Cody McPherson won the Rick's Delivery Sportsman Division 30 lap event. (Photo-Julie Davidson)
Fawcett wins first in Saunders Tribute
Thorold, Ontario – Hingston Metal Fabricators closed the month of July Saturday Night at Merrittville Speedway with Cody McPherson of St. Catharines and Leroy Buscumb of Port Colborne taking home wins in the 30 lap Tri Track Series Event for the Rick's Delivery Sportsman Division and the 2nd Round of the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Series rain-delayed from Semenuk's Esso Archer Truck Service Night.
Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series action also found two drivers winning their first features of 2014 – Canfield's Mark Fawcett in the Hoosier Stock Tribute to 1982 Bomber Division Points Champion Carl Saunders and Scott Wood of Thorold in the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Feature. Port Colborne's Josh Sliter closed out the Feature Winners – taking home the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature.
Second generation driver Gary Lindberg was first to lead Merrittville's final Tri Track Series Event for the Rick's Delivery Sportsman Division and right from the start of the 30 lap event began to distance himself from the field. By lap 10 – his margin over Austin Wood was a ¼ lap.
Unfortunately Lindberg was deemed to have jumped on the original start and would be put two spots on the first caution or the end of the race whichever came first. Debris in Turn 3 would slow the field on lap 15.
Cody McPherson and Austin Wood led the field back to green with McPherson having a slight advantage until Wood took control down the backstretch of lap 17. Wood, McPherson and Lindberg drove away from the field with Lindberg taking control of second on lap 20.
For the second time caution would slow the pace on lap 26 after the two leaders came together with McPherson back in top spot after the restart and cruised to his 4th win of the season.
James Friesen seemed to have solved his car problems from earlier in the night – rallying to finish second after starting at the tail of the field. Brent Begolo, Brad Rouse and Justin Sharp rounded out the top 5.
Rick's Delivery Sportsman Heat Winners were Rouse, Begolo and McPherson. Jordan Cosco won the Consolation.
The Tri Track Series for Merrittville, Humberstone and Ransomville Speedway's Sportsman Divisions concludes Friday August 8th at Ransomville and Sunday August 17th at Humberstone.
The Start of the Round 2 of the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Series had Leroy Buscumb and Jason Coutu take the field to the initial green flag but it wasn't until lap 2 that Buscumb had a clear advantage.
Coutu would stay with the opening round winner Buscumb until caution slowed the pace on lap 15. The two front runners would break away from the field on the restart with Buscumb still out front as the leader.
Behind them there was some three and four wide battling for positions and while the leaders were having their wn race – another one to watch was the race long challenge for third between defending Triple Crown Series Champion Tyler Lafantaisie and Rob Goulding.
At the checkered flag – Buscumb would hold a couple car length lead over Coutu for his third win with Goulding making a late race attack on Lafantaisie to take third. Evan Curtis would round out the top 5.
Evan Curtis, Chris Shepherd and Rob Goulding won the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Triple Crown Series Qualifying Heats while Jeremy Smith won the Consolation. The Series concludes on Avondale Food Stores Night Satuday August 16th.
With the flags at half mast in honor of Carl Saunders who passed away this past week, pole sitter and fellow Merritton resident Rob Murray left the top spot open in tribute to Saunders.
When the green flag dropped – Murray set the pace and right away was challenged by rookie Kyle Pelrine and Mark Fawcett. The trio were three wide until Fawcett took control – pulling away to a 5 car lead by lap 5.
Fawcett would lead the field into lap traffic at the half-way point but there was no slowing him in the caution free event – opening up a lead of almost a full straightaway lead at the finish over Kevin Knapp who made a late race charge to take the runner-up spot from Murray. Chris Crawford and Kyle Pelrine rounded out the top 5.
Jim Lampman also made a late race move after falling victim to an apparent flat tire. Lampman lost control of his car exiting Turn 4 on lap 19 and got back up to speed although in reverse down the front stretch. At the Start-Finish line he did a 180 spin and got pointed in the right direction.
Hoosier Stock Heat Winners were Peter Reid and Mark Fawcett.
Chad Chevalier led the field to the green flag of the 35 lap Feature for the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds until Scott Wood took control down the backstretch of the first lap.
Chevalier had closed in slightly on Wood on lap 8 in lap traffic before a lap 10 caution slowed the pace. With Wood back in control – the second generation driver opened up a 5 car lead by half-way.
Back into lap traffic on lap 25, one driver on the move was Mat Williamson who broke into to top 5. A final caution on lap 33 saw Wood's lead of some 10 car lengths go away with a 2 lap dash to the finish.
Wood would prevail with Williamson's late race charge taking him to the runner-up spot. Chevalier would settle for third with Mike Bowman and Ryan Susice closing out the top 5.
Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Heat Winners were Travis Miller, Todd Gordon and Scott Wood.
With Dylan Davidson first to lead the 15 lap Feature for the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites – the teenager was quickly challenged by another former Karter – rookie Chris Watson.
Watson would take the lead on lap 1 and set the pace until caution on lap 3. After the restart Watson himself would lose control of his car with another rookie – Rob Misener the new leader.
To the half-way point with Misener in control – the upper body panel on his car was coming loose. A lap 8 caution would have Misener in top spot with Josh Sliter the new leader in turn 4 of lap 9. Through to the finish, Sliter would open up a lead of about a quarter lap over Misener, Watson, Davidson and Jeff May.
Rick Koabel and Dylan Davidson won the qualifying heats for the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites.
PIT NOTES
Tyler McPherson was named the latest Archer Truck Service Driver of the Week just prior to race time.
On behalf of the Saunders Family, Merrittville Speedway would like to thank the drivers that helped raise approximately $2300.00 to benefit the family and of course – the race fans, race teams and staff for their generosity.
UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY
Merrittville Speedway celebrates the Civic Holiday Weekend with a Double Header that kicks off when Tim Hortons presents David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series 30 lap Main Event Saturday August 2nd.
L. St. Amand Enterprises and St. Amand Auto and Truck Repair presents the 100 lap Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial Big Block Super DIRTcar Series Main Event on Monday August 4th in addition to another Hoosier Stock Duel on the Dirt Series Event and the final Ballhockey.com Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College..
The Grandstand Gates open at 5:30 on Saturday and at 4 on Monday. Showtime for both events is 7:00.
RICK'S DELIVERY DIRTcar SPORTSMAN FEATURE – (30 laps) Cody McPherson, James Friesen, Brent Begolo, Brad Rouse, Justin Sharp, Adam Leslie, Ryan Turner, Paul Gaboury, Rob Knapp, Jordan Cosco, Jay Mallory, Charlie Lynch, Gary Lindberg, Gord McIntosh, Robert Baker, Derick Hodge, Ray Hockridge, Joey Mastroianni, Tyler Anderson, Austin Wood, DNS – Paul Cunningham..
TURN 4 COLLISION 4 CYLINDER FEATURE (20 laps) Leroy Buscumb, Jason Coutu, Rob Goulding, Tyler Lafantaisie, Evan Curtis, Mike Sadusek, Sam Iftody, Dave Small, Rob Overholt, Katie Cosco, Chris Shepherd, Garnet Wilson, Kyle Haynes, Mike Giberson, Greg Wilson, Jeremy Smith, Kurtis Wiley, Alex Riley, Kourtney Kocarik, Kyle Rothwell.
HOOSIER STOCK FEATURE (20 laps) Mark Fawcett, Kevin Knapp, Rob Murray, Chris Crawford, Kyle Pelrine, Brad Sheehan, Billy Hogue, Pete Reid, Billy Bleich, Mason Smith, Chris Schneider, Jim Lampman, Marcel Michaud..
BOBCAT OF HAMILTON DIRTcar 358 MODIFIED FEATURE (35 laps) Scott Wood, Mat Williamson, Chad Chevalier, Mike Bowman, Ryan Susice, Chris Steele, Todd Gordon, Pete Bicknell, Tyler McPherson, Brandon Easey, Travis Miller, Robbie Krull, Tim Jones, Mark D'Ilario, Chad Brachmann, Fred Carleton, Shayne Pierce, Brett Clarke, Luke Skywalker, Ken Winnfield, Dave Flannigan, Jr., Tommy Flannigan..
J&S HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING MODIFIED LITE FEATURE (15 laps) Josh Sliter, Rob Misener, Chris Watson, Dylan Davidson, Jeff May, Evan Leonard, Marty deMoel, RJ Pietz, Mike Journeaux, Ray Sliter, Jr., Rick Koabel.
For all the news on Merrittville Speedway's 63rd Consecutive Season in 2014 – 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)
Join us this season on a Saturday Night for a LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Divisions with local heroes and up and coming new stars. Make your plans ... call your friends and enjoy a staycation at the speedway with plenty of free parking and camping spots – a night at the races is so much fun and so close to home!
MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2014 63rd Anniversary Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway's 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Bobcat of Hamilton, Rick's Delivery, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning, Hoosier Tire Canada and Turn 4 Collision 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.
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Look for Lucas Oil Products at your favorite automotive retailer or maintenance centre including B&C Truck Centre, Drummond Home Hardware, KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage