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For Release – March
5, 2010 >From Jim Irvine - Merrittville
Speedway Public Relations 905-685-7223 –
Winter Office or
jimirvine@cogeco.net
Thorold, Ontario (March 5) – Since
last November … Merrittville Speedway Race Fans and Race Teams alike
have known of at least one event on the 2010 Schedule with the
announcement of the first ever visit of the World of Outlaws Late
Models on Thursday June 17th.
With the release today of the
complete schedule - more than ever … Saturday Night is Speedway
Night as the Thorold Ontario DIRTcar-sanctioned race track prepares
for it’s 59th consecutive season.
“The Extreme Thursday definitely
will be a highlight of our season and perhaps our involvement”
boasts (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “but right from the Spring
Sizzler through to our Motorized Mayhem Finale … our fans can look
forward to enjoying every lap of the action … there’s something
different happening week in and week out with enough must see events
to overflow your race chasin!.”
The Bicknell and Williamson-owned
show place has created quite an initial event when Baron Roofing and
Siding presents the April 24th Annual Spring Sizzler that features
50 lap events for the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds,
Original Pizza Logs Sportsman and Hoosier Stocks.
For the second straight season – one
of the first to greet Merrittville Fans of every age is Crash
Cougar.
“There’s no bones about him,”
relates (Merrittville co-owner) Nancy Bicknell, “Crash has become of
one the best around … race track or stick and ball sport combined.”
May Day – May 1st - launches the 5
Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series when the J&S Heating & Air
Conditioning Modified Lites and Hoosier Stocks join the Championship
Chase hosted by 105.1 The River.
Merrittville Speedway’s Kids Club is
getting a new lease on life the season as the Aaron’s Lucky Dog
Registration Night is also part of the Niagara IceDogs Fan
Appreciation Night.
Two Monday events will showcase
Super DIRTcar Series Events with May 24th’s putting the 358
Modifieds to the test right away in a 100 lap special presented by
Zavitz Financial Strategies and Employee Benefits.
Since 1972 – the first Monday in
August has been a racing tradition on everyone’s summer schedule and
this year’s edition will once again feature the DIRTcar Stars in a
100 lap Classic.
In the 17th and final Trevor Wilkens
Memorial last season, ‘Super’ Matt Sheppard put on a clinic after
Justin Haers shattered the track record in time trials.
Monday August 2nd – when L. St.
Amand Enterprises proudly presents the 1st Annual Bob St. Amand
Senior Memorial – it’s another must see event.
Just ask anyone how cool last year’s
was!
Race fans can get involved in the
excitement as Merrittville Speedway will be looking for a Grand
Marshall for the event in a contest that will launch as part of
Semenuk’s Esso June 5th Event with the drawing to take place during
July 24th’s Hingston Metal Fabricators’ festivities.
“While that event will bring
DIRTcar’s finest,” remembers (Merrittville’s) Jim Irvine, “former
Champion Ron Smoker pulled off a last lap … last corner pass to
steal the win from current Mr. DIRTcar Champ Brett Hearn back in the
day … and for Bob Sr. – I wouldn’t count our guys out!”
59 years of memories will be
celebrated in Lucas Oil’s Nostalgia Night Saturday July 17th. Hosted
by the Speedway’s Reunion Committee - the running of the 358
Modified Jerry Winger Memorial will also include Vintage Race Cars
and the pre-race Reunion Night.
“It’s time to begin planning our
inductions into the L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame,” prided
(Committee Chairman) Rick Kavanagh, “as we race towards the 60th
next season … anyone wishing to nominate former drivers … crew or
builders … or if you would like to volunteer – contact the Office at
any time.”
When Brian’s Tire Night concludes
the 2010 Championship Chase September 4th – here’s hoping that for
each division – the points races will go right down to the final
lap. For the 358 Modifieds – 50 laps will again the distance for the
John Spencer Memorial.
Brian’s Tire along with Turn 4
Collision and Pineview Drywall are presenters of the World of
Outlaws Late Models on Thursday June 17th in addition to Giant FM
91.7, TV Cogeco, Modern Corporation, Cotton Inc. and IBEW Local 303
Niagara.
An early season special finds the
BRP Can Am Late Models providing a preview of the Extreme Thursday
when they join the Seaway Mall Rankin Cancer Run Night to kick off
the Victoria Day Doubleheader – Saturday May 22nd.
Sprint Car Fans can mark two events
at Merrittville on their schedules when the Lucas Oil ASCS Patriot
Sprint Group visits Saturday August 21st as the featured event of
Pen Centre Night.
As fast as the winged alcohol
belching speedsters themselves – Sprint Cars return for a second
time helping to kick off our lone Friday Night Show – Saturday
September 10th and in celebration of the Ontario based group’s 15th
season.
Merrittville Speedway’s Original
Pizza Logs Sportsman Division will be looking to crown the King of
the Crates powered by Niagara Motors Champ in 2010.
Three 40 lap events kick off April
24th with the mini-series continuing when Lococo Wholesale delivers
June 19th’s Saturday Night Special.
Cotton Inc. will pour the foundation
for a thrilling July 31st when the new Mini-Series Champ is crowned
after the finale.
Full fendered fans have to love
Merrittville’s Hoosier Stock Division and the fact that against the
Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks – Team Merrittville is set to take a
6th straight title in the popular series that connects the two
Saturday Night tracks.
New for 2010 is the Duel on the Dirt
Big 6 – featuring 6 events at each track that will combine in this
year’s challenge for overall and individual honors.
The newly retrofitted J&S Heating
and Air Conditioning Modified Lites will prepare for their two day
International Championship that closes the season September 10th and
11th with two Modified Lite Championship Events as part of June
12th’s SMS Machine Tool Ltd Saturday Night in addition to Monday
August 2nd’s Civic Holiday Tradition.
Merrittville’s 4 Cylinder Division
provides race fans with the greatest mix of makes and models of race
cars and with the Turn 4 Collision Triple Crown – three special
events will also crown a champion in the race within the overall
season chase.
CAA Niagara will play host to the
Series Opener on May 29th followed by Round Two during the July 17th
Lucas Oil Nostalgia Night.
On August 14th – Avondale Food
Store’s Saturday Night at the Races will not only crown the 2010
Triple Crown Champ – the Best Appearing Dog Contest will showcase
our 4 legged friends.
If you are a long time Merrittville
fan – you may be thinking – I think I would like to get on track
myself … or if you are a new fan and like what you see – the
Grantham Lions Ironman Enduro Series accelerated by Niagara College
– is just the thing for you!
Three times during the season – May
24th, as part of Boltworks July 3rd Canada Day Clash and concluding
with Cotton Inc.’s Summer Slam July 31st – there will be three
‘Qualifier’ Events.
It all leads up to Sunday September
12th and ‘Merrittville Motorized Mayhem’ which will drop the curtain
on the 2010 Season in a way never witnessed in the 59 year history
of the d-shaped oval.
Enduro Racing is pretty basic – it’s
a car that races not a race car. Get yourself a $100 Car from the
Smart Shopper and with some safety modifications …. get some nerve
and you’re in!
For more info on Merrittville newest
sensation – and all the news - visit merrittvillespeedway.com as
details are still crashing in.
One event that Merrittville’s
younger race fans look forward to as a highlight of the Aaron’s
Lucky Dog Kid’s Club is the Meridian Credit Union Box Car Races.
2010’s front-stretch favorite set
for the August 7th’ CMH Sales and Leasing ‘Help a Child Smile’ Night
will also have adults smiling too. Parents will also be part of the
action on track this season!
Mom and Dad can also look forward to
Mother’s Day (May 8th) and Father’s Day (June 19th) at Merrittville
with $2 savings on Grandstand Admissions.
Heroes of the Highway can also take
part in the excitement when Modern Corporation stages it’s annual
Truck Show ‘n Shine Night July 10th.
Drivers can save $2 upon proof of
their license and it you would like to display your Big Rig – watch
for details.
Motorcycle Enthusiasts can also join
in July 24th on Hingston Metal Fabricators Night with a Two-nie off
Grandstand Admission for all riders with proof of your M License.
For the Biker in all of us – did you
know that our J&S Heating Modified Lite ‘Race Cars’ are powered by
‘Bike’ Engines?
Season Ticket Holders even have a
chance on spreading the word that Saturday Night is Speedway Night.
Plan on bringing someone with you July 31st – someone that may have
just moved into your neighborhood … someone at work … church or
school or even a complete stranger!
The only catch – July 31st must be
their first time ever to Merrittville - the challenge is on to find
someone!
Modified Lite driver turned
Sportsman rookie Adam Leslie reminded us all of the sacrifices of
our Armed Forces last season. So much so that May 15th’s Meridian
Credit Union Salute to the Troops Event will take to time to say
THANKS!
Meridian Credit Union will also
present the extremely popular Family Autograph Nights when the front
stretch is overtaken by a sea of race cars for your chance to meet
the drivers and see their race cars up close.
June 5th is the first chance while
September 4th is the last. Both Nights are just as good as
Halloween!
If you have been a long-time fan –
you may have heard that your favorite driver got their start in
Karts!
Every Tuesday Night – the stars of
tomorrow take to the infield track and Stock Car fans are encouraged
to check out a Lucas Oil Weekly Karting Series Event.
June 26th’s Student Night Summer
Blast Off is the Night when Students under 18 with a Student Card
can save $2 off Grandstand Admission. It’s also the night when the
Merrittville Speedway Kart Club will be on display in preparation
for their biggest event of the season.
Lucas Oil and a family of supporters
will present the Burris Tire 50 Twenty Five – Sunday July 4th and
that is one Karting Event to see with top drivers from across Canada
and the Northeast US from 6 years old and up in action.
Race fans also have a chance for
quite an experience as the Big Block Grand Marshall Search for
Monday August 2nd will run from June 5th to July 24th.
You could win tickets to the event …
the chance to meet the starting field and be the one that gets to
say ‘Gentleman … Start your engines!’
Tickets to the pre-race Club
Castropignano Pasta Dinner – one of the best deals on DIRTcar are
also included. During the contest period – don’t forget to get your
fill of Piller’s Hot Dogs – on July 3rd – they’re just a buck!
As Merrittville Speedway’s 59th
season begins to wind down – the Niagara IceDogs will be about to
start up. Minor Sport Players in Team Sweaters will be admitted free
on Ball Hockey International Night – Saturday August 28th.
The Aaron’s Lucky Dog Kids Club will
also wind down with it’s Back to School Pizza Party and Awards Night
for another season.
Following the Championship Chase
Finale September 4th – the 59th Season will conclude with the
International Championship Triple Header Finale Weekend with racing
Friday, Saturday and Sunday – September 10th to 12th.
Joining Friday Night’s kickoff are
the 4 Cylinder Trucks … the Southern Ontario Sprints while Saturday
Night features the Sportsman Super DIRTcar Series.
Both nights feature the best
Modified Lite and Classic Dwarf Cars from across Canada and the US
for the event that has developed into one of the finest of it’s kind
for the division.
The Hoosier Stocks’ season also
concludes with a 25 lap event leading up to the invasion from the
Brighton Speedway for the $1,000 to win 50 lap winner take all final
Saturday Night event.
The 59th season comes to a grinding
end – Sunday September 12 with what is being billed in 2010 as
Merrittville Motorized Mayhem!
As the count down to green continues
and the anticipation builds up to April 24th Spring Sizzler – visit
the Merrittville Speedway Race Car Shows at the Seaway Mall (the
week of March 15th) and the Pen Centre (the week of March 22nd) to
see some of the new race cars up close and to get your 2010
Merrittville Speedway Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Schedule Card!
For further information on the 59th
Season – race fans can also friend Merrittville Speedway on Face
Book or follow at www.twitter.com/merrittville. .
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