RANDY CHRYSLER DANCES TO SURPRISE WIN AT MERRITTVILLE
THOROLD, ON - August 23 — The instant Randy Chrysler took the checkered flag after Merrittville Speedway’s 35-lap modified main Saturday, was the first indication he’d won the race.
After making his customary roof-top victory dance amid the cheers of over 3,000 fans, the Tuscarora, N.Y. mod rookie came to earth befuddled, finding it hard to believe he’d won his second local track feature.
After starting back in 14th, Chrysler poured the coals in the late going and was up to fourth with five laps to go.
Paul Ashton, leading since shaking free of Boyd MacTavish at the Lap 13 restart when ducking low at Turn 2, seemed destined for his first win, before slowing on the white-flag lap.
That set up a minor chain reaction slow down for Rick Richner, in second, and Jason Boyle close behind.
But when the dust settled, Chrysler was the man with Pete Bicknell following the leader for another surprise — second.
“I wasn’t sure who was leading,” said Chrysler, surrounded by his entire family. “I just got by a couple of guys when Ashton slowed to improve my position — as it turns out, for the lead.”
Bobby Davidson scored his second sportsman win, getting by Adam Ferri at the mid-point of the 25 lapper to win the Silvr7 (note, correct spelling) Racing Award in honour of the late Bill Willard Sr.
“I watched Adam’s line and knew if I kept my cool, I could get by,” said Davidson in victory lane, clutching his young son. “I was only concerned about staying in front at the restart.”
Ferri settled for second, while John McKenney clawed his way to third. Martin Pohill, back in action after a few season’s lay off, netted his best finish in fourth.
Rick Champigny entered the winner’s circle for the first time in three years of street stock toiling, getting by early leader Mike Dooley. and staying there.
Dooley made a strong challenge to regain the point. But fell to third when point leader Dolf McCready, mired in the 20-car pack at the start, slipped by for second.
“Mike gave me a good fight tonight,” said an elated Champigny after the 15 lapper. “I payed attention to my racing line and picked my marks and tried to keep the car in one piece.”
Rick Brubacker also became a first-time dwarf car winner, leading the entire distance. Filing in behind after the 15 lap skirmish were the Billing cousins, Scott and defending champ Wally.
After slipping in mid season and losing the title lead to Glen Leinen a few weeks ago, Norm Mark evaded Leinen and Doug Erskine to lead the entire 15 lap distance.
Charlene Dooley broke the ladies series title tie and was crowned champ after holding off Christine Porter all eight laps.
“This is something I really worked for,” said Dooley, after being presented with a bouquet of roses from visiting formula ford driver Ashley Taws.
I told Mike (her husband) I wasn’t taking it easy. I was going for it!”
ASHLEY TAWS TAKES A RIDE IN BICKNELL’S 2004X
Ashley Taws came to Merrittville Speedway Saturday, brought her pink “Be Anything With Barbie” formula Ford racer to the delight of hundreds of children and drove Pete Bicknell’s 600 h.p. modified racer.
Taws, 19 of Newmarket, ON was seriously injured in a road crash last December, cutting short her second season in the Canadian Formula Ford Championship. She returned to the track at last month’s Toronto Molson Indy beating doctors recovery time frame by at least three weeks.
Taking several exploratory laps driving the track’s packer truck with co-speedway owner Pete Bicknell, the crew fitted her in his new 2004X Bicknell racer.
With Bicknell shadowing her in Dan Miller’s mod for Taws’ eight laps of dirt track driving, she clearly got a handle on the car and track.
“Oh man, this was awesome,” said an excited Taws soon after climbing out of the No. 42.
“I didn’t really know what to expect out there. I knew it had a lot of power. I just gunned it down the straight and I was lifting a little early for the corner. Once I got the car rotated in the corner I just hit the gas hard again.”
By the fifth circuit, Taws was sliding through the turns and said driving the modified was totally opposite to her 110 h.p. FF racer.
“If I was in the car for like 20 laps, I would have had a ball. I would have almost like been putting it in the wall.”
Taws began her career driving karts 10 years ago and plans a Formula 2000 effort next season. She currently sits seventh in Formula Ford standings, despite missing the first three races.
“She’s a racer,” declared Bicknell after Taws’ test drive, obviously impressed with her racing savvy. “It isn’t easy to drive these cars, and she proved that with a little more seat time, she’d be competitive.”
“Oh yes, I’d love to try this again,” said Taws, who now heads for Mont Tremblant, Que. next month for the final FF round.
— Bruce Bonham
Modified (35 laps): RANDY CHRYSLER, Pete Bicknell,. Rich Richner, Jason Boyle, Larry Lampman, Todd Gordon, Richie Vinson, Don Spatorico, Jamie Turner, Fred Carleton, Brian Stevens, Boyd MacTavish, Dan Miller, Rob Pietz, Chris Ricker, Gary Kruchka, Dwayne Winfield, Pete Cosco, Paul Ashton, Kenny Winfield, Brad Gravestock.
Heats: 1. Paul Ashton; 2. Boyd MacTavish; 3. Pete Cosco.
Sportsman (25 laps): BOBBY DAVIDSON, Adam Ferri, John McKenney, Martin Polhill, Tim Jones, Mark Ward, Wayne Conn, Billy Willard, Billy Sage, (1j) Bill Bleich, Paul Gaboury, Darren Zumpe, Dennis Giancola, Mike Kruchka, Don Spiece, Doug Spiece, Able Webster, Chad Chevalier.
Heats: 1.Mike Ward; 2. Bobby Davidson.
Street Stocks (15 laps): RICK CHAMPIGNY, Dolf McCready, Mike Dooley, Ed Fargnoli, Rob Murray, Kirk Wilson, Peter Reid, Rick Simons, Dave Gifford, Gerry Deschamps, Paul Plante, Carl Saunders, Terry Larmet, Steve Shoop, Greg Ayres, Shawn Emery, John Johnson, Ron Kingsbury, John Overholt.
Heats: 1. Peter Reid; 2. Mike Dooley.
Dwarf Cars (15 laps): RICK BRUBACKER, Scott Billing, Wally Billing, Wayne Robins, Jeff Johnson, Dave Ackler, Ray Webber, Kelly Mason, Ken Robins, Rob Knapp, Bob Breden, Dave Arnold, Ken Knapp, Chris Rimmen, Ken Scott, Nol King, Mark Brighton, Derek Breden.
Heats: 1.Rick Brubacker; 2. Ray Webber.
Four Cylinder (15 Laps): NORM MARK, Glen Leinen, Doug Erskine, Bob Wagner, Dan Erskine, Mike Evers, Paul Klager, Mike Giberson, Mike Brooker, Alex Wheeldon, Larry Erskine, Roger Shenstone, Rick Beales, Trevor Goulding, Bob Brown.
Heats: 1. Norm Mark; 2. Paul Klager.
Ladies Series (8 laps): CHARLENE DOOLEY (champion), Christine Porter, Karen Kocarik
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CALL MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY - 905-892-8266 - or visit our Web site: www.merrittvillespeedway.com