Thorold, Ontario – Racing is about family and friends.

When former racer Ken Walsh of St. Catharines got his start in what is now the Rick’s Delivery Sportsman Division – one family that helped him out was the Willards – especially Bill Willard Senior.

Walsh wanted to honor one of Merrittville’s pioneers and The Sterling Silver Award is an annual award he created for the 1990 season and every year honors his memory.

2015 is the 26th edition of the Sterling Silver Award and of all the previous winners – defending race winner James Friesen, Justin Sharp (2013), Brad Rouse (2012), Bill’s great grandson Cody McPherson (2011) and Chad Chevalier (2009) are the only driver still regularly active in the division.

Beginning in the 1950’s the Willard family got its start in the local racing scene when Bill Willard Senior quickly became an accomplished car owner for drivers including Don Taylor, Bev MacTavish, Stan Friesen, George Winger and Terry Edwards while at the same time providing towing service through Willard & Son Towing which is now CAA Niagara.

Fast forward to the 1970’s and the cars Bill Sr. and his son Al would own and maintain would be those driven by the family’s third generation … Bill Willard and later his sister Tammy.

In recent years, Bill’s son BJ was a regular competitor in the Sportsman Division in the familiar #77 but has stepped away from the sport since moving to Pembroke. BJ’s cousin Cody McPherson - son of Bill’s granddaughter Lori and her husband Guy is a former Sterling Silver Winner as well as a former King of the Crates and overall Point Champion.

A Willard #77 will return to Merrittville August 29th to assist in the running of this year’s Sterling Sliver festivities as Bill Willard Jr. recently discovered one of his former racers and has since restored it.

Bill’s Vintage Racer will be on display and will pace the Sportsman Feature – ten years after he won the Sterling Silver Award himself.

Sterling Silver Winners

1990 Doug Gordon
1991 Larry Czinege
1992 Larry Czinege
1993 Cliff Warner
1994 Don Martin
1995 Greg Panunte
1996 Bill Krull
1997 Bill Podwinski
1998 Chad Brachmann
1999 Chad Brachmann
2000 Joe Meisel
2001 Chad Brachmann
2002 Rob Pietz
2003 Bob Davidson
2004 Martin Polhill
2005 Bill Willard Jr
2006 Mat Williamson
2007 Mat Williamson
2008 Brandon Easey
2009 Chad Chevalier
2010 Brandon Easey
2011 Cody McPherson
2012 Brad Rouse
2013 Justin Sharp
2014 James Friesen

It’s all part of Meridian Credit Union Night at Merrittville Speedway that will also feature the second last Points Events for all Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions – the Pinty’s Delicious Foods 358 Modifieds, Hoosier Stocks, Rev’s Full Throttle Powersports Modified Lites and the Van Raine Construction 4 Cylinders.

The Great Clips Grandstand Ticket Office opens at 5:30 with Show Time at 7:00 PM.

Merrittville Speedway is located at 2371 Merrittville Highway in Thorold. For directions click on http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/directions.html or call 905-892-8266 or via e mail – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 64th Consecutive Season in 2015 – visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. Become a fan of Merrittville Speedway on Face Book at www.facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Merrittville

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2015 64th Anniversary Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Rick’s Delivery, Rev’s Full Throttle Powersports, Hoosier Tire Canada and Van Raine Construction and Contingency Partners http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/contingency.html in addition to many marketing partners. Visit them athttp://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/sponsors.htm and visit them when you require their products and/or services.

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Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favourite automotive retailer or maintenance center including KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage.