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Sandercock Does The Double, Lindberg, McPherson and Rothwell Pick Up Wins

THOROLD, Ontario (May 18th, 2026) … Racing returned to Merrittville Speedway Monday night for the Victoria Day Special presented by MSL Watson Landscaping and Construction with Maserace. The evening featured the first Tom Cosgrove Monday Night Bonus Race #1 feature event for the Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modified’s, which was won by Ridgeway, ON’s Gary Lindberg. Cody McPherson of St. Catharines, ON won the Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s ESSO DIRTCar Sportsman feature. Trenton, ON native Charlie Sandercock doubled up, winning both the UMP Modified and Vanderlaan Building Centres North East Late Model features. Hana Rothwell of Welland, ON scored the victory in the opening All Star Concrete 4 Cylinder feature.

Pete Bicknell and Ryan Barrett lead the field to green in the Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modifieds. The yellow flag was out for the first time at lap four when Darrell Farraway, Fred Carleton and Glenn Styres tangled off of turn four. Gary Lindberg took the top spot on the restart and his car was on a rail from there. Cautions at lap 12 and lap 19 for spins by Todd Gordon and Brad Rouse respectively did nothing to slow Lindberg’s cruise to the win. It did heat up the battle for second though between Ryan Barrett and Pete Bicinell. Barrett’s solid night went when he spun from 3rd with seven laps to go. Mike Bowman was able to overtake Bicknell, but could not catch Lindberg who claimed his first win of the season.

The Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s ESSO DIRTcar Sportsman featured was riddled with cautions from the get go. Russell Friesen and Madyson started on pole, however Matteo Panunte overtook Friesen for the lead on lap four. Brett Senek and Cody McPherson lined up to challenge Panunte on a lap 6 restart following the race's third caution. Friesen’s night ended on lap 16 when he had a mechanical failure, which set up what could have been a nine lap shootout to the end. McPherson pressured Matteo Panunte, and appeared like he was set to make the pass for the win with three laps to go. The caution fell one last time as an eight car pile up in turns one and two put Panunte back out front and McPherson on the offensive after nearly taking control of the race. McPherson would not be denied and somehow made the outside line work on the restart to take the lead and the win from Panunte.

With the win in the UMP modifieds already under his belt, Charlie Sandercock started from pole in the Vanderlaan Building Centres North East Late Model Alliance. After an early caution on lap two, Sandercock managed to build a nearly four and half second lead on Kyle Sopaz. The lead was erased at lap 17 when Nathan Rinaldi spun. On the restart, Brandon Mowat was able to slip by Sopaz but proved to be no match for Sandercock who completed his own Victoria Day Double.

The first half of Sandercock’s double came in the UMP Modifieds. Guest of honour Ken Schrader led the field to green, but it was Mason Lobb who went to the top spot early. Lobb spent most of the race outfront, ahead of Sandercock who was in hot pursuit. As the race approached the closing laps, it appeared Sandercock may run out of time. Dan Price, who was set to be lapped by Lobb, occupied the low lane, forcing the leader to go sound the outside through turns one and two. This gave Sandercock the break he needed to get alongside and battle for the win. The top two took the white flag side by side. While Lobb was able to drive by in to turn three on the lowside, Sandercock was able to cross him back over out of turn four. They drag raced to the line and it was Sandercock nosing ahead to pull out the win.

Cierra Keus and Sierra Robison brought the field to green in the All Star Concrete Four Cylinder feature. Robison led early until Keus got by at lap six. As quickly as Keus got out front, her race halted by a flat tire, and Hana Rothwell took over the top spot. At lap 14, Braden Keus spun to set up a green white checkered finish. On the restart, Clinton Barrick and Jeremy Cooper were both able to get by Robison, but Rothwell prevailed to take her first win of the season.

Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing returns next Saturday when King Paving presents racing action. The Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modifieds, Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s ESSO DIRTcar Sportsman, Rona Doidge Modified Lites and the Hoosier Stocks will all be in action. Additionally, the All Star Concrete 4 Cylinders will contest their second Home Track Event in the Duel On The Dirt presented by APC Auto Parts. 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 –- May 18th, 2026.

Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modifieds – GARY LINDBERG, Mike Bowman, Pete Bicknell, James Friesen, Tommy Flannigan, Dave Flannigan Jr., Nelson Mason, Jacob Chevalier, Shayne Pierce, Scott Wood, Boyd MacTavish, Glenn Styres, Ryan Barrett, Justin Sharp, Darrell Farraway, Jay Mallory, Todd Gordon, Ken Winfield, Fred Carleton, Brandon Gruhl, Gofast Teeple, (DNF) Brad Rouse, (DNF) Brian Page

Qualifying Heats – Pete Bicknell, Gary Lindberg, Mike Bowman

Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s Esso DIRTcar Sportsman - CODY MCPHERSON, Matteo Panunte, Brett Senek, Tyler Puchalski, Martin Polhill, Matt Sharpe, Bill Bleich, Cameron Olm, Daniel McKay, Noah Mamo, Billy Bleich Jr., Brad Overbeeke, Dave Small, Nigel Pendykoski, Kyle Rothwell, Austin Seburn, Brendan Zimmerman, (DNF) Bill Gill, (DNF) Terry Smith, (DNF) Madyson Rouse, (DNF) Mitch Dumont, (DNF) Russell Friesen, (DNF) Carter Gaboury, (DNF) Matthew Jessome

B- Main - BILL GILL, Terry Smith, Kyle Rothwell, Matthew Jessome, Martin Polhill, Brendan Zimmerman, Jeff Panunte Elijah Knutt, John Babion, Trevor Pitt, Chris Hawkins, (DNS) Tyler Lafantaisie

Qualifying Heats - Madyson Rouse, Cody McPherson, Brett Senek

NLMA Late Models – CHARLIE SANDERCOCK, Brandon Mowat, Kyle Sopaz, Brian McDonald, Jonah Mutton, John McIntyre, Brandt Graham, Craig Graham, Anthony Rinaldi, Steve Baldwin, Austin King, Nathan Rinaldi, Josh Overdulve, Blaine Murawski, (DNF) Luke Proulx, (DNF) Gord Grant

Qualifying Heats - Kyle Sopaz, Brandt Graham

UMP Modifieds – CHARLIE SANDERCOCK, Mason Lobb, Ken Schrader, Greg Belyea, Brittany Moon, Glenn Styres, Dan Price, (DNF) Kraig Handley

Qualifying Heats – Charlie Sandercock

All Star Concrete 4 Cylinders – HANA ROTHWELL, Clinton Barrick, Jeremy Cooper, Sierra Robison, Brendan Lefrancois, Spencer Riddell, Jay Moulton, Jeff Elsliger, Jonathan Macwhirter, Dave Wininger, Savannah Fontaine, John Trivieri, Nick Bowman, Braden Keus, Joe Stevenson, Steven Boverhof, Randy Alway, Jacob Mamo, Grayden Lyons, Aaron Paquet, Richard Hadler, Tyler Chesniak, (DNF) Connor Chambers, (DNF) Mason Anderson, (DNF) Cierra Keus, (DNF) Jason Coutu, (DNF) Rob General, (DNF) Ken Hair, (DNF) Leroy Buscomb

Qualifying Heats – Sierra Robison, Jeremy Cooper, Hana Rothwell

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