Thorold, Ontario (September 12) – For the third straight year, weather played a role in the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Weekend at Merrittville Speedway. 

Unlike the two previous editions however it was not rain for the rare Friday Night at the Thorold track – but unseasonably cool temperatures at the Thorold facility. 

Mikey Hay of Somerset Pennsylvania took the early lead in the 10th Annual Rose Webber Invitational after winning the opening night 25 lap Event. 

Rob Murray added to his championship season – taking the 50 lap Street Stock Invitational while Aaron Wiley made it two in a row in winning the 15 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature. 

Kevin Aube extended his 12 win Humberstone Speedway Niagara Auto Sales Pro 4 Truck Feature after winning Merrittville’s Event. 

In a Dash for Cash that put the 4 Cylinder Cars against the 4 Cylinder Trucks – Merrittville’s Rob Overholt put his #48 Car in Victory Lane as well in the event that featured the feature winners for both cars and trucks. 

Tim Devendorf was first to lead the 25 lap Rose Webber International Mod Lite and Classic Dwarf Car Event – setting the pace on two restarts after two incidents slowed the field before two laps were in the books. 

Despite the early slowdowns, newly crowned Merrittville Speedway Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Champion Jamie Gilbert was on the move – taking control of the runner-up spot by lap 5. 

Another caution slowed Devendorf on lap 9 with Mikey Hay eventually taking control out of turn 1. 

With Gilbert trying to hold onto second spot – contact between his #53 and another car in turn 2 left his car with damage and eventually he would lose control of his car on lap 13. 

The return to racing was delayed after cars back in the pack came together on the restart with Hay again out front. 

Another caution on lap 17 dropped both Rod Jones and Tim White out of contention. 

With Hay out front, the focus was now on Merrittville Speedway regular Josh Sliter who had fought back to fourth spot on lap 20 after becoming involved in an earlier incident. 

In the 3 lap dash to the finish, Hay ran to a 10 car lead over Devendorf, Eric McKenna and Chris Steele. 

“I just love this place,” remarked Hay in Victory Lane, “it’s my favorite track … you fans are the best fans around and you’re fortunate to have the track owners you do … I couldn’t be happier with the car either … looking forward to tomorrow night.” 

Kevin Knapp was first to lead the 50 lap Street Stock Invitational before Ken Sargent took control along the backstretch. Caution would slow the field on lap 7 after front-runner Al Sleight slowed along the front stretch. 

Sargent would again set the pace with Knapp staying right with him. After another incident on lap 12 – Sargent resumed control. 

The battle for second became three wide at times with Knapp being challenged by Jeff Dayman and Rob Murray. 

Murray would take control of third and would soon challenge Knapp for second. Knapp held the spot until lap 21 when Murray would take it. 

Knapp got the spot back quickly before caution again slowed things down on lap 23. 

Again Murray would battle Knapp for runner-up spot – eventually the spot would be Murray’s. 

Murray quickly set his sights on Sargent and just prior to a lap 29 caution – would take over top spot. Murray would set the pace on the restart but he almost met with near disaster on lap 32. 

Mark Fawcett slowed off the pace eventually losing his right rear tire and axle along the front stretch. Murray made contact with the out of the control parts but wasn’t affected. 

Two laps later 2009 Feature Winner Kirk Wilson laid down a thick cloud of smoke slowing the event once more with Murray in control on the restart.

Murray and Sargent broke away from the pack as the laps continued with Shayne Pierce to third on lap 37. Nine laps later Pierce almost met with his own disaster after nearly spinning his car on the front stretch but only fell back a few spots in the running order. 

By lap 50 Murray had stretched his lead slightly over Sargent with Billy Hogue in third spot. Shayne Pierce was fourth while Kevin Knapp fifth. 

“Happy Birthday indeed to my wife Kelly,” celebrated Rob Murray in Victory Lane after the $1000 win … I couldn’t do it without her and the crew … Steve and Brad worked on the car all week – the front end was out of it and they put it all back together.”

 Jocelynne Wiley was first to lead the 15 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature with her husband Aaron and Rob Goulding battling for the runner-up spot behind her. 

Eventually Wiley would grab the runner-up spot and would join his wife in the race for top spot. 

With Jocelynne out front Goulding would eventually reel in Aaron which allowed Merrittville’s lady racer to pull away slightly. 

Wiley the challenger and Goulding had other ideas though and quickly reeled in the leader. 

Aaron would eventually take control of the race and Goulding in pursuit in taking the runner-up spot before caution on lap 12 involving the former leader and Rob Overholt – both front runners. 

Wiley set the pace on the restart and in the three laps to Guest starter Bruce Hope’s checkered flag – maintained a few car length advantage over Goulding. 

“It’s just been a great season,” revealed Aaron Wiley, “there’s my wins … Jocelynne’s first and Kurtis’ 6 in karts as a rookie – thanks to Merrittville … the track is awesome … just like driving on the road.” 

Wiley and Goulding were followed by Brian Schmidt, Kyle Pelrine and Rocco Conte. …  

Ed McNamara was first to lead the 15 lap Niagara Auto Sales Pro Truck visit with Kevin Aube soon to challenge the leader. 

Along the front stretch of lap 3 – Auber took control of the lead – with two cautions slowing the Humberstone Champion’s pace before the halfway point. 

With Aube out front – the 12 time 2009 winner was able to stretch his lead to about a ¼ lap at the finish. 

The fans in attendance may not have been aware of his Victory Lane ritual – that of a back flip off his racer – similar to NASCAR driver Carl Edwards who was unable to do one after winning the Nationwide Series Race at Richmond the same night due to his broken foot. 

Merrittville fans weren’t disappointed about the unique feat. 

“I actually had a trampoline at home,” revealed Aube, “I practiced on that …. so it came easy for me on the truck … I’ll be moving to Street Stocks next year … so maybe we’ll be doing them off a car soon.” 

Aube was followed by veteran Andy Imbeault, Kevin Conley, Greg Haegens and Scott Sherk. 

Haegens had to be thanking Aube and Ed McNamara of Pro Act Roofing and Contracting after a post race draw. 

McNamara’s company provided bonuses for the top 5 – the first finishing position drawn would receive a $200 bonus which went to Haegens.

The drivers shared in $475.00 from Pro Act Roofing and Contracting which also provided an additional $30 in tow money to each driver from 6th spot on back.

Merrittville Speedway Inside Track Motorsport News Pit Notes – While Rob Murray was celebrating his wife Kelly’s Birthday with the Street Stock win – Merrittville Speedway Officials were celebrating long-time scorer Colleen Curvin’s Birthday as well. 

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY 

The Rose Webber International Classic continues Saturday September 12th with the wrap up for the Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lites and Classic Dwarf Cars.  

The J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Weekend will also feature the 50 lap Duel on the Dirt Event featuring Merrittville’s Hoosier Stocks against the Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks from the Brighton Speedway in addition to a 50 lap Sportsman Super DIRTcar Series Event and the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints 

Gates open at 5:30. 

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.