FIRST TIME WINNERS BEAT THE RAIN AT MERRITTVILLE
Thorold, Ontario … Merrittville Speedway celebrated Mother's Day Eve with a great card of racing that saw six drivers reach victory lane for the first time of the 2002 season May 11th. Prior to race time light rain delayed the start and through some of the night including the 358 feature - a light drizzle did not effect the night's action.
Pete Bicknell rebounded from opening night problems to take the 358 Modified feature while Rob Pietz earned top honors in the Sportsmen event. Other first time winners of the new season were Mike Ward (Pro Stock), Dave Russell (Dwarf), and Rob Murray (Street Stock). Charlene Dooley also won for the first time in the first Ladies Race of 2002.
"I've really got to thank the crew," relates perennial point champion Pete Bicknell in the rain in Victory Lane, adding, " the guys and (engine builder) Joe Fioravanti … they all worked hard and got our opening night problems sorted out."
Pete BicknellPete Cosco was first to lead the 35 lap 358 Feature before second generation driver Todd Gordon took control on the second circuit. The up and coming driver set the pace in the early stages until a caution on lap 11 slowed the field. Rookie Scott Kreutter of Buffalo made heavy contact with the front-stretch wall just before the start-finish line.
On the restart the new leader was Pete Bicknell. Bicknell who started in twelfth made quick work of the field - blasting to the runner-up spot by lap 5. Scott Wood was also on the move early and followed Bicknell to the runner-up spot after the restart.
While several drivers were battling for the runner-up spot - Gordon, Wood and sophomore driver Greg Panunte - Bicknell began to pull away from the pack through increasing lap traffic.
At the checkered flag, Pete Bicknell won in convincing fashion with almost a half lap lead over Todd Gordon who made a late race charge to take second. Greg Panunte took third spot while Wood settled for fourth. Rookie Chad Brachmann rounded out the top 5 while Rob Krull, Jamie Turner, Paul Ashton, opening night feature winner Brian Stevens and Larry Lampman closed out the top 10.
The start of the 25 lap Sportsmen feature was a battle of rookies with front row starters Darren Zumpe and Bill Bleich sharing the lead in the early going. Zumpe set the pace for the first two laps before caution slowed the field on lap 2. The restart saw Bleich in control before sophomore driver Rob Knapp took control on lap 4.
Rob PietzWhile the newcomers were racing for top spot, veteran Rob Pietz was on a charge to the front from 11th spot at the start with sophomore driver Adam Ferri in tow. The two swapped the runner-up spot several times until Pietz took control of top on lap 9. Ferri then became the new leader on lap 10. Back and forth for a number of laps the two swapped the lead before Pietz found a clear advantage by lap 18. Through to the finish it was Pietz out front with Ferri settling for second. From 10th starting spot Bob Davidson had a great outing to take third while opening night winner Boyd MacTavish and early leader Rob Knapp closed out the top 5. John McKenney, Ken Cosgrove in the Brian Elliotson #30, Jeff Leggat, Shawn Sliter and Gary Kruchka completed the top 10.
Sean Keus was first to lead the Pro Stock feature. Keus was the leader until the 5th circuit when Mike Ward took over top spot. With Ward setting the pace, Keus kept the runner-up spot until his 7s fell off the pace on lap 12.
With Ward out front, the runner-up was Butch Zimmerman with Dan Gilbert, Steve Devos and Joe Lemyre as the top 5. Rick Baker, Nick Micallef, Brian Halliwell, Keus and Bill Wade rounded out the top 10.
Mike WardChris Rimmen was first to lead the 15 lap Dwarf Car Feature until Wally Billings took control on the third lap. Billings set the pace until lap 10 when former division champion Dave Russell took control. Russell in his first outing of the season was unstoppable in the run to the checkered with opening night winner Dave Ackler making a charge to take the runner-up spot. Billings settled for third with Wayne Robins and Bill Perry closing out the top 5. 31, Rimmen, Nol King, Kelly Mason and John Wrobel rounded out the top 10.
Rob Murray made the best of a front starting spot in leading all 15 laps of the Street Stock feature. #5 also made the best of it in taking the runner-up spot. Greg Ayers charged from 10th spot to take third while Aaron Vasas and #45 closed out the top 5. Gerry Deschamps, Kirk Wilson, Jason Fontaine, Rick Simons and Paul Plante rounded out the top 10.
The first Ladies Race of the season saw Kathy Rodgers in the Chris Ellis Street Stock as the leader at the start of the 8 lap event. Rodgers set the pace until Charlene Dooley took control on lap 4. Rodgers stormed back to the top spot on lap 6 with Dooley regaining top spot on the final lap for the win in her husband Mike Dooley's 310C. Dooley was followed by Rodgers, Danielle Landry in the Gerry Deschamps F30 and M.J. Reid in her son Peter Reid's 05. Julie Davidson in the Russ Davidson 53 was unable to start.
The Victoria Day Doubleheader kicks off with The Tribune presenting Carrier Night featuring racing in all divisions in May 18th's Family Fun Night. On track action will also feature a Briggs & Stratton Junior Kart exhibition, a Big Car Demolition Derby and Kid's Club activities. Racing concludes Monday Night with the 50 lap John Spencer Memorial 358 Main event plus Sportsmen, Street Stocks and the first 4 Cylinder event of the season and Fireworks. Gates open for each event at 5:30 with racing at 7:30. For further information call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com