6/9/2025
Merrittville Speedway
Nostalgia Night This Saturday Night
THOROLD, ONTARIO (June 9, 2025) … Merrittville Speedway will be full of nostalgia this coming Saturday night, June 14th as the track will be honoring and remembering Jerry Winger with the Jerry Winger Memorial for the 358 Modifieds as well as Bill Willard Sr with the Stirling Silvr Cup for the Sportsman. The Hoosier Stocks, 4 Cylinders, and the NRVRS Vintage Cars will all be part of the racing program. Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite Vintage Racing t-shirt and apparel.
Fans will want to be in their seats by 6:30pm for the CAA Niagara Wall of Fame Inductions by Auto FX Graphics and Signs.
Don McGinnis raced Late Models and Modifieds at Merrittville, as well as Humberstone and Ransomville. Don was successful driving his own equipment, as well as driving for Gil Bruss, Ron Duplantis, Terry St. Amand, and Pete Cosco. He was the Niagara Tri-Track (Ransomville-Merrittville-Humberstone) Driver of the Year in 1989 as was inducted into the FOAR Score Hall of Fame in 2005. Don has been influential in son Jeff’s racing career as well as son in law Jeff with his go-kart racing operation.
Randy Hollingshead has raced in practically every division at Merrittville Speedway. From the karts all the way up to the 358 Modifieds, Hollingshead raced in and won. In 1993, Randy had a memorable moment on the front straightaway, as he and his wife Laura were married right on the track! Randy is still active both building cars and racing on the dragstrip at Toronto Motorsports Park.
Prior to the inductions, two individuals will also be honored with the CAA Niagara Dedication to Racing Award, presented to Dana Curvin and Fran Bushardt.
Dana Curvin served as co-announcer at Merrittville for more than seven seasons under the ownership of the Bicknell and Williamson families. Dana grew up at Merrittville cheering on her dad Terry Huffman. Dana also has written articles for online racing publications as well as the Bicknell Racing Products website. She can be seen today working at BRP alongside husband Ted.
“Fran the Stat Man” Fran Bushardt has been at the racetracks his entire life. Not only that he served as a track announcer at times at all three tracks in the Niagara Region, Fran and his trusty notebook can be seen to this day at the tracks as he gathers information that he passes along to the track announcers with stats and roster work for Ransomville, Merrittville, Ohsweken, Genesee and Land of Legends Raceway. As Fran has said “you just never know who’s going to show up so we will be covered”.
Pit gates will open at 5pm, with grandstands opening at 5:30pm, and racing will begin at 7pm. Fans can avoid the lines at the ticket booth on opening day, by purchasing your advance tickets online. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/merrittville-speedway-presents-nostalgia-night-2025-tickets-1397121430809?aff=oddtdtcreator
Race Fans will surely want to check out the vintage race cars on display throughout the grandstand area in addition to select cars of today. Inside Honker’s Turn 1 Bar are quite an array of photos from over the years that will provide memories for long time race fans and spark interest for younger generations.
ABOUT THE JERRY WINGER MEMORIAL The Jerry Winger Memorial dates back to 1959 when it was established by the former driver’ crew after the up-and-coming start passed away due to illness.
First established in 1991 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary Season, the Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee consists of Chairman Rick Kavanagh, former racers Bill Willard Jr., Ken Walsh, Ted Renshaw and Terry Huffman, Kyle Tomaski, second generation enthusiast Mark Swartz in addition to Erica Bicknell Jones and Jim Irvine both formerly from the Speedway. An Annual Reunion Night highlights each season in addition to the presentation of several history laden awards.
For more than 100 years, CAA Niagara has served the community providing year-round piece of mind and member exclusive savings. Visit your local CAA Niagara location today or learn more at www.caaniagara.ca
Since 1989, Tim and his staff at Auto FX Graphics & Signs have worked hard producing wraps, lettering, signs, decals, graphics, and other services from their 5000 square foot facility in St. Catharines. Tim is a huge supporter of stock car racing and many of the cars on track in the Niagara Region are examples of his exceptional work. Visit their site at www.autofxgraphics.com for more information.
Follow Merrittville on social media including Facebook (facebook.com/MerrittvilleSpeedway), Twitter (@Merrittville), and now on Instagram (@merrittvillespeedway). For results, point standings, and more, check out www.merrittvillespeedway.com
Article Credit: Steven Petty
Submitted By: Doug Leonard