August 17, 2013 THOROLD, ONTARIO – Dillan Sliter came home the winner of the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Series Finale on Avondale Food Stores Night at Merrittville Speedway August 17th while Tyler Lafantaisie won the Three Race, Mini-Series.
Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series action also saw Jamie Gilbert, Cody McPherson, Ryan Turner and Mat Williamson take home wins in the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites, Rick’s Delivery Sportsman Hoosier Stock and Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Features respectively.
“The track was just awesome for us tonight – thanks to Merrittville for having us every week,” relayed Dillan Sliter who turned 17 Friday, “I was that far ahead?” questioned the third generation driver .
His third win of the season may have been by a larger margin if not for a late race caution that shuffled the running order at the finish.
Rob Overholt was first to lead the 20 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Finale with Sliter challenging by Lap 3. Sliter would take over top spot down the front stretch to complete Lap 4.By Lap 8 Sliter had driven away to about a quarter lap over Overholt with the two breaking away from the field by a similar margin.
The race for third would find Mike Sadusek leading Kyle Pelrine, Evan Curtis, current Triple Crown Series Point Leader Tyler Lafantaisie and defending champ Rocco Conte. The races only yellow slowed the pace after Sadusek lost contol of his car.
Sliter set the pace on the restart and at the finish it was Overholt settling for second. In the final green flag run, Evan Curtis took third ahead of 2013 Turn 4 Collision Triple Crown Series Champion Tyler Lafantaisie and Kyle Pelrine.
“It’s going straight to the wedding,” promised newly engaged Cody McPherson in Victory Lane after winning the Bob St. Amand Senior Dash for Cash involving Rick’s Delivery Sportsman Division Feature Winners prior to August 5th, “Thanks to the St. Amand and Curvin families … Clark McTavish Motorsports … Wood & Company and everyone who sponsored laps. Having nights like these definitely helps … thanks to everyone that helps and my fiancée Amber.”
Noone could catch McPherson in the special 12 lap Event – even after a mandatory caution at lap six. McPherson was followed by Gary Lindberg, BJ Willard, Austin Wood in the borrowed Jordan Cosco # 17c, Boyd MacTavish, Adam Leslie and Brad Rouse.
Each of the seven drivers were eligible for a Right Rear Tire donated by Hoosier Tire Canada and McPherson picked finishing position Number One.
For a complete listing of the Dash for Cash presenters and lap sponsors – visit http://merrittville.proboards.com/thread/3863/sportsman-winners-dash-cash-august
“That caution definitely helped,” revealed McPherson after winning his third Feature of the season earlier in the evening, “I probably could have caught him … but it would have been close.”
Rob Knapp and Robert Baker were in a drag race at the start of the 25 lap Feature for the Rick’s Delivery Sportsman Division before Knapp took control to start Lap 2. By Lap 10 Knapp had drove away to a ten car lead that unfortunately went away on Lap 12 for the first caution.
On the restart it was another drag race between Knapp and now Cody McPherson and before the field got to speed a number of cars came together between Turns 3 and 4. The restart saw McPherson in top spot with Knapp now challenged by Baker. Just as McPherson had began to pull away caution would slow the field once again on Lap 17.
McPherson resumed the lead and by lap 20 was some five car lengths out front. McPherson would stretch his lead by the finish with Knapp in second. Justin Sharp make a late race charge to take third spot with Gary Lindberg edging Robert Baker to round out the top five.
“We needed this one … we’ve had some motor issues the last couple weeks with both our engines,” revealed Mat Williamson after winning his third Feature of the season, “it will help financially but more importantly … I needed to get this one for the crew.”
On the Best Appearing Dog Contest Night, it was fitting that Fred Carleton’s Niagara Ice Dogs #96 would lead the field to the green flag at the start of the 35 lap Event for the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds.
Quickly challenging was Tyler McPherson who had closed in on the leader by Lap 10. Towards the halfway point however Carleton resumed a comfortable lead with Mat Williamson closing in on the two in the process.
Williamson would take over top spot exactly at the halfway point with the front runners into lap traffic by Lap 20. By Lap 25 Williamson had driven away to almost a straightaway lead with the race to watch the one for third between Mike Bowman and McPherson.
Carleton would settle for second behind Williamson with Bowman edging McPherson by .042 of a second. Scott Wood would round out the Top 5.
Kory Howe was first to lead the 15 lap Feature for the J& S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites before the first caution slowed the pace on Lap 3. It was fortunate for Dylan Davidson who was penalized two spots for jumping out of line on the original start rather than being put back at the finish.
Howe would resume control on the restart before Jamie Gilbert rocketed into the lead out of Turn 4 to finish Lap 4. Gilbert would be slowed on lap five for the second caution.
The restart had Gilbert and Paul Klager leading the field to the green with Gilbert holding the advantage. The two leaders had driven away from the field by Lap 10 before caution once again.
Gilbert and Klager resumed the battle – running side by side with Josh Sliter closing in third. Klager took top spot into Turn 2 the final time but at the checkered flag it was Jamie Gilbert taking the win in the car regularly driven by Rick Koabel who is sidelined by a broken collarbone in an accident away from racing.
Klager and Sliter closed out the Top 3 with Howe and Davidson rounding out the Top 5.
Ryan Turner was first to lead the 20 lap Hoosier Stock Feature but quickly it was Mark Fawcett in control of top spot. By Lap 4 Turner had closed in on Fawcett and edging into the lead down the backstretch of Lap 7.
Despite the battle for top spot, the two front runners had pulled away from the field by the halfway point. Fawcett would battle back to challenge Turner but with five-to-go – the margin was a car length. In the closing laps, Turner was able to stretch his lead over Fawcett settling for second. Peter Reid, Rob Murray and Kevin Knapp rounding out the top five.
With the race at the front, the one to watch was the one for the points between Knapp and Murray. At feature’s end the gap had closed to two points between the two with just two events left on the schedule.
Unfortunately Turner was disqualified for an illegal distributor and will receive no points or purse money.
PIT NOTES
Chad Chevalier began the night as the latest driver named as the B&C Truck Centre Mack Canada Driver of the Week.
Merrittville Speedway would like to thank all those that participated in the Best Appearing Dog Contest.
UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY
The Pen Centre will present the 40 lap $ 1,000 to Win Finale in the David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series for the Rick’s Delivery Sportsman Division Saturday August 24th. Rounding out the Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Special Event are the second last Point Events for the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders, Hoosier Stocks, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites and the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds.
The Great Clips Grandstand Ticket Office opens at 5:30 – Showtime is 7:00.
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)
TURN 4 COLLISION 4 CYLINDER TRIPLE CROWN SERIES FINALE (20 laps) Dillan Sliter, Rob Overholt, Evan Curtis, Tyler Lafantaisie, Kyle Pelrine, Rocco Conte, Kyle Rothwell, Sam Iftody, Nathan Monahan, Tony Kelly, Garnet Wilson, Chris Laskey, Leroy Buscumb, Mike Sadusek, Chris Shepherd, Greg Wilson, Bob Gill, Kyle Haynes, Brandon Boychuck, Mike Giberson, Kourtney Kocarik.
RICK’S DELIVERY DIRTcar SPORTSMAN FEATURE (25 laps) Cody McPherson, Rob Knapp, Justin Sharp, Gary Lindberg, Robert Baker, BJ Willard, Greg Panunte, Brent Begolo, Jason Farraway, Boyd MacTavish, Jim Johnstone, Brad Rouse, Adam Leslie, Jason Moore, James Friesen, Travis Miller, George Bosse, Paul Gaboury, Austin Wood, Jordan Cosco, Paul Williamson, Joey Mastroianni, Robbie Rounce, Charlie Lynch.
BOBCAT OF HAMILTON DIRTcar 358 MODIFIED FEATURE (35 laps) Mat Williamson, Fred Carleton, Mike Bowman, Tyler McPherson, Scott Wood, Pete Bicknell, Todd Gordon, Tim Jones, Pete Bicknell, Chad Chevalier, Mark D’Ilario, Bill Bleich, Chris Steele, Brandon Easey, Shayne Pierce, Rob Krull, Dave Flannigan, Tommy Flannigan, Rick Hoctor, Ken Winnfield.
J&S HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING MODIFIED LITE FEATURE (15 laps) Jamie Gilbert, Paul Klager, Josh Sliter, Kory Howe, Dylan Davidson, Randy Hollingshead, Jason Corless, Jeffrey May, Evan Leonard, Rob Misener, Ray Sliter Jr., Bob Davidson, Marty deMoel.
HOOSIER STOCK FEATURE (20 laps) Ryan Turner, Mark Fawcett, Pete Reid, Rob Murray, Kevin Knapp, Brad Sheehan, Cory Turner, James Thompson, Paul Wichert, Jim Lampman, Steve Robison.
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 the Saturday August 31st Brian’s Tire Repair Championship Chase Finale featuring the 50 lap John Spencer Memorial 358 Modified Main Event and Autograph Night has begun at Merrittville Speedway – the Best Family Entertainment in Niagara!
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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