Saturday July 6, 2013 THOROLD, ONTARIO – Modern Corporation Night at Merrittville Saturday July 6th featured some big excitement with Kyle Pelrine, Rick Koabel, Mark Fawcett, Boyd MacTavish and Tim Jones taking home Big Wins in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite, Hoosier Stock, Rick’s Delivery Sportsman and Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Divisions respectively in Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series action.
On the annual Truck Show & Shine Night it seemed only fitting that the B&C Truck Centre Mack Canada Driver of the Week announcement would kick things off.
Hoosier Stock competitor Mark Fawcett made the trip to the front stretch to accept the award and later on would return to Lucas Oil Victory Lane after winning his first career Hoosier Stock Feature in his new car that has only three races on it.
“From a third … to second last week and now a win – I’m pretty happy with it but am still dialing it in some,” revealed Fawcett, “it’s a big difference from the other car … thanks to my sponsors and fans for all their support. We’ve had some bad luck this year but hopefully we’re on a different road now.”
With Paul Wichert the initial leader of the 20 lap Feature, the front runner were three wide right away with Jim Lampman and Mark Fawcett powering into the top spots behind the leader.
Lampman would eventually take over top spot with Fawcett not far behind. The two continually ran side by side with Kevin Knapp taking control of third spot just before the first caution on lap 6.
Lampman resumed control on the restart with Fawcett pressuring once again. Down the backstretch of lap 8, Fawcett would be the new leader with Ryan Turner and Jason Fontaine joining the breakaway pack of leaders making up the top 6.
With Fawcett out front, the race to watch was the one for second that saw Lampman, Jason Fontaine and Rob Murray three wide lap after lap.
Jason Fontaine would make a late race charge to take the runner up spot with Lampman, Murray and Ryan Turner closing out the top 5.
“We really weren’t planning on running tonight,” said Boyd MacTavish who informed that damage to his car Friday Night could not be fixed in a day, “I hooked up with Rob (Clark) … the win will help my own car get back on track.”
Joey Mastroianni set the pace at the start of the 25 lap Rick’s Delivery Sportsman Division Feature with an incident in Turn 4 slowing the pace right away with just a single lap on the Lucas Oil Live Leaderboard. Just before the yellow flag, Robert Baker took control of top spot and led them back to action.
Caution would slow the field once again with Baker in control once more. Justin Sharp quickly took control of second with caution again on lap 5.
Once action resumed, Baker and Sharp were side by side until Sharp became the new leader on lap 6 with Boyd MacTavish following into the runner up spot in the borrowed 19c.
The two pulled away to quite a lead despite racing each other hard for top spot.
Through to the halfway point MacTavish would pull away to a healthy lead with Sharp able to close as the two came up on slower cars by lap 20. In the run to the finish however, MacTavish would run away to a comfortable lead once again.
MacTavish and Sharp were followed by Gary Lindberg, Cody McPherson and BJ Willard.
Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Feature Winner Tim Jones was thankful for those who had helped him with his racing in 2013.
“Thanks to Brian’s Tire and Pete Bicknell,” commented Jones who was only in his 4th start of the season, “along with BOSS Snowplows … their support definitely is appreciated and helped me get back to racing this season.”
Fred Carleton was first to lead the 35 lap Main Event with Tommy Flannigan and Tim Jones quickly landing into 2nd and 3rd. Jones would take over the runner up spot with Carleton about 10 car lengths ahead by lap 5.
The two front runners would pull away slightly from the field with Jones closing in on Carleton past lap 10. Around the halfway point, Carleton would come up on slower cars with Jones maintaining about a car length gap behind in second.
Jones would take control of the lead exiting Turn 4 to complete lap 25 after Carleton got a little high and out of shape. Caution would slow the pace for the first time on lap 30 after Mark D’Ilario slowed down the front stretch.
“I really didn’t want to see that caution but in the end it worked out,” added Jones, “Freddie ran a great race and he keeps an eye on everything. Once he saw my door he tried the same line but wasn’t able to make it stick like we did.”
In the 5 lap dash to the checkered flag – Jones would maintain a couple car length advantage over Carleton, Tommy Flannigan, Robbie Krull and Brandon Easey.
“My wife and daughter missed my first Feature win … so this ones for them.” Exclaimed Rick Koabel after his second win in the J&S Heating and Air Condtionning Modified Lite Division.
Randy Hollingshead was the initial leader and right away pulled away to a 10 car length lead on the field until caution slowed the pace on lap 4.
On the restart, Hollingshead would face a challenge from Dylan Davidson with the veteran holding a slight lead on the 12 year old 4th generation driver.
By lap 7 Davidson would be challenged by Koabel who would eventually took control of the runner up spot. Setting his sights on the leader, Koabel would take control of top spot on lap 11.
By the checkered flag at lap 15, Koabel would open up a 10 car advantage over Hollinsghead, Paul Klager, Davidson and Kory Howe.
“Thanks to all the Truck Show and Shine Drivers tonight,” commented Kyle Pelrine after his third Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature Win of the season, “they packed the top in and it was just amazing … I’m just the driver though … thanks to my crew who do all the work on this car and thanks to my girlfriend for all her support!”
Greg Wilson was first to lead the 15 lap Feature and back through the pack there was three and four wide racing right away. An early caution had Wilson back out front with his dad Garnet in the runner up spot and playing defence for his son.
Eventually Rob Overholt was able to get by and quickly took control of top spot.
By lap 5 Kyle Pelrine was now into second and quickly closed in on the leader.
Pelrine would eventually take control of top spot with Overholt soon facing a challenge from three time champion Rocco Conte.
In the closing laps, Tyler Lafantaisie would also join in but the closest anyone would get to Pelrine was Overholt – a couple car lengths behind. Conte would settle for third ahead of Lafantaisie with Dillan Sliter fifth.
Pit Notes
Merrittville Speedway would like to thank all the drivers and their companies for participating in 2013 – the fan favorite winner Pepsi Canada as well as P&W Trucking, the three entries from Ontario Truck Driving School, Modern Corporation, Rankin Construction, Challenger, White Oak Transport, Transport Sales & Service, WP Warehousing, DBR Transport, Equipment Express, Bobcat of Hamilton, High Quality Drinking Water and Shisler Brothers.
UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY
Merrittville Speedway will celebrate its 62 year history with the Lucas Oil Nostalgia Night hosted by the Thorold speed plant’s Reunion Committee Saturday July 13th.
The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 50 lap Jerry Winger Memorial for the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds will be joined by action in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites, Hoosier Stocks and Rick’s Delivery Sportsman.
Highlighting the festivities hosted by the Speedway’s Reunion Committee will be the Vintage Race Cars on display and in action on the track and the 2013 Inductees into the L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame just prior to race time.
The Great Clips Grandstand Ticket Office open at 5:30 and its going to be Great when the L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Inductions take place on the CAA Stage on the front stretch just prior to Show Time at 7 PM.
HOOSIER STOCK FEATURE (20 laps) Mark Fawcett, Jason Fontaine, Jim Lampman, Rob Murray, Ryan Turner, Kevin Knapp, Brad Sheehan, Pete Reid, Bryce Richardson, Mike Green, James Thompson, Paul Wichert, Marcel Michaud.
RICK’S DELIVERY DIRTcar SPORTSMAN FEATURE – (25 laps) Boyd MacTavish, Justin Sharp, Gary Lindberg, Cody McPherson, BJ Willard, Robert Baker, Paul Gaboury, Rob Knapp, Joey Mastroianni, Austin Wood, Greg Panunte, Robbie Rounce, Jason Moore, Adam Leslie, Travis Miller, Paul Williamson, Jason Farraway, Gord McIntosh, Chris Bellamy, Charlie Lynch, Jordan Cosco, Andrew Smith, Brad Rouse, Derek Hodge, Chad Brown.
BOBCAT OF HAMILTON DIRTcar 358 MODIFIED FEATURE (35 laps) Tim Jones, Fred Carleton, Tommy Flannigan, Robbie Krull, Brandon Easey, Pete Bicknell, Scott Wood, Todd Gordon, Tyler McPherson, Chad Chevalier, Shayne Pierce, Mat Williamson, Bill Bleich, Mike Bowman, Rick Hoctor, Mark D’Ilario, Ken Winnfield, Chris Steele.
J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature (15 laps) Rick Koabel , Randy Hollinsghead, Paul Klager, Dylan Davidson, Kory Howe, Evan Leonard, Ray Sliter Jr., Josh Sliter, Jason Corless, Jeffrey May, Kellie Mason.
TURN 4 COLLISION 4 CYLINDER FEATURE (15 laps) Kyle Pelrine, Rob Overholt, Rocco Conte, Tyler Lafantaisie, Dillan Sliter, Mike Sadusek, Kyle Rothwell, Tony Kelly, Sam Iftody, Garnet Wilson, Evan Curtis, Greg Wilson, Jeff Hill, Kyle Haynes, Chris Laskey, Kevin Conley, Bob Gill, Kourtney Kocarik, Brandon Boychuck, Nathan Monahan, Mike Giberson, Leroy Buscumb, Chris Shepherd.
For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 62nd Consecutive Season in 2013 – visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville)
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 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 and the countdown to Lucas Oil Nostalgia Night at Merrittville Speedway Saturday July 13th has begun – the Best Family Entertainment in Niagara!
Hosted by the Reunion Committee – the 62nd Season Celebration features the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 50 for the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds … the TUSA Hoosier Mr. Dirt Racing Series Tour for the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites … Vintage Race Cars and the 2013 L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Inductions.
MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2013 62nd Anniversary Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Bobcat of Hamilton, Rick’s Delivery, 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.
From: Jim Irvine/ Assistant General Manager- Merrittville Speedway
905-892-8266
jimirvine@cogeco.net
merrittvillespeedway.com
twitter.com/merrittville
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