Thorold, Ontario (August 5) – Merrittville Speedway race fans have some fond memories of 2010 to relive over the off season for sure as they await the start of the Thorold DIRTcar sanctioned speed plant’s 60th Anniversary Season.

The final half of the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified 50 lap Point Finale has got to have you wishing the season was just underway rather than complete as Mike Bowman would out fox Pete Bicknell out of turn 4 for the final time to successfully win his second straight John Spencer Memorial.

Quite a display of Team Brian’s Tire greeted race fans as they entered the grandstand area on a night that was unseasonably cool and with threatening skies all around … 4 of the 5 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Victory Lane celebrations were combined with Bowman joined by Greg Panunte (Original Pizza Logs Sportsman), Billy Bleich (Hoosier Stock) and Rob Goulding (Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders).

While the feature winners were celebrating so were the 2010 Point Champions – Pete Bicknell (L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified), Greg Panunte, Ken Sargent (Hoosier Stock) and Rocco Conte ( Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders).

The final event of the evening found 2010 Champion Josh Sliter celebrating the title prior to winning the feature event.

“I’ve learned so much from Pete (Bicknell) the last few years,” confided Mike Bowman post race of the now 20 time Merrittville Point Champion, “last year and again tonight … you will have to start calling me Mr. August!”

It has been a whole year since Bowman has visited Victory Lane at Merrittville – some strong runs throughout the month saw the sophomore driver win just last Sunday at the Humberstone Speedway.

Bowman took over the lead of the 50 lap John Spencer Memorial in Turn 4 of lap 13 after then leader got out of shape losing several positions in the unfortunate incident. Pietz became the new leader after a lap 7 restart after out racing rookie Shawn Sliter to the green flag. Sliter had set the pace in the early stages after Travis Braun was the initial leader.

Immediately Bowman pulled away from the field and with Sliter and Tim Jones trailing – the two challengers also broke away. Chris Steele – in the Pete Cosco-owned Brian’s Tire 17c was on the move to the half way point – a lap 26 caution helping bring the field back to the leaders as well.

Bowman was again out front on the restart with Shawn Sliter falling off the pace – rejoining the field but now out of the top 10. Two back to back cautions would find Pete Bicknell challenging Steele for the runner-up spot. The 7 time winner of the Spencer Memorial took over second on lap 30 with 20 laps to make up the almost straightaway lead Bowman had accumulated.

Bicknell had made a little progress but with Bowman into lap traffic with 12 to go – the battle for bragging rights on Cushman Road was down to about 5 car lengths by lap 42 for the two business neighbours.

One thing Bowman surely didn’t want to see was a caution which would slow the field one last time in the final stages. Bowman rocketed into the lead with a comfortable edge on the restart but with 4 laps to go … Bicknell had closed to Bowman’s rear bumper.

The final laps saw the lead change a number of times between the two in quite a thrilling race. With Doug Leonard’s double checkers in sight Bowman made one last move out of Turn 4 the final time pay off – edging out Bicknell for his second straight win in the John Spencer Memorial.

“That’s what makes racing fun,” admitted Bicknell, “hope everyone that came out tonight under these conditions enjoyed the night … we couldn’t do what we do without your support.”

While Bowman successfully defended his Brian’s Tire Repair win of last season – an award presented by the Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee that honors the driver that lost his life back in the 50’s as a result of a racing accident at Stamford – Bicknell was crowned Champion for the 20th time of his illustrious career that ironically includes 42 championships at other tracks and/or series titles.

“As equally important is my crew,” added Bicknell, “my success comes largely from consistent finishes … and that comes from the guys at the shop and at the track … I couldn’t do anything of this without them either.”

Mike Bowman became the 12th different winner of the Event over its two eras last season and will see his name added once again to the list from the modern era that includes Bicknell, Fred Carleton, Larry Lampman and Chad Brachmann. The original annual trophy also includes former winners Jerry Winger, Murray Stricker, Bruce Van Dyke, George Winger, Bill Rafter, Sandy MacPherson and Lloyd Holt.

Bowman and Bicknell were followed by Steele, Jones and Chad Chevalier.

The race for the 2010 Sportsman Championship would come right down to who finished where with Greg Panunte and Brandon Easey going into the 25 lap finale tied in points.

The start of the nail-biter saw fourth generation driver BJ Willard as the early leader after overtaking front row starters Jesse Penner and Rob Murray. Quickly Panunte who started in 7th was into the runner up spot and began to challenge Willard.

With lap traffic ahead of the leaders – Panunte became the new leader around lap 10 while Easey had raced his way into 6th spot after starting 15th at the drop of the green.

A break was what Easey would need and that came on lap 17 as caution would slow the field for the first time. With Panunte out front once again on the restart Easey still had some ground to make up. With two laps to go he took third spot from Jim Johnstone but that was as close as he could get.

Panunte would not only win the feature – the two time King of the Crates Series powered by Niagara Motors Co-champion would have something to share with just his family and crew – his first career Merrittville Championship.

“I’ve been trying to win this my whole career,” exclaimed Panunte, “this whole season … we’ve dedicated it in memory of my Grandpa Rudy … he’s the one that got me started in racing … thanks to him … my guys and my sponsors.”

Panunte was followed by Willard, Easey, Johnstone and Murray.

Last week’s Hoosier Stock Feature finish set up one of the closest points chases for the full fendered division after Ken Sargent rebounded from a burnt transmission line to take over the points lead with just 10 markers between the former champion, rookie Kevin Aube and former leader Dolf McCready.

Second generation rookie driver Shawn Wilson would lead the field to the green flag. Early on the battle for top spot became a three wide challenge and when everything settled in – the new leader was Vince Fargnoli.

Aube’s title hopes would face a set back after getting out of shape in turn 4 and coming to a rest just into the infield out of Turn 4 eventually slowing the event for the first time.

While the field was under caution – one of the drivers also involved in the incident was Dolf McCready. McCready’s hopes also vanished after he limped to the pits with front end damage.

Fargnoli took control once again when racing resumed with Billy Bleich pressuring for top spot. Soon after Bleich took control – his pace would be slowed and eventually stopped after a Turn 4 incident finding heavy contact between a stranded Tyler Anderson and Ed McNamara.

Anderson was OK.

Bleich set the pace on the restart and through to the checkered flag but not without one last challenge from Sargent who wanted to cap off the championship with a feature win.

Bleich would hold on by the slightest of margins at the finish line with Sargent settling for second. Kevin Knapp was third while Fargnoli held on for fourth. Barry Blanchard would round out the top 5.

“Thanks to Don Habiuk,” relayed Billy Bleich, “he’s put so much work into this car … I just have to get in and drive it … thanks to everyone else that helped too.”

“It’s been a long time … 2001 was my last (Pro Stock) points title,” prided Ken Sargent – a former Street Stock Champion as well, “it’s feels like we did it all over again for the first time … if it wasn’t for my guys and others though … after last week – I didn’t think I would be here tonight.”

One championship that was settled prior to feature time was the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites with Josh Sliter pushed to the starting grid by his crew for a pre-race interview.

“I really had big shoes to fill,” confessed Sliter of his Uncle Shawn’s 2008 title and last year’s Championship for Jamie Gilbert, “this is just awesome though … winning my first before the last points race – thanks to everyone that got me here.”

Former champion Wally Billing set the pace at the start of the 20 lap Feature and pulled away to a good lead before rookie Randy Hollingshead lost control of his car. Hollingshead managed to pull off quite a move though avoiding Kellie Mason’s car but causing the race’s first caution on lap 3.

Mason in fact would take over the lead on the restart but was slowed the very next lap after Kory Howe would slow with apparent terminal engine failure. Billing was back out front on the restart but it was Blair Young in top spot down the backstretch.

Eventually the new leader was Josh Sliter with Paul Klager into the runner up spot by lap 7. The two front runners had pulled away to almost a lead of almost a full straightaway before caution on lap 12.

Sliter would resume control on the restart and with Klager challenging – the two again would check out on the field. By the time the checkered flag flew on the final event of the night – Hollingshead had rebounded to take third spot with Young settling for 4th. Rookie Derek Moore rounded out the top 5.

The Final Point Event of the Season began with another of one of the closest points races in the 59 year history.

Already the 2010 Triple Crown Champion – Aaron Wiley went into the race just 8 points behind Rocco Conte with Rob Overholt - 18 points to make up. All three would be looking to take home their first title.

Rookie Brandon Boychuck was first to lead before Chris Laskey took control the first time down the backstretch. Still early – the third lead change saw Terry Larmet now in control. From a seventh starting spot – Kyle Pelrine was also on the move. Celebrating his 25th Birthday – Pelrine was quickly into the runner-up spot. Third generation driver Austin Wood would get out of shape in Turn 4 losing several spots falling out of the top 5.

Rob Goulding was also on the move – leading a group of cars – Aaron Wiley, Rob Overholt and Rocco Conte as the group began to close in on Larmet and Pelrine.

As Goulding took control of top spot – contact back through the pack saw Pelrine and Overholt come together in an incident that almost collected Wiley slowing the pace with 4 laps to go.

With Goulding out front – Conte took over second spot and with Wiley in third – that would be the order to the checkered flag. Larmet had to settle for 4th while Wood rebounded to finish 5th.

“This car is so much easier to drive … and more foregiving,” relayed newly crowned champion Rocco Conte of the former Matt Deschamps 2009 Championship Car, “I’ve got so many people to thank … especially Rob Goulding for all his help.”

For complete results from the Brian’s Tire Repair Championship Chase Finale 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

The infield flags were at half mast in memory of two of Merrittville Speedway’s Alumni who passed away this past week.

Mike Maroney - owner/operator of 5-0 Taxi and longtime sponsor and car owner for many drivers including multi-time 1970’s Champ Davey Moore … 1998 358 358 Mod Champ Alan Johnson and former champ Ron Smoker.

We also lost Butch Bogusat who in 1954 was the co-owner of the car driven by Orville Kelly

 If there was a dominant team during the early to late 1950's this was it. Kelley and Murray Stricker would win championships as would Jerry Winger later on. Bogusat was also involved with drivers Chuck Richardson and Pete Hurtibeise. Butch would later become an assistant safety man and inspector at Merrittville.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

Join us one last time this season for a LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring the International Championship Triple Header Weekend that will close the 59th consecutive year – September 10th to 12th.

J&S Heating and Air Conditioning will present the two day event for the Modified Lites and Classic Dwarf Cars with special events including the Sportsman Super DIRTcar Series, the Southern Ontario Sprints, the Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Series and a 4 Cylinder Cars versus 4 Cylinder Trucks Challenge.

Sunday’s Merrittville Motorized Mayhem features the 100 lap Grantham Lions Ironman Enduro Series Finale accelerated by Niagara College.

For further information – race fans and race teams alike can visit merrittvillespeedway.com … call the 24 hour Race Line at 905-892-8266 or follow Merrittville on Face Book and Twitter. 

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!

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