Thorold, Ontario (May 25) Sussex New Jersey’s Brett Hearn has got to love the Canadian Victoria Day Holiday! The 2010 Version for sure - after winning his second 100 lap event in the province of Ontario after victory in the  358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series Opener at Merrittville Speedway May 24th. 

The last time Hearn won a 358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series Event at the Thorold track was back in 1995 in the third running of the Trevor Wilkens Memorial. 

Hearn’s first century grind triumph came at the Cornwall Speedway in the new Canadian Nationals Series Sunday Night. 

Graham Mackay ran to his first career win in 7 years of racing in the 2nd Home Track Event in the 2010 Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Series. 

The Holiday Special presented by Zavitz Financial Strategies and ZFS Employee Benefit Solutions concluded with James Mercer winning the 30 lap Grantham Lions Ironman Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College. 

For a complete rundown on the 100 lap 358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series Event – visit http://www.dirtcar.com/home/news/2010%20season/may/052410_dc_hearnwinsmer358.aspx for the full story by Tom Skibinski (DIRTcar Racing NE Public Relations Director). 

The start of the 25 lap Big 6 Event for the Hoosier Stocks found former Overall Duel on the Dirt and Point Champion Mike Dooley setting the pace. Graham MacKay would soon challenge Dooley in a see saw battle for top spot that would eventually result in MacKay taking control of top spot for good in Turn 2 with 4 laps showing on the joesaver.com lap counter. 

“I wouldn’t be here without my sponsors,” thanked Graham MacKay in Victory Lane for the first time, “joesaver.com … Semenuk’s Esso … really anyone that is involved with any car here … thanks everyone!” 

With MacKay out front – Dooley and Kevin Knapp would pull away slightly from the field. Lap 8 saw Knapp take over the runner-up spot with rookie Kevin Aube following to take third at the halfway mark. 

With 10 laps to go in the still caution free race, Aube was reeling in Knapp in the race for the runner-up spot which allowed MacKay to pull away from the pair slightly. 

Eventually MacKay would come up on the rear of the field but he was not saving anything – weaving through the slower cars. Despite having a smoking car as the race wound down – Aube pressured Knapp but at the finish the veteran driver held off the rookie. 

The two – along with co-announcer Mikey Kruchka would work the crowd with Lucky Dog pens from Aaron’s of St. Catharines while MacKay was posing with crew family and friends for the first time in Victory Lane. 

“In these first few events of the new season – I’ve had more fun this year than I have ever had,” remarked MacKay. 

MacKay, Knapp and Aube were followed by Barry Blanchard and Brent Begolo. 

For complete results – log on to http://www.speednetdirect.com/results.php?track_id=8430 

The Victoria Day Event concluded with the first of three Grantham Lions Enduro Qualifiers accelerated by Niagara College and taking the win was James Mercer. 

Mercer’s third career Qualifier win makes him the first driver eligible for a $500 Bonus from Niagara College should he win the 100 that closes the 59th Season Sunday September 12th. 

Former Hoosier Stock competitor Andrew Iker was first to lead the no holds barred event before Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder driver Terry Larmet took control before a red flag on lap 9 stalled the event afterJustin Doucette rolled his car into the infield on lap 9. 

Larmet resumed control on the restart leading the field up to the halfway point surviving a mid race challenge for top spot with Terry MacNeil. Mercer would take control in turn 3 of lap 19 and was never challenged despite a number of red flags for stranded cars.

Mercer was followed by Rodney Rutherford, Andrew Iker, Unknow Driver and Mike VanMaaren 

The second Grantham Lions Ironman Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College will close Saturday July 3rd’s Boltworks Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event that also features Canada Day Fireworks and the famous Pillers $1 Hot Dog Night. 

Now’s the time to build your Enduro Car! 

Merrittville Speedway Inside Track Motorsport News Pit Notes 

In 2010, joesaver.com and Merrittville Speedway have teamed up for some marketing and promotions and just prior to MacKay’s first win in his joesaver.com # 85 Hoosier Stock – race fans were introduced to the home of local online savings. 

Join joesaver’s online mobile savings club to get exclusive Merrittville offers. By joining – you will be entered for a chance to win an I pad during Saturday August 28th’s event courtesy of joesaver.com. 

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY 

The month of May concludes Saturday May 29th when CAA Niagara presents a full 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Racing Program featuring the first Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Event of 2010. 

Gates open at 5:30. Showtime is at 7:00. 

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

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 W0O 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 Pizzq – located at 572 Niagara Street in Welland. With the purchase of a HOT-N-READY Pizzq qnd Crazy Bread – receive a Free Crazy Bread! 

Sounds Good! 

Enjoy all the play by play from the Merrittville Announce Team of Clinton Geoffrey, Mikey Kruchka and Fran Buschardtand 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 on Niagara.’ 

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS 

The 2010 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and races 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 Aero Race Wheels, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Brodix Cylinder Heads, FK Rod Ends, Fuel Safe Racing Cells, Hoosier Tire, Inside Track Motorsport News, Intercomp, ISC Racer’s Tape, Jaz Products, Kireky Racing Fabrication, Longacre Racing Products, Lucas Oil, Motorsport Safety Systems, Port City Racing, R.J.S. Racing Equipment, Schroeder Torsion Bars, Ultra Shield Race Products, Wrisco Industries and XRP, Inc. 

Lucas Oil 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. 

Look for Lucas Oil Products at your favorite automotive retailer or maintenance centre including Drummond home Hardware, KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage or on line at lucasoil.ca.