2026-08-02
Merrittville Speedway
Lindberg Spoils The Party, Olivieri Wins His First On Frantic Night At Merrittville
THOROLD, Ontario (August 1st, 2026) … The first of two nights of racing at Merrittville Speedway over the Civic Holiday weekend kicked off with Niagara Employment Help Centre night at the races. Gary Lindberg of Ridgeway, ON thwarted the plans of any other Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modified Driver claiming the bonus bounty to beat him. In the Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s ESSO DIRTcar Sportsman, Nigel Pendykoski of Niagara Falls, ON secured the win. Ancaster, ON native Fabio Olivieri won his first feature ever in the Rona Doidge Modified Lites. Dave Bailey of Hagersville, ON went back to victory lane in the Hoosier Stocks, while Clinton Barrick won his first of the season in the All Star Concrete 4 Cylinders.
Brian Page and Jay Mallory lead the field to green in the Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modifieds, with Mallory getting out to the early lead. Fred Carleton fell in lock step with Mallory, even briefly passing him for the lead. Meanwhile, Gary Lindberg had worked his way to the top five after starting 15th by lap 19. A caution at lap 21 bunched the field up together with Mallory leading Carleton, Scott Wood, Lindberg and James Friesen. While Carleton got out front past Mallory, with 10 laps to go, Lindberg took over the top spot and never looked back, spoiling the $100 bounty that Niagara Employment Help Centre had put for any driver who beat Lindberg.
A similar bounty was placed on Cody McPherson in the Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s ESSO DIRTcar Sportsman feature. However, McPherson would be one of several drivers caught up in the carnage of an incredibly chaotic night in the division. In a race where nearly half the field failed to finish, it was Nigel Pendykoski, driving his way up from his 16th starting, to score his second win of the season. Jeff Panunte, Daniel McKay, Tyler Puchalski and Brad Overbeeke were also able to secure top five finishes.
In Rona Doidge Modified Lites action, a few drivers struggled with turn four, resulting in several spins early in the event. In between caution periods, Fabio Olivieri was able to get by R.J. Pietz on lap six to take control of the race. When the field finally was able to string some consistent runs together, former champions Brent Begolo and Tyler Winger started to move their way through the field. However, neither would catch Olivieri, who captured his first win in the Modlite division, driving for car owner Dan Kviring. Begolo finished second while Dillan Sliter, Winger and Pietz rounded out the top five.
Jeff Bean started from pole for the Hoosier Stock feature with Zack Bleich to his outside. Bleich got out to the early advantage, leading the opening five laps. Bleich was caught and passed by points leader Dave Bailey, who took control of the race and never looked back. Even with a caution at the race's halfway point, Bailey was able to manage the gap back to Jason Fontaine and secure his fifth win of the season at Merrittville.
After winning his heat earlier in the night, Clinton Barrick was determined to make the most of his third starting spot, taking the lead from Richard Hadler early in the feature. While Barrick led, Cierra Keus raced up to second, closing to within two car lengths by the races halfway point. As Keus continued to pressure, Barrick did a masterful job blocking. Barrick even survived a few attempts at the bump and run from Keus, and hung on to score his first victory in 2026 at Merrittville.
Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing returns Monday, August 3rd as Baron Roofing presents the 5th Annual Canadian Grand Nationals. The special holiday Monday event will be headlined by a 50 lap feature for the Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modified with bonus from courtesy of Tom Cosgrove. In addition to on track action, each fan will have the chance to win $1000, plus Firemaster Productions will present fireworks to close out the evening. 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 1st, 2026.
Commercial Auto Electric 358 Modifieds – GARY LINDBERG (7), Fred Carleton, Brad Rouse, Jay Mallory, James Friesen, Scott Wood, Jacob Chavalier, Todd Gordon, Shayne Pierce, Tommy Flannigan, Darrell Farraway, Nelson Mason, Pete Bicknell, Ken Winfield, (DNF) Gofast Teeple, (DNF) Brian Page, (DNF) Dave Flannigan Jr., (DNF) Brandon Gruhl, (DNF) Fred Carleton Jr.
Qualifying Heats - Fred Carleton, Brad Rouse, Todd Gordon
Baron Roofing/Semenuk’s Esso DIRTcar Sportsman - NIGEL PENKOSKI (2), Jeff Panunte, Daniel McKay, Tyler Puchalski, Brad Overbeeke, Madyson Rouse, Carter Gaboury, Terry Smith, Kyle Rothwell, Russell Friesen, John Babion, Billy Bleich Jr., Brendan Zimmerman, Lance Waldeck, (DNF) Cody McPherson, (DNF) Dustin Duga, (DNF) Trevor Pitt, (DNF) Curtis Friesen, (DNF) Cameron Olm, (DNF) Elijah Knutt, (DNF) Noah Mamo, (DNF) Matt Sharpe, (DNF) Matteo Panunte, (DNF) Bill Gill
Qualifying Heats - Carter Gaboury, Tyler Puchalski, Brad Overbeeke
Rona Doidge Modlites - FABIO OLIVIERI, Brent Begolo, Dillan Sliter, Tyler Winger, R.J. Pietz, Sean Iftody, Leroy Buscumb, Evan Leonard, Josh Sliter, Chris Watson, Nick Sarantakos, Jesse Palmer, Cole Hardy, Travis Ruch, Dave Cornish, Ryleigh Sliter, (DNF) Chris Sherk, (DNF) Anthony Kelly, (DNF) Cohen Corbett, (DNF) Roger Olscheske Jr., (DNF) Rob Misener, (DNF) Tony Kelly, (DNF) Ralph Isabella
Qualifying Heats - Cohen Corbett, Dillan Sliter, R.J. Pietz
Hoosier Stocks – DAVE BAILEY (5), Jason Fontaine, Mark Fawcett, Zack Bleich, Kyle Pelrine, Gofast Teeple, Jeff Bean, Spencer Smolders, Chris Crowe, Kevin Kocarik, Spencer Maytum, Steve Hayes, (DNF) Pete Reid, (DNF) Chase Kish, (DNF) John Trivieri
Qualifying Heats - Jason Fontaine, Dave Bailey
All Star Concrete 4 Cylinders – CLINTON BARRICK, Cierra Keus, Ken Hair, Mason Anderson, Brendan Lefrancois, Sierra Robison, Connor Chamber, Hana Rothwell, Austyn Werstroh, Richard Hadler, Dave Wininger, Jonathan Macwhirter, Braden Keus, Jacob Mcintyre, Dave Mamo, (DNF) Tyler Chesniak, (DNF) Savannah Fontaine
Qualifying Heats – Clinton Barrick, Mason Anderson
Article Credit: Jonathon Howe
Submitted By: Jonathon Howe
