14 Years of Sprint
Car Racing
While New York State and Ontario are known as
Modified Territory, Merrittville Speedway ventured into the
special ESS Sprint Show back on June 29, 1984. At this point
it was during the 33rd year of operation that the Empire
Super Sprints first tried Merrittville's d-shaped oval.
Since most modified fans hadn't been
exposed to these lean, mean 1350 lb., direct drive 700
horsepower rockets, it was a real eye opener. The first
feature winner at Merrittville Speedway was Bobby Cain - a
twenty year veteran from Weedsport NY. The near capacity
crowd watched as Craig Keel led the feature and seemed to
master the d-shaped oval, however with a couple laps to go,
he slid off of turn 4, hitting the front-stretch concrete
wall on the 21st lap of 25. That gave Cain the lead on the
restart, but he still had to contend with John Brutcher and
Jeff Taylor for the win. The thirteen car field that made
the trek from New York State found the clay surface of
Merrittville to their liking, but not the tight fourth
corner.
Over the years the ESS Sprint Cars
continued to put on many memorable shows, however this year
after some 14 years, twenty four winged sprint cars put on
two tremendous shows. While I've always been a fan of
dirt modified racing from the coupe era of the 50's and 60's
to the very technical 21990's style cars, I had to admire
their raw power and speed of these traditional upright
rockets. Up close these cars are a short wheel-based,
highly staggered chassis, with 360 cu. In. Engines, fuel
injected on alcohol, with an in and out box connecting the
engine to a quick change rear end.
While watching these cars carve a groove
in Merrittville's clay, it seemed that the wing was the only
apparatus keeping these racers on the track. I had to
appreciate the quick reflexes of the drivers, but also
wondered if these fellows raced on sheer guts or something
else.
While the heart of sprint car racing
seemed to have it's roots in Pennsylvania at tracks such as
Williams Grove or even Knoxville Iowa which hosted the
Nationals last weekend also - it was a treat to see twenty
four winged warriors on Merrittville's tight d-shaped oval.
Since it seems that the World of Outlaws
are reluctant to cross into Canada it was great to get a
taste of sprint car traditions on an Ontario oval. While
over the years Merrittville Speedway has entertained the
likes of midget racers, 3/4 midgets, a thrill show and even
a rodeo - the winged sprints have been a welcome addition to
Merrittville's program, giving us a taste of dirt track
tradition.
Stock car racing - dirt track modified
style - will always be dear to my heart especially since
real race cars have a roof, doors, a transmission, and start
on their own power ... in my opinion. Sprint Cars and Stock
Cars do share one philosophy though - 'dirt is for racing
... asphalt is for getting there' - without a doubt.
We look forward to seeing the Empire
Super Sprints return again next year with even a bigger
field of cars and we thank them for keeping their style of
dirt track racing alive and well for those of us in Canada
to enjoy. Sincerely, Rick Kavanagh