BICKNELL AND DOOLEY DOUBLE UP AT MERRITTVILLE

Thorold, Ontario … August 17th…St. Catharines drivers Pete Bicknell and Mike Dooley doubled up at Merrittville Speedway August 17th as both drivers won both their events in the 358 Modified and Street Stock divisions respectively. Rob Pietz, Jeff Dayman and Jeff Isabelle also found the race line with these drivers returning to Victory Lane in the Sportsmen, Pro Stock and Dwarf Car divisions in the night presented by Molson Canadian, Raceline Radio Network and local affiliate CJRN 710. In the second Spectator Race of the season, Fred Korten won over a large number of entries.

The night of action featured a new exciting event for the 358 Modifieds - a Dash for Cash - featuring heat winners and a car drawn from each heat from the qualified cars. Heat winners Greg Panunte, Brian Stevens and Rick Richner would face Scott Wood, Pete Cosco and Pete Bicknell in the 6 lap event presented by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Lions Club. When the checkered flag fell, Pete Bicknell was in the winner's circle with Richner, Panunte, Stevens, Wood and Cosco following in that order with the six drivers splitting the $1500 pot.

On behalf of the Dash Competitors, Merrittville Speedway would like to thank Glen Rolston for all his efforts and support of this event.

On to the 358 Modified feature and it was Brian Stevens who out-raced fellow front-row starter Ken Winnfield to the initial lead. Stevens pulled away to a 10 car lead before a multi-car incident on lap 7 slowed the field with the red flag eventually brought out to clear the track. The restart had Stevens out front once again with two other incidents again slowing the pace.

A lap 13 restart saw Stevens being challenged by fellow second generation driver Scott Wood with Stevens finding the advantage and top spot into turn 2. With Stevens and Wood battling for top spot, Rick Richner and Pete Bicknell would join the lead pack with the four pulling away from the field by the halfway point.

Stevens' pace unfortunately slowed on lap 22 in turn 2 with the two-time 2002 winner pulling into the pits. With the race under green, Scott Wood was the new leader. By lap 25 Wood had built up a lead of some 10 car lengths but was now coming into lap traffic. This allowed Pete Bicknell to close in and along the backstretch of lap 28 Bicknell was the new leader.

Wood never lost sight of top spot and battled to regain control along the front-stretch of lap 30. Bicknell resumed the lead along the backstretch and set the pace through to the finish.

In what was his 4th straight win and 8th of the season, Pete Bicknell remarked after being reminded of his impending 16th track title, "… we come to win … the points just come from that … it's the crew that puts me here … consistency is our key to our success."

Scott Wood made one last final turn move to try and overtake Bicknell almost losing control of his car but was able to regain momentum for a fine second place finish. Jamie Turner had another strong run to take third while Rick Richner and Rob Krull closed out the top 5.

Heat 1: Greg Panunte

Heat 2: Brian Stevens

Heat 3: Rick Richner

Final: Pete Bicknell, Scott Wood, Jamie Turner, Rick Richner, Rob Krull, Greg Panunte, Chad Brachmann, Ken Winfield, Chris Ricker, Pete Cosco, Don Turner, Dwayne Winfield, Scott Kreutter, Brian Stevens, Larry Lampman, Brad Rouse, Paul Ashton, Todd Gordon

With the Street Stocks in the spotlight in Twin 12 lap events, Rookie JT Miller was first to lead the first event. Just before the halfway point, Miller had run away to a 5 car lead before caution slowed the field on lap 6. Mike Dooley had come from 4th starting spot to challenge for the lead before the caution but on the restart it was Miller out front. Another caution slowed the field on lap 8 with Miller again setting the pace on the restart.

Dooley resumed the challenge between turns 1 & 2 finally taking spot along the backstretch. Just as Dooley took control his pace was also slowed for caution. The restart had Dooley out front and in the dash to the checkered flag - the 'Candy Man' opened up a 5 car advantage on the field.

Aaron Vasas made a late race charge to take the runner-up spot with Miller settling for third. Kirk Wilson and Dolph McCready closed out the top 5.

In Victory Lane Dooley would have to draw a number to reset the field for the nightcap and so it would be the top 15 that would be inverted.

"It was an awesome track," remarked Dooley in Victory Lane for the second time of the night, adding, " and starting from 15th I didn't know where we'd finish up but somehow we missed all the wrecks I guess I've got to thank Lady Luck tonight."

After a mix-up on the start of the second Street Stock 12 lapper, Ron Kingsbury was the leader before caution would slow the field on lap 2. Greg Ayers was the new leader on the restart before Kirk Wilson took control along the front stretch of lap 5, as caution would slow the field once again. Wilson's pace would again be slowed on lap 6 after a multi-car incident in turn 4. Once again Wilson resumed control of top spot.

Wilson would slow along the backstretch of lap 9 with the new leader Mike Dooley. Through to the finish Dooley set the pace with Dolph McCready, Aaron Vasas, Ed Fargnoli, and Kirk Wilson as the top 5.

Heat 1: Dave Dykstra

Heat 2: JT Miller

Final: First - Mike Dooley, Aaron Vasas, JT Miller, Kirk Wilson, Dolph McCready Tim Buck, Kevin Kocarik, Ed Fargnoli, Barry Blanchard, Rob Esliger, Joe Passero, Jerry Deschamps, Greg Ayers, Ron Kingsbury, Steve Fortin, 77, Chris Ellis, Russ Davidson, Rob Murray, Rich Champigny, Peter Reid, 88, Dave Dykstra, Paul Plante.

Final: Second - Mike Dooley, Dolph McCready, Aaron Vasas, Ed Fargnoli, Kirk Wilson, Russ Davidson, Barry Blanchard, Rich Champigny, Rob Esliger, Chris Ellis, JT Miller, Steve Fortin, Kevin Kocarik, Jerry Deschamps, Greg Ayers, Ron Kingsbury, Joe Passero, Tim Buck, 88, Peter Reid.

Pole sitter Rob Knapp was first to lead the 25 lap Sportsmen feature with an early caution slowing the field. Knapp set the pace on the restart with Adam Ferri challenging by lap 5. Ferri took control in turn 2 of lap 7 with Boyd MacTavish taking the runner-up spot in the same spot on lap 8. MacTavish and Knapp would come together slowing the field once again with Ferri in control once again.

Chad Chevalier would take top spot in turn 2 after a lap 9 restart before the field was slowed once again on lap 11. Chevalier set the pace but Rob Pietz soon took over top spot. Yet another caution on lap 13 cut quite a lead that Pietz had opened up on the field. Pietz resumed control on the restart and by lap 15 Pietz and then runner-up MacTavish had ran away to a 10 car lead on the field. One final caution on lap 18 saw Pietz in control once again.

Through to the finish Pietz was followed by MacTavish and Chevalier with Wayne Conn and Adam Ferri closing out the top 5.

Heat 1: Adam Ferri

Heat 2: Gary Kruchka

Final: Rob Pietz, Boyd MacTavish, Chad Chevalier, Wayne Conn, Adam Ferri, Brad Malloy, Bob Davidson, Jeff Leggett, Bill Bleich, Paul Cunningham, John McKenney, Rob Knapp, Guy Bougie, Bill Willard, Gary Kruchka

Veteran Jeff Dayman out-raced rookie pole-sitter Jay Tries to lead the 15 lap Pro Stock feature - pulling away to a 5 car lead before caution slowed the field on lap 3. Once again Dayman resumed control of top spot - pulling away to a comfortable margin. With Dayman out front, the race was for runner-up spot with Shawn Keus challenging Derek Lemyre. On lap 12 Keus took over second spot but ran out of laps to challenge Dayman.

In Victory Lane for the second time of 2002, Dayman was followed by Keus, Lemyre, Steve Devos and Mike Ward.

Heat: Jeff Dayman

Final: Jeff Dayman, Shawn Keus, Derek Lemyre, Steve Devos, Mike Ward, Danny Gilbert, Jay Tries, Rick Baker.

After a Memorial Service earlier in the day for Rose Webber - wife of two-time Dwarf Champion Lee Webber - the Dwarf Cars took to the track with Bob Bredin first to lead the 15 lap feature - Bredin set the pace until lap 3. 12 took the lead at that point. Dan Williams led for about 10 laps before Jeff Isabelle took control with two laps to go. Isabelle - all the way from Syracuse NY and a two-time 2002 winner at Merrittville earned his third of the season with rookie Scott Billing and Wally Billing as the top three. Dave Ackler and Dan Williams closed out the top 5.

Heat 1: Scott Billing

Heat 2: Jeff Isabelle

Final: Jeff Isabelle, Scott Billing, Wally Billing, Dave Ackler, Dan Williams, Bill Perry, Mark Brighton, Wayne Robins, 67, Derek Bredin, Bob Bredin, Nol King, 17, Doug Summerhayes, Eric Dadonna, Kellie Mason, Mike Green, John Wrobel, Greg Belyea

Join us at Merrittville Saturday August 4th as Competition Speed Supply presents a full racing program featuring the 358 Modifieds, Sportsmen, Pro Stocks and Street Stocks plus the 4 Cylinder cars. Action will also feature a return visit from Doug Rose's Green Momba Jet Car. Gates open at 5:30 with the first heat at 7:30. For further information call 905-892-8266 or visit merrittvillespeedway.com.