Thorold, Ontario (May 17) A little more than three weeks ago, Larry Lampman Jr. was set to take on DIRTcar finest 358 drivers – starting the 100 lap 358 Modified Mr. DIRTcar Series Opener from the pole.  

Rain would delay that start with it shortened to 50 laps and joining the Zavitz Financial Strategies and Employee Benefits Monday Night Madness Victoria Day Special at Merrittville Speedway Monday May 18th. 

While waiting for that event to start, Lampman has since won the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Mod Season Opener at the Thorold track – his third opening night win in the last four years and in doing so, leads the points as well early in his second year driving the Dan and Veronica Miller-owned CMH Sales and Leasing # 22. 

The two time Merrittville Mod Champ can now add the 2009 358 Modified Mr. DIRTcar Series Points lead to his home track lead after winning the 50 lap Event. 

For a complete rundown on the Event – http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/2009photos/may18/may18-1.htm 

In other Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Action – two drivers repeated their Saturday Night wins with Chad Chevalier and Ken Sargent both doubling up in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman and Hoosier Stock Features respectively. 

Defending Lucas Oil 358 Modified Shoot Out Champion Pete Bicknell kicked off his title defense with a hard-fought victory in the regularly scheduled 50 lap Event. 

Randy Chrysler led the 2009 Lucas Oil Shoot Out field to the initial green flag before Scott Wood took control on lap 2. The second generation Thorold Driver set the pace until just before lap 20 when Dale Planck would lead a lap. 

To the half way point and beyond, the driver on the move was Stewart Friesen in the borrowed Strickland’s Auto Mart # 55 of Todd Kendrick who became the new leader on lap 26 after Wood dropped to fourth spot. 

Wood put on a spirited drive back to top spot however – running very high especially down the backstretch making up all the track position he lost. On lap 33 Wood regained the lead – before losing it to Pete Bicknell on lap 36. 

In the closing laps Wood lost what he had found running the edge of the wide and smooth surface as Bicknell was able to open up a comfortable lead at the end of the 50 lap event. 

Wood - the inaugural Lucas Oil Shoot Out Champion settled for second behind the defending series champ with Planck in third for the second time of the night. 

L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Lucas Oil Shoot Out Heat Winners – First – Scott Kerwin, Second – Jimmy Phelps, Third – Pete Bicknell, Fourth – Stewart Friesen, Fifth – Mario Clair. Consolations – First – Chad Brachmann, Second – David Hebert, Third – Mike Bowman. 

The 25 lap Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature saw Jim Johnstone in control at the start before second generation driver Ryan Susice taking over top spot just after a lap 6 restart. 

At the halfway point former champion Chad Chevalier became the new leader and as the last half of the race wound down – Chevalier opened up a lead of almost a straightaway at the checkered flag. 

Similar to Chevalier’s second win in as many nights, Ryan Susice had to settle for second for the second time in as many events.

Tyler McPherson Mark Chiddy and Brandon Easey would round out the top 5. 

Easey was later fined half of his winnings and points for not making minimum weight in post race technical inspections. 

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Heat Winners – First – Brad Rouse, Second – Tyler McPherson, Third – Steve Schumacher. 

In 2009, Team Merrittville is looking to have a successful drive for five in the 5th Annual Duel on the Dirt against the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks. 

Long before it may have been just a twinkle in (Series’ cofounders) Nancy Bicknell’s and Mark Rinaldi’s eyes – Ken Sargent ran his last full season. 

The former Street Stock and Pro Stock Champion has made a return to weekly competition in 2009 and has kicked a shaky start with back to back wins over the weekend. 

Sargent briefly lost the lead very early in the first of two Home Track Events but once back out front never lost control of top spot. The end of the event saw the Fenwick Native with a strong challenge from Alan Sleight but even with a caution slowing the field on lap 22 – Sargent never faltered. 

Prior to the late caution Sargent had opened up a comfortable lead on Sleight and Shayne Pierce who were in quite a battle of their own for second. In the three lap dash – Sargent would pull away slightly from the field. 

Following Sargent and Sleight across the line were Shayne Pierce, Ron Kingsbury and Kirk Wilson. 

Hoosier Stock Heat Winners – First – Ken Sargent, Second – Rob Murray, Third – Kevin Kocarik. Consolation – Kevin Knapp. 

The Monday Night Madness Event concluded with the first of three Enduro Qualifiers accelerated by Niagara College and taking the win was James Mercer. 

Mercer who won the third Qualifier last season will start the 100 lap Enduro Sunday September 13th from the pole and becomes the first driver eligible for a $500 Bonus from Niagara College should he or one of the other qualifier winners wins the 100. 

The second Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College will close Saturday June 27th’s Boltworks" Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event that also features Canada Day Fireworks and the famous Pillers $1 Hot Dog Night. 

Now’s the time to build your Enduro Car!

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY 

The month of May continues Saturday May 23rd with CAA Niagara presenting a full 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Racing Program and a Mechanics Event. 

Gates open at 5:30 with Showtime is at 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.  

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.