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Bicknell Wins John Spencer Memorial, Lindberg, Winger, Bailey and Riley Claim Track Titles

THOROLD, Ontario (September 6th, 2025) … As Merrittville Speedway closed out its 74th points championship season on Semenuk’s ESSO night, the track crowned four more division champs. Gary Lindberg of Ridgeway, ON defended his title in the Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modified’s, while Pete Bicknell of St. Catharines, ON won the 50 lap John Spencer Memorial feature. Cody McPherson was crowned champion in the Semenuk’s ESSO/ Baron Roofing DIRTcar Sportsman the previous week during their points finale, the St. Catharines, ON native added one more feature win to his impressive campaign. Tyler Winger of Ridgeway, ON put the exclamation point on his championship campaign with his seventh feature win of the season. In the Hoosier Stocks, Hagersville, ON native Dave Bailey claimed another track title while Mark Fawcett of Canfield, ON scored his first feature of the season. Alex Riley of St. Catharines claimed his third Track Championship in a row in the All Star Concrete 4 Cylinders, while Niagara On The Lake, ON driver Austyn Werstroh won his first feature of the season in the finale.

Brad Rouse and James Friesen lead the field to green for what was to be a chaotic John Spencer Memorial feature. Rouse led early, leading the first 12 laps until Todd Gordon stopped in turns one and two to bring out the first caution of the race. Pete Bicknell had a perfect restart to stay alongside leader Rouse into turns 1 and 2 and come away with the lead. On lap 19, Todd Gordon once again lost power in his car to put the race under yellow. On an extended green flag run, Gary Lindberg was able to work his way up to second, eventually catching Bicknell, and briefly taking the lead. However, as Lindberg completed the pass, Rouse, Shayne Pierce and James Friesen tangled battling for third place. The caution undid the pass and handed control back to Bicknell. As the race restarted, it quickly was put back under yellow as track crews were called to the pits for a fight between Rouse and the Friesen crew. After the skirmish, the race had another short run of green flag action that went away when Fred Carleton tried to clear up in front of Paul Gaboury, making contact with Gaboury’s left front and sending him into the front stretch outside wall. After surviving multiple late restarts, Bicknell was able to close out the 50 laps ahead of Lindeberg, marking back to back wins at Merrittville. Meanwhile, Lindberg’s second place finish was more than enough to earn the track championship. Darrell Farraway rallied for an impressive third after flipping in his heat race. Tommy Flannigan was fourth and Scott Wood completed the top five.

The Semenuk’s ESSO/Baron Roofing DIRTcar Sportsman had wrapped up their points season at Merrittville Speedway a week prior, with McPherson crowned champion. The champ was in the house after his racing plans south of the border were curbed by a rain out. After starting fifth, McPherson got his chance to take the lead on lap 14, when he got to the outside of Tyler Puchalski. Brett Senek would sneak past Puchalski five laps later but ultimately fall short of denying McPherson his 14th feature win of the season at Merrittville. Puchalski, Curtis Friesen and pole sitter Noah Mamo rounded out the top five,

In the Rona Doidge Modified Lites, Roger Pardis jumped out to an early lead from the outside of the front row. However, a bobble in turns three and four after a few laps out front handed the lead to Leroy Buscumb. Caution came out on lap six when Lance Waldeck went for a spin, giving the opportunity for Ashton Anderson to take the lead on the restart, only for another quick yellow to come out when Cohen Corbett lost power. Pardis had his night go from bad to worse, after getting turned out of turn two following the restart and barrel rolling down the back stretch. Anderson continued to lead, building a nearly two second advantage on the field until a caution on lap 14 for another spin from Waldeck. Tyler WInger would take the lead with a big move down into turn one and two on the outside. Winger would cap off 2025 in style with his seventh feature win and the track championship. Anderson, Josh Sliter, Cohen Corbett and R.J. Pietz completed the top five.

Jason Fontaine and Chris Crowe led the Hoosier Stock division to green in their final points paying feature. While Dave Bailey had already clinched the track title, Mark Fawcett and Kyle Pelrine entered the night tied for second in the standings. Pelrine found himself in trouble early, when a four car incident erupted in turn one just a few laps into the future. Meanwhile, Fawcett found himself at the front of the field, battling for the win late in the race. He worked past Fontaine for the top spot with just a handful of laps left. With three laps to go, Fontaine spun after suffering a flat left rear tire. Even with the late restart, Fawcett would not be denied to break through for his first win of 2025. Murray and Pelrine rebounded to finish second and third with the champ Bailey fourth and Chris Crowe completing the top five.

The All Star Concrete 4 Cylinders began their final points paying feature with Richard Hadler and Connor Chambers on the row, with Hadler leading the first half the race. Just before the half way mark, John Trivieri and Rob Goulding came together on the front stretch with both drivers taking heavy impacts into the outside wall just before the starters stand. On the restart, Hadler would get loose, and Austyn Westroh would get by to take the top spot in the race. Even a couple late restarts could not spoil the party for Werstroh, who broke through for his first win of the season ahead of Ray Cerenzia, Hana Rothwell, Joshua Dmytrow and Ken Hair. Alex Riley’s sixth place finish was more than enough to clinch the title.

With the track championship hardware handed out, stock car racing will take a pause but Merrittville Speedway will not go silent as Tim Horton’s presents Wreckfest next week. Pit Gates will open at noon for Enduro Tech. Grandstand Gates open at 4:30pm and the carnage will get underway at 6pm. 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 –- September 6th, 2025.

Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modifieds – PETE BICKNELL (2), Gary Lindberg, Darrell Farraway, Tommy Flannigan, Scott Wood, Shayne Pierce, Jay Mallory, Brian Page, Bill Gill, Ken Winfield, James Friesen, (DNF) Fred Carleton, (DNF) Paul Gaboury, (DNF) Brad Rouse, (DNF) Adam Leslie, (DNF) Nelson Mason, (DNF) Todd Gordon, (DNF) Luke Carleton, (DNF) Justin Sharp, (DNS) Derek VanMil

Qualifying Heats – Shayne Pierce, James Friesen, Jay Mallory

Semenuk’s ESSO/Baron Roofing DIRTcar Sportsman – CODY MCPHERSON (14), Brett Senek, Tyler Puchalski, Curtis Friesen, Noah Mamo, Mitch Dumont, Nigel Pendykoski, Matt Sharpe, Ryan Barrett, Matteo Panunte, Billy Bleich Jr., Bard Overbeeke, Daniel McKay, Doug Walsh, Matthew Jessome, Austin Seburn, Cameron Olm, Tyler Lafantaise, Madyson Rouse, Jacob Chevalier, Chris Hawkins, Elijah Knutt, John Babion, (DNF) Martin Polhill

Qualifying Heats - Jacob Chevalier, Cody McPherson, Mitch Dumont

Rona Doidge Modified Lites – TYLER WINGER (7), Ashton Anderson, Josh Sliter, Cohen Corbett, R.J. Pietz, Sean Iftody, Ryan Anderson, Leroy Buscumb, Nick Sarantakos, Anthony Kelly, Rob Misener, Cole Hardy, Dave Cornish, Ryliegh Sliter, Craig Martin, Dillan Sliter, (DNF) Lance Waldeck, (DNF) Bent Begolo, (DNF) Derek Millman, (DNF) Roger Pardis, (DNF) Chris Watson, (DNS) Bella General, (DNS) Anthony Scott

Qualifying Heats – R.J. Pietz, Brent Begolo, Ashton Anderson

Hoosier Stocks – MARK FAWCETT, Rob Murray, Kyle Pelrine, Dave Bailey, Chris Crowe, George Grosul, Gofast Teeple, John Overholt, Kevin Kocarik, Mitch Petta, Dustin Duga, Kacey Huffman, (DNF) Jason Fontaine, (DNF) Spencer Maytum, (DNF) Nathan MacWhirter, (DNF) Zack Bleich, (DNF) Sam Iftody

Qualifying Heats – Kyle Pelrine, George Grosul

All Star Concrete 4 Cylinders – AUSTYN WERSTROH, Ray Cerenzia, Haa Rothwell, Joshua Dmytrow, Ken Hair, Alex Riley, Mason Anderson, Dave Wininger, Cierra Keus, Steve Robison, Clinton Barrick, Brendan Lefrancois, Richard Hadler, Savannah Fontaine, Jeremy Cooper, Jonathan MacWhirter, Jay Moulton, Randy Alway, James Marshall, Jack Reid, Craig Vlasic, Connor Chambers, John Lubeck, Theran Reid, Sierra Robison, (DNF) Olivier Larocque, (DNF) Rob Goulding, (DNF) Steven Boverhoff, (DNF) Braden Keus, (DNS) Joe Stevenson

Qualifying Heats – Olivier Larocque, Randy Alway, Hana Rothwell,

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