For Immediate Release - From Jim Irvine
Merrittville Speedway Public Relations
905-892-8266 (Office), jimirvine@cogeco.net or
www.twitter.com/merrittvilleThorold, Ontario (July 3) –The first night of summer at Merrittville Speedway (July 3rd) saw a great crowd celebrate Canada Day in the Boltworks Night at the Races Saturday July 3rd - enjoying an action-packed 6 division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event.
And like many of the race fans waiting in line for their $1 Piller’s Hot Dogs – sometimes things come in threes.
One week after winning his first two career Modified Lite Features at the Thorold d-shaped oval – Josh Sliter made it three in a row after winning his J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Main Event.
Chad Chevalier won his first ever L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature while another of the Rookie Class of 2010 – Rob Murray ran away to his 2nd career Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature.
Dolf McCready, Rocco Conte and Terry McNeill also came home winners of the Hoosier Stock, Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder and the Grantham Lions Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College.
“After last week,” informed Josh Sliter, “the crew wanted to change the whole car … I just wanted to leave it alone – it’s the same set up as last week.”
Other than maintenance – Sliter may not want to change a thing on his car as the Port Colborne driver took his third win of the season.
Sliter would take control about the half-way point after wrestling top spot away from Paul Klager. Once Sliter was out front – a possible late race challenge from rookie Randy Hollingshead and Klager never materialized after Klager spun his car in turn 4 after hitting some water and collecting Hollingshead in the process.
Klager inherited the lead just before a lap 8 caution was needed for early leader Chris Steele whose car fell of the pace with problems. Prior to that Steele had made one of his thrilling drives to the front – taking top spot from Blair Young as he crossed the start finish line to start lap 3. Former Champion Wally Billing was the initial leader of the event.
With a green white checker run to the checkered flag it was Sliter well out in front of what appeared to be another top finish from rookie Derek Moore. Unfortunately earlier in the event Moore had spun out and lost a lap to the field but was able to run with the leaders.
“This is the best night of the year,” admitted a somewhat relieved Kory Howe with his best finish of the season in the runner up spot, “after blowing the motor and the flip … to have a great run on Boltworks Night … it doesn’t get any better.”
Regardless of where he finished, Howe knew that he would be on the front stretch after the event. In conjunction with his long-time sponsor Boltworks – the St. Catharines driver gave away two custom bikes to two lucky younger race fans.
Jordan Curran also had his best finish in taking third spot as did another rookie Dan Kviring who was fourth. Billing as well held on for his best in rounding out the top 5.
“Tonight … I had a game plan,” revealed first time L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature Winner Chad Chevalier, “I knew I was going to run the top … and I stuck to it throughout.”
Chevalier – the former multi-time Sportsman Champion took the lead at the start of the 35 lap Feature – driving away from fellow rookie and front row starter Steve Schumacher at the drop of the green.
A multicar incident on lap 13 slowed the field with a second on lap 15 still finding Chevalier in control despite a challenge from fellow Port Colborne resident Adam Ferri who actually had the lead for a brief time.
Despite two more cautions taking the race to the 10 laps to go point – Chevalier never faltered – pulling away to a good lead over Pete Bicknell who was able to get by Ferri as the event wound down.
In the closing laps slower cars allowed Bicknell to close in on the leader but the multi-time track champion ran out of time to get within striking distance.
“Chad was so good through the turns,” observed Bicknell, “I just couldn’t find the same line … congrats to him.”
Adam Ferri was third with Chad Brachmann and Mat Williamson closing out the top 5.
The start of the 25 lap Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature saw rookies Rich Farraway and Ron Kingsbury at the controls of the event before veteran Rob Knapp took control on lap 3.
With a number of cautions slowing Knapp’s momentum in the early stages it didn’t seem like the half way point would come. The first part of the event was all Rob Knapp but slowly both Rob Murray and Nick Cupolo had advanced to the front of the pack.
About the halfway point, Murray was able to overtake Knapp for the lead and by lap 15 Cupolo was now in the runner up spot. Murray – the three time Hoosier Stock Champion was off to a lead of some 5 car lengths with Cupolo holding a little more comfortable advantage now over Knapp.
As the race wound down – increasing lap traffic allowed Cupolo to close in on Murray but there was no holding back the St. Catharines driver.
Like Chevalier, Murray would share the same plan, “I thought that the top would come in … so I just stayed there,” revealed two time winner Rob Murray, “lately we’ve been struggling … I’ve had so much help from a whole lot of people … thanks to everyone.”
Cupolo would have to settle for second with B.J. Willard, Greg Panunte and Brad Rouse as the top 5.
Peter Reid was first to lead the Hoosier Stock Feature with Mike Dooley quick to challenge. Dooley would soon get out of shape though on the back stretch without losing much ground. After a lap 2 caution Reid would face challenges from Dooley and Kevin Knapp – the three - almost three wide. Reid would set the pace through two restarts with Knapp holding a brief lead.
Quickly Dolf McCready and Ken Sargent would join the fray. Along the backstretch of lap 7 the front runners were 4 wide with Reid keeping his lead before yet another caution delayed quite a race.
Kevin Knapp would soon challenge Reid with Knapp taking control on lap 10. Another caution found Knapp in top spot on the restart with Sargent, Reid and McCready three wide for the runner up spot. Sargent would fall off the pace with McCready now in the runner up spot.
Coming out of Turn 4 to complete lap 16 McCready would get out of shape allowing Knapp to close in with another caution again slowing the field.
McCready would keep top spot on the restart and in the closing laps – would drive to a 5 car length lead for his 4th win of the 2010 Season. Knapp would hold on to the runner-up spot with Jason Fontaine third. Reid held on for fourth with Kevin Aube rebounding from an early race incident to salvage fifth.
The start of the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature saw the front-runners three wide and when the pack got to the start finish line – it was Kyle Pelrine and Austin Wood as the top two. Eventually the second generation driver would take over top spot. Unfortunately though after pulling out of line on the original start – Wood would be put back two spots on the first caution or at the end of the event whichever came first.
The first caution would come on lap 7 with Rocco Conte the new leader on the restart with another second generation driver Damian Gore quick to challenge before another caution slowed the field.
Gore was the new leader when racing resumed. Gore was slowed on lap 11 for another race slowing incident – regaining top spot on the restart.
Another late race caution set up a green white checker finish and in the run to the finish – Conte regained top spot with Gore settling for second.
Rob Goulding took third spot with Rob Overholt and Aaron Wiley as the top 5.
The second Grantham Lions Club Ironman 25 lap Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College closed the action packed night and it wasn’t until late in the event that Terry McNeil found the accelerator.
Fred Koorneef was first to lead the almost no holds barred event before Martin Paddock took control early. Contact between the two found Ken McLeod out front before Ryan Ferri was next to set the pace. Two red flags on each side of the half way point would stop the field with Joe Cvetovic taking control after the first restart.
A third red flag situation on lap 21 would put the leaders right together for the run to the finish and it was in the last 4 laps that McNeil would take the lead. Cvetovic would settle for 2nd with Ferri third. Tim Farrell and Mike VanMaaren rounded out the top 5.
For complete results from Boltworks Night at the Races visit
http://www.speednetdirect.com/rss/rss_file.php?track_id=8430. (When visiting link, you may need to change the date to July 3rd to see 4 Cylinder, Mod Lites, Sportsman and Modified results)
Inside Track Motorsport News Pit Notes
A great crowd saw the Thorold ASI Group Blackhawks 406 Auto Parts 50-50 winner take home a prize just short of $1500.
The Night concluded with quite a Fireworks Display presented by Firemaster Productions in celebration of both Canada Day and the US 4th of July!
Merrittville Speedway would once again like to thank Paul Stewart and the Piller’s Grillers Team for all their efforts and help with another record $1 Hot Dog Night.
UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY
Modern Corporation presents the 8th Annual Truck Show ‘n Shine - Saturday July 10th in addition to a 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event. Truckers – show your license for a $2 Discount on Grandstand Admission.
Owner Operators wishing to show their vehicles – contact the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266.
Gates open at 5:30 and Show time is 7:00!
For further information on the 59th Season – race fans and race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book and Twitter.
Join us this season on a Saturday Night for a LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Divisions featuring local heroes and up and coming new stars and special events including the inaugural Bob St. Amand Memorial proudly presented by L, St, Amand Enterprises Monday August 2nd. The 100 lap Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Event will be joined by another round of the Duel on the Dirt Big 6 Series and the Modified Lites Championship Tour.
A Kids Bike Giveaway will also take place in addition to the famous pre-race Pasta Dinner hosted by Club Castropignano.
For Pasta Dinner Ticket Information – call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266
Crazy Offer!
Race fans – check your 2010 Ticket Stubs for a Crazy Offer from Little Caesars Pizza – located at 572 Niagara Street in Welland. With the purchase of a HOT-N-READY Pizza and Crazy Bread – receive a Free Crazy Bread!
Sounds Good!
Enjoy all the play by play from the Merrittville Announce Team of Clint Geoffrey, Mikey Kruchka and Fran Buschardt and special guests all season long on our new state of the art Yorkville NX Series Loudspeakers. Race fans and teams can also tune into 89.9 FM to listen to live feeds from our FM Transmitter.
Your Local Dirt Track is where it's at!! Merrittville Speedway "The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara"
Make your plans … call your friends and maybe even get a carpool together and enjoy a staycation at the speedway with plenty of free parking and camping spots – a night at the races is so much fun and so close to home!
Your Local Dirt Track is where it’s at!!! Merrittville Speedway ‘The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara.”
MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS
The 2010 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – L. St. Amand Enterprises, Original Pizza Logs, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning, Hoosier Tire Canada and Turn 4 Collision in addition to contingency sponsors Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Hoosier Tire, Lucas Oil Products, Inside Track Motorsport News, Intercomp, ISC Racer’s Tape, Jaz Products, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Motorsports Safety Systems, Outerwears, Port City Racing, R.J.S. Racing Equipment, Racing Optics, Schroeder Torsion Bars, Schoenfeld Headers, Ultra Shield Race Products, Wrisco Industries and XRP, Inc.
Lucas Oil Products is one 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.
Look for Lucas Oil Products at their favorite automotive retailer or maintenance centre including Drummond Home Hardware, KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage
Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=11705.msg84063#msg84063
