THE JOHN SPENCER MEMORIAL
Trophy to the Winner of the Labour Day Weekend -
Final points race in the modified division. The trophy was first
presented in 1953 and the tradition was re-instated in 1999 when
Rick and Ken Kavanagh restored the trophy after it was found in
Alabama.
Every year since, it has been awarded&sponsored
by The Reunion Committee members. John Spencer was a young and
upcoming driver from Niagara Falls,Ont. He had joined NASCAR in
1953 ,but unfortunately was killed in a racing accident at Stamford
Park, Niagara Falls. That year, a Championship event was then
started to commemorate his career.
Past winners of the John Spencer include the
following:
1953-Jerry Winger #10
1954-55-Murray Stricker-#32
1956-57-Bruce Van Dyke-#88
1958-59 George Winger-#18
1960-Bruce Van Dyke-#88
1961-Bill Rafter-#22,
1962-Sandy Mac
Pherson-21jr.
1963-64-Bruce Van Dyke-#88
1965 -Lloyd
Holt-#15 ( Reinstated&Restored )
1999-2001-Pete Bicknell-#42
2002 -Chad Brachmann-#3
2003-Pete Bicknell-#42
2004-?.
This is one of the oldest awards to be presented
at Merrittville, next to the Champion's Trophy. I will also bring
the First stockcar Champion's trophy, which was presented to Orville
Kelley-#3,in 1952.
The Reunion Committee will have the 50th
Anniversary Pace car on hand with the trophy&will pace the modified
feature, along with the David -Chevrolet Pace truck.
Dan Miller from Garden City Auto Complex will
join us as the night's sponsor &will probably have his #22 Modified
on display before the races, as well as competing.
On behalf of The Volunteers of the Merrittville
Speedway Reunion Committee, we thank you for your support this
Season. Sincerely, Rick Kavanagh-Chairman,per Bruce Swartz,Ted
Renshaw,Terry Huffman,Jim Irvine & Erica Bicknell.