For Release - Tuesday May 20, 2008 - From Jim Irvine - Merrittville Speedway Public Relations - 905-892-8266 

Thorold, Ontario (May 20) The Victoria Day Weekend closed out with another chiller of a night but another thriller. It came in the opening round of the 2008 Lucas Oil Shoot Out presented by Dirt Track Digest.com and had those that braved the weather – on their feet Monday May 19th. 

It wasn’t looking like it would be a good night for Larry Lampman nor his new car owner and new team-mate Dan Miller. 

In Lampman’s heat, contact with Pete Cosco saw the two time champion black flagged. Contact with rookie Andrew Sittler sent Miller’s car careening into the front stretch wall with major damage in his heat and he would be unable to start the main. Lampman would have to start 26th but rebounded to win the 50 lap Main Event of the Zavitz Financial Strategies Holiday Special. 

The last two seasons, Lampman has won Merrittville’s opening Night Features in dramatic fashion. In 2008 – that dramatic win came in the opening round of the Lucas Oil Shoot Out. 

James Michael Friesen, Dolph McCready and Craig Coutu also visited Victory Lane in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Duel on the Dirt Street Stock and Konzelmann Estate Winery Enduro Qualifier respectively. 

“I really felt bad for the crew,” revealed Lampman feeling a lot better about his night in Victory Lane, “we made some changes to the car during the week … we’re just trying to get everything to click with the new team … this definitely will help.” 

Lampman – who wasn’t even planning to race this season up until a few months ago - quietly worked his way through the entire field – taking over 3rd spot on lap 40. Shortly after a lap 43 caution, Lampman took control of second spot – and eventually caught almost race long leader Scott Wood. Lampman, hugging the bottom groove had the lead briefly out of turn 2 the final go round but down the back-stretch it was Wood back out front. Exiting turn 4 for the final time, Lampman got a good run  uncharacteristically off the bottom and at the start finish line – edged Wood by at most a half car length. 

“When you start at the tail,” added Lampman, “you have to try everything you can to get to the front.” 

Prior to Lampman’s lead of the final circuit – it had pretty much been all Scott Wood. Wood drew the pole starting spot and at the drop of Starter Doug Leonard’s green flag quickly jumped out front. Quick to challenge though was Todd Gordon. The two second generation drivers were soon in a side by side battle until Gordon took the lead along the back-stretch of lap 6. Gordon, Wood and third place runner Rick Richner pulled away from the field until a lap 10 caution slowed the pace. 

Once again, Wood and Gordon were side by side until Gordon fell off the pace – a victim of engine woes. Wood set the pace through a couple restarts until Ken Cosgrove landed in the runner-up spot to mount a challenge. Cosgrove took control on lap 18 and soon gained a comfortable lead until sophomore driver Chris Steele slowed off the pace as well – dropping from a strong third place run. 

Cosgrove out front with Wood now the challenger on the restart until Cosgrove got a little out of shape off the front-stretch apron. Wood quickly ran away to a healthy lead through increasing lap traffic – stretching the margin to almost a half lap around lap 30 until the lap 43 caution erased the lead. 

Lampman and Wood were followed by Chad Brachmann who took third spot on lap 35, Rick Richner and Pete Bicknell. 

Wood’s finishing spot is unofficial pending the ruling on his MSD Box which has been sent to the company for inspection purposes while Rick Richner was fined half his points and half his earnings for a carburetor infraction 

From a fourth starting spot, James Michael Friesen sat patiently until the race track came to him in the 40 lap Sportsman Special. It arrived on a lap 35 restart when the two were racing into turn 3. 

Friesen got underneath leader Panunte going in and upon exit was the new leader. 

"I just dove as hard as I could and he went high … I took the other lane," Friesen said. "I kind of shot the middle a little bit and it stuck and he seemed to get a little loose. I just kept my foot in it." 

Through to the checkered flag, Friesen was able to maintain a comfortable lead for the win at the track once co-owned by his grandfather and L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Famer Stan Friesen. James Michael is the son of Joel and Trish Friesen – whose family still owns and operates Ransomville Speedway. 

Greg Panunte settled for second while Mike Bowman, Joe Middlemiss and Paul Gaboury closed out the top 5.

Monday Night’s Race Card also featured two full fendered special events – the first of which was the first Duel on the Dirt Home Track Event that culminates in September with combined events for Merrittville’s Hoosier Stocks and the Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks that call the Brighton (Ontario) Speedway home.

The 25 lap Event was lined up via a heads up start meaning heat winners would start up front.

Dolph McCready won the first heat and led the entire event with Jeff Dayman the second heat winner – holding on to his second place spot at the finish. Defending champion Rob Murray probably made up the most ground – coming from 12th to take third. Third generation driver Brent Begolo started in 4th and finished in that spot while Barry Blanchard took fifth.

Jason Coutu won the 25 lap Konzelmann Estate Winery Enduro qualifier and will start on the pole for the September 7th 100 lap Enduro that will close out the 57th Season.

The no holds barred event featured many lead changes as the front runners weaved through the slower cars. Coutu’s margin of victory – a car length over early leader James Mercer. Tim McIntosh - also an early leader held on for third while Chris Houtby and Ryan Eggleton rounded out the top 5. 37 cars started.

Merrittville Speedway Results – Monday May 19, 2008

Zavitz Financial Strategies Monday Night Madness presented by ZFS Benefit Solutions

Lucas Oil 358 Modified Shoot Out – 50 Laps

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

Lucas Oil 358 Modified Shoot Out Heat Winners – First – Travis Braun, Second – Ken Cosgrove, Third - Fred Carleton. 

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature – 40 laps 

James Michael Friesen, Greg Panunte, Mike Bowman, Joe Middlemiss, Paul Gaboury, Justin Sharp, Tyler McPherson, Jim Johnstone, Brad Rouse, BJ Willard, Luke Carleton, Chad Chevalier, Mark Chiddy, Brandon Easey, Rob Knapp, Rick Bellante, Mat Williamson, Don Spiece, M1, Kevin Sharpe, Darren Zumpe, Mark D’Ilario, Robbie Rounce, Graham Mackay. DNQ – Darrel Farraway, Jay Doerr, Mark Dixon, Dave Flannigan, Lee Winger, Ron MacAuley, Tony Cowal.

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Heat Winners – First – Joe Middlemiss, Second – Rick Bellante, Third – Greg Panunte, Fourth – James Michael Friesen.

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman B Main Winner – Mark Chiddy.

Duel on the Dirt Home Track Event #1 – 25 laps 

Dolph McCready, Jeff Dayman, Rob Murray, Brent Begolo, Barry Blanchard, Kevin Knapp, Rick Beales, Jason Fontaine, Dave Small, Billy Bleich, Mike Dooley, Kevin Kocarik, Driver Car # 06, Vince Fargnoli, Russ Davidson, Mark Fawcett, Shayne Pierce, Michael Bosse, Cody McPherson, Rob Disher, Kirk Wilson, Ron Kingsbury, Bill Hogue, Ron Loggie. DNQ – Jack Myers, Tyler Anderson, Driver Car # 2. 

Duel on the Dirt Home Track Event # 1 Heat Winners – First – Dolph McCready, Second – Jeff Dayman, Third – Kevin Knapp.  

Duel on the Dirt Home Track Event # 1 B Main Winner – Mark Fawcett 

Merrittville Pit Notes: Saturday Night action returns May 24th with CAA Member Appreciation Night featuring the opening round of the 2008 Turn 4 Collision Triple Crown 4 Cylinder Series and a Best Appearing Dog Contest. 

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
 

Merrittville Speedway’s Monday Night Madness Victoria Day Special is brought to fans by partners including Zavitz Financial Strategies, ZFS Benefit Solutions, Lucas Oil and Brighton Speedway 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.