Thorold, Ontario (August 4) … Second generation Waterloo NY Driver Matt Sheppard dominated the 100 lap 17^th Trevor Wilkens Memorial Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Main Event August 3^rd at Merrittville Speedway – so much so that at Starter Doug Leonard’s double checkered flags – there were only 4 cars from the 30 car field on the lead lap. 

The Civic Holiday Tradition held annually since 1972 also had Rob Murray in Victory Lane in the 25 lap Hoosier Stock Duel on the Dirt Home Track Event while Paul Klager took home the 25 lap Stars North Mod Lite Tour Event – all on the Hingston Metal Fabricators Toolneeds and Aaron’s Extravaganza at the Thorold showplace. 

Some of the capacity crowd on hand for Merrittville Speedway’s 17^th Annual Trevor Wilkens Memorial may have wondered what was going on as they were on the edge of their seats anticipating the start of the 100 lap Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Main Event. 

One look towards the pit area and it appeared that the starting field appeared to be leaving the premises through the Pit Gate instead of heading to the track. 

To everyone’s surprise however, Merrittville’s Strickland Automart Dodge Charger Pace Car with former Pro Stock Champ Steve Devos at the wheel brought the cars down the front-stretch … on the spectator side of the wheel fence – right in front of the grandstands. 

“As soon as (announcer) Clint Geoffrey told everyone what was going on,” relayed (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “right from Turn 4 to Turn 1 … words can’t describe how electric the stands were … I know … I was out in the crowd too!” 

One by one the starting field was introduced – so close that some were chatting with fans and shaking hands.  

Once the field was introduced, recent L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Inductee Howard Disher gave a touching invocation honoring the late Harvey Hainer Senior and Mike Collins in the process before Clint Geoffrey performed both anthems himself. 

It was then up to Trevor Wilkens’ father Gerry to give the words everyone was on their feet waiting for … “Gentlemen … start your engines!,” he shouted emotionally Wilkens after providing some thoughts, “right from the first edition … I can’t thank each and everyone that has supported us … the event and supported our charity T Shirt Sales … as we celebrate the 17^th Annual Night for Trevor … it will be the last.” 

Merrittville Speedway’s Grand Marshall Harry Hielema passed on the honors to Trevor’s family – instead spending his night riding shotgun in the Pace Car. 

Trevor Wilkens – an up and coming star was the driver of the Pete and Linda Cosco owned 17c 358 Modified who passed away in July of 1993 after a courageous battle with cancer and for 17 summers – Merrittville’s biggest event had been run in his honor. 

Integra Shocks Time Trials for the Big Block Modifieds earlier in the night had Justin Haers of Phelps NY setting a new track record with a 15.044 second lap but after the Aaron’s of St. Catharines Redraw – two Larrys were the Lucky Dogs. 

Larry Wight of Phoenix NY drew the pole with current Merrittville Point leader Larry Lampman drawing outside pole. The two would lead the field to Honorary Starter Curt Wilkens’ green flag. 

For compete results – visit  http://www.superdirtcarseries.com/news/2009/august/080309_sd_sheppardmerwinner.aspx 

Merrittville Speedway’s Hoosier Stocks continued their drive for five against the Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks from the Brighton Speedway with their final home track event. 

At the drop of the green for their 25 lap event it was Kevin Knapp and Shayne Pierce on the front row with Pierce eventually gaining a narrow margin on Knapp. 

The two front-runners were soon joined by Rob Murray with the three quickly pulling away from the field before a caution slowed the pace on lap 6. 

Pierce resumed control on the restart with Murray taking control of the runner-up along the back-stretch of lap 7. Another caution on lap 8 would slow Pierce but soon after the restart – the new leader was Murray. 

At the half-way point the current Merrittville Point leader enjoyed a 5 car lead which was soon erased by another caution on lap 15. 

Immediately Murray opened up a comfortable lead on the field – one that he stretched considerably by lap 20. With his stepson Brad Sheehan battling Shayne Pierce for the runner-up spot in the closing laps – the margin of victory for Murray was almost a half straightaway by lap 25. 

Shayne Pierce was able to hold off Sheehan with Duel on the Dirt Home Track Event Number 1 Winner Ken Sargent 4^th. Kevin Knapp rounded out the top 5. 

Next up for Team Merrittville – the first of two combined events at during the J&S Heating Weekend that closes Merrittville’s 58^th consecutive season – September 11-13 followed by the same at the Brighton Speedway the final weekend of September. 

The start of the 25 lap Stars North Mod Lite Event for the Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lites came to an immediate stop on lap 2 after Jordan Curran flipped his car on the front-stretch. 

Curran walked away from the scene. 

Paul Klager was back in control on the restart before Shawn Sliter took control.  

The two former champions battled side by side before Klager resumed control out of turn 4 to complete lap 7. To the half-way point Klager pulled away from the field – eventually through lap traffic. 

On the move was Adam Leslie and after taking control of the runner-up spot began to reel in the leader. 

Early leader Sliter and his Modern Corporation team-mate Gilbert followed and the three were soon three wide for second spot. 

With 5 to go Jamie Gilbert took second with Leslie quick to gain it back before a caution slowed one of the most exciting events of the season on lap 23. 

In the 2 lap dash to the finish – front runners and lap cars were mixing it up at some point six wide with Klager holding on to top spot for the win. 

Adam Leslie would regain the runner-up spot with Gilbert third. Adam Murphy stole fourth from Shawn Sliter. Invader Kenny Meadows was 6^th with Kory Howe, Jason Corless, Ryan Grady and Josh Sliter as the top 10. 

“It was an awesome weekend,” revealed Paul Klager in Victory Lane, “ I couldn’t have done it without my crew … they helped out a ton … they may have figured something out … my Hingston Metal Fabricators # 1 was hooked tonight!” 

Klager and many of the Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Drivers spent the weekend on the road at the Edelweiss and Brockville Speedways in TUSA Regional Events. Klager finished second to Shawn Sliter while winning the Global Warranty Corporation 730 Truck Stop Event. 

Klager and Murray each received $100 Bonuses from Hingston Metal Fabricators for their wins while Sheppard earned $500 for his Trevor Wilkens Memorial win. 

For complete results – visit http://www.speednetdirect.com/results.php?track_id=8430. 

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY 

CMH Leasing Help a Child Smile Night at Merrittville – Saturday August 8^th – features all 5 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions plus the third and final Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College in addition to the Meridian Credit Union Kid’s Club Box Car Race. 

Gates open at 5:30. Show time is 7 PM. 

For further info call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.   

Join us this season on a Saturday Night for A LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Weekly Racing Divisions featuring local heroes and up and coming new stars!  

Make your plans … call your friends and maybe even get a car pool together and enjoy a staycation at the speedway with plenty of free parking and camping spots – a night at the races is so much fun and so close to home! 

You’re among friends at Boston Pizza and Merrittville Speedway. Check your 2009 Merrittville Speedway Grandstand Ticket stubs for a special offer from the Niagara Street Welland Boston Pizza location.

Merrittville Speedway Race Fans enjoy the best odds to win BIG in Niagara every race by supporting the Thorold ASI Group Blackhawks Booster Club. Buy your 406 Auto Parts 50-50 Tickets and you may go home winner!

Your Local Dirt Track is where it's at!! Merrittville Speedway "The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara" 

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS
 

The 2009 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to fans by Global Warranty Corporation, Canadian Tire Financial Services and division sponsors – L. St. Amand Enterprises, Original Pizza Logs, Modern Corporation, Hoosier Tire Canada and Turn 4 Collision in addition to contingency sponsors Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Hoosier Tire, Lucas Oil Products, Inside Track Motorsport News, Intercomp, ISC Racer’s Tape, Jaz Products, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Motorsports Safety Systems, Outerwears, Port City Racing, R.J.S. Racing Equipment, Racing Optics, Schroeder Torsion Bars, Schoenfeld Headers, Ultra Shield Race Products, Wrisco Industries and XRP, Inc. 

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 Drummond Home Hardware in Niagara Falls and through RCM Racing Equipment