Thorold, Ontario (May 29) – The month of May concluded at Merrittville Speedway with CAA Member Appreciation Night finding Rob Overholt winning his second straight Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature of the season. The repeat win came in the initial 20 lap Triple Crown Event of the season.

The Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Program had four first time winners with Pete Bicknell, Cody  McPherson, Jeff Dayman & Josh Sliter winning in the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks and J&S Heating & Air Conditioning Modified Lites.

Glen Hils closed out the night winning the first Grantham Lions Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College.

“The track was in great shape … it was definitely worth the wait to get here again,” remarked Rob Overholt several hours after taking the checkered flag as the feature events were run in quick fashion with the threat of inclement weather.

At the drop of the green flag, Overholt was in control of the opening round of the 2011 Turn 4 Collision Triple Crown Series for the 4 Cylinder Division. Quickly he was off to a comfortable lead on the field.

Coming up on lap traffic there was no slowing the Fort Erie driver down with the battle for runner up the one to watch. Tony Kelly, Rocco Conte and Kyle Pelrine were racing each other allowing Overholt to open up an even more comfortable advantage.

Through increasing lap traffic the margin of victory for Overholt was about a half lap with defending Point Champion Conte winning the war for the runner-up spot. Kelly settled for third spot with Pelrine fourth and Garnet Wilson fifth.

“Thanks to all the racers that helped us get the track in shape,” thanked (Merrittville Co-owner) Pete Bicknell in Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Victory Lane, “if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have been here now … thanks to our staff as well and the fans for sticking with us … the weather this year as been trying on all of us!”

Bicknell the defending and 20 time Point Champion and 2010 runner-up Mat Williamson both had to qualify through the consolation for the 35 lap Event that had Justin Sharp as the early leader with Shawn Sliter in control the first time through turn 4 as caution would slow the field. A multicar incident on lap 6 would slow Sliter. Drivers included were Bicknell and Williamson who lost what progress they had made through the field and former Champion Larry Lampman back in the Dan and Veronica Miller-owned car.

Sliter resumed control with caution right away after rookie Jamie Gilbert slowed with engine trouble. Challenging Sliter on the restart was Rob Pietz who would take over top spot with Bill Bleich moving into third.

Caution again on lap 8 saw Pietz back out front with Bleich getting a good run off Turn 4 of lap 11 to become the new leader. Around the halfway point, Chad Brachmann took over second spot – eventually taking over the lead on lap 19. On his second time grom the back of the pack Pete Bicknell raced into second on lap 23 – about a ¼ lap behind the leader however.

Lap 26 saw initial leader Sharp’s night go up in a puff of smoke and with the line up still double file before lap 30 – the two frontrunners were side by side.

“I was trying to get that good line to get a good pull out of four,” added Bicknell, “some of it may have been trying to out guess him (Brachmann).”

The closing laps saw Brachmann and Bicknell in a classic cat and mouse game with Brachmann out front before Bicknell took over. The thrilling battle between them only slowed once on lap 29 after an incident involving front runners Pietz, Williamson and Scott Wood.

Under caution Williamson made contact with Wood sending Williamson to the pits for the night.

At the finish Bicknell was able to hold off Brachmann by a half car length. Bill Bleich has his best showing of the season in settling for third with Tim Jones and Rick Richner closing out the top 5.

“A couple weeks ago I tried to win on my Birthday,” celebrated Cody McPherson, “and last week I was trying to do it for my grandmothers … but I won last year on CAA Night … and here we are again this year!”

McPherson would take the lead along the backstretch of lap 23 and at the finish would hold off defending champion Greg Panunte in the Rick Bellante-owned 99P by a car length. Panunte had become the new leader two laps earlier at about the same spot he lost it to McPherson after the Port Colborne driver was able to get by Jim Johnstone.

Johnstone had led much of the event after taking top spot from Robert Baker on lap 2.

Brad Rouse and BJ Willard closed out the top 5.

 “I like it three and four wide,” revealed Hoosier Stock Feature Winner Jeff Dayman, “but tonight you just had to cautious and patient.”

The early early stages had cars racing just like that with Ron MacAulay leading the field to the green flag before rookie third generation driver Austin Wood took control in turn 2. Wood set the pace until a lap 9 caution saw Joe Middlemiss challenge for top spot on the restart.

Almost as quickly as Middlemiss took control – a second caution again slowed the field on lap 12 after defending champion Ken Sargent slowed. With Middlemiss out front – the driver in now in the runnerup spot was Jeff Dayman. A multicar incident on lap 14 found Dayman in control once again with the former champion out to a 5 car lead on Jason Fontaine, Billy Bleich, Rob Murray and Middlemiss. In the closing laps under increasing lap traffic Dayman was able to stretch his lead with Fontaine, Bleich, Murray and Middlemiss holding their positions to close out the top 5.

“We have to get Dad one of these soon,” predicted J&S Heating & Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature Winner Josh Sliter one week after his uncle Shawn Sliter won the Stars North Tour Series Opener in his brother Ray Sliter Jr.’s car.

Sliter took the lead after a lap 8 caution and drove away from the field until a late caution eliminated almost a half lap lead the defending champion had amassed. After Dan Kviring took control at the start – rookie Derek Wagner was the new leader as the field completed lap 1.

Wagner himself had opened up almost a quarter lap lead until Sliter took over. In the latter stages with Sliter out front – Wagner could not close in settling for second with sophomore driver Derek Moore third. Jason Corless and another rookie Jeffrey May rounded out the top 5.

Originally scheduled for Monday May 23rd – the night closed with the first Grantham Lions Enduro accelerated by Niagara College. Glen Hils won the caution free event.

For complete results click on http://speednetdirect.com/results.php?track_id=8430

INSIDE TRACK MOTORSPORT NEWS PIT NOTES

The Night started with Hoosier Stock veteran Kevin Knapp announced as the third Pete’s Automotive Driver of the Week - joining Paul Klager and BJ Willard as 2001 honorees.

Semenuks Esso will present Family Autograph Night Saturday June 4th in addition to a full 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Program.

Gates open at 5:30 with showtime at 7:00 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). 

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