20th ANNIVERSARY STERLING SILVER AWARD WILL GO TO ‘KING OF THE CRATES’ SERIES
FINALE WINNER AT MERRITTVILLE POWERED BY NIAGARA MOTORS
For Release - August 26, 2009 From Jim Irvine
Merrittville Speedway Public Relations
905-892-8266
Thorold, Ontario (August 26) – When the 2009 King of the Crates Sportsman Series powered by Niagara Motors comes to a close with it’s third and final 40 lap Event Saturday August 29th – the winner will receive the 20th Annual Sterling Silver Award as part of the Ball Hockey International Night at Merrittville Speedway assisted by the Niagara Ice Dogs.
Greg Panunte leads the new mini-series by virtue of winning the first two events and would surely like to become the fourth driver to win the Sterling Silver Award more than one time in it’s history.
The Sterling Silver Award is an annual award created by former Sportsman Competitor Ken Walsh in 1990 after the St. Catharines resident got his start in racing and had so much help from Bill Willard Senior.
Walsh’s efforts honor the memory of area racing pioneer Bill Willard Senior.
Two former Sportsman Point Champions have won it back to back - Larry Czinege in 1991 and 1992 while Chad Brachmann won it twice – in 1998 & 1999 before a third time in the 50th Anniversary Season in 2001.
Recently Mat Williamson became the third driver to win it at least twice – scoring his Sterling Silver Wins in 2006 and 2007.
Panunte’s first Sterling Silver win was 14 years ago – in 1995.
The defending race winner is Brandon Easey while recent L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Inductee Doug Gordon was the inaugural winner in 1990.
“When you combine the Lucas Oil Shoot Out with the year end title,” reveals (Merrittville Speedway General Manager) Erica Bicknell, “our new King of the Crates Series and the Super DIRTcar Series Event that will close the season … 2009 will be quite a year for our Sportsman Division.”
All drivers that compete in the Original Pizza Logs sponsored Division share one thing in common – the GM 602 Crate Engine.
Niagara Motors – an authorized performance parts dealer in the Niagara Peninsula is a Pontiac Buick and GMC Dealer and like any other GM Dealer across North America – can supply racers with the economical GM Crate Engine.
“We’re excited about our new series within a series,” adds Niagara Motors Parts Manager Dennis Willms, “we are happy to help out the Sportsman drivers at Merrittville.”
While other details are still being finalized, at the Awards Banquet – the inaugural Niagara Motors King of the Crates Champion will receive a $500 Gift Certificate redeemable at Niagara Motors towards the purchase of a GM 602 Crate Engine for 2010.
“Since the inception of the mandatory engine,” furthers Bicknell, “it has helped a number of young up and coming drivers make the move into the division … and brought some veterans back … while it provides stability, reliability and cost effectiveness … it also delivers performance.”
The GM Crate engine is a bullet-proof 350-horsepower, 350-cubic-inch factory-sealed racing engine and is a tough combination of power and reliability, and it fits almost any racing budget.
Niagara Motors has been providing award winning sales and service since 1946. Visit their dealership at 1537 Niagara Stone Road in Virgil or on line at
www.niagaramotors.com.
Niagara Motors offers an extensive inventory of genuine GM Performance parts and accessories. To place your order call 1-800-563-0196.
For more information on the Niagara Motors King of the Crates Sportsman Series or any other events for the 2009 season - visit
www.merrittvillespeedway.com or contact the 24 hour Banned Word/Site at 905-892-8266.
Sterling Silver Winners
1990 – Doug Gordon, 1991 & 1992 – Larry Czinege, 1993 – Cliff Warner, 1994 – Don Martin, 1995 – Greg Panunte, 1996 – Bill Krull, 1997 – Bill Podwinski, 1998, 1999 & 2001 Chad Brachmann, 2000 – Joe Meisel, 2002 – Rob Pietz, 2003 – Bob Davidson, 2004 – Martin Polhill, 2005 – Bill Willard, Jr., 2006 & 2007 – Mat Williamson, 2008 – Brandon Easey.
Join us this season on a Saturday Night for A LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Weekly Racing Divisions featuring local heroes and up and coming new stars!
Make your plans … call your friends and maybe even get a car pool together and enjoy a staycation at the speedway with plenty of free parking and camping spots!
You’re among friends at Boston Pizza and Merrittville Speedway. Check your 2009 Merrittville Speedway Grandstand Ticket stubs for a special offer from the Niagara Street Welland Boston Pizza location.
Your Local Dirt Track is where it's at!! Merrittville Speedway "The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara"
MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS
The 2009 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to fans by division sponsors – L. St. Amand Enterprises, Original Pizza Logs, Modern Corporation, Hoosier Tire Canada and Turn 4 Collision and for the ‘King of the Crates Sportsman Series powered by Niagara Motors – Meridian Credit Union, Cotton Inc., Ball Hockey International and the Niagara Ice Dogs.
Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem-solving additives.
Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive in the industry.
Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favorite automotive retailer including Drummond Home Hardware in Niagara Falls and through RCM Racing Equipment.
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