Thorold, Ontario (May 8) – Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions opened the month of May with Travis Braun winning his first Bobcat of Hamilton DIRTcar 358 Modified Feature in the Lococo Wholesale Salute to the Troops Night.

For the second time in as many weeks Chris Steele won the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature while Rocco Conte, Dave Small and Nick Cupolo were first time 2011 winners in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder, Hoosier Stock and Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Divisions respectively.

“It's been a long time since I've been here on the front stretch for sure,” said first time 358 Modified Feature Winner Travis Braun, “I couldn't be happier … with the new car and engine … I miss being here.”

Braun would take control of the lead after a restart on lap 19 after a multicar incident in turn 4 put the field under a red flag as several cars needed cradling off the ultra-fast racing surface. Prior to the delay … Braun and Chad Chevalier were waging quite a battle for top spot – swapping the lead back and forth around the half way point of the 35 lap finale.

Chevalier became the leader after a lap 9 restart – beating rookie driver Paul Klager to the green flag. Klager was off to quite a start in the early stages holding off a challenge from Rob Krull before Chevalier chased him down – closing up a 10 car lead.

At the finish Braun had a 4 second lead over Pete Bicknell with Chevalier settling for third. Mike Bowman and Chad Brachmann closed out the top 5. Bowman came from the consi while Brachmann fought back from being involved in two separate incidents.

At press time the finish is unofficial pending results of post race technical inspections.

“My car was just awesome,” relayed Chris Steele in J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Victory Lane for the second time in the Dean Pronovost owned #14, “I saw Josh … so I knew I had to turn up the wick some.” 

Sliter – the defending Point Champion was the early leader after taking top spot from his dad Ray Sliter Jr. Steele eventually took over the runner up spot and on lap 7 became the new leader. Steele and Sliter quickly pulled away from the field with the two involved in quite a battle for top spot. With 5 laps to go Sliter pulled alongside Steele with lap traffic ahead. Steele was able to easily maneuver through the slower cars holding a couple car length lead at the finish.

Sliter was put back at the finish for passing cars before passing the cone on the original start.

Derek Moore, Jeff May, Jason Corless and Derek Wagner would round out the top 5.

If you are friends with Rocco Conte on Face Book you would know that he was looking for some help this week as the defending champion could not decide which of his two cars to bring to the track.

“Having to work all day pretty much answered the question for me,” revealed Conte in Victory, “the blue car was still loaded from Humberstone's rain out … the white one is new and it still needs a little time in the shop.”

Conte took advantage of a late race battle between opening night winner Rob Goulding and Trevor to pull away to a comfortable margin of victory. Rob won the battle of the Gouldings with Kyle Pelrine making a late race charge to take 4th spot from former Champion Abel Castelein.

Sophomore driver Brandon Boychuck was the initial leader before Terry Larmet took control from the start. The two front runners though would come together slowing the field with one lap on the joesaver.com lap counter.

Jocelynne Wiley was the new leader on the restart with Tony Kelly quick to take over top spot. The driver on the move in the early going had to be Abel Castelein. The former Champion was up to third by lap 5 after starting 18th before falling to 5th at the finish.

“Handicapping sure helped this week,” said Dave Small in Hoosier Stock Victory Lane, “starting up front was great but the track was so tacky … you could run anywhere – I just kept this thing wound up.”

Small who started on the front row alongside rookie Austin Wood had his pace slowed twice in the first two laps for cautions. Right away the race was on for the runner up spot with the third generation driver Wood holding off Joe Middlemiss and then Larry Czinege Jr. By lap 6 Czinege was now in second. Kevin Knapp would then move into third. Racing to the half way point Knapp would eventually challenge Czinege – taking the spot on the front stretch of lap 14. In the closing laps despite showing some smoke … Czinege would stay in contention but at the finish. Small would hold a three second lead over Knapp and second generation driver Czinege. Billy Bleich and two time 2011 winner Brent Begolo would close out the top 5.

“I needed that last caution,” admitted Nick Cupolo in Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Victory Lane, “I got up in the loose stuff and would've lost the lead for sure.”

With two laps to go several cars several cars didn't lead that last caution after coming together. Rob Knapp had just returned to the track after falling victim to a flat tire but now had the right side of the body on the 2k flattened.

In the two lap dash to the finish Cupolo maintained a couple second advantage over BJ Willard, Cody McPherson, Mark Chiddy and Brad Rouse.

Chiddy was the early leader before Paul Gaboury took control on lap 3. Chiddy resumed the lead with 10 laps to go before Cupolo became the new leader on lap 18. The field was stopped just after the lead change after Tony Cowell violently flipped his car in turn 4 bringing out the red flag. Cowell was able to get out of his car under his own power.

INSIDE TRACK MOTORSPORT NEWS PIT NOTES

Longtime Merrittville Speedway Race Fan Doris Jarvis won the Thorold Blackhawks 50-50 Draw. Thanks to Avon Sales Representative Sandra Wood for donating the gifts and the members of the Lincoln & Welland Regiment and 10 Battery, 56 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery that attended the Salute to the Troops Night.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

Miller’s Auto Recycling will present another 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event Saturday May 14th.

When the gates open at 5:30 … families can look forward to the first of several MT Bellies BIG Fun and BIG Food Night in 2011. For $40.00 … two Adults and two Children under 16 can enjoy the night including 4 Popcorn and 4 Pepsi and a chance to win Dinner for 4 at MT Bellies on Niagara Street in Welland. 

Showtime is 7:00.

For further information on the 60th Anniversary Season call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit the award winning 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