For Immediate Release - From Jim Irvine

 

Merrittville Speedway Public Relations

 

905-892-8266 (Office), jimirvine@cogeco.net or www.twitter.com/merrittville

 

 

Thorold, Ontario (June 13) – For the second straight week at Merrittville Speedway – impending weather forced the postponement of the Thorold DIRTcar sanctioned facilities fan favorite events – Autograph Night.

 

After a shower about the time the Pit Gates were scheduled to open – the track crew went to work to bring the d shaped oval back into racing shape. With the delay only three Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions were able to complete their feature events June 12th as part of SMS Machine Tools Night.

 

Rob Overholt, Al Sleight and Brandon Easey came home winners in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder, Hoosier Stock and Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Divisions.

 

“Many thanks to everyone that braved the weather,” relayed (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “we make every attempt that we can to get the show in … tonight it just wasn’t meant to be.”

 

The 25 lap Modified Lite Championship Tour Event will be added to June 26th’s K&K Insurance Summer Blast Off with all Students eligible for a $2 discount on Grandstand Admission with valid Student ID Cards. The last event of June will also see another attempt at Autograph Night added to the schedule.

 

The 35 lap L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature will be run Saturday June 19th – joining the Lococo Wholesale Father’s Day Event for Double Features.

 

Two second generation drivers would lead the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature with Damian Gore taking the early advantage over fellow front row starter Dan Sider Jr. 

 

For the second time in as many weeks Gore was off to a good lead before Terry Larmet took over top spot just before caution slowed the field on lap 8.  Rob Overholt surged into lead before another caution with Larmet resuming top spot on the restart.

 

The two were battling it out until Overholt took the lead for good in turn 2 of lap 11. Right away Overholt pulled away to a couple car length advantage. Rob Goulding made a late race charge to take the runner-up spot but couldn’t catch the leader who had stretched his lead at the checkered flag.

Overholt and Goulding were followed by Larmet and Gore who both had their best finished of the season. Rocco Conte followed up last week’s win with a 5th place finish.

 

 

Tyler Anderson led the Hoosier Stock 20 lap feature to the green flag – setting the pace until Charlie Lynch took control. Lynch would only lead 1 lap before Ron Loggie became the new leader.

 

With the race going caution free – Loggie was able to pull away to quite a comfortable lead with the pack three and four wide behind him. Through increasing lap traffic, Al Sleight was on the move and reeling the leader. Eventually Sleight would pull even with Loggie – overtaking the leader along the back stretch of the final lap.

 

At the checkers – Sleight would be followed by Loggie who had a career best finish in the runner up spot and Kevin Knapp who was third. Rookie Kevin Aube was fourth with Anderson settling for fifth.

 

Second generation driver Rich Farraway out raced and fellow rookie Jesse Penner to lead the 25 lap Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature. Eventually Jim Johnstone would take over top spot along the back stretch of lap 4. Johnstone would come into lap traffic at the half way point – allowing runner up Brandon Easey to close in.

 

The lone caution of the event came on lap 19 after the leaders and Kevin Sharpe came together in turn 4. The front-runners never lost their positions however Sharpe needed assistance from the CAA Niagara Tow Trucks.

 

On the restart – it was Easey out front and along with Johnstone – the two broke away from the pack. At the finish it was Brandon Easey and Jim Johnstone followed by Nick Cupolo who came from deep in the field to take third.  Brad Rouse and Paul Gaboury rounded out the top 5.

 

Overholt, Sleight and Easey never made it to Victory Lane however as in an effort to beat the weather – each celebration was planned for after the J&S Heating Modified Lite Feature.

 

“Once we knew the front was approaching … we tried to get as much of the racing in as we could,” relayed (Merrittville Race Director) Bob St. Amand Jr, “in the next couple weeks … each winner will get their time … we were slow close.”

 

With the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature on the track – two early race red flags were needed for two separate incidents. Joey Mastroianni was first to lose control of his car in turn 2 before another separate incident in turn 2 found Ray Sliter Jr also flipping his car.

 

With the Modified Lites not on the schedule this weekend due to their Quebec Tour – the event will conclude in two weeks time.

 

For complete results from SMS Machine Tools Night visit  http://www.speednetdirect.com/results.php?track_id=8430

 

 

Inside Track Motorsport News Pit Notes

 

With Adam Leslie serving a week’s suspension – the sometimes Kart Official served his penalty filling in as a Corner man in Turn 3 for the night. Chris Steele drove his Lucas Oil # 15 to a ___________ place finish. Former Merrittville Announcer Mikey Kruchka drove Steele’s # 80 Modified Lite but will have to wait to finish his first event in the motorcycle-powered race car.

 

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

 

The event that has building momentum since its announcement last November is finally here!

 

Join us Thursday June 17th for the inaugural Oh Canada 50 Eh World of Outlaws Late Models presented by Brian’s Tire Repair Turn 4 Collision and PineView Drywall and brought to race fans by GIANT FM, TV Cogeco, Modern Corporation, Cotton, Inc, Toolneeds, Auto FX Graphics and Signs and IBEW Local 303 Niagara.

 

WoO LMS Advance Tickets are still available -to get yours – call 905-892-8266 with either VISA or MasterCard or visit the Speedway Office during business hours or on race day.

 

Pit Gates open at 2:00, Grandstands at 4:00 and Showtime is 7:00. Their will be a No Blanket Policy in effect until 4 PM as the only reserved seats until that time are those that have Reserved Grandstand Season Passes.

 

Race fans are encouraged to car pool when travelling to the event as an overflow crowd is expected.

 

Wednesday Evening June 16th – Race Fans are invited to an Autograph Session with several of the WoO Late Model Stars at CMH Leasing in St. Catharines located on Hartzell Road in St. Catharines from 5 to 7 PM.

 

Action quickly returns Saturday June 19th with Lococo Wholesale presenting a special Father’s Day Event featuring another 40 lap King of the Crates Sportsman Event powered by Niagara Motors in addition to double 358 Modified Features plus 4 Cylinders, Hoosier Stocks.

 

When the Gates open at 4 PM – all Fathers will receive a $2 Discount on Grandstand Admission. Showtime is 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.

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.