For Immediate Release from Jim Irvine Merrittville Speedway Public Relations         905-892-8266 (Office), jimirvine@cogeco.net or www.twitter.com/merrittville

Thorold, Ontario (July 30) Merrittville Speedway’s annual Civic Holiday opened July 30th with Mike Bowman, Brad Rouse, Kevin Knapp(DQ Carburetor infraction), Josh Sliter, Garnet Wilson taking wins in their respective Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions – Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Hoosier Stock, J&S Heating & Air Conditioning Modified Lite and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Divisions.

The final Grantham Lions Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College was won by Karl Sault.  

Last Victoria Day Monday Mike Bowman was probably glad that the 100 lap 358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series was rain delayed until tomorrow – Monday August 1st as shortly after the rains came – Bowman’s car was sitting in the pits with a flat tire. Bowman especially used the 35 lap Feature as a tune-up for Monday’s 75 lap conclusion where he will restart third.

“I’m pumped to get it going,” informed the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Feature Winner, “I’ve got one of the best to follow and learn in Brett (Hearn) and in the end hope to be in the spotlight again!”

Bowman made a late race charge through the field catching leader Pete Bicknell on lap 30 and after pressuring the 20 time Champion – took over top spot out of Turn 2 just as the final yellow set up a two lap dash to the finish.

“I new I had a strong,” added Bowman, “ I was able to pick off cars off high and low put a slider on at just the right point.”

Ken Winfield led the field to the initial green flag before Shayne Pierce took over. Pierce would pull away to comfortable leads several times before cautions would slow the pace. Eventually Rob Pietz would land in the runner up slot to challenge Pierce in a see saw battle between the two leaders. After a lap 19 incident, Pierce would jump the cushion putting Pietz into top spot before another caution on lap 21 saw Chad Chevalier stage maybe the move of the race. After losing control of his car Chevalier got right back on the gas hardly losing any positions but couldn’t beat the yellow.

Pietz would suffer the same fate as Pierce after a lap 23 restart after jumping the cushion in almost the same spot with Rick Richner the new leader. Bicknell took over from there and settled in until caught by Bowman.

Bowman and Bicknell were followed by Mat Williamson, Richner and Tim Jones.

Prior to their feature, an 8 lap Hot lap session was put on the schedule for any 358 Modified Teams wanting to test the Big Block D400 Hoosier Tires in preparation for Monday’s 100 lap Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial Big Block Super DIRTcar Series Event.

The start of the 25 lap Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature was delayed after a last minute driver change was changed again after problems with Point Leader BJ Willard’s car were solved. Willard got into his own car enabling Paul Williamson to get back in his for the start.

“We waited a few weeks back for Kevin Knapp,” explained Race Director Bob St. Amand Jr., “so in fairness … we had to provide the courtesy here as well.”

When it did begin … Dave Flannigan Jr.  took the lead at start with Jason Moore challenging right away and taking the lead on lap 2 before caution on lap 3. Moore was back out before a multicar incident collected cars back through the field.  One of the cars involved unfortunately was Moore so Robbie Rounce was the new leader on the restart.

The next lap Rob Knapp, Jesse Penner and BJ Willard all came together just before Turn 1 sending several cars into the infield. Rounce lead on restart with Nick Cupolo now taking top spot to complete lap 6. Brad Rouse was into the runnerup spot by lap 9 with caution slowing the pace two laps later. Rouse resumed the lead on the restart with Cody McPherson taking second from Cupolo just past halfway. Both drivers were off to quite a lead before caution on lap 16.

With Rouse back out front on the restart McPherson was in hot pursuit. Caution on lap 18 found Rouse in control on the restart before McPherson took over in Turn 2 of lap 21. Quickly Rouse battled back and retook lead. 

The two were off to huge lead once again but Rouse opened up a car length at the finish with McPherson, Cupolo, Paul Gaboury and Greg Panunte rounding out the top 5.

 “I knew being on the top would take his line away so he would have to try something else to get by me,” related the proud new dad of almost 2 week old Bryley,” thanks to my wife Amanda … Dave for all he does and to Ted … the new shocks were awesome!”

The 20 lap Hoosier Stock Feature was also delayed in starting after Brian Schmidt flipped his car down the backstretch on lap 2. The driver walked away from the spectacular looking ride.

Before the red flag, Peter Reid was the initial leader before Austin Wood took control. On the restart the event went back to the last completed lap which put Reid back in control before it was Wood out front once more.

 Kevin Knapp would take over top spot at the start finish line to start lap 5 with James Thompson advancing into second.  As Thompson was challenging Knapp  - Wood was battling Thompson in quite an exciting display. Knapp and Wood were soon side by side with Thompson and Larry Czinege close behind. With 4 laps to go Knapp would pull away to a car length lead. With Dave Small joining in … you could put a blanket over top 5 before Czinege dropped into infield on last lap.

Unfortunately Knapp was disqualified in post race inspection for a Carburetor infraction. While keeping the spot, he received no money or points with Wood, Thompson, Small and Vince Fargnoli closing out the top 5.

Prior to the 75 lap 358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series being added to Monday’s event – the Civic Holiday Special was set to include the 25 lap Stars North Tour Event for the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites.

The event was pushed ahead to Saturday with Randy Hollingshead the early lead. Quickly Josh Sliter was able to climb into the top 3 – overtaking runner up Derek Wagner before the leader as well. Chris Steele was also on the move and would soon settle into second.

Despite coming up on lap traffic through at the half way point – Sliter was able to drive away to a comfortable lead in the caution free event. That lead soon became about 5 seconds over Steele and the field. At Starter Doug Leonard’s Checkered Flag – the 5 seconds meant about a half lap lead in a dominating performance.

“I was starting to get sick of my Uncle (Shawn Sliter) coming back and beating me so it’s good to get back here myself,” admitted the defending Champion Sliter.

With Chris Laskey the leader at the start of the 15 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature - Garnet Wilson was quickly into second with the two away to a 10 car lead on third place runner Kameron Kocarik by lap 4. Coming out of Turn 4 to start lap 5 Wilson would make a move and took control of the event. After Jocelyn Wiley took over third on lap 6 she began to close in on Laskey to the half way point.

Wilson would lead the field into lap traffic by lap 10 and by the two to go signal was able to stretch his lead on the field. The race between Laskey, Wiley and Rob Overholt was the one to watch in the final circuits.  Behind Wilson and Laskey - Overholt, Kyle Pelrine and Tony Kelly made late race charges to round out the top 5.

INSIDE TRACK MOTORSPORT NEWS PIT NOTES

Prior to the start of the event, Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Driver Travis Braun was the Pete’s Automotive Driver of the Week

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

Action returns Monday August 1st with the 2nd Annual Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial featuring the final 75 laps of the 358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series Event rain delayed since May 23rd, the 100 lap Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Main Event and a 25 lap Hoosier Stock Duel on the Dirt Feature.

The gates will open at 4 PM for the Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner. Advance Admission Tickets and Pasta Dinner Tickets will be available up to Race Time from the Speedway Office.

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) Mike Bowman, Pete Bicknell, Mat Williamson, Rick Richner, Tim Jones, Larry Lampman, Ryan Susice, Fred Carleton, Scott Wood, Boyd MacTavish, Shayne Pierce, Mark D’Ilario, Travis Braun, Chad Chevalier, Bill Bleich, Brandon Easey, Justin Sharp, Paul Klager, Tommy Flannigan, Dennis Giancola., Kenny Winnfield, Rob Pietz, Todd Gordon, Randy Chrysler.

ORIGINAL PIZZA LOGS DIRTcar SPORTSMAN FEATURE (25 laps) Brad Rouse, Cody McPherson, Nick Cupolo, Paul Gaboury, Greg Panunte, Rob Knapp, Robbie Rounce, Jesse Penner, BJ Willard, Gary Lindberg, Steve Robins, Paul Williamson, Paul Jorgenson, Robert Baker, Jason Moore, Remington Price, Adam Leslie, Mark Chiddy, Darrell Ebersole, Ron Kingsbury, Dave Flannigan Jr., Jason Farraway, Ray Hockridge.

HOOSIER STOCK FEATURE (20 laps) Kevin Knapp (DQ Carburetor infraction), Austin Wood, James Thompson, Dave Small, Vince Fargnoli, Rob Murray, Pete Reid, Billy Bleich, Lee Winger, Jim Lampman, Chris Schneider, Terry Ronning, Larry Czinege, Ken Sargent, Ron MacAulay, Brian Schmidt, Ed McNamara.

J&S HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING MODIFIED LITE FEATURE (25 laps) Josh Sliter, Chris Steele, Shawn Sliter, Derek Wagner, Jason Corless, Paul Klager, Randy Hollingshead, Derek Moore, Derek Bredin, Dan Kviring, Ray Sliter Jr., Jeffrey May, Kory Howe.

TURN 4 COLLISION 4 CYLINDER FEATURE (15 laps) Garnet Wilson, Chris Laskey, Rob Overholt, Kyle Pelrine, Tony Kelly, Jocelyn Wiley, Rocco Conte, Kameron Kocarik, Rob Goulding, Nathan Monahan, Jason Coutu, Ron Cosco, Greg Wilson, Brandon Iudiciani, Terry Larmet, Mike Giberson, Dillan Sliter, Brandon Boychuck, Jeff Larmet, Shawn Emery, Aaron Wiley.

GRANTHAM LIONS ENDURO QUALIFIER ACCELERATED BY NIAGARA COLLEGE Karl Sault, Jack Myers, Dwayne Medvic, Bob Whiteman, James Mercer.

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.”

Tickets are now available for Monday August 1st’s 2nd Annual Bob St. Amand Sr. Memorial that will feature the remainder both the 358 Modified and Big Block Super DIRTcar Series Events and Hoosier Stocks – a must see event since 1972.

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