ROBBIE KRULL HITS MERRITTVILLE PAY DIRT
by Bruce Bonham
Thorold, Ont. ... The “New” Merrittville Speedway’s era under the Pete Bicknell-Randy Williamson ownership was official green flagged Saturday, when Robbie Krull found himself in victory lane after 35 grueling laps.
The Lockport, N.Y. modified driver ended a local winning track drought, when slipping by Rich Richner on Lap 13.
“I watched Stewart Friesen’s sportsman win and noted how he got around the track tonight”. said the popular Krull amid the cheers of a near-capacity opening-night house pegged at 2,200 and relishing his first win here since 2001's 50-lap special. “I’ve got good equipment and it showed tonight,”
In arrears of the leader, the action was fierce as Scott Wood initially made runs at Krull, then Randy Chrysler appeared in the top three.
When the flag fell for the fourth re-start on Lap 33, Larry Lampman made the move of the night, skimming the Turn 2 rim to overhaul both Wood and Chrysler for a stunning second-place finish.
“I never had a chance to get in the groove I wanted to run until the end,” said Lampman. “Everybody’s so fast, the track was awesome and I was actually a little surprised I got by.”
Todd Gordon charged hard for fourth, just behind Chrysler of Tuscarora, N.Y. and Wood.
After blowing a tire while running a strong second at Ransomville Speedway Friday, Stewart Friesen considered his sportsman 25-lap win payback, finishing comfortably ahead of Wayne Conn and early leader Darrel Ebersole.
Surviving four re-starts, the 19-year-old Friesen, who’ll make Merrittville home track this season, clamber from his car and launched himself into the arms of his father, Jamie, after the emotional win.
While Friesen cruised up front, Conn, who started sixth, dispatched Ebersole on Lap 18, but had nothing for the leader. Greg Panunte tussled his way to third getting by Tim Jones of Hamburg, N.Y. and Billy Willard.
Rob Murray didn’t worry about racers behind him once his took the lead of the 15-lap street stock skirmish and led the distance.
“I knew Dolph (second place finisher McGready) was behind me, so I stepped up the pace a little, and here we are,” said an elated Murray.
With McGready a solid second, Mike Dooley hovered in third while Jerry Deschamps covered a lot of ground to finish fourth.
After towing his dwarf car in from Belleville, Greg Balyea took over the point when 2002 champ Wally Billing of Elmira entered Turn 1 too hot and left the speedway for the farmer’s field.
With Billing in the pits, Balyea fought off second placer finisher Wayne Robbins’ strong bid. Brother Ken Robbins of Welland motored to third.
Binbrook driver Glenn Leinen led the four cylinder gang – full time at Merrittville this season – from the get-go, but by Lap 6, Norm Mark showed up to lead the remaining nine circuits. Robbie Rounce of Caledonia charged past Leinen while Jeff Morris was flagged fourth.
Tail Pipes: Although the grandstands looked sparse when the first heat was flagged at the new time of 7 p.m., a half hour later fans were still pouring in for the chilly opener ... With former owner Bryant Irvine directing track preparation, all drivers lauded the perfectly-prepared surface ... As promised by new owners, fans where heading home after the final checkered flag at 9:50 p.m. Race director Bobby St. Amand, back in the tower after Jaime Friesen withdrew his interest in the track, said it was among the finest Merrittville opening nights.
RESULTS
Modified (35 laps): 1. Robbie Krull; 2. Larry Lampman; 3. Randy Chrysler; 4. Scott Wood; 5. Todd Gordon.
Heats: 1. Richie Vinson; 2. Rick Richner
Sportsman (25 laps): 1. Stewart Friesen; 2. Wayne Conn; 3. Darrel Ebersole; 4. Greg Panunte; 5. Adam Ferri.
Heats: 1. Wayne Conn; 2. Tim Jones; 3. Steward Friesen
Street Stocks (15 laps): 1. Rob Murray’ 2. Dolph McGready; 3. Mike Dooley; 4. Jerry Deschamps; 5. Peter Reid.
Heats: 1. Dolph McGready; 2. Mike Dooley
Dwarf Cars (15 laps): 1. Norm Mark; 2. Wayne Robbins; 3. Ken Robbins; 4. Ray Webber; 5. Mike Brubacker.
Heats: 1. Wally Billing; 2. Ray Webber
Four Cylinder (15 Laps): 1. Norm Mark; 2. Robbie Rounce; 3. Glenn Leinen; 4. Jeff Morris; 5. Doug Erskine.
Heats: 1. Glenn Leinen; 2. Norm Mark