8/31/2025
Merrittville Speedway
Bicknell Breaks Through in Modifieds, McPherson Flawless in Sportsman Championship Night
THOROLD, Ontario (August 30, 2025) … As the month of August comes to a close, so too did the Semenuk’s Esso/Baron Roofing DIRTcar Sportsman points championship on Cotton INC night at Merrittville Speedway. St. Catharines, ON’s Cody McPherson put the exclamation point on his track Championship season with his 13th win, leading flag to flag in the 50 lap feature. Pete Bicknell of St. Catharines, ON won in the Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modified. Josh Sliter of Port Colborne, ON visited victory lane in the Rona Doidge Modified Lites. The Hoosier Stock feature went to Dave Bailey of Hagersville, ON and Cierra Keus of Port Robinson, ON won in the All Star Concrete 4 Cylinders.
The Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s ESSO DIRTcar Sportsman capped off Cotton INC night with a 50 lap feature. The top four finishers from each heat race earlier in the night were entered into a redraw where Cody McPherson drew pole. With the track championship already in hand, McPherson was free to enjoy a Saturday night cruise. Curtis Friesen spun on lap two of the race to bring one of only two yellows. On the restart, Boyd MacTavish had the shot to try and pass McPherson after moving up to second. Unfortunately, a mechanical issue led him to stopping on the pit on ramp, bringing out the caution again. On the restart, Nigel Pendykoski was tasked with keeping pace with McPherson, but much like the season as a whole, no one could keep pace with the seven car. McPherson turned in a dominant performance to close out his season at his home track. Pendykoski was second while Ryan Barrett, Noah Mamo, Brad Overbeeke rounded out the top five.
BIll Gill and Todd Gordon led the field to green in the Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modified feature. Pete Bicknell was able to take the lead on lap five of the race before a serious crash on lap five of the event. Gary LIndberg made contact with Justin Sharp, which sent Sharp’s car flipping and rolling up the embankment in turn 3 and nearly into the scoreboard. Sharp would be able to walk away under his own power, while Lindberg was parked for the night. Bicknell would lead on the restart ahead of Paul Gaboury and Shayne Pierce, before another caution for Brian Page slowing out of corner four on lap 10. Bicknell was able to control another restart, driving off to a comfortable lead. The veteran hadn’t won at Merrittville since the labour day long weekend in 2023, although he’s had multiple opportunities through this season. It seemed another sure win was in jeopardy on lap 29 when the caution came out once again for Derek VanMil stopping on the front stretch. However, Bicknell was able to get the restart he needed to drive off and close the deal. The win marked the 443rd of his career, while he became the 11th different Modified feature win at Merrittville this season.
The Rona Doidge Modified Lites feature began with Ryleigh Sliter and Dave Cornish up front, with SLiter leading the opening laps. Josh Sliter took over the top spot. Cohen Corbett climbed to second just before the first caution flag flew at lap nine for a spin by Lance Waldeck, who spun again two laps later for the race's final caution. Josh Sliter drove off to leave the field in his dust and comfortably claim his sixth win of the season ahead of Corbett and Rob Misener.
An eventful Hoosier Stock feature saw Jason Fontaine jump out to an early lead. Rob Murray moved to second place on lap five, when the first caution came out for contact between Dave Bailey and Mark Fawcett that sent Fawcett spinning and Bailey to the rear. On the restart, Murray and Fontaine dueled for several laps before Murray cleared Fontaine, only for Fontaine to turn Murray intentionally, ending his night early. After the dust settled, the restart with six laps to go saw Bailey on the outside of new leader Zack Bleich, who Bailey made short work of. However, Bailey was not in the clear as Gofast Teeple ran right with him, taking over second place. Teeple kept the pressure on until the final lap when his engine expired in heartbreaking fashion. Bailey took the win and clinched the track championship with a week to go.
In All Star Concrete 4 Cylinder action, Braden Keus held down an early. At the race's halfway point, Hana Rothwell moved into second with Cierra Keus up to third. On lap 11, John Trivieri lost a wheel bringing out the caution and erasing the lead for Keus. On the restart, Keus and Rothwell collided and crashed, taking the top two cars out of contention which handed the lead to Cierra Keus. Keus would be able to hold off Randy Alway and score her fourth win of the season.
Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing returns for the final points night of the year presented by Semenuk’s ESSO. Baron Roofing DIRTcar Sportsman wrapped up their championship but will still be in action as the remaining four divisions conclude their regular seasons, including the Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modifieds contesting the 50 lap John Spencer Memorial. In addition, the night will be capped off with School Bus Racing. Pit Gates will open at 5pm, with grandstands opening at 5:30pm, and racing will get underway at 7pm. For more information, visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com and can follow the action on My Race Pass.
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
RACE RESULTS –- August 30, 2025.
Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modifieds – PETE BICKNELL, James Friesen, Shayne Pierce, Brad Rouse, Darrell Farraway, Luke Carleton, Fred Carleton, Paul Gaboury, Todd Gordon, Scott Wood, Tommy Flannigan, Jay Mallory, Brian Page, Bill Gill, Ken Winfield, Brandon Gruhl, Derek VanMil, Justin Sharp (DNF), Gary Lindberg (DNF), Nelson Mason (DNF)
Qualifying Heats – Brad Rouse, Todd Gordon, James Friesen
Semenuk’s ESSO/Baron Roofing DIRTcar Sportsman – CODY MCPHERSON (12), Nigel Pendykoski, Ryan Barrett, Noah Mamo, Brad Overbeeke, Matt Sharpe, Mitch Dumont, Jacob Chevalier, Tyler Puchalski, Matteo Panunte, Kyle Rothwell, Daniel McKay, Cameron Olm, Austin Seburn, Jeff Panunte, Madyson Rouse, Tyler Lafantaise, Elijah Knutt, Dave Small, John Babion, (DNF) Curtis Friesen, (DNF) Boyd MacTavish
Qualifying Heats - Cody McPherson, Ryan Barrett, Nigel Pendykoski
Rona Doidge Modified Lites – JOSH SLITER (6), Cohen Corbett, Rob Misener, Sean Iftody, Tyler Winger, Brent Begolo, R.J. Pietz, Shawn Sliter, Ryan Anderson, Ashton Anderson, Dillan Sliter, Anthony Kelly, Nick Sarantakos, Ryleigh Sliter, Dave Cornish, Roger Pardis, Cole Hardy, Bella General, Lance Waldeck, (DNF) Leroy Buscumb, (DNF) Ray SLiter, (DNS) Chris Watson
Qualifying Heats – R.J. Pietz, Josh Sliter, Tyler Winger
Hoosier Stocks – DAVE BAILEY (11), Mark Fawcett, Rob Murray, Zack Bleich, Dustin Duga, Chris Crowe, George Grosul, John Overholt, Jeff Bean, Spencer Maytum, Sam Iftody, Kevin Kocarik, Gofast Teeple, (DNF) Jason Fontaine, (DNF) Kyle Pelrine
Qualifying Heats – Rob Murray, Jason Fontaine
All Star Concrete 4 Cylinders – CIERRA KEUS (4), Randy Alway, Sierra Robison, Mason Anderson, Alex Riley, Austyn Werstroh, John Lubeck, Joshua Dmytrow, Brendan Lefrancois, Savannah Fontaine, Dave Wininger, Steven Boverhof, Clinton Barrick, Hana Rothwell, John Trivieri, Connor Chambers, Ken Hair, Richard Hadler, Braden Keus, Aaron Paquet, Jonathan Macwhirter, Ray Cerenzia, (DNF) Olivier Larocque
Qualifying Heats – Mason Anderson, Hana Rothwell, Cierra Keus
Article Credit: Jonathon Howe
Submitted By: Jonathon Howe