Thorold, Ontario (June 6) – Inclement weather on Friday leading up to Merrittville Speedway’s first event of June meant for a rough night for several of the Thorold track’s Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Drivers Saturday June 5th. 

On their first time as event sponsors – Semenuk’s Esso Night at the DIRTcar sanctioned facility did find three drivers in Victory Lane for the first time in 2010. 

Rocco Conte, Ryan Susice and Adam Ferri won their respective features in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder, Original Pizza Logs Sportsman and L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Divisions. 

The lone repeat winners were Paul Klager and Dolf McCready in the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites and Hoosier Stock Divisions. 

In trying to complete the racing portion of the evening, the Meridian Credit Union Family Autograph Night has been postponed until Saturday June 12th – joining the SMS Machine Tools Night that also features the 25 lap Modified Lites Championship Tour Event. 

“Thanks to all the fans that came out last night despite the weather forecast,” expressed (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “in our attempt to complete all the racing events … we really had no other choice but to put it off.”ring the 25 lap Modified Lite Championship Tour Event! www.merrittvillespeedway.com for more details! 

Damian Gore was first to lead the 15 lap Turn 4 Collision Feature. The second generation driver soon faced a challenge from Kyle Pelrine. With Pelrine on his bumper – Gore soon faced another challenge as one corner of his hood starting to peel up. 

Gore eventually fell off the pace however into Turn 1 on lap 5 and would head right to the pits. 

With Pelrine the new leader – challengers Garnet Wilson, Rocco Conte and Aaron Wiley would pull away from the field in a four car breakaway pack. 

Eventually Rob Goulding would catch the lead pack and at times they were battling each other three and four wide in the battle to take top spot from Pelrine. 

Coming out of turn 4 to complete lap 11 – Aaron Wiley would surface as the new leader with Rocco Conte in the runner-up spot some 5 car lengths behind. 

Conte would close in and with two laps to go would mount a serious challenge for Wiley. 

With Wiley on the final lap – his car would show signs of smoke – which perhaps allowed Conte to take control of top spot by the time the checkered flag flew. 

“Smoke? … I only look forward,” relayed runner-up Aaron Wiley post race, “maybe it just adds character … with the track how it was and the top runners not hitting each other – it’s a good night of racing,”

“I’ve been trying some different tires,” revealed Rocco Conte in Victory Lane for the first time, “as the track dried … it worked out our way for once … thanks to everyone that helped … including Rob Goulding.” 

Rob Goulding would finish third with Garnet Wilson fourth and Rob Overholt in fifth. 

“It’s my 1st career Merrittville "big car" win!” posted Ryan Susice post race on his Face Book page, “So pumped right now! Thanks everyone for helping!” 

Susice a former Kart Racer took control of the 25 lap Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature crossing the start-finish line to start lap 8 by the slightest of margins – six thousandths of a second on the Lucas Oil Live Leader Board – overtaking rookie Jamie Gilbert. 

Gilbert took over top spot from sophomore driver Len Dignard who had led from the start – surviving two restarts in the early going. 

Brandon Easey followed Susice – overtaking Gilbert and the two broke away from the pack. By lap 15 the leaders were into lap traffic with Easey catching up to the leader until Susice regained a healthy lead. 

In the closing laps, Cody McPherson was on the move and challenging Gilbert for third – eventually taking over the show spot. By the checkered flag – Jim Johnstone would also get by Gilbert who held on for fifth. 

“My car has been a little hit or miss the last few weeks,” informed Susice, “thanks to the track for getting the show in … I am sure everyone would rather be here than sitting at home.” 

“The last part of the race … I knew something was up,” confirmed runner-up Brandon Easey after noticing that his left front tire was going flat in the post race interview. 

“I was hoping for a caution,” added third place finisher Cody McPherson, “ I wanted to see if I had anything for them … but 16th to 3rd is a good night!” 

The start of the 35 lap L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature had front row starters Shawn Sliter and Pete Cosco side by side at the drop of Starter Doug Leonard’s green flag. 

The two were back and forth swapping the lead until the rookie Sliter pulled away to a comfortable margin. 

A lap 5 caution slowed the pace after Scott Wood drifted high in turn 1 before a multicar incident collected a number of cars along the backstretch. Before racing resumed Mike Bowman would also head to the pits for service with a flat tire. 

Sliter resumed control on the restart before being slowed again on lap 13. 

On the ensuing restart – the new leader was Adam Ferri who immediately drove away to a huge lead leaving Bill Bleich and Brian Stevens to battle for runner-up spot. 

Ferri and the field would be slowed once more on lap 19 with Stevens now into the runner-up spot and pressuring the leader. 

With 10 laps to go, Stevens made a serious challenge and the two were playing quite a cat and mouse game – a battle that was slowed for back to back cautions on laps 27 and 28. 

Ferri set the pace until Stevens took control in turn 2 of lap 30. With two to go it was Ferri on the hunt now – pulling side by side to the leader with 2 laps to go. 

Ferri regained control along the front-stretch of lap 34 with Stevens edging back out front once more. At the finish – Ferri was back out front with Stevens settling for the runner-up spot. 

“Brian’s a good friend,” relayed Adam Ferri in Victory Lane, “he’s helped me a lot over the years … thanks to him … and everyone that helped.” 

“We had a horrendous week last week,” revealed Brian Stevens after congratulating Ferri, “I had it in my control a few times … but left the door open – it’s a blessing … the changes we made … made the car real good.” 

Tom Flannigan also rebounded from last week to take third spot commented, “I was trying to get close and surprise attack them … but third is good.” 

Pete Bicknell would rebound from being involved in one the cautions to take 4th from Billy Bleich who had to settle for 5th. 

Randy Hollingshead was quick to take control of the 20 lap J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature from front row partner Blair Young. Immediately Hollingshead pulled away from the field – opening up almost a straightaway lead by lap 5. 

Some 10 laps later the first caution would slow the former Pro Stock racer’s pace – eliminating the considerable lead over then runner-up Paul Klager. 

Hollingshead would hold top spot on the restart but Klager and Chris Steele would soon challenge him – the three cars three wide. 

Just before two back to back cautions Klager would take over top spot and as the laps wound down – Steele would be the new challenger. Steele had a brief stint out front but at the checkered flag – it was Klager out front. 

“He makes it a challenge every night … having Chris in the field,” acknowledged Paul Klager in Victory Lane, “an awesome run for Randy too.” 

“Wow that was tiring,” confessed Chris Steele, “it was pretty hairy out there … we'll take second though.” 

Josh Sliter who made a late race move to take third spot despite some late race smoking, “the car was handling good with the tire rub … I don’t know why though.” 

Hollingshead held on for 4th spot with Rick Brubacher taking 5th. 

“It’s a good thing for the cautions tonight,” said Dolf McCready in Hoosier Stock Victory Lane, “early on I wasn’t really moving anywhere.” 

It wasn’t until a lap 17 caution that McCready began to challenge the leaders. After overtaking then runner-up Barry Blanchard – McCready set his sights on leader Ken Sargent. At the white flag the two were side by at the start finish line and the next time around – McCready was the first to receive the double checker flag salute. 

“I love running with Dolf,” commented runner up Ken Sargent, “were in the top 3 and we’re in one piece – a good night!” 

The start of the 20 lap event saw veteran Brian Halliwell as the early leader. Back through the pack cars were running three wide battling for position – including Peter Reid, Shawn Wilson and Ron MacAulay – all trying for the runner-up spot. 

Reid – another veteran returning this season would be the first to challenge Halliwell. Eventually Reid would take control of top spot on lap 8. The two never lost sight of each other leading up to a caution on lap 14 after the two leaders got together in front of the field. 

The event went under the red flag with Halliwell winded just short of the start finish line. 

Sargent would be the new leader when racing resumed – setting the stage for the duel with McCready. 

“We’re finally starting to get this car where I want it to be,” relieved Barry Blanchard who would finish in third spot. 

McCready Sargent and Blanchard would be followed by rookie Kevin Aube and MacAulay. 

For complete results from Semenuk’s Esso Night at the Races visit  http://www.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 

Through the 5 divisions – Semenuk’s Service Centre provided Esso Gift Cards to a driver in the finish order via a front stretch Victory Lane Draw in addition to secondary prizes for the Thorold ASI Group Blackhawks 50-50 Draw. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to Semenuk’s for their support. 

Saturday June 5th’s Event was the first that race fans could enter to be the Grand Marshall for the Monday August 2nd Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial Big Block Super DIRTcar Series Event.  

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY 

SMS Machine Tools presents Meridian Credit Union Family Autograph Night Saturday June 12th featuring the 25 lap Modified Lite Championship Tour Event.  

Gates open at 5:30 Showtime is 7:00. 

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 June 17th WoO LMS Extravaganza 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.

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.

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.