Thorold, Ontario (June 14)  

Sometimes things come in threes. 

With three sets of double features among the highlights of SMS Machine Tools Night at Merrittville Speedway – Lucas Oil Victory Lane was visited by three first time feature winners. 

Mat Williamson – a 2009 Rookie in the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Division won his first career 35 lap Feature Event. 

Vince Fargnoli also earned his first career Hoosier Stock Feature. 

The night had 8 Feature Events on the schedule and the first one to win her first was Jocelyn Wiley who came home atop the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Division. 

The first feature to take to the track was the rain-delayed Turn 4 Collision Triple Crown Series Event from May 30th with Rob Goulding taking the win. 

The New York Modified Midgets made their only visit of the season with Jim Lafler winning. 

In the Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lites, team-mates Shawn Sliter and Jamie Gilbert each made trips to Victory Lane. 

The night closed with a second Hoosier Stock Feature that has been waiting to take Starter Doug Leonard’s green flag since April 25th. Rob Murray won the rain-delayed event. 

“I really can’t talk,” revealed Mat Williamson, “that was the most nerve wracking 35 laps I’ve ever run … I screwed up twice  … I thought for sure someone was going to get me.” 

Prior to a lap 8 caution Blue Moon Potatoes-sponsored team-mates Justin Sharp and Todd Gordon were in quite a seesaw battle for top spot. Gordon had control prior to the caution with Sharp out front on the restart before Gordon resumed the lead on the backstretch. Exiting Turn 4, Rob Pietz made a spectacular move to grab top spot but back in the pack – a number of cars got together signaling another yellow flag. 

On the restart it was Mat Williamson in top spot – a lead he would never relinquish. Brian Stevens and Rob Pietz were racing each other hard for second which allowed the 19 year old to open up quite a lead. At the half-way point Williamson was cruising through lap traffic while Stevens eventually settled into second all alone. 

With 10 laps to go and increasing lap traffic, Stevens was able to close in slightly on the leader but at the finish – Williamson was still on top. 

Stevens settled for second with Larry Lampman third. Pete Bicknell and Travis Braun rounded out the top 5.  

Vine Fargnoli first took control of top spot at the start of the regular Hoosier Stock Feature – only to lose it to Rookie Brett Robins in turn 1. Fargnoli regained the lead along the backstretch of lap 4 with thrilling 3 wide racing through the field. 

On the move in the early stages was Shayne Pierce who made a thrilling move to take the runner-up spot on lap 6 – threading the needle between Robins and another car but by half-way it was still Fargnoli out front by some 5 car lengths. 

Just as Pierce appeared to gaining on Fargnoli, the first caution would slow the field on lap 13. Fargnoli and Pierce would be joined on the restart by Brad Sheehan with the three cars pulling away. 

Fargnoli continued to set the pace with Pierce unable to get a good run. Pierce tried numerous times to get under the leader including a last lap effort out of turn 4 but first under the checkers was Fargnoli. 

“The track was great and I had a good starting spot,” remarked an overwhelmed Fargnoli post race, “They were trying to throw me off … but I stayed focused … thanks everyone … it’s great to be here!” 

Behind Fargnoli at the finish were Shayne Pierce, Brad Sheehan, Bret Robins and Ron Loggie. 

The Wiley name is a familiar one when it comes to Saturday Nights and Victory Lane in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Division. Aaron Wiley has made two visits to date in 2009. 

Just this past Tuesday during Lucas Oil Kart Weekly Racing Series action, Aaron’s son Kurtis made his first visit to KC Auto Parts Victory Lane after winning his first Novice 2 Feature Win. 

His wish since then – that his mom win her first as well. 

Jocelynne Wiley lived up to her part of the bargain – winning her first in the second 4 Cylinder feature of the night. 

“I can’t thank Aaron enough,” joyed Jocelynne Wiley after her first roof dance, “he works so hard on the car every week … he knows what to do to make it handle … and wow … did it handle!” 

Carey Gore was first to lead the 15 lap event before Wiley took control on lap 2. Immediately she opened up a huge lead – hitting lap traffic just before the half-way point.  

Caution on lap 11 would bring the field back to her but on the restart – she again set the pace. 

“Is she leading?” thought (husband) Aaron after joining her in Victory Lane, “I saw her out front … and after the restart … I knew I had to keep him (fellow competitor and two time defending champion Abel Castelein) busy!” 

With the two battling for runner-up spot – Jocelynne was able to pull away in the closing laps en route to her first win. 

In a unique situation at Merrittville – the Wileys are probably the first husband and wife team to race – let alone in the same division and know – both feature winners. 

Jocelynne Wiley was followed by Abel Castelein, Aaron Wiley, Tony Kelly and Kyle Pelrine. 

The busy night began with the rain-delayed Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Race # 1 from May 30th. 

Aaron Wiley has won the Mini-Series twice and would be joined by Rob Goulding on the front row to start the 2009 Series Opener. Wiley found an advantage along the back-stretch to take the early lead. Trevor Goulding was on the move taking second spot from his cousin Rob. 

Now into lap traffic Goulding would close in on Wiley to within 5 car lengths just past halfway. Goulding eventually took over top spot but Wiley was right with him. The pair tried to split Roger Gilbert’s car down the front-stretch but unfortunately the three came together.  

As they slowed – the new leader was Rob Goulding who went on to the win. Matt Deschamps, Trevor Goulding, Abel Castelein and Garnet Wilson rounded out the top 5. 

“I probably didn’t have anything for them,” revealed Goulding in the Winner’s Circle for the second time of the season, “my car isn’t the best with the heavy track though.” 

Kellie Mason would lead the field to the green to start the first Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Feature with former champion Scott Billing and Jamie Gilbert challenging her right from the start. 

Tim Anderson would soon take over the runner-up spot before Gilbert grabbed it back.  

Gilbert dropped to the bottom groove and set his sights on Mason who was cruising around the top. The lane switch seemed to pay off as Gilbert took over top spot on lap 6. Before a lap 9 caution team-mate Shawn Sliter was in second. 

On the restart, the two team-mates were side by side until Sliter became the new leader on the back-stretch. Sliter had pulled away to almost a straightaway lead before a caution on lap 18 slowed the field. 

In the two lap dash – Sliter ran away for the win with Adam Leslie making a late race charge to take second from Gilbert. Anderson and Jordan Curran rounded out the top 5. 

In the second Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Feature, Rick Brubacher jumped out to the early lead and stretched it. By lap 7 Shawn Sliter had raced up to second spot. 7 laps later caution slowed the field with Brubacher out front once again.  

Lap 17 meant disaster for Brubacher and Sliter as apparent contact between the two found Jamie Gilbert in control. 

Gilbert would go on to his second straight win in as many weeks. 

Gilbert was followed by Paul Klager, Shawn Sliter, Adam Leslie and Josh Sliter. 

Former Pro Stock racer Tom Walker was first to lead the New York Modified Midget Feature in his son Tyler’s back up car before Timex Morgan took control. Morgan set the pace through a number of restarts before Jim Lafler became the new leader in turn 1 of lap 9. 

A caution on lap 14 turned into a red flag after heavy contact between Ethan Morgan and John Smith in turn 4 found Morgan requiring assistance as a precaution. 

“I was real bad in warm-ups and my heat,” informed Lafler in Victory Lane, “I watched the 4 Cylinders and saw something up top … I had to learn it and be careful … for our cars the top is right on the edge.” 

In the one lap dash to the finish it was point leader Lafler winning. For further results visit www.nymmseries1.com. 

Since April 25, the Hoosier Stocks have been waiting to start an event and 6 weeks later – Billy Hogue in the borrowed Billy Bleich # 108 was out front before Jason Fontaine took control on the backstretch. 

Kevin Knapp and Rob Murray were quick to challenge Fontaine with Murray taking top spot along the front-stretch of lap 4. Just before a lap 11 caution, Alan Sleight took control of the runner-up spot before Shayne Pierce took the spot. 

The 25 lap Event had several cautions in the latter stages setting up quite a battle between Pierce, Dolph McCready and Sleight. 

The flags were at half mast in memory of Track Prep Man Howard Schram’s wife Stephanie who passed away earlier in the week after a short illness. 

Similar to how Merrittville Speedway’s Regular Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions are rich in Kart History – the New York Modified Midgets are no exception. 

Two drivers have raced Tuesday Nights – Tyler Walker and Matthew Farnham. Farnham was presented with his 2008 Championship Trophy from winning the KC Auto Parts Junior Restricted Heavy Division last season. 

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY 

The Ontario Environmental Safety Network presents the Lucas Oil Sportsman Shoot Out by dirttrackdigest.com in addition to the rain delayed Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints – Saturday June 20th. 

Rounding out the Father’s Day Eve Card is a Hats off to Dad Hat Contest plus the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds and the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders. 

Race Fans that were in attendance for the original May 30th Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint Program are reminded to bring their Boston Pizza Ticket Stubs from that event for a $5 Discount on Grandstand Admission. 

Gates open at 5:30 with Showtime is 7:00. 

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! 

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. 

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 several partners, including division sponsors L. St. Amand Enterprises, Original Pizza Logs, Hoosier, Modern Corporation and Turn 4 Collision as well as 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.