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McPherson Claims Tour Win, Rouse Defends Masterfully to Score Modified Feature

THOROLD, Ontario (May 30th, 2026) … A packed house was a welcomed sight at Merrittville Speedway Saturday night for the Big Bike Giveaway presented by Auto FX Graphics and Signs. It was only the third night of Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing as mother nature finally gave racing fans in Southern Ontario a break. The Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s ESSO DIRTcar Sportsman contested a Western Region tour race which was won by St. Catharines, ON’s Cody McPherson. Brad Rouse of Fort Erie, ON won the Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modified feature. The Rona Doidge Modified Lite feature went to Thorold, ON’s Brent Begolo. The Hoosier Stocks contested their second APC Auto Parts Centre Duel on The Dirt home track event which was won by Dave Bailey of Hagersville, ON. Cierra Keus of Port Robinson, ON opened the night with a feature win in the All Star Concrete Four Cylinder feature.

Brian Page started from pole in the Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modified feature but it was the driver to his outside, Brad Rouse, who got out to the early advantage. After Justin Sharp cut a tire on lap 11, Rouse continued to pace the field, in front of Ryan Barrett, Nelson Mason and Shayne Pierce. At the race's half way point, Gary Lindberg, who started 14th, cracked the top three, eventually getting to second. A caution on lap 27 erased the over two second lead Rouse had built in lap traffic ahead of the field. Lindberg quickly got to second on the restart and began to set up his move on Rouse. Lindberg tried not once but twice to get to Rouse’s outside in turn one. However, Rouse was able to fend off the move both times with two perfectly anticipated blocks that broke Lindberg’s momentum and allowed Rouse to secure his first win of the season.

For the first time in the Modified Lite era at Merrittville Speedway, a B-Main was required to set the field in the class. Jason Fontaine making his first career start in the Rona Doidge Mod Lites and Brent Begolo lead the field to green, with Begolo getting out front early. Cohen Corbett emerged as the challenger, settling into second behind Begolo. At lap 10, Leroy Buscumb and Jason Fontaine went for synchronized spins in turn three to bring out a caution. Begolo survived the restart and remained unchallenged until a lap 16 caution for Lance Waldeck set up a single file run to the flag. Shawn Sliter, who appeared to be the fastest car besides Begolo, was able to position himself to challenge on the four lap shootout, but couldn’t find a way around Begolo, settling for second with Ashton Anderson finishing in third.

The Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s Esso DIRTcar Sportsman contested a Western Region tour race Saturday Night at Merrittville Speedway. Tyler Puchalski started from pole with Brett Senek to his outside. Shortly before the race’s second caution at lap seven, Cody McPherson was able to clear Senek for the runner up spot after starting eighth. On lap 12, McPherson set up the high to low move to get to Puchalski’s inside and take the lead. Senek would follow suit two laps later to get to second. As the leaders hit lap traffic, McPherson was able to separate himself from Senek, as lap cars battled for position between the two leaders. That proved to be the difference as McPherson went on to take the win and the $1400 payout for the tour event.

In Hoosier Stock action, it was almost over before it began as Dave Bailey started from pole. Mark Fawcett started seventh and was able to drive up to second, while Kyle Pelrine who started 12th, emerged from a multi car battle with Rob Murray, Jason Fontaine and Zack Bleich with the third spot. However, no one could close in on Bailey to threaten the top spot as he went on to win the feature unchallenged.

In All Star Concrete Four Cylinder action, Cierra Keus started on pole alongside Richard Hadler. On the second lap, Connor Chambers and John Trivieri tangled in the top 10, becoming hooked together and leading to the first caution. Another caution fell on the restart after Jacob Mamo spun. Cierra Keus would survive both restarts without challenge as Jeremy Cooper and Ken Hair raced themselves into podium positions after starting 10th and 11th respectively.

Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing returns next Saturday for Family Autograph Night and T-Shirt Giveaway presented by Exclusive Imprint and The Jacket Cellar. The Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modifieds, Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s ESSO DIRTcar Sportsman, Rona Doidge Modified Lites, Hoosier Stocks and All Star Concrete Four Cylinders will all be in action. 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 30th, 2026.

Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modifieds – BRAD ROUSE, Gary Lindberg, Ryan Barrett, Nelson Mason, Jay Mallory, Mike Bowman, Shayne Pierce, James Friesen, Tommy Flannigan, Darrell Farraway, Pete Bicknell, Fred Carleton, Jacob Chevalier, Noah Walker, Todd Gordon, Brandon Gruhl, Brian Page, Ken Winfield, Gofast Teeple, (DNF) Justin Sharp, (DNF) Scott Wood, (DNF) Boyd MacTavish

Qualifying Heats – Boyd MacTavish, Brian Page, Brad Rouse

Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s Esso DIRTcar Sportsman Western Region Tour - CODY MCPHERSON (2), Nigel Pendykoski, Brett Senek, Tyler Puchalski, Matteo Panunte, Jeff Panunte, Matt Sharpe, Terry Smith, Martin Polhill, Curtis Friesen, Brad Overbeeke, Billy Bleich Jr., Tyler Lafantisie, Elijah Knutt, Daniel McKay, John Babion, Nick Ventura, Madyson Rouse, Trevor Pitt, (DNF) Noah Mamo, (DNF) Cameron Olm, (DNF) Bill Gill, (DNS) Matthew Jessome

Qualifying Heats - Brett Senek, Matteo Panunte, Cody McPherson

Quick Time - Cody McPherson 15.829

Rona Doidge Modlites – BRENT BEGOLO, Shawn Sliter, Ashton Anderson, Dillan Sliter, Cohen Corbett, Anthony Kelly, Ryna Anderson, Chris Watson, Evan Leonard, Tyler Winger, Jason Fontaine, Nick Sarantakos, Dave Cornish, Jamie Gilbert, Fabio Olivieri, Cole Hardy, Jesse Palmer, Tony Kelly, Chance Kotar, Dan Kviring, Ryleigh Sliter, Max Trivieri, Lance Waldeck, Travis Ruch, (DNF) Leroy Buscumb

B Main - RYAN ANDERSON, CHANCE KOTAR, LANCE WALDECK, JESSE PALMER, RYLEIGH SLITER, MAX TRIVIERI, Travis Ruch, Chris Sherk, (DNS) Josh Sliter, (DNS) R.J. Pietz, (DNS) Derek Millman

Qualifying Heats - Tyler Winger, Shawn Sliter, Cohen Corbett

Hoosier Stocks – DAVE BAILEY (2), Mark Fawcett, Kyle Pelrine, Rob Murray, Jason Fontaine, Zack Bleich, Pete Reid, Gofast Teeple, Jeff Bean, Chris Crowe, Spencer Maytum, Kevin Kocarik, Nathan MacWhirter

Qualifying Heats – Jason Fontaine, Pete Reid,

All Star Concrete 4 Cylinders – CIERRA KEUS, Jeremy Cooper, Ken Hair, Brendan Lefrancois, Austyn Werstroh, Hana Rothwell, Braden Keus, Sierra Robison, Kyle Rothwell, Steve Robison, Clinton Barrick, Dave Wininger, Connor Chambers, Jonathan MacWhirter, Richard Hadler, John Lubeck, Steven Boverhof, Jay Moulton, Mason Anderson, Joe Stevenson, Nick Bowman, Jacob Mamo, Tyler Chesniak, (DNF) John Trivieri, (DNF) Savannah Fontaine

Qualifying Heats – Cierra Keus, John Trivieri, Jeremy Cooper

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