Thorold, Ontario (June 8) Tim Jones started his day representing new sponsor Global Warranty at a Seaway Trailer’s Open House. He finished it presenting them and his new team with his first L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature win on Seaway Hose & Hydraulics Autograph Night at Merrittville Speedway – Saturday June 7th. 

First time winners almost made it a clean sweep with Justin Sharp, Bill Hogue, and A.J. Castelein also making their trips to Victory Lane in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Hoosier Stock, and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Divisions. 

The lone repeat winner was Shawn Sliter who earned his second Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Main Event. 

Todd Gordon was first to lead the 35 lap L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature – setting the pace until Fred Carleton took control after a lap 8 restart. Carleton’s lead was stalled quickly for another caution but when racing resumed, Carleton pulled away from the field.  

With Carleton checking out – the real race was for second with Chad Brachmann soon to pressure Todd Gordon. Brachmann eventually took the spot with Tim Jones to third. 

Through increasing lap traffic Carleton opened up almost a full straightaway lead with Jones taking over the runner-up spot. 

With ten to go, Jones set his sights on the leader and slowly began to reel him in. Carleton kept to the outside lane with Jones keeping to the bottom and closing fast. Along the front-stretch of lap 31 Jones took control of P1. Chad Brachmann also made a late race charge and regained 2nd on lap 33 and caught up to Jones. 

With Starter Doug Leonard’s double checkered flags waving – Jones crossed the start finish line a half-car length ahead of Brachmann.   

Fred Carleton held on for third with Boyd MacTavish and Larry Lampman closing out the top 5. 

From his front row starting spot, Norm Mark was first to lead the 25 lap Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature. Mark’s patience surely was tested through a number of early cautions that slowed his pace. Just after a lap 8 caution, Mark’s car pushed high into turn 1 – opening the door for Justin Sharp to take control of the lad. 

A lengthy green flag run enabled Sharp to open up almost a half lap on the field – but that all went away on lap 22 when caution slowed the pace. 

In the three lap dash – Sharp set the pace – holding off Mark D’Ilario who made a late race charge to take the runner-up spot. B.J. Willard was third while Robbie Rounce and Tyler McPherson rounded out the top 5. 

Sharp’s first career Sportsman win made the second generation driver the sixth different divisional winner in as many events in 2008. 

The 25 lap Hoosier Stock Feature had Mike Dooley as leader with the fan favorite also opening up a good lead on the field until a series of cautions also affected his fate. Just after a lap 11 incident, Dooley was being pressured y Billy Hogue. The two ran side by side until a lap 13 caution again put everything on hold. 

Hogue found an advantage along the back-stretch of lap 14 and became the new leader with incredible three and four wide racing happening behind him with Rob Murray, Dolph McCready, Rick Beales all on top of Dooley. 

One last caution slowed Hogue and Dooley as both Murray and McCready were able to get by. 

At the white flag, McCready was able to pull even with Hogue looking for his 4th win of the season by Hogue had a ½ car lead at the finish. 

Defending Champion Rob Murray took third with Dooley settling for fourth. Sophomore third generation driver Brent Begolo was fifth. 

Jason Corless survived two early cautions in the – lap Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Feature as leader before Shawn Sliter took command after a lap 5 restart. Sliter enjoyed a lengthy green flag run of his own until a lap 17 incident slowed the motor cycle-powered cars. 

At the finish it was Sliter out front – earning his second win of the season with Adam Leslie in the runner-up spot. It was a good night for the Sliters with team-mate Jamie Gilbert taking third spot after being awarded Driver of the Week honors earlier to start the night. Josh Sliter was 4th while early leader Corless hung on for 5th. 

He final and possibly most memorable first time winner came in the first main event of the night. 

All season, AJ Castelein has been plagued by breakdowns. 

Starting from the pole, Castelein was first to lead the 15 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature – a lead he would never relinquish. Despite a caution on lap 9, Castelein would lead all 15 laps. 

If the race had had more yellows or perhaps been longer – the yellow flag may have waved for the winner instead of the checkered. 

In the time between post race scaling and the drive to Victory Lane – the rear suspension on his car collapsed and he was towed to Victory Lane. 

AJ’s father and defending points champion Abel Castelein was second while Trevor Goulding, Aaron Wiley and Ron Cosco rounded out the top 5.  

Merrittville Speedway Results – Saturday June 7, 2008

Seaway Hose & Hydraulics Night 

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

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

L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Heat Winners First – Chris Steele, Second – Travis Cunningham, Third – Todd Gordon. 

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature – 25 laps 

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

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Heat Winners – First – Kevin Sharpe, Second – B.J. Willard, Third – Robbie Rounce, Fourth – Mark D’Ilario. 

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman B Main Winner – Don Spiece. 

Hoosier Stock Feature – 20 laps 

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

Hoosier Stock Heat Winners – First – Billy Hogue, Second – Mike Dooley, Third – Vince Fargnoli, Fourth – Jason Fontaine.  

Hoosier Stock B Main Winner – Rob Disher. 

Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Feature – 20 laps 

Shawn Sliter, Adam Leslie, Jamie Gilbert, Josh Sliter, Jason Corless, Wayne Robins, Rick Brubacher, Jordan Curran, Blair Young, Jeff Johnson, Andy Tallman, Kellie Mason, Wally Billing, Bob Bredin, Scott Billing, Dale Leonard, Scott Philips, Kory Howe, Adam Murphy, Joel Szigatti. 

5 Star Racing Products Lucky Dog Winner – Scott Billing 

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

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature – 15 laps 

A.J. Castelein, Able Castelein, Trevor Goulding, Aaron Wiley, , Ron Cosco, Rob Goulding, Garnet Wilson, Tony Kelly, Bob Gill, Terry Larmet, Ed McLean, Chris Laskey, Jocelynne Wiley, Rob Overholt, Rocco Conte, Greg Wilson, Garfield Robichaud, Mike Giberson, Rick Grundy, Roger Gilbert, Tony Braster, Damian Gore, Brandon Iudiciani, Matt Deschamps, David Lopes. 

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Heat Winners – First – A.J. Castelein, Second – Jocelynne Wiley, Third – Matt Deschamps. 

Merrittville Pit Notes: A majority of the 128 DIRT Weekly Racing Series teams in the pits for Seaway Hose & Hydraulics Autograph Night poured out onto to the front-stretch for the meet and greet session. 

The month of June continues with SMS Machine presenting CAW Local 199 Night. The Race Program will feature the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Hoosier Stocks, Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites, Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders  in addition to the only 2008 visit of the winged New York Modified Midgets. Merrittville Speedway’s Tuesday Night Kart Club will also provide a demonstration. 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 Seaway Hose & Hydraulics 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