Despite showing intermittent smoke, Wiley had quickly raced back to the front and was in the top 3 by lap 10.  

Now in the runner-up spot, Wiley was challenging Goulding but that would be put on hold after the race was stopped on lap 14 after Mike Giberson flipped his Chevette in turn 3. 

In the one lap dash to the finish, Wiley was able to overtake Goulding on the inside as the two raced into turn 3 for the last time. 

“I knew when the graders went out,” informed Wiley, “I would be running the high groove … the smoke … it seems to be a Merrittville thing.” 

“It was really a shame,” revealed Erick Rudolph … trying to find some words in Victory Lane, “it looked like we were going to have quite a race … a win is a win … I guess.” 

Before a late race red flag – the third of the night for a flipping John Smith in turn 2 – the race was all Dan Miller. 

Not the Dan Miller from the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds – but veteran Dan Miller of the visiting New York Modified Midgets. 

No one was able to catch the Hilton New York native before Smith’s race ended. On the ensuing red flag – Rudolph was unable to stop in time and made contact with the leader’s right rear tire, flattening it in the process. 

When racing resumed after the late race red – it was all Rudolph. The third generation driver went on for his first win of the season for the touring group on a night that wasn’t planned. 

“We were scheduled to run the Modified at Perry,” revealed Rudolph’s dad Charlie pre-race, “but with them raining out … we ended up here.” 

Merrittville Speedway Results – Saturday June 14, 2008

SMS Machine CAW Local 199 Night 

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

Scott Wood, Chad Brachmann, George Bosse, Larry Lampman, Fred Carleton, Travis Braun, Pete Bicknell, Ken Cosgrove, Brian Stevens, Dan Miller, Boyd MacTavish, Tim Jones, Tommy Flannigan, Travis Cunningham, Chris Steele, Rick Richner, Derek Lemyre, Bill Bleich, Andrew Sittler, Pete Cosco, Todd Kendrick, Rob Knapp, Todd Gordon, Darren Peters. 

L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Heat Winners First – Bill Bleich, Second – Travis Cunningham, Third – Ken Cosgrove. 

Hoosier Stock Feature – 20 laps 

Kevin Knapp, Rick Beales, Ron Kingsbury, Jason Fontaine, Rob Murray, Dolph McCready, Russ Davidson, Cody McPherson, Shayne Pierce, Barry Blanchard, Vince Fargnoli, Billy Bleich, Jeff Dayman, Billy Hogue, Dave Small, Mark Fawcett, Brent Begolo, Mike Dooley, Kirk Wilson, Ron Loggie, Shaun Hager, Rich Champigny, Rob Disher, Kevin Kocarik. DNQ – Terry Laska, Brett Robbins, Michael Bosse.  

Hoosier Stock Heat Winners – First – Kevin Knapp, Second – Jeff Dayman, Third – Brent Begolo.  

Hoosier Stock B Main Winner – Rob Murray. 

Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Feature – 20 laps 

Jamie Gilbert, Mikey Hay, Adam Leslie, Josh Sliter, Wayne Robins, Scott Billing, Rick Brubacher, Jordon Curran, Wally Billing, Derek Bredin, Scott Philips, Dale Leonard, Dan Russell, Blair Young, Kellie Mason, Kory Howe, Jason Corless, Shawn Sliter, Bob Bredin.   

5 Star Racing Products Lucky Dog Winner – Dale Leonard 

Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Heat Winners – First – Wayne Robins, Second – Scott Billing, Third – Adam Leslie. 

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature – 15 laps 

Aaron Wiley, Trevor Goulding, Abel Castelein, Tony Kelly, Ron Cosco, Chris Laskey, Damian Gore, Matt Deschamps, Roger Gilbert, Rick Grundy, Dave Larocque, Mike Giberson, Bill Gill, A.J. Castelein, Jocelynne Wiley, Rob Goulding, Rocco Conte. 

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Heat Winners – First – Damian Gore. , Second – Aaron Wiley. 

New York Modified Midgets Feature – 25 laps 

Erick Rudolph 

New York Modified Midgets Heat Winners – First – Timex Morgan, Second – Ryan Jordan. 

For complete results visit www.nymmseries.com. 

Merrittville Pit Notes: Hoosier Stock Heats were delayed when the guardrail between Turns 1 and 2 needed repairs. 3 Flips in the first three feature events – each driver was OK. 

The Tuesday Night Kart Club ran demonstration events during the evening before two former karters would win stock car features – Wood and Rudolph. Wood never ran Merrittville’s infield track but Rudolph has. 

Merrittville Speedway would like to thank all of the karters and their families that participated and to Officials Chris Long, Ron McGarry and Joey Mastroianni. 

Even though the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Division was idle, Statistician Fran Buschardt provided a fact that in 20 qualifying heats in the books in 2008 – there have been 18 different winners. Almost parallels 6 different feature winners to date as well. 

The Sportsmen return very much in the spotlight June 21st when the Ontario Environmental Safety Network presents Round 2 of the Lucas Oil Shoot Out with 50 laps the distance plus regular events for the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Hoosier Stocks, Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders.  

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

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS
 

The 2008 DIRT Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to fans by partners including SMS Machine 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.