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

Thorold, Ontario (June 26) K&K Insurance Night at Merrittville Speedway celebrated a Blast Off into Summer June 25th and amongst those celebrating visits to Victory Lane – defending Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature Point Champion Greg Panunte.

In other Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series action – Rocco Conte, Brent Begolo, Shawn Sliter and Travis Braun were also winners in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder, Hoosier Stock, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite and Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Divisions respectively.

“It’s been an excellent week for us,” exclaimed a somewhat relieved Greg Panunte back in Victory Lane some 72 hours after a Wednesday Night win at Ransomville (NY), adding, “we’ve been out to lunch all year … thanks to everyone at BRP for their help … sometimes things will work out for you … and sometimes they don’t,” commented Panunte of his late race winning move.

Panunte took control of the 25 lap Feature – leading the field to start lap 13 and immediately distanced himself from the field. After taking top spot away from early leader Rob Knapp – the two were joined by BJ Willard in a breakaway pack.

Willard would eventually take second from Knapp down the backstretch of lap 18 with the Lucas Oil Live Leader Board approaching lap 20 – was able to close in on the leader. Over the final 5 laps Willard was able to get as close as Panunte’s rear bumper but even with increasing lap traffic in the closing laps – there was nothing that would stop Panunte from his first Merrittville win of 2011.

Second generation driver Jason Moore was the initial leader at the start – swapping top spot with James Mercer twice before Knapp took control on lap 5.

Panunte was followed by Willard, Knapp, Cody McPherson and Dave Flannigan Jr.

“It was all about racing clean … and passing clean,” referred Rocco Conte of the thrilling side by side battle with Garnet Wilson, “the guys in the pits were bugging me all night … it’s kinda Student Night … and I’m a Brock Student … but I wouldn’t be here without them!”

Conte the defending Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Champion and Garnet Wilson put on a school of classic door to door racing in the closing laps – running side by side with each driver nosing ahead of the other until Conte surged ahead for good after taking Starter Doug Leonard’s White Flag signaling one lap to go.

Former Karter and second generation driver Kameron Kocarik was the initial leader of the 15 lap event – setting the pace through an early restart before Conte took control to start lap 3. Right away Wilson pressured the leader with the elder driver briefly taking top spot away before Conte resumed control of P1.

With 4 laps to go – Conte came up on lap traffic but the slower cars never slowed Wilson’s pursuit. It was either one’s race until Conte was able to pull away to a couple car advantage in the final lap.

Wilson had to settle for second with Kyle Pelrine, Aaron Wiley and Tony Kelly rounding out the top 5.

“The car felt good in the heat,” revealed Hoosier Stock Feature Winner Brent Begolo, “we left it the same for the feature … I knew the track wouldn’t go away.”

Once out front, it looked like Begolo was on cruise control with three and four wide racing behind him allowing the third generation driver to pull away to comfortable leads. Begolo took the lead on lap 5 from Kevin Knapp who had taken over after an early restart. At the start it was Brian Schmidt out front but after contact with Jason Fontaine – the two would restart at the tail of the field.

A number of cautions would slow Begolo including one on lap 9 after early leader Schmidt ended up hung up on top of the guardrail exiting turn 4. With 5 laps to go, Begolo was out front of a battle for the runner-up spot with Knapp trying to hold off Rob Murray. With one lap to go, the leader had stretched his lead before caution would set up a one lap dash after contact between rookie Austin Wood and Vince Fargnoli found Wood sitting the wrong way in Turn 4.

Coming out of Turn 4 the final time once racing resumed – Knapp would make one last effort to get by Begolo but the move allowed Murray to take second instead.

Knapp had to settle for third with Jeff Dayman and Billy Bleich closing out the top 5.

One lap dashes seemed to be par for the course throughout feature action – the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite 20 lap Event was no different.

“I crowded Chris (Steele) a little bit,” commented Shawn Sliter in Victory Lane, “I’m sure he’ll understand … they’re a good field of drivers,” added the former Modified Lite Champion who has returned after several years in the 358 Modifieds.

A last lap caution set up a one lap dash after rookie Derek Wagner the former leader would lose control in Turn 4. Exiting Turn 2 of lap 15 Sliter got a good run on Wagner and took over top spot. Eventually Steele would take over the runner up spot and made the valiant effort but had to settle for second.

Wagner became the new leader on lap 8 after out dueling both Sliter and Steele as the three were three wide behind initial leader Kory Howe. Howe had ran away to a good lead before caution on lap 6 slowed the pace after rookie Jared Turnbull lost control of his car while battling for third spot.

Sliter and Steele were followed by rookie Jeffrey May, defending champion Josh Sliter and Howe.

“It was real good racing with Tim (Jones),” revealed Travis Braun, “he gave me the thumbs up after the race … I really have to thank my crew … I haven’t been able to spend much time at the shop – so the win is for them … mom and dad too!”

Tim Jones first stint as leader came out of Turn 4 completing lap 13 after the veteran was able to get by rookie Paul Klager. Just before half-way Jones would lead the field into lap traffic with Braun in second after he was able to get by Klager as well.

About the same time – defending and 20 time Champion Pete Bicknell had a rear tire going flat until lap 21 when the tire finally shredded. On the restart it was Bruan out front before Jones regained the lead before another caution on lap 23. On the restart Jones was out front but now Braun battled back with two cautions easing things on laps 25 and 26.

Jones raced back into the lead on the restart until Braun again took control the next lap. Eventually Braun would pull away to a couple car length lead and through to the finish – would stretch his lead over Jones at the finish.

Dennis Giancola was the initial leader before Klager took control down the backstretch on lap 1.

ORIGINAL PIZZA LOGS DIRTcar Sportsman Feature (25 laps) GREG PANUNTE, BJ Willard, Rob Knapp, Cody McPherson, Dave Flannigan Jr., Gary Lindberg, Paul Gaboury, Nick Cupolo, Robbie Rounce, Bill Podwinski, Luke Carleton, Brad Rouse, Robert Baker, Len Dignard, Micky Sauer, Kevin Sharpe, James Mercer, Jesse Penner, Paul Williamson, Jason Moore, Adam Leslie, Steve Robins, Jason Faraway, Jim Johnstone.

TURN 4 COLLISION 4 CYLINDER FEATURE (15 laps) ROCCO CONTE, Garnet Wilson, Kyle Pelrine, Aaron Wiley, Tony Kelly, Rob Goulding, Rob Overholt, Kameron Kocarik, Evan C urtis, Jocelyn Wiley, Shawn Emery, Chris Laskey, Greg Wilson, Dillan Sliter, Jason Langaro, Mike Giberson, Brandon Boychuk, Nathan Monahan, Jason  Coutu, Billy Sauder.

HOOSIER STOCK FEATURE (20 laps) BRENT BEGOLO, Rob Murray, Kevin Knapp, Jeff Dayman, Billy Bleich, Vince Fargnoli, Ken Sargent, Pete Reid, Mark Fawcett, Larry Czinege, Ryan Dinning, Jim Lampman, Lee Winger, Cory Turner, Chris Crawford, Kevin Kocarik, Austin Wood, Brian Schmidt, Barry Blanchard, Chris Schneider, Ed McNamara, Isaac Pelissero, Jason Fontaine, Dave Small.

J&S HEATING & AIR CONDITIONNING MODIFIED LITE FEATURE ( 20 LAPS) SHAWN SLITER, Chris Steele, Jeffrey May, Josh Sliter, Kory Howe, Derek Moore, Jared Turnbull, Dan Kviring, Rick Brubacher, Derek Wagner, Blair Young, Jason Corless, Randy Hollingshead, Dan Cook, Derek Reaman.

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

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

Boltworks presents $1 Pillers Hot Dog Night Saturday July 2nd with a 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Program in addition to the second Grantham Lions Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College. Gates open at 5:30. Show Time is at 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 on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville). 

INSIDE TRACK MOTORSPORT NEWS PIT NOTES

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.

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