For Release - Sunday May 25, 2008 From Jim Irvine - Merrittville Speedway Public Relations
Thorold, Ontario (May 25) CAA Niagara Night at Merrittville Speedway saw quite an action-packed night of racing with perfect weather conditions making for a great racing surface.
Former L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Champion and 33 year veteran Brian Stevens earned his first feature win of the season in the 35 lap final event of the night.
Rob Knapp became the 4th different winner in as many events in the 2008 Season - earning his first Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature while Dolph McCready won his third Hoosier Stock Feature.
Jamie Gilbert won his first Lucas Oil Open Wheel Career Feature while Aaron Wiley was also a first timer - taking home the opening round of the 2nd Annual Triple Crown Series for the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Division.
"We're here to race this year," boasted a focused Brian Stevens in Merrittville Victory Lane, "Dad and I have worked on the car each week - we put a little bite into it this week - and wow - this is cool."
At the start, rookie Tom Flannigan took control from his front row starting spot - out racing second place starter Derek Lemyre to the green flag. The two put on quite a show with the youngster holding the lead with Lemyre not giving up in a classic side by side exchange - even through a couple of early cautions.
The battle was slowed again on lap 9 when Larry Lampman slowed out of turn 4 after losing his complete left rear tire and wheel. Unfortunately his misfortune occurred after apparent contact with another car at virtually the same point he took the lead of the previous week's Lucas Oil Shoot Out.
Flannigan resumed control on the restart with Lemyre in tow. Lemyre briefly had the lead but Flannigan stormed back.
With the rookie still in control, one driver on the move was Stevens who took control of second along the backstretch at the half-way point. Stevens soon set his sights on Flannigan and in lap traffic - got the lead on lap 24.
Stevens was about the only driver running the bottom groove in the racy track and used it to open up a comfortable lead in the closing laps.
Flannigan made quite an impression of his own holding on for the runner-up spot with Boyd MacTavish and Tim Jones also having their best runs of the young season taking 3rd and 4th. A Strong showing for Scott Wood as well to close out the top 5.
Post race, MacTavish was levied a $300 fine and lost half of his points for weighing just under the minimum weight.
Sophomore Sportsman Driver Rick Bellante sure had to have his patience tested in the early laps of the 25 lap Sportsman Feature. Towing Service provider and night sponsor CAA too as several cautions prevented lengthy green flag runs.
Norm Mark was first to lead but quickly Bellante would become the leader until Rob Knapp took control as almost as many cautions were recorded as laps.
Drivers suffering the most damage were 2008 feature winners Mike Bowman and Chad Chevalier.
Knapp too would see some yellow fever of his own before a lengthy green flag run was stopped by a red flag on lap 20 to clear a multi-car incident.
Once racing resumed, Knapp was again out front with Tyler McPherson - the challenger. Through to the finish Knapp held top spot to starter Doug Leonard's double checkers with McPherson settling for the runner-up spot.
Bellante held on for a fine third place showing with Mat Williamson and Joe Middlemiss rounding out the top 5.
Knapp who was at first speechless traded in his trademark Tony Stewart-esque fence climb Victory Lane celebration and instead thanked his many sponsors and invited the best crowd of the season to his newest - the Geneva Street St. Catharines Harvey's for a free Hamburg and to the Little Knapp Motorsports Team Cars that will be on display.
Quite a nice gesture - but only a reminder of the one day chain-wide promotion.
"Wow - this track is so good," revealed Knapp who was in his old car that Alan Sleight has also ran as a 358 Modified this season, "and the car too - I don't know if I'll bring the new one back."
The 25 lap Hoosier Stock Feature had Kirk Wilson at the controls until a lap 7 yellow slowed the field when Kevin Knapp coasted out of turn 4 with a seized rear end.
Wilson resumed control with youngster Cody McPherson soon to challenge the veteran Wilson. On a restart - McPherson took over top spot with Dolph McCready soon in the runner-up spot. After a caution for former champion Mike Dooley, McCready eventually got even with McPherson - the kid and the veteran running side by side.
"I new he wasn't going to leave the bottom," commented Dolph McCready, "so I new I had to make a move - I got a good run off turn 2 - and that was it."
In the closing laps, McCready overtook McPherson and at the finish opened up a couple car length lead with Kirk Wilson holding on for third. Rob Murray and Jason Fontaine completed the top five.
Ironically, McCready was quick to thank McPherson's crew chief and Merrittville Wall of Fame Driver Mike Granton for helping him build his race car.
"I knew I had a job to do," commented sophomore Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Driver Jamie Gilbert, "I just drove it full out - tonight was the night."
Drive it full out he did. Gilbert was involved in an early race incident that slowed Kellie Mason's pace. Adam Murphy soon gave Mason a challenge on the restart and soon took control of the lead. With Murphy out front - Rick Brubacher was on the move from 9th and at half-way was in the runner-up spot. Brubacher got quite a run off turn 4 to take the lead with Gilbert rebounding - making quite a move of his own - threading the needle between Murphy and rookie Scott Phillips to take second.
A lap 19 caution again slowed the field and on the restart - Gilbert was able to overtake Brubacher for his first career win.
"I've got to thank the Sliters," added an overwhelmed Gilbert, "they gave me this car to drive - I just hope Shawn still has a job for me Monday."
Gilbert and Brubacher were followed by Murphy, Shawn Sliter and Kory Howe.
Aaron Wiley won his heat and would lead the start of the 20 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Series Opener before the field virtually disappeared in quite a smoke screen put up by David Lopes who coasted into the infield on lap 5.
Once the thick smoke cleared Wiley was still out front and quickly into lap traffic.
One caution would slow the field on lap 16 - would intermittent smoke from Wiley's car slow him?
In the 4 laps to the finish, Wiley and runner-up Trevor Goulding were able to pull away from the field with defending champion Abel Castelein in third. Ed McLean and Dave Larocque closed out the top 5.
"This one's for mom and dad," prided defending Triple Crown Series Champion Wiley, "it's last year's car … some new panels and a splash of paint … I couldn't have done it without them."
Merrittville Speedway Results – Saturday May 24, 2008
CAA Niagara Night
L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Feature – 35 laps
Brian Stevens, Tom Flannigan, Boyd MacTavish, Tim Jones, Scott Wood, Derek Lemyre, Chad Brachmann, Ken Cosgrove, Pete Bicknell, Travis Braun, Rick Richner, Travis Cunningham, Chris Steele, Bill Bleich, Darren Peters, Fred Carleton, George Bosse, Todd Gordon, Andrew Sittler, Dan Miller, Derek Wutzke, Larry Lampman, Todd Kendrick.
L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Heat Winners First – Travis Braun, Second – Tim Jones, Third – Boyd MacTavish.
Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature – 25 laps
Rob Knapp, Tyler McPherson, Rick Bellante, Mat Williamson, Joe Middlemiss, Brad Rouse, Darren Zumpe, James Michael Friesen, Don Spiece, Robbie Rounce, Graham Mackay, Norm Mark, Mark D'Ilario, Mark Dixon, Kevin Sharpe, Lee Winger, Mike Bowman, Chad Chevalier, Mark Chiddy, Justin Sharp, Jim Johnstone, BJ Willard, Jay Doerr, Luke Carleton, Graham Mackay, Don Spiece, Mark Dixon, Robbie Rounce, James Friesen, Brandon Easey, BJ Willard, Rick Bellante, Rob Knapp, Ken Winnfield, Kevin Sharpe. DNQ – Ron MacAuley, Darrell Faraway, Dave Walters.
Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Heat Winners – First – Graham Mackay, Second – Norm Mark, Third – Rob Knapp.
Original Pizza Logs Sportsman B Main Winner – Lee Winger.
Hoosier Stock Feature – 15 laps
Dolph McCready, Cody McPherson, Kirk Wilson, Rob Murray, Jason Fontaine, Brent Begolo, Bill Hogue, Jeff Dayman, Shayne Pierce, Ron Kingsbury, Kevin Kocarik, Russ Davidson, Ron Loggie, Mike Dooley, David Small, Bill Bleich, Barry Blanchard, Michael Bosse, Rich Champigny, Mark Fawcett, Jack Myers, Vince Fargnoli, Kevin Knapp, Rick Beales. DNQ – Tyler Anderson, Terry Laska.
Hoosier Stock Heat Winners – First – Dolph McCready, Second – Brent Begolo, Third – Kirk Wilson.
Hoosier Stock B Main Winner – Vince Fargnoli
Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Feature – 20 laps
Jamie Gilbert, Rick Brubacher, Adam Murphy, Shawn Sliter, Kory Howe, Andy Tallman, 5, Adam Leslie, Josh Sliter, Dave Russell, Wayne Robins, Kellie Mason, Blair Young, Wally Billing, Lorne Collings, Paul Klager, Bob Bredin, Jason Corless, Derek Bredin, Dan Russell, Dale Leonard, Scott Phillips, Scott Billing.
5 Star Racing Products Lucky Dog Winner – Scott Billing
Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite Heat Winners – First Kellie Mason, Second – Adam Murphy, Third – Jamie Gilbert.
Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Race # 1 – 20 laps
Aaron Wiley, Trevor Goulding, Abel Castelein, Ed McLean, Dave Larocque, Driver Car 9, Garnet Wilson, Ron Cosco, Tony Kelly, Evan Curtis, Chris Laskey, Mike Giberson, Terry Larmet, Greg Wilson, Rocco Conte, Jocelynne Wiley, AJ Castelein, Matt Deschamps, Charlie Lynch, David Lopes, Damian Gore.
Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Heat Winners – First – Aaron Wiley, Second – Driver Car # 9.
Merrittville Pit Notes: When Dolph McCready changed plans on a Sportsman career to return to the Hoosier Stocks - his BRP Chassis sat idle all last season. Late in the spring Brian Stevens wasn't planning on racing this season after selling his car to rookie Andrew Sittler. Plans quickly changed and the car he would put together in a short period of time - Dolph McCready's.
Monday's Lucas Oil 358 Modified Shoot Out Finish was made official. Scott Wood's Rev Limiter was found to have a manufacturer's defect and not illegal.
The month of May closes with David Chevrolet Corvette presenting the ASCS Patriot Sprint Group. Joining the only Sprint Car show of 2008 is a 50 lap Sportsman Feature in addition to Hoosier Stocks and 4 Cylinders.
Gates open at 5:30. Show time at 7:00. For further info call 905-892-8266 or visit http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com. /
MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS: The 2008 DIRT Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway's 5 Divisions is brought to fans by partners including CAA Niagara and Turn 4 Collision in addition to contingency sponsors Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Hoosier Tire Canada, Inside Track Motorsport News, Intercomp, ISC Racer's Tape, Jaz Products, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Motorsports Safety Systems, Port City Racing, R.J.S. Racing Equipment, Sway-A-Way, Ultra Shield Race Products, Outerwears and XRP, Inc.
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