THOROLD, Ontario (October 29) – Merrittville Speedway’s 60th consecutive season officially came to a close with the Night of Champions Saturday October 29th – honoring the 2011 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Champions.
While Brad Rouse celebrated his 1st Career Championship in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman DIRTcar Division – four drivers repeated as champions of their respective divisions.
Josh Sliter and Rocco Conte each won their second Championships in the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Divisions respectively.
Ken Sargent was also champion for the second straight season in the Hoosier Stock Division – adding to two time Street Stock and 5 time Pro Stock Championships at the Thorold d-shaped oval earlier in his career.
In the first season with Bobcat of Hamilton as Division Sponsor – a familiar face was crowned Champion of the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds with Pete Bicknell earning the title for the 21st time of his career.
All 5 division champs earned traditional Merrittville Speedway Championship Rings and Jackets in addition to trophies and cash awards.
Merrittville’s Announcer Clint Geoffrey and Assistant GM Jim Irvine performed Masters of Ceremony duties – presenting the top 12 points finishers from the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders, Hoosier Stocks, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites, Original Pizza Log Sportsman and the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds with point fund monies accordingly in addition to a wide variety of special awards.
Drivers in the Top 5 in each division’s point standings received Trophies as well.
Rocco Conte collected 6 feature wins and 17 Top 10 finishes to repeat as Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Championship. Driving the Auto Styling/Joe Serianni Century 21 Real Estate/Young Automotive Professionals/Riccis Auto Service/Elite Wheel and Tire/Giulio Lostracco David Chevrolet Corvette Buick GMC #34c – Conte was also awarded the Best Appearing Car Award.
Other special award winners in the Turn 4 Collision-sponsored division included Rob Overholt who won the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Mini-Series Title while Kameron Kocarik won Rookie of the Year honors.
Josh Sliter drove his Canadian Tire Port Colborne/ Giulio Lostracco of David Chevrolet Corvette Buick GMC/South Coast Laser/Modern Corporation/CMH Sales & Leasing/SWS Canada/Cam Hiltz Trucking/ Metro Collision/Crutchfield Performance/Leader Race Cars # 17 to his second straight championship in the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Division with 13 top 5 finishes including 5 feature wins.
Rookie of the Year honors went to runner up Derek Wagner who also won the Best Appearing Car Award.
Ken Sargent – a former Street Stock and Pro Stock Champion won his second Hoosier Stock Title in his third season back in the sport. Driving the Turn 4 Collision/PineView Drywall/ERD/Mobile Marine/Brian’s Tire Repair /GM Crate Engine powered # 25 – Sargent finished in the Top 10 17 times en route to 2 wins. Sargent also won the overall Duel on the Dirt Title – a mini-series amongst the Hoosier Stocks and the Pro Stocks from the Brighton (Ontario) Speedway.
Third generation driver Austin Wood earned Rookie of the Year honors. The Best Appearing Car Award went to Kevin Knapp.
Brad Rouse received top honors in the Original Pizza Log Sportsman Division for the first time in his career in his Baron Roofing/ Ontario Truck Driving School/ Platinum Graphics/ JCS Fibreglass/ Brian’s Tire Repair MR. 18.
Rouse racked up 5 feature wins and 17 top 10’s highlighted by a run that began July 9th through to the final point event where he didn’t finish out of the top 4. Rouse’s awards also included his first King of the Crates powered by Niagara Motors Mini-Series title that earned him a $500 Gift Certificate redeemable at the Virgil GM Dealer towards the purchase of a 602 Crate Engine for the 2012 Season.
Special Award winners included Rookie of The Year Award winner and second generation driver Gary Lindberg while Greg Panunte won the Best Appearing Car Award. Second generation driver Cody McPherson also collected The Sterling Silver Award that honors his great grandfather Bill Willard Senior from his cousin and fellow driver BJ Willard and award sponsor Ken Walsh.
Pete Bicknell won his 21st career Merrittville Speedway Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Championship winning 2 Features over the course of the season that saw him finish in the Top 10 14 times in his Lucas Oil Products/Bicknell Racing Products # 42.
Other award winners included Brandon Easey who won Rookie of the year honors while the Best Appearing Car Award went to Mat Williamson.
Several history-laden awards were also presented during the event.
The Ed MacPherson Construction Kelley-Winger Sportsmanship Award was presented by the Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee to Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Driver Tommy Flannigan. The Begolo-Little Award for the most improved driver in the 358 Modified Division also went to the second generation driver Flannigan.
The Gordie Award named after former Merrittville Announcer and Wall of Famer Gordie Wilson goes to a person, or group of people who exhibit dedication to the sport. The 2011 award was presented to Pete Bicknell who perservered through increasing back pain throughout the season. Less than a week after his final race, Bicknell underwent surgery and is well underway in his recovery.
The Crew Chief of Year Award named after Billy Matthews went to Dave Osborn who was behind Brad Rouse’s first championship.
The Tyler’s Trophies Performer of the Year Award went to Rouse and performed he did! From July 9th’s event until the final point event of the season – he never finished out of the Top 4.
The Pete’s Automotive Driver of the Year was Travis Braun as he was the driver that received the most points each week during the season in the Driver of the Week Award voting.
The Awards Ceremony concluded with Nancy Bicknell addressing the audience as co-owner of the famed facility.
On behalf of her husband Pete and her daughter (Merrittville GM) Erica and their partners – Randy and Tracey Williamson, Bicknell saluted the crowd and thanked everyone for their continued support throughout the 2011 Season. Plans are well underway for the upcoming 2012 season and race fans and teams alike can look forward to an exciting schedule that begins with the 6th Annual Spring Sizzler Saturday April 28th.
2012 Season passes and Memberships will be on sale starting December 1st at Merrittville’s Winter Office located at Bicknell Racing Products, Cushman Road in St. Catharines.
Merrittville’s Winter Office at BRP is open Monday to Friday from 9 to 5 or on Saturday December 10th for the Christmas Open House from 10 to 2!
For information on Merrittville Speedway’s 61st consecutive season as the best family entertainment in Niagara – visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com or call the Winter Office during business hours – 905-685-7223!
