Thorold, Ontario (September 7, 2012) Merrittville Speedway regular Modified Lite Driver Derek Wagner won the first event of the two day J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Championship Weekend Friday September 7th.

In other Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Action, Ken Sargent took home the Victory in the 25 lap Big 6 Event.

 With the Pro 4 Trucks making their only 2012 Appearance, former Tuesday Night Kart Racer Mike Toovey won the 15 lap Feature while Tyler Lafantaisie visited Victory Lane in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Season Finale.

“We’ve definitely come along way this year and made a lot of improvements … I’m glad to be in Victory Lane here on such a special night,” relayed Derek Wagner after winning the 2012 J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Light Weekend Opening Event.

When racing resumed after a lap 16 caution Wagner a Merrittville Regular from Medina NY quickly took control of second spot from fourth – passing two familiar cars – locals Paul Klager and Josh Sliter in the process.

Crossing the start finish line to complete lap 22, Wagner was the new leader and by Starter Steve DeVos’ checkered flag on lap 25 – was a couple car lengths ahead of the field.

“Rod (former overall winner Rod Jones of West Middlesex PA) was working the bottom tight to the guardrail … I found something around the top and here we are … my girlfriends at home … wish she was here for this!”

Jones had control of top spot from initial leader Jeff Teeters of Warren PA on lap 8.

Wagner and Jones were followed by Klager, Sliter and Josh May from De Soto Iowa closed out the top 5.

“It’s been a rough year,” admitted Ken Sargent after his second win of the season, “I said to Billy Hogue before the feature … we’re the only metric cars up front – so we have to do something about these Camaros.”

James Thompson was first to lead the 25 lap Hoosier Stock Big 6 Event before Sargent took control on lap 2.

By the half way point, Sargent Brad Sheehan and Kevin Knapp had pulled away from the race for third between Rob Murray, Jason Fontaine and Billy Hogue.

Knapp would challenge Sheehan for the runner up spot and with some 5 laps to go would take the position. Knapp would close to within a car length of Sargent in the closing laps with Murray taking on Sheehan for third.

On the final lap Knapp would try to power by Sargent around the outside of Turn 4 the final time but fell a half car length behind.  Murray would get by Sheehan for third with Fontaine rounding out the top 5.

“Chances are Billy Bleich may drive this car for me next year,” revealed Sargent to Co-announcer Fran Buschardt who asked the former Champion what his own plans were, “ we’re building two new cars … what it is … is top secret!”

Second generation driver Bleich has not done much racing in 2012 due to job commitments that has him in Africa during the final weekend of action.

The start of the 15 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature had front row starters Tyler Lafantaisie and Garnet Wilson side by side through the first lap until Lafantaisie edged ahead with one lap complete.

By the half way mark, Lafantaisie opened up a three second lead and by the checkered flag – would increase his margin of victory.

“At the start of the year I was really comfortable in the car,” relayed Lafantaisie, “but after my big wreck – I don’t know if it was me or the car … but we’re back on track now and looking forward to next year!”

Lafantaisie and Wilson were followed by Rob Overholt, Kyle Rothwell and Steven Vanderzanden as the top 5.

Hilary Haegens was first to lead the 15 lap Pro 4 Truck Feature with Danny Wurster and Mike Toovey challenging right away before the drivers settled in for their only 2012 visit. The Pro 4 Trucks compete regularly at the Humberstone Speedway.

By lap 11, Wurster who is no stranger to Merrittville however as part of the crew for former Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Driver Brian Stevens – began to make a challenge on Haegens for top spot.

Down the backstretch of the same lap, Mike Toovey was making moves of his own taking the runner up spot from Wurster before pulling alongside the leader.

With two laps to go Toovey would become the new leader and would run to about a car length advantage over Haegens with Wurster settling for third.  Adam Nichols and Taylor Vanderzanden rounded out the Top 5.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

The J&S Heating and Air Conditioning International Modified Lite Championship Weekend concludes at Merrittville Speedway Saturday September 8th featuring the Modified Lites, a 50 lap Hoosier Stock $1,000 to win Big 6 Combined Event against the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks and the 50 lap Super DIRTcar Series for the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman.

The 2012 Season concludes Sunday September 9th when the Grantham Lions presents Smash-o-Rama featuring the $1,000 to win 100 lap Enduro accelerated by Niagara College in addition to a Backwards Enduro plus a Freestyle Monster Truck Show by Aftershock and Krazy Train.

Saturday’s Event finds the gates opening at 5:30 with Showtime at 7:00 PM while Sunday … the Grandstand opens at 11:00 with Smash-o-Rama starting at 1 PM.

J&S HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING INTERNATIONAL MODIFIED LITE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND DAY 1 FEATURE (25 laps) Derek Wagner, Rod Jones, Paul Klager, Josh Sliter, Josh May, Tim Anderson, Jason Corless, Jeff Teeters, Mikey Hay, Derek Moore, Kory Howe, Doug Williams, Joe Garafolo, Rej LeMieux, Rick Demo, Matt Hay, Rick Brubacher, Kellie Mason, Dan Ferguson, Alan Knepper, Joe Huggins, Randy Hollingshead, Matt Magner, Mark Marcucci.

HOOSIER STOCK BIG 6 FEATURE (25 laps) Ken Sargent, Kevin Knapp, Rob Murray, Brad Sheehan, Jason Fontaine, Doug Anderson, Pete Reid, Chris Crawford, James Thompson, Billy Hogue, Aaron Wiley, Charlie Lynch, Tyler Anderson, Richard Champignany, Bob McNamara, Mason Smith, Jeff Dayman, Doug Crawford.

TURN 4 COLLISION 4 CYLINDER FEATURE (20 laps) Tyler Lafantaisie, Garnet Wilson, Rob Overholt, Kyle Rothwell, Steven Vanderzanden, Chris Laskey, Mike Sadusek, Nathan Monahan, Trevor Goulding, Greg Wilson, Brandon Boychuck.

PRO 4 TRUCKS FEATURE ( 15 Laps) Mike Toovey, Hilary Haegens, Dan Wurster, Adam Nichols, Taylor Vanderzanden, Criag Vlasic, Jamie Ayers, Greg Haegens.

For further information on the Triple Header 61st Season Finale or any other event - call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.For directions to Merrittville Speedway click on www.merrittvillespeedway.com/track_map

Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville).

INSIDE TRACK MOTORSPORT NEWS PIT NOTES

Former J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modifed Lite/Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Driver Jamie Gilbert returned to action walking away from a vicious flip in Turn 4 in Qualifying Action.

Join us this season on a Saturday Night for a LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Divisions with local heroes and up and coming new stars. 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 2012 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Bobcat of Hamilton, Original Pizza Logs, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning, Hoosier Tire Canada and Turn 4 Collision in addition to many marketing partners Visit them at . http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/sponsors.htm and visit them when you require their products and/or services.

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 your favorite automotive retailer or maintenance centre including B&C Truck Centre, Drummond Home Hardware, KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage