Thorold, Ontario (August 1) – With a threat of rain in the area early in the Cotton Inc. Night at Merrittville Speedway – officials pushed the program along with a four driver Victory Lane Celebration at the conclusion of the regular Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions with second generation driver Boyd MacTavish winning his first L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature for car owner Andrew Sittler.

The final night of July saw Brandon Easey winning the final King of the Crates Sportsman Series Event powered by Niagara College. Aaron Wiley won the second Turn 4 Collision Triple Crown Event for the 4 Cylinder Division.

Second generation driver Billy Bleich won the Hoosier Stock Feature while former Mod Stock driver Ryan Ferri won the final Grantham Lions Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College.

The final winner of the night was Penny Evers who was picked from a month long contest for the Grand Marshall for Monday August 2nd’s Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial.

At the start of the 35 lap L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature – the front row was rookie Shayne Pierce and veteran Ken Winnfield leading the field to the green flag with Pierce the eventual leader.

Quickly James Michael Friesen was into the runner-up spot – with the second generation driver taking control out of Turn 4 to start lap 4. Immediately caution would slow the event of lap 5 with Friesen again out front on the restart. Just prior to the second caution on lap 9 Travis Braun would take control of the runner-up spot. When racing resumed it was again Friesen out front and off to a ¼ lap lead on the field.

As the event neared the half-way point Friesen would maintain the same advantage over Boyd MacTavish who had made his way into the runner-up spot. About another ¼ lap behind MacTavish – third place runner Mat Williamson.

Friesen nearly met with disaster after coming up on a slowing Tommy Flannigan and almost making contact. With 10 laps to go earlier front-runner Braun retired to the pit area with MacTavish able to close right in on the leader. After Friesen went a little high into turn 1 on lap 20 – MacTavish drove underneath and became the new leader.

In the closing laps before a lap 32 caution - MacTavish set the pace through increasing lap traffic. In the final laps with Friesen challenging MacTavish and Williamson on Friesen – neither driver was able to over take the other.

A good run off Turn 4 for the final time found MacTavish opening a couple car lead over runner-up Friesen.

“It helps starting up front … but I was on a mission tonight,” revealed Boyd MacTavish, “I wanted to get to the front early … James Michael got there first … but mess up once and you have to be there to take advantage though.”

Williamson settled for third with Chad Brachmann and Scott Wood closing out the top 5.

With Niagara Motors’ Al Martin throwing the green flag the 40 lap King of the Crates Sportsman Series Finale powered by Niagara Motors found BJ Willard taking the initial lead.

After a very early caution slowed the fourth generation family racer – Willard set the pace on the restart with quite a battle for the runner-up spot waging behind him. Greg Panunte was being challenged by Mark Chiddy with Chiddy eventually taking over the runner-up spot. Brandon Easey soon was also able to get by Panunte with Willard pulling away to a good lead in front of the field,

Soon Chiddy was trying to hold off Easey but eventually Easey was able to take the runner-up spot before caution slowed the pace once more just after the lap 10 mark. While under caution Chiddy slowed off the pace.

On the restart it was Willard out front once more with the battle for third spot the one to watch between Ken Cosgrove and Ryan Susice. By the halfway point it was Willard leading Easey with the pair a couple car lengths ahead of Cosgrove. Shortly thereafter Easey was able to overtake Willard with Cosgrove now closing in on Willard.

Despite increasing lap traffic with 10 laps to go Easey had managed to pull away slightly. Eventually Cosgrove would get by Willard along the backstretch of lap 33.

Easey, Cosgrove and Willard were followed by Ryan Susice and Greg Panunte.

“Out there I got to thinking … this car’s so fast … I just have to be patient,” revealed an overcome Brandon Easey who a few weeks ago had a destroyed race car on his hands, “for awhile I thought I was done for the season … but my dad came through with this new car … thanks so much to him.”

A quick tabulation found that for the second straight year there would be co-King of the Crates Champions. 2010’s version finds Greg Panunte in a tie for top spot but with Ken Cosgrove this time.

“Hats off to Tim and all the Knapps,” thanked former 358 Modified Driver Ken Cosgrove, “I just get in and drove it a few times this year … thanks to all their sponsors too.”

“I guess I got some homework to do,” said Greg Panunte, “I started up front … but the plan wasn’t to go backwards.”

The start of the second Triple Crown Event for the 4 Cylinder Division found front row starters Aaron Wiley and Rob Goulding equal crossing the start line for the first time. For the complete first lap around the d-shaped oval the two ran side by side until Wiley round an advantage just before the first lap was complete.

Once out front Wiley was able to pull away to a comfortable lead with the race to watch for the runner-up between Goulding and Damian Gore. The two went back and forth until Gore’s car developed problems and started spewing steam out the right side of the engine compartment in addition to water on the race track.

Eventually Gore was retired to the pits by officials.

With an extra 5 laps of feature action on tap in the rain-delayed special Wiley had opened up a lead of about a ¼ lap and through to the checkered flag – it was a gap that Rob Goulding could not make up.

Wiley and Goulding were followed by Rob Overholt, Garnet Wilson and Austin Wood.

“We did a little work on this on this thing yesterday … actually detuned it some,” admitted Wiley, “it’s a family thing … everyone helps out … we come to the track and all have some fun.”

Charlie Lynch was the initial leader of the Hoosier Stock Feature before Ron MacAulay took control along the backstretch of lap 2. By the fifth lap Ron Loggie was now in the runner-up spot and quickly became the new leader. Quickly as well after the lead change – MacAulay coasted into the infield after losing the drive shaft on the Grantham Lions Club sponsored #34.

By the halfway point Loggie had opened up about a half a straightaway on runner-up Billy Bleich. A lap 14 caution slowed Loggie. Soon after setting the pace once again however misfortune also caught up with Loggie after the leader fell victim to a right rear flat tire.

Bleich now out in front was being challenged by Ken Sargent. At the finish line and the checkered flag – that challenge fell about a half car length short.

Bleich and Sargent were followed by Al Sleight with Brent Begolo and Dolf McCready as the top 5.

“My uncle Kevin called for the set-up on the car tonight,” revealed two time feature winner Billy Bleich, “I didn’t want to go with it … but I guess it’s good I did … thanks to him and every that helped.”

40 cars started the final Grantham Lions Club Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College and in the early going there were three different leaders – Brain Hardy and Fred Koorneef before George Cvetovic took control of top spot.

Riding right around the top groove Cvetovic’s yellow racer was on a rail and quickly was lapping slower cars. A fast car eventually catching the leader was that of former Mod Stock driver Ryan Ferri. Along the backstretch of lap 8 Ferri was able take over the lead and by the halfway point had driven away to a straightaway lead.

At the finish Ryan Ferri and George Cvetovic were followed by Hardy, John Vandelaar and Ken McLeod.

For complete results from Cotton Inc. Night at the Races visit http://speednetdirect.com/results.php?track_id=8430

http://www.speednetdirect.com/results.php http://www.speednetdirect.com/results.php Inside Track Motorsport News Pit Notes

After several draws – Merrittville finally has it’s Grand Marshall for the first annual Bob St. Amand Sr Memorial. Co-announcer Clint Geoffrey probably didn’t know what to think when Tuesday Night Kart Racer Kurtis Wiley came running out onto to the front stretch as quick as he does with his own 7W.

The second generation driver didn’t even let losing a shoe slow him down … “It’s my aunt … it’s my aunt!,” revealed the happy nephew after hopping the last few feet.

The 2010 Grand Marshall Penny Evers soon arrived – brother of Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Driver Aaron Wiley.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

Merrittville Speedway’s Civic Holiday Doubleheader concludes with L. St. Amand Enterprises proudly presenting the 1st Annual Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial – Monday August 2nd featuring the 100 lap Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series plus 25 lap Hoosier Stock Duel on the Dirt Big 6 and the Modified Lite Championship Tour.

When the gates open at 4 – the Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner takes place with show time at 7 PM.

For further information on the 59th Season – race fans and race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book and Twitter. 

Join us this season on a Saturday Night for a LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Divisions featuring local heroes and up and coming new stars and special events including the inaugural Bob St. Amand Memorial proudly presented by L, St, Amand Enterprises Monday August 2nd. The 100 lap Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Event will be joined by another round of the Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Series and the Modified Lites Championship Tour.

A Kids Bike Giveaway will also take place in addition to the famous pre-race Pasta Dinner hosted by Club Castropignano.

For Pasta Dinner Ticket Information – call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266

Crazy Offer! 

Race fans – check your 2010 Ticket Stubs for a Crazy Offer from Little Caesars Pizza – located at 572 Niagara Street in Welland. With the purchase of a HOT-N-READY Pizza and Crazy Bread – receive a Free Crazy Bread!

Sounds Good!

Enjoy all the play by play from the Merrittville Announce Team of Clint Geoffrey, Mikey Kruchka and Fran Buschardt and special guests all season long on our new state of the art Yorkville NX Series Loudspeakers. Race fans and teams can also tune into 89.9 FM to listen to live feeds from our FM Transmitter.

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

Make your plans … call your friends and maybe even get a carpool 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!

Your Local Dirt Track is where it’s at!!! Merrittville Speedway ‘The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara.”

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS

The 2010 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – L. St. Amand Enterprises, Original Pizza Logs, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning, 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 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.

Look for Lucas Oil Products at their favorite automotive retailer or maintenance centre including Drummond Home Hardware, KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage