Sunday afternoon however there was no question that he had won the 100 lap Enduro event accelerated by Niagara College – closing the curtain on the 58th consecutive season at Merrittville Speedway. 

In the three qualifiers leading up to the Big Show September 13th – James Mercer had won all three so it was only fitting that the driver – who also spent much of the last portion of the season as a regular in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Division was first to lead. 

Fellow front row starter Ken McLeod however had his own strategy should either Mercer, himself or regular Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder driver Terry Larmet win the event and earn the $500 bonus from Niagara College. 

McLeod quickly took control of the event before former Kart Racer Brett Stratford became the new leader on lap 12. 

The first red flag stopped the field due to stranded drivers in their cars and after setting the pace on the restart the Weldstar proprietor quickly ducked into the infield like he was wanting to run some laps on the infield Kart Track – one that he spent many a Tuesday Night on. 

Roving reporter Mikey Kruchka discovered Stratford’s problem and found that his fabrication skills were being put to the test. His car’s gas pedal had broke and he was trying to fix it with a shoe lace. 

Two red flags on laps 25 and 30 for a stranded car and some track maintenance found Kruchka looking for  developing news items – eventually visiting with the leader McLeod. 

“I’m just trying to stay out of trouble,” revealed McLeod from the driver seat of his #2, “just trying to put laps in and keep the sunny side up.” 

Just as the sun reappeared on a beautiful afternoon the green also reappeared and it was McLeod out front once again.

With the lap counter showing 41 laps complete another red flag paused the event. It was at that point that officials learned that the leader McLeod and former Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder competitor Ken Kadwell were the only two cars on the lead lap and they were on lap 44. 

The Lucas Oil Live Leaderboard was in use as a time clock for the event and when checking with each driver’s scorer – the lap counter was moved ahead. 

Before the red flag was shown to the field another Enduro competitor with Kart Racing ties ended up stranded on the infield track. 

Second generation driver Jamie Werstroh’s #4 came to a stop on the track where his son Austyn has spent many Tuesday Nights this past season a rookie Kart Racer. 

When the green flag came back out it had appeared that early leader Brett Stratford was back out front. He had lost several laps repairing his car with McLeod the leader once again. 

With Grant McArthur from Aaron’s St. Catharines enjoying his first Enduro – Stratford may have been looking for the Aaron’s Lucky Dog Award on the next caution like what the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers get – but no such luck. 

Another red flag just past half way after Mike McClure’s car quit in turn 4 – the event losing car #54 on lap 54. 

McLeod set the pace on the restart but unfortunately he soon fell off the pace around lap 60 with a flat right front tire. 

Dave Bogusat was now the new leader until a red flag on lap 76 slowed the field once again. 

Bogusat almost met with disaster himself after getting real high in turn 4 completing lap 80 and despite increasing lap traffic in the closing laps – was the first driver to complete the 100 laps. 

Bogusat – who started the event in the 50th starting spot earned $1000 for the win and is now eligible to start the NATIONAL PARTS PEDDLER $10,000 to win 4 Cylinder ENDURO 100 Lap Event at the Black Rock Speedway November 7th from 8th spot guaranteed. 

Tim Farrell came from 13th to take the runner-up spot, while Don Tolland took third after starting 40th. Russ Seward was fourth after starting from 68th spot and last on the field while Mike Cernick came from 57th to finish fifth. 

Neither of the 3 Qualifier Winners were able to win the 100 lap Main Event so the $500 bonus was split into $50 prizes for a draw amongst all drivers that registered prior to September 1st.  

Martin Paddock, Chris James, Jason Coutu, Rob Hardy, Jamie Werstroh, Tim McIntosh, Brent Campbell, Max Checholk, Jarrett Paddock and Dave Metler all had their Enduro accelerated by Niagara College. 

In the 4th Annual 25 lap Queens Event for Ladies – Justine Peters earned $250.00 after winning the event. 

Former Kart Racer Laney Paddock made her return to Merrittville in style – entering both Sunday afternoon events and was the first to lead the 25 lap event in her first time on the big track. 

Paddock’s lead was short lived unfortunately though as contact between her and Karina Kadwell sent her spinning.  

On lap 5 Justine Peters was the new leader and she set the pace in the non-stop event. 

Around the half-way point the race was stopped after a car raced wildly off the racing surface between turns 3 and 4. The driver was ok but the safety barriers needed to be put back in position. 

On the restart it was Peters out front once again – and she cruised on to the win despite a spirited charge by another driver that made for an extremely close finish at the line. 

The Enduro Sunday accelerated by Niagara College concluded the 2009 Stock Car Season and the fourth tripleheader in Merrittville Speedway’s 58 year history. For further information on upcoming events during the off season and the 2010 Schedule – call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. 

Now’s the time to start on your 2010 Enduro Car – the first qualifier is just 8 months away! 

Join us next 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.