STEVENS WINS 52-LAP JERRY WINGER MEMORIAL CLASSIC
by Bruce Bonham
THOROLD, ON - July 19 — While the Merrittville Speedway celebrated it’s 52nd anniversary Saturday, veteran modified driver Brian Stevens and his crew had reason to conduct their own festivities.
Stevens, a two-time mod champ (1982-1992), and his crew chief father Ray among the first Merrittville racers in 1951, led the entire 52-lap distance to win the prestigious Jerry Winger Memorial classic
After two consecutive rain outs, Stevens savored his first feature win with over 3,500 race-starved fans and said it was a great victory for him on a great night.
“This was a very physical race for me tonight,” said Stevens, who severely injured his hand last October in an industrial accident.
“A couple times I had to ride the cushion (high side of the track), and it was hard to drive off. I don’t have the strength in this hand, so my one arm’s tired, the other one is sore.”
Stevens trip to victory wasn’t an out-front cruise, thanks to point leader Larry Lampman’s strong bid to pass the No. 44.
“Larry got up beside me a couple of times, but I knew I had to concentrate - we did that. The track tonight was just awesome,” he said.
Settling back to second, Lampman then see-sawed the position with a hard charging co-speedway owner Pete Bicknell — also smarting from a burned hand resulting from a lawnmower refueling accident earlier in the day — who finally made second place stick with five laps left.
Richie Vinson of Sanborn, N.Y., driving Bicknell’s spare car after damage the previous night at Ransomville, finished a solid fourth. In the closing laps, Dan Miller got by Boyd MacTavish for fifth.
Wayne Conn’s sportsman dominance continued as he racked up his sixth 25-lap feature win.
Conn, who’s also won three mains at Ohswegan Speedway, caught up to leader, rookie Dereck Lemyre — driving his 2002 racer — and after a few laps’ bumper-to-bumper dueling, made the winning pass on Lap 21.
“We’ve been helping Dereck with his car and he’s got a good chance of picking one up this year,” Conn said. “We got another motor coming next week.”
Adam Ferri of Fort Erie worked his way from deep in the 25-car pack to take third. Billy Willard was fourth, ahead of Ransomville Friday winner Stewart Friesen.
Mike Dooley seemed destine for his first win of the season after running up front all season. He led the 15-lap street stock main, but headed for the pits, out after nine circuits.
Defending champ Kirk Wilson inherited the point, ending up ahead of series leader Dolf McCready, who scrambled to third from starting 14th. Kevin Kocarik took third.
After a splendid dwarf car, up-front battle between Wayne Robins and Ray Webber, defending little car champ Scott Billing roared off Turn 2 to pass Robbins on the final lap to win his first. Webber settled for third after the 15 laps.
Once Robbie Rounce got the lead over Tom Beales in the four cylinder 15-lap clash, he cruised to his first win. Championship contenders, Norm Mark and Glen Leinen stayed on the leader board filing in behind Beales.
Al Harju of Caledonia won the special vintage 12 lap race in his restored 1938 Chevy coupe.
RESULTS
Modified (52 laps):BRIAN STEVENS, Pete Bicknell, Larry Lampman, Richie Vinson, Dan Miller, Boyd MacTavish, Rick Richner, Randy Chrysler, Scott Wood, Kenny Winfield, Mark Goulding, Rob Pietz, Paul Ashton, Pete Cosco, Jamie Turner, Brad Gravestock, Don Turner, Dwayne Winfield, Mike Kruchka, Chris Ricker, Greg Rauscher, Brad Rouse, Todd Gordon, Robbie Krull.
Heats:1. Dan Miller; 2. Robbie Krull; 3. Rob Pietz.
Sportsman (25 laps):WAYNE CONN, Dereck Lemyre, Adam Ferri, Billy Willard, Stewart Friesen, Don Spiece, John McKenney, Tim Jones, Bob Davidson, Mike Ward, Darren Zumpe, Darrell Ebersole, Chad Chevalier, Joe Meisel, Dennis Giancola, Billy Bleich, Paul Gaboury, Paul Cunningham, Dave Flannigan, Blair Young, Martin Pohill, Kevin Sharpe, Dean Hoffman, Doug Spiece.
Heats:1. Mike Ward; 2. John McKenney; 3. Dereck Lemyre
Street Stocks (15 laps): KIRK WILSON, Dolf McCready, Kevin Kocarik, Carl Saunders, Ron Kingsbury, Peter Reid, Rob Murray, Gerry Deschamps, Greg Ayres, John Johnson, Russ Davidson, Terry Larmet, Rick Champigny, Ed Fargnoli, 68, Wayne Paquette, Dave Gifford, Mike Dooley.
Heats:1. Mike Dooley; 2. Carl Saunders;
Dwarf Cars (15 laps): WALLY BILLING, Wayne Robbins, Ray Webber, Dave Russell, Dave Ackler, Scott Billing, Ken Robins, Justin Sharp, Chris Rimmen, Nol King, Rob Knapp, Kellie Mason, Jeff Johnson, John Wrobel, Mark Brighton, Jason Corless, Rick Brubacker, Bob Breden, Derek Breden.
Heats: 1. Chris Rimmen; 2. Wally Billing.
Four Cylinder (15 Laps): ROBBIE ROUNCE, Tom Beales, Norm Mark, Glen Leinen, Trevor Goulding, Dan Stewart, Paul Klager, Lee Winger, Mike Giberson, Dave Margin, 23, Alex Wheeldon, Mark Swayze, Gord Bates, Larry Erskine, Rob Wagner, Dave Bitner
Heats:1. Dan Stewart; 2.Glen Leinen.
HURST WILSON NAMES TO MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY WALL OF FAME
Legendary modified driver Fred Hurst and veteran racer, car owner and broadcaster Gordy Wilson of Ransomville, N.Y. were inducted into Merrittville Speedway’s Wall of Fame Saturday.
Hurst began his racing career in 1953 with his innovative father Harry, winning championships in 1965 and 1967 with his immaculately-prepared, Corvette powered No.35s.
“This has been an out-and-out pleasure for me tonight. Just great coming back here seeing my old buddies — just a great honour getting this thing,” said Hurst who admitted he hadn’t been to the speedway in 25 years.
Wilson’s 60-year involvement in the sport ended just last year as long-time Merrittville announcer — noted for his “They’re stacking ‘em up like cord wood.” retort during big wrecks. He also hosted his Pit Stop radio show for 30 years.
“When I worked here I always knew in advance who the Wall of Fame recipients were,” said a visibly emotional Wilson. “This track is more home to me even though I live in Ransomville. The people here have just been great over the years.”
The championship board, introduced by former owner Bryant Irvine in 1991 was re-dedicated and will be prominent at the speedway among the Wall of Fame posters.
“The 52nd Nostalgia Night was probably a real epitome for us, especially with Brian Stevens winning the feature and his families involvement here going back to 1952,” said reunion chairman Rick Kavanagh, declaring the entire evening with over 300 track alumni present, a huge success.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CALL MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY - 905-892-8266 - or visit our Web site: www.merrittvillespeedway.com.