Thorold, Ontario (August 17) – Shawn Sliter had some problems August 16th when trying to do celebratory donut at Merrittville Speedway.

 Other than that miscue the 2007 Driver of the Year delivered quite a 12th Birthday Gift for his son Dillan – taking both Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Features in the Avondale Food Stores Double Feature Night. 

It was also quite a night for Robbie Rounce and Brandon Easey. 

The two drivers won their career first Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Features. 

Scott Wood and Pete Bicknell shared Victory Lane visits in the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds as did Dolf McCready and Jeff Dayman in the Hoosier Stocks and Trevor Goulding and Aaron Wiley in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders 

The final winner of the night was James Mercer who survived the 53 car starting field to win the 3rd Konzelmann Estate Winery Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College. 

Sliter took control of the rain delayed Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Feature just after a lap 5 restart. Rick Brubacher, Kellie Mason and Bob Bredin were among the early leaders after a multi-car incident on the initial start found Sliter’s Modern Corporation team-mate and Point Leader Jamie Gilbert involved. 

:”That was one of the longest races,” relayed Sliter in Victory Lane after the caution-filled event, “I just tried taking my time … sometimes slow is fast.”

The icing on the cake came when Birthday Boy Dillan was asked to draw the finishing spot for the weekly 5 Star Racing Products Bonus. The new 12 year old drew his dad’s spot. Ironically to set up the second feature – each winner would also draw a number to invert so much of the finishing order. Now 5 time winner Sliter would draw Number 12. 

Earlier in the season, Sliter introduced team mascot ‘Palmer’ and revealed how on a given night it would bring either Sliter or Gilbert luck – but not both. 

While Sliter’s nephew Josh led the field to the green flag for the second feature of the night, former champion Scott Billing would eventually take control of top spot. 

Billing’s stint out front unfortunately would come to an end when the Waterloo driver lost control of his car after unfortunate contact with challenger Adam Leslie. The incident set off a chain reaction through the field which brought out the red flag to clear the track. 

When action resumed – Shawn Sliter was the new leader. A late caution set up a one lap dash but there was now stopping Sliter on this night. 

“I can’t believe it,” referred Sliter to his failed attempt at a donut, “the wins … I couldn’t have done it without our sponsors … my crew and family … Happy Birthday Dillan!” 

The first Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature saw Robbie Rounce in control at the start – a spot he would never relinquish. 

Several cautions would slow the third generation driver but there was no stopping the first time career winner. 

In the late stages of the 25 lap event Mark D’Ilario would mount several challenges but could not overtake the leader. 

“I’ve got to give Mark full credit,” revealed the rather composed first time rookie winner … we had a great race … as the race went on I was getting looser maybe … lap cars may have helped in this too.” 

Rounce also drew 12 as the number of cars to be inverted for the night cap – putting Bandon Easey on the pole for the second 25 lap main. 

Like Rounce – top spot would be Easey’s from start to finish. 

Several cautions would slow the sophomore driver’s pace in the early going but around the half-way point, Easey would make it look easy – pulling away from the field. 

When Easey took his first double checkered salute from Starter Doug Leonard – runner-up Mike Bowman was leading the rest of the pack out of turn 4. 

Easey – who has won several major events at other tracks of late was quick to admit, “I really wanted this one … I’ve been coming here since I was 5 and in the stands with my dad … thanks to my family … sponsors and everyone that has helped … even in the smallest of ways.” 

2008 Rookie Derek Wutzke set the pace at the start of the rain-delayed L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified 35 lap Feature before George Bosse took control. 

A number of cautions would slow the field but by lap 25 – Bosse had built up a comfortable lead. One driver on the move in the latter part of the race was Scott Wood and by lap 30 had closed right in on the leader. 

With two laps to go – yellow would slow the race one last time with Bosse still out front. Wood would make one last charge and make a low move stick to take over top spot. 

“George was real fast … I had to do something to get by,” revealed Wood, “I got under him … and then took away his line … got to give credit to (Derek) Wutzke too … he did a great job holding his line.” 

Wood drew 11th as his starting spot for the second event which saw Ken Cosgrove as the leader initially. 

The early going had Cosgrove and Fred Carleton swap top spot a few times before Cosgrove was able to open up a 5 car advantage by lap 10. A lap 20 caution would erase his lead with Travis Cunningham and Pete Bicknell as challengers. 

Soon Bicknell would take over second and set his sights on Cosgrove from an unfamiliar high groove. Cosgrove maintained his race long low groove until Bicknell became the new leader crossing the start-finish line to complete lap 30. 

Cosgrove regained top spot on the back-stretch but only briefly as Bicknell again took the high groove around him. 

This time out front, Bicknell went down to the bottom and went on to his second win of the season – the first for a 2009 Bicknell Chassis – the first one off the line. 

“I had to go to the top to get by Ken tonight,” informed Bicknell, “I was able to get a good run up there … but quickly it was back to the bottom … we tried a lot of new things … after the first feature we did have to make a few changes though.“ 

The rain delayed Hoosier Stock Feature saw sophomore driver Dave Small out front but quickly, the driver pulled off the track as cooling problems resurfaced for the second generation driver. 

Kevin Kocarik then became the new leader before Dolf McCready took control 

A couple cautions slowed the former champion just past halfway before a last lap incident set up a one lap dash. 

McCready led the field through to his 6th feature win of the season – tying Sliter in number of wins. 

“I like to get up front early,” shared McCready post-race, “I found some openings … the car was hooked up and away she went.” 

McCready would draw 15 for this starting spot in the night cap which saw Barry Blanchard in control at the start. 

An early caution saw Jeff Dayman in control before Blanchard would slow off the pace. 

Dayman would be slowed a couple of times but after the last on lap 15 was able to open a good lead in the 5 lap run to the finish. 

“It was a little different track than what we’re used to,” commented Dayman, “but it worked for me … I can’t thank my family, friends and crew enough.” 

Terry Larmet set the pace at the start of the rain-delayed Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature before rookie second generation driver Damian Gore took control. After an early caution, Gore was out front but veteran Trevor Goulding was soon to challenge for top spot. 

Gore held his own until the tail end of lap 7 when Goulding took control out of turn 4. Defending champion Abel Castelein took second spot with three laps to go but by that time Goulding had checked out on the field for his third win of the season. 

After drawing 14th for his starting spot in the night cap, the start of the second main event saw cars three wide before Bob Gill took control. A number of cars got together early slowing the field with Jocelynne Wiley the new leader on the restart. 

Rob Goulding would soon challenge Wiley and took control completing lap 6.  Eventually Aaron Wiley took control of the runner up spot from his wife Jocelynne and soon was side by side with Goulding. Wiley’s surge continued and with a lap and a half to go – became the new leader – going on to his third win of the season. 

With 10 features in the books, one final one would boast the largest starting field with 53 cars in the third and final Konzelmann Estate Winery Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College. 

James Mercer took control before Terry McNeil became the new leader on a restart after an early red flag stopped the event. McNeil would make contact with several slower cars on lap 20 which allowed Mercer to regain top spot. 

Mercer would get Guest Starter Brittany Devos’ double checkered flags 5 laps later and now will start the September 7th 100 lap Enduro from third spot. 

In 2007, Mercer won the Boltworks hosted Qualifier and started the event 2nd. 

Mercer joins other 2008 winners Jason Coutu and Tim McIntosh as the three drivers eligible for a $200 bonus from Niagara College provided that one of the winners comes home Number 1 in the season-ending Konzelmann Estate Winery 100. 

Merrittville Speedway Results – Saturday August 16, 2008

Avondale Food Stores Double Feature Night 

CMH Sales and Leasing Rain-delayed Feature Events 

L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature – 35 laps (rain-delayed from August 9) 

Scott Wood, George Bosse, Chad Brachmann, Larry Lampman, Pete Bicknell, Travis Braun, Brian Stevens, Bill Bleich, Travis Cunningham, Fred Carleton, Ken Cosgrove, Chris Steele, Tim Jones, Todd Gordon, Derek Lemyre, Derek Wutzke, Dan Miller, Todd Kendrick, Graham Mackay, Andrew Sittler, Boyd MacTavish, Tom Flannigan, Corey Brachmann. 

L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Heat Winners First – George Bosse, Second –Todd Gordon, Third – Travis Braun. 

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature – 25 laps (rain-delayed from August 9) 

Robbie Rounce, Mark D’Ilario, Tyler McPherson, Joe Middlemiss, Chad Chevalier, B.J. Willard, Mat Williamson, Justin Sharp, Brad Rouse, Mike Bowman, Luke Carleton, Brandon Easey, Rick Bellante, Jim Johnstone, Mark Chiddy, James Friesen, Tony Cowal, Ryan Weese, Darren Zumpe, Ron Kingsbury, Rob Knapp, Norm Mark, Darrell Farraway, Ron Macaulay. 

Sportsman Heat Winners First – Mark Chiddy, Second – Justin Sharp, Third – Mark D’Ilario. 

Hoosier Stock Feature – 20 laps (rain-delayed from August 9) 

Dolf McCready, Rob Murray, Kevin Kocarik, Kirk Wilson, Shayne Pierce, Jeff Dayman, Mike Dooley, Russ Davidson, Rob Disher, Kevin Knapp, Barry Blanchard, Billy Bleich, Adam Gracey, Michael Bosse, Tyler Anderson, Brett Robbins, Cody McPherson, Brent Begolo, Mark Fawcett, Jack Meyers, Dave Small.  

Hoosier Stock Heat Winners First – Rob Disher, Second – Dolf McCready, Third – Russ Davidson. 

Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Feature – 20 laps (rain-delayed from August 9) 

Shawn Sliter, Adam Leslie, Jordan Curran, Rick Brubacher, Dave Russell, Wayne Robins, Andy Tallman, Kory Howe, Scott Billing, Derek Bredin, Kellie Mason, Josh Sliter, Wally Billing, Greg Mills, Bob Bredin, Dale Leonard, Ryan Grady, Jamie Gilbert. 

5 Star Racing Products Lucky Dog Winner – Shawn Sliter. 

Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Heat Winners – First – Jordan Curran, Second – Kory Howe. 

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature – 20 laps (rain-delayed from August 9) 

Trevor Goulding, Abel Castelein, Terry Larmet, Chris Laskey, Rob Goulding, Garnet Wilson, Tony Kelly, Matt Deschamps, Greg Wilson, Jocelynne Wiley, Bob Gill, Ken Kadwell, Tony Braster, Damian Gore, Rick Grundy, AJ Castelein, Aaron Wiley, Roger Gilbert, Mike Giberson, Jonathon Ayrton.  

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Heat Winners – First – Chris Laskey, Second – Trevor Goulding. 

L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature – 35 laps  

Pete Bicknell, Ken Cosgrove, Travis Cunningham, Larry Lampman, Chad Brachmann, Brian Stevens, Scott Wood, Chris Steele, Travis Braun, Bill Bleich, Fred Carleton, Derek Lemyre, Boyd MacTavish, Tim Jones, Todd Gordon, Tom Flannigan, Derek Wutzke, Todd Kendrick, George Bosse, Dan Miller, Corey Brachmann. 

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature – 25 laps 

Brandon Easey, Mike Bowman, Tyler McPherson, Brad Rouse, Luke Carleton, Justin Sharp, Chad Chevalier, B.J. Willard, Mark D’Ilario, Mat Williamson, Rob Knapp, Robbie Rounce, James Friesen, Jim Johnstone, Joe Middlemiss, Rick Bellante, Darren Zumpe, Mark Chiddy, Norm Mark, Darrell Farraway, Tony Cowal, Ryan Weese, Ron Kingsbury, Dave Walters. 

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman B Main Winner – Jim Johnstone 

Hoosier Stock Feature – 20 laps  

Jeff Dayman, Rob Murray, Billy Bleich, Dolf McCready, Mike Dooley, Kevin Knapp, Cody McPherson, Kirk Wilson, Brent Begolo, Dave Small, Vince Fargnoli, Kevin Kocarik, Rob Disher, Russ Davidson, Barry Blanchard, Shayne Pierce, Mark Fawcett, Rich Champigny, Ron Loggie, Tyler Anderson, Adam Gracey, Brett Robbins, Michael Bosse, Chris Schneider. 

Hoosier Stock Heat B Main Winner – Cody McPherson  

Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Feature – 20 laps  

Shawn Sliter, Paul Klager, Sam Morse, Kory Howe, Dave Russell, Lorne Colling, Adam Leslie, Derek Bredin, Andy Tallman, Kellie Mason, Wally Billing, Bob Bredin, Dale Leonard, Greg Mills, Jordan Curran, Ryan Grady, Jamie Gilbert, Scott Billing, Josh Sliter, Wayne Robbins, Rick Brubacher. 

5 Star Racing Products Lucky Dog Winner – Greg Mills. 

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature – 20 laps  

Aaron Wiley, Rob Goulding, Matt Deschamps, Rocco Conte, Tony Kelly, Dave Larroque, Abel Castelein, Kyle Pelrine, Bob Gill, Rick Grundy, Charlie Lynch, Tony Braster, Greg Wilson, Mitchell Brown, Garnet Wilson, Chris Laskey, Jocelynne Wiley, A.J. Castelein, Roger Gilbert, Mike Giberson, Terry Larmet, Ken Kadwell, Trevor Goulding.  

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder B Main Winner – Aaron Wiley. 

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY 

TRW and Air Liquide will present Modern Corporation’s Truck Show ‘n Shine Saturday August 23rd featuring the 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series and the Meridian Credit Union Kids Club Back to School Pizza Party. . 

It will also be the third night that Race fans can collect ballots for a chance to win Tickets to the Bank of America NASCAR Sprint Cup Race at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte North Carolina this October – a presentation of the Raceline Radio Network and 105.1 The River. Draw is to be held Saturday September 6th and the winner must be present to win. 

Gates open at 5:30. Show time is at 7:00. For further info call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.   

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS
 

The 2008 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to fans by partners including Avondale Food Stores, CMH Sales and Leasing, Konzelmann Estate Winery, Niagara College, Raceline Radio and 105.1 The River in addition to contingency sponsors Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Hoosier Tire Canada, Inside Track Motorsport News, Intercomp, ISC Racer’s Tape, Jaz Products, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Motorsports Safety Systems, Port City Racing, R.J.S. Racing Equipment, Sway-A-Way, Ultra Shield Race Products, Outerwears and XRP, Inc. 

You’re among friends at Boston Pizza and Merrittville Speedway. Check your Merrittville Speedway Ticket stubs for a special offer from the Niagara Street Welland Boston Pizza location. 

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 the St. Catharines and Niagara Falls PartSource locations, Drummond Home Hardware in Niagara Falls and through RCM Racing Equipment.