Thorold, Ontario (August 28) Four drivers scored feature wins at Merrittville Speedway Saturday August 27th in Ball Hockey International’s Minor Sport Night assisted by the Niagara IceDogs.

Mat Williamson, BJ Willard, Larry Czinege and Garnet Wilson all visited Victory Lane in the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified, Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Hoosier Stock and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Divisions respectively.

Meanwhile the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites were at the South Buxton Raceway for the inaugural Stars North Tour Race won by Paul Klager. For complete results click on http://www.southbuxtonraceway.com/week-15-results-saturday-aug-27#more-4147

A lap 28 restart saw Mat Williamson take control of the 35 lap Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Feature – beating rookie Brandon Easey who had led for much of the event. Easey had led the event on two occasions – before and after a lap 19 caution after Rob Pietz briefly set the pace after the restart. With Williamson as the challenger – he was able to close in on the leader with Easey able to pull away down the straighaways. Once out front however, Williamson left the field behind with Easey losing several spots in the closing laps after jumping the cushion between Turns 1 and 2.

“I felt bad for Brandon … he deserves to win,” consoled Williamson in Victory Lane, “it’s great to be here though – I had a little time off work and we built this new car – it’s a 2012 BRP Chassis.”

Just prior to the lap 19 caution with Easey out front – the challenger was Scott Wood. Contact down the frontstretch between the two sent Wood out of control to the point of catching some air but somehow the second generation driver fought it never falling off the pace.

Ken Winfield was first to lead the event before Easey took control after an early restart. Eventually Rick Richner and Wood would land in the top 3 and in the early stages – the three would break away from the pack before a lap 14 caution.

Once Williamson was out front he was able to open up a lead of about ¼ of a lap on Pete Bicknell who raced back through the field to the runner up spot after getting caught up in an earlier incident. Mike Bowman, Rob Pietz and Tim Jones closed out the top 5.

“I didn’t know if I could catch Greg with the lead he had,” relayed BJ Willard in Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Victory Lane, “my Dad’s saying I am in his groove … but the turns were really good … I guess it got me off the bottom.”

Willard took the lead to start lap 21 and through to the finish opened up a 10 car advantage over Greg Panunte. The defending champion took control of top spot in lap 8 from second generation driver Dave Flannigan Jr. who was in control from the start of the 25 lap event.

Panunte survived two previous restarts as leader and in the closing laps had challengers Willard, Robbie Rounce, Brad Rouse and Paul Gaboury battling for position.

At the finish Willard and Panunte were followed by Rouse, Cody McPherson and Gary Lindberg.

After the initial start was called off for the 20 lap Hoosier Stock Feature, front row starters Lee Winger and Austin Wood remained side by side for a couple laps in a back and fourth battle until Wood edged ahead to start lap 3.

While the battle was raging up front – several drivers were battling flat tires but were able to continue. Wood would pull away to a comfortable lead but after exiting Turn 4 to complete lap 7 a little low – both Vince Fargnoli and Larry Czinege were able to close. Czinege would soon challenge Wood for top spot as the two were locked in a side by side battle allowing Jamie Thompson now in third to close in.

One driver on the move was second generation driver Jim Begolo who was in his son’s #16. Unfortunately Begolo and Thompson would come together on lap 18. While under caution several drivers including Rob Murray finally retired to the pits unable to race further with their flat tires. Vince Fargnoli would also drop from a possible top 5 finish with a flat tire as well.

Wood would resume control on the restart with Czinege edging ahead to start lap 19. At the finish Czinege would hold off Wood by half a car length.

Winger, Billy Bleich and Jim Lampman rounded out the top 5.

It appeared that Garnet Wilson was cruising to Victory in the 15 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature before Rocco Conte took over on the final lap.

Wilson however wasn’t settling for second and made one of the moves of the 60th Anniversary Season using lap traffic to his advantage to overtake Conte.

“I saw the laps cars and then Rocco and then thought here we go again,” commented Garnet Wilson in Victory Lane, “ I’ve lost it three times like that this year … it wasn’t going to happen again. I was a little rough getting by Rocco in the turns and will apologize to him.”

Wilson took the lead on lap 3 from early leader Jason Coutu who was the initial leader.

Wilson and Conte were followed by another strong run by Dillan Sliter in the Rob Goulding #16 VW Rabbit, Kyle Pelrine and Kameron Kocarik.

INSIDE TRACK MOTORSPORT NEWS PIT NOTES

Merrittville Speedway Co-announcer Clint Geoffrey paid respects to Anthony Delazzari and Arnie Young who both passed away this past week.

Delazzari – owner of Central Collision was a former racer and sponsor of many race teams over the years while Young – father of Modified Lite Driver Blair Young had also crewed for a number of race teams over the years.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

Brian’s Tire Repair will present the 60th Anniversary Championship Chase Finale Saturday September 3rd with final point events for all 5 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions. The main event will be the 50 lap John Spencer Memorial for the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds.

During intermission Race Fans will be let out on to the track for Autograph Night.

When the gates open at 5:30 – Race Fans will be able to meet former Champions and other personalities for Autographs as well. Show time is 7 PM.

For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 60th Consecutive Season – call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville). 

BOBCAT OF HAMILTON DIRTcar 358 MODIFIED FEATURE (35 laps) Mat Williamson, Pete Bicknell, Mike Bowman, Rob Pietz, Tim Jones, Scott Wood, Larry Lampman, Travis Braun, Brandon Easey, Rick Richner, Fred Carleton, Chad Chevalier, Boyd MacTavish, Kenny Winfield, Todd Gordon, Shayne Pierce, Pete Cosco, Dennis Giancola, Mark D’Ilario, Bill Bleich, Justin Sharp, Tommy Flannigan.

ORIGINAL PIZZA LOGS DIRTcar SPORTSMAN FEATURE (25 laps) OFFICIAL FINISH BJ Willard, Greg Panunte, Brad Rouse, Cody McPherson, Gary Lindberg, West Talons, Brent Begolo, Robbie Rounce, Jesse Penner, George Bosse, Jason Moore, Robert Baker, Steve Robins, Jason Farraway, Nick Cupolo, Matt Sharpe, Ron MacAulay, Adam Leslie, Remington Price, David Flannigan, Ray Hockridge, Paul Gaboury, Rob Knapp.

HOOSIER STOCK FEATURE (20 laps) Larry Czinege, Austin Wood, Lee Winger, Billy Bleich, Jim Lampman, Ken Sargent, Brian Schmidt, Jason Fontaine, Jimmy Begolo, Ian Blanchard, Terry Ronning, Ed McNamara, James Thompson, Rob Murray, Dave Small, Matt Bartlett, Chris Crawford, Jeff Dayman, Chris Schneider, Devin Habiuk.

TURN 4 COLLISION 4 CYLINDER FEATURE (15 laps) Garnet Wilson, Rocco Conte, Dillan Sliter, Kyle Pelrine, Kameron Kocarik, Jason Coutu, Greg Wilson, Jason Langaro, Nathan Monahan, Rob Overholt, Jocelyn Wiley, Tony Kelly, Chris Laskey, Kevin Kocarik, Mike Giberson, Mike Giberson, Evan Curtis, Brandon Boychuck, Chris Sheppard, Nathan Steeley, Robert Goulding, Jeff Larmet. 

Join us this season on a Saturday Night for a 60th Anniversary LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Divisions with local heroes and up and coming new stars.

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.”

Crazy Offer! Race fans – check your 2011 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!

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS

The 2011 60th Anniversary Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Bobcat of Hamilton, Original Pizza Logs, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning, Hoosier Tire Canada and Turn 4 Collision in addition to many marketing partners Visit them at . http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/sponsors.htm and visit them when you require their products and/or services.

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 the PartSource locations in Welland and St. Catharines, Drummond Home Hardware, KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage