|
MERRITTVILLE’S THREE DAY SEASON FINALE HAS
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE – DON’T MISS A LAP AS LOTS OF QUESTIONS ARE ABOUT TO BE ANSWERED
For Immediate Release September 5, 2008. From Jim Irvine
Merrittville Public Relations
905-892-8266
Thorold, Ontario (September 5) Over the course of the next three days – there will be so many stories to follow and so many point races to watch as Merrittville Speedway is all set to close it’s 57th Season with the J&S Heating Weekend.
Originally set to highlight the annual Reunion Night back on July 12th, the Friday Night portion now includes the 50 lap Lucas Oil Shoot Out for the 358 Modifieds – delaying the Points Race that was set to conclude last month at the Humberstone Speedway.
Fresh off his first career L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Point Championship at the Thorold Track, Chad Brachmann would very much like to add the 2008 Shoot Out Title to his resume.
Over the Series, Brachmann won two events but with the finale set for a rare Friday at Merrittville, he sits 15 points back of point leader Pete Bicknell – himself a two time winner in the Series that crowns a champion that earns the least amount of points.
Bicknell last month earned the Ransomville Championship and as well would like to add the 7 race Shoot Out Title to his list of achievements. Todd Burley and Larry Lampman each won the other events with Lampman’s coming in the first go round at Merrittville in the Zavitz Financial Strategies Victoria Day Special back in May.
Lampman of course was the most recent winner – scoring the 50 lap John Spencer Memorial in the Brian’s Tire Repairs Labor Day FANtastic and would like to back it up with the Jerry Winger Memorial Title.
Another race coming to a close during the Friday Night Opener is the 4th Annual Duel on the Dirt that pits the Merrittville Hoosier Stocks against the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks in another 50 lap Event.
Last season, Jeff Dayman went into the final leg of the home track and combined event Series that showcases the finest Street Stock racers from across Ontario tied for top spot with Ronnie Wadforth.
This year he sits alone atop the Individual Point Standings with his closest rival this year – the 2008 Hoosier Stock Champion Rob Murray. Brighton Speedway’s Doug Anderson sits in third spot. Anderson – who won last week’s 50 lap Combined event at Brighton sits one point behind Murray who is just 8 points behind Dayman.
Dolf McCready and Shayne Pierce are the two other Merrittville drivers that are in the top 10 – the only thing is – they have Brighton ’s Tim Burke, Gary Vandertooin, Kraig Handley and Robbie Wilson between them.
Will this be the year that a Brighton Pro Stock Driver and maybe Team Brighton take all the glory back to eastern Ontario in the Lawns We Do DL Services Series?
With those two Point Races winding down Friday Night – another one will be just getting underway with the opening night of the Rose Webber Memorial International seeing top Mod Lite and Classic Dwarf Car Drivers challenging the Saturday Night Lucas Oil Mod Lite Stars.
Last year, Rod Jones put on quite a clinic in sweeping both nights to become the overall champion of the two day event.
The same format applies this year with a new twist.
The Friday and Saturday Night Events will stand on their own as they have in the past but they will also combine with the two day Little Guy Nationals coming up September 26th and 27th at Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer Pennsylvania.
Another race that is starting to heat up will also pay a visit as part of Saturday Night’s race card.
With each DIRTcar member track declaring their champions and the race for the 2008 Mr. DIRTcar Sportsmen Title now becoming a little clearer – a number of Merrittville regulars will definitely be looking to use some home track experience to move up the ranks.
Going into the Western tripleheader that opens Friday Night at the Ransomville Speedway – Tyler McPherson leads the local drivers – although in 4th in the standings. The 2008 Lucas Oil Sportsman Shoot Out and Humberstone Speedway Champion sits 9 points ahead of Mat Williamson who ironically is in 6th spot with 2008 Merrittville Champion Mike Bowman, Mark D’Ilario and Greg Panunte just behind in the running order.
The Western Swing concludes Sunday Night at the Humberstone Speedway.
Will the cards fall into place for the Western Regional drivers to gain the upper hand?
Not if invaders Dan Wiesner, Chris Raabe and Jeremy Pitcher have something to say about. The three sit atop the standings going into the weekend.
Merrittville Speedway’s 57th consecutive season will close with a Sunday afternoon motorsports matinee of sorts with the Konzelmann Estate Winery Enduro 100 accelerated by Niagara College .
Going into that event, three drivers will also be looking to have a say in the outcome.
James Mercer won the recent CMH Sales and Leasing Konzelmann Estate Winery Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College that was run on the Avondale Food Stores Night - joining the June 28th Boltworks Piller’s $1.00 Hot Dog Night Winner Tim McIntosh and the Zavitz Financial Strategies May 19th Winner Jason Coutu as the three eligible for a $200 Bonus – provided that either one comes home # 1 in the 100.
Should none of the three drivers win the big event – the $200 will still be given away via a draw of starting positions.
The 40 drivers that registered up to the September 1st deadline are the only drivers eligible to receive their entry fee back – should the bonus be available.
So what does all this mean?
It means that you will not want to miss a single lap of the entire weekend. Throw in some Vintage Race Cars, the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders, the 4 Cylinder Trucks an Open Street Stock 50 and the Queen’s Race for the Ladies – there is definitely something for everyone as the 57th Consecutive Season comes to a close.
Enjoy all three events and maybe even make a ‘Staycation’ out of it as there is plenty of free camping.
For further information call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY
The J& Heating and Air Conditioning Rose Webber Weekend kicks off Friday September 5th and continues Saturday September 6th. Pit Gates open both days at 5 with the grandstands at 5:30. Showtime for both events is 7:00. Sunday September 7th the Konzelmann Estate Winery Enduro accelerated by Niagara College has the Pit Gates opening for mandatory Car Inspections at 9 AM. Also mandatory is a Scorer’s Meeting at 11:45. Grandstands open at 12 Noon.
MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS
The 2008 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions and is brought to fans by partners including J&S Heating and Air Conditioning, Lucas Oil, L. St. Amand Enterprises, CAA Niagara, Konzelmann Estate Winery and Niagara College 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.
Lucas Oil Products is one of 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.
Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favorite automotive retailer including the St. Catharines and Niagara Falls PartSource locations, Drummond Home Hardware in Niagara Falls and through RCM Racing Equipment.
|
|
