THOROLD, ONTARIO (May 23rd, 2022) … After rain took away night 1 of the Victoria Day long weekend double header at Merrittville Speedway, Monday’s show presented by Zavitz & Sykora Financial Strategies did not disappoint.
Nelson Mason of Niagara Falls, Ontario captured his first career win in the Right Choice Auto & Leisure Sportsman. Ryan Turner picked up the win in the Southern Ontario Sprint event. In the UMP Modifieds, Lemington, On native Joel Dick took the win. The Hoosier Stocks saw Donny Lampman from Caistor Centre, On back in victory lane. Dillan Sliter won the Tim Horton’s Enduro Qualifier #1.
The Right Choice Auto & Leisure Sportsman were led to green by Nelson Mason and Terry Smith. Both drivers earned their first career heat wins at Merrittville earlier in the night. While Smith would fade, Mason remained at the front of the field for much of the feature. Caution flew on lap 7 when Cody McPherson and Trevor Wright slowed after cars stacked up multiple places in front of them. Mason held onto the lead on the restart, as Jay Mallory emerged as the main completion from seventh to second. Mallory would come up short and Mason would make it a night of firsts at Merrittville by winning the feature race in only his third start. Darrell Farraway, Rob Knapp, and Adam Leslie rounded out the top 5.
The Southern Ontario Sprint feature was a family affair for the Turner clan. Shone Evans brought the field to green but faded before finishing ninth. Ryan Turner would assume the lead after dueling with Jacob Dykstra and controlled much of the race. After a caution fell with 5 laps to go, the showdown was set between brothers, as Ryan would have to deal with Cory Turner behind him on the restart. Cory was able to briefly take the lead on the top side, but Ryan would ultimately prevail on the bottom, taking the win over Cory Turner, Jim Huppenen, Travis Cunningham, and Liam Martin.
In the Hoosier Stocks, Jeff Larmet and Bryce Richardson made up the front row for the Monday night show. Steve Shaw who started fourth, got out to an early lead after shooting the gap in a three wide move. Donny Lampman was able to reel in Shaw and eventually make the winning move for the lead. Chris Hale finished second after starting 15th and Dave Bailey was third after starting 11th. Shaw and Zach Bleich finished fourth and fifth.
UMP Modified action saw Joel Dick score the win. Dick had an intense, side by side battle with pole sitter Drew Smith. Smith appeared to be the strongest car in the field but had an incident shortly after Dick completed the pass for the lead. After the restart, the field could not keep up with Joel Dick and he would see the checkers first over Jake Hooker and Wade Purchase.
The Tim Horton’s Enduro Qualifier #1 Accelerated by JC Auto was moved from Saturday’s rained out date to the holiday Monday at Merrittville. The event was won by Dillan Sliter. Rodney Rutherford was second and Jordan Fidler was third.
The 71st season of racing at “Canada’s Oldest Dirt Track” gets back in action May 28th with a full night of Bobcat of Hamilton Weekly Racing events.
Report from Jonathan Howe
