By: Tommy Goudge/Ohsweken Speedway
September 1 2016

50 lap John Spencer Memorial and Autograph Night among special events – Full Fendered Titles could go right to the final lap

Thorold, Ontario – When Semenuk’s Esso hosts Merrittville Speedway’s 65th Anniversary Championship Night Saturday September 3rd - race fans and race teams alike will share in cash and prize giveaways.

“Semenuk’s Esso Night is always a great night for fans and racers,” informs (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell-Jones, “our hats off to the family and their customers for coming up with some great giveaways … we’ll be posting the purse additions prior to the weekend - one thing for sure though … in our full fendered divisions especially - no one will want to give away any points!”

All season long some of the best racing has taken place in the full Hoosier Stock and Van Raine Construction 4 Cylinder Divisions – setting up some of the closest races for the championships in recent years.

Two-time and defending Hoosier Stock Champion Mark Fawcett’s 6 win season has the Canfield Driver leading Hagersville’s Dave Bailey by just 7 points. Bailey has 3 wins of his own including the last two events.

Twisted Metal Racing team-mates Tyler Lafantaisie and Kyle Rothwell both of Welland sit atop the 4 Cylinder Division Point Standings separated by 19 points.

Rothwell with 6 wins including the most recent Triple Crown Series Finale is chasing Lafantaisie’s 5 time winning car – one that Rothwell owns with his wife Lisa. Rothwell’s car is owned by Trevor Clarke.

5 time Rev’s Full Throttle Power Sports Modified Lite Champion Josh Sliter of Ridgeway will just have to start his feature to add another title. With 5 wins – he leads team-mate Rob Misener who has visited Victory Lane twice by 48 points.

A second place finish in last week’s Bill Willard Senior Sterling Silvr Event earned Cody McPherson enough points for his 4th Championship in the Yager Bros Trucking Sportsman Division. With 60 points for a win … 5 time 2016 Winner McPherson leads 1 time winner Brent Begolo by 74 points.

Year in and year out consistency has won Pete Bicknell 23 Merrittville Speedway Modified Titles split between the former Big Block and current Pinty’s Delicious Foods 358 Modified Divisions. With just 1 win in 2016, the St. Catharines driver leads rookie stand-out Gary Lindberg by 41 points going into the 50 lap John Spencer Memorial.

Lindberg who won two times is comfortably in the runner up spot - leading Ryan Susice, Chad Brachmann and Chris Steele in the Top 5.

Brachmann – a two time Point Champion is the defending Spencer Winner having won the event twice in his career. Bicknell has won it 5 times since 2000 in it’s modern era while Fred Carleton has won it once and Mike Bowman 3 times.

The Season Point Finale for the 358 Modifieds honors John Spencer who was an up and coming racer who passed away as a result of a racing accident in 1953 at the former Stamford Park in his home town of Niagara Falls.

Later that season and to coincide with the final points event of the season for the Modifieds, his crew created an Annual Memorial Award. Presented annually until the 1965 season, the award was lost until 1999 when former Merrittville owner Ken Kavanagh and his son – Reunion Committee Chairman Rick recovered it and restored it in time for presentation once again

When the gates open at 5:30 Race Fans will find Team Semenuks Esso Drivers Jason Coutu, Steven Beckett, Kyle Pelrine, Brent Begolo and Mark D’Ilario on display. Race Fans can look forward to meeting all the drivers from each of the 5 Divisions as Semenuk’s Esso Night also includes the final Autograph Night. All the race cars will be parked on the front stretch for the meet and greet after qualifying is complete.

Before or after the races you have to know too that you can get your fill of Gas … Diesel or Propane at Semenuk’s Esso – located just south of the track at the corner of Merrittville Highway and Hwy 20 at Turner’s Corners.

Semenuk’s Esso is one of the last remaining Full Service Gas Stations in the area – featuring Gas, Diesel and Propane at competitive prices. Having the closest ATM to the Speedway – it’s the one stop to make on your way to the track … on the way home and during the week as they carry many convenience items.

The Semenuk’s Esso presentation of the 2016 65th Anniversary Championship Chase Finale begins when the gates open at 5:30 with Show Time at 7:00 PM.

John Spencer Memorial Winners

1953 Jerry Winger
1954 Murray Stricker
1955 Murray Stricker
1956 Bruce Van Dyke
1957 Bruce Van Dyke
1958 George Winger
1959 George Winger
1960 Bruce Van Dyke
1961 Bill Rafter
1962 Sandy MacPherson
1963 Bruce Van Dyke
1964 Bruce Van Dyke
1965 Lloyd Holt

2000 Peter Bicknell
2001 Peter Bicknell
2002 Chad Brachman
2003 Peter Bicknell
2004 Fred Carleton
2005 Peter Bicknell
2006 Rained Out.
2007 Peter Bicknell
2008 Larry Lampman
2009 Mike Bowman
2010 Mike Bowman
2011 Larry Lampman
2012 Mike Bowman
2013 Mat Williamson
2014 Mat Williamson
2015 Chad Brachmann

To reach Merrittville Speedway call 905-892-8266 or via e mail – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Merrittville Speedway is located at 2371 Merrittville Highway in Thorold Ontario.

For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 65th Consecutive Season in 2016 – 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

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2016 65th 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, Yager Bros Trucking, Rev’s Full Throttle Powersports, Hoosier Tire Canada and Van Raine Construction 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, Inc., is the world leader in the production high performance oils, fuel treatments and problem solving additives with the largest variety of shelf products of any oil company in North America. Lucas Oil’s premium formulas are marketed worldwide and retail at more than 40,000 auto parts stores across the continent and at virtually every truck stop across Canada.

Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favourite automotive retailer or maintenance center including Kala’s Home Hardware, St. Catharines Discount Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage.