VINSON BECOMES 1ST WINGER MEMORIAL WINNER IN OVER 30 YEARS AT MERRITTVILLE
By Alexis De Wolfe
Well it was another exciting night of racing at Merrittville Speedway as they are beginning to wind down the season. Lloyd Cichocki (8c) ran away with the win in the Street Stock class, while Jeff Johnson (63) held it together for the Dwarf Car feature win. Ken Sargent (25) made it an astonishing six in a row at Merrittville for his Pro Stock feature. There were two extra classes running on the track this weekend, the nostalgia cars and the ladies got to put in a showing. Bill Tripp (3) of the Canadian Motor Racing Historical Society won the 10-lap feature for the Nostalgia's while Darlene Gifford (34c) gave it her all in the Ladies Race, finishing well ahead of the rest of the pack. The Sportsman feature was exciting as Chad Brachman (3) made his way up from the back of the pack to take the checkered. Rich Vinson (93) held off an over eager Pete Bicknell (42) to take the win in the Modified feature. All of the action provided a great Fairview Mall Fan Appreciation Night and the Speedway would like to thank all the merchants that contributed such awesome prizes.
The Street Stocks were a little bit rowdy in their 12-lap feature, but what do you expect from a pack of 26 cars? Lloyd Cichocki (8c) took the lead from the start, but turn one turned into a smash up derby bringing out the first caution of the race on the first lap. Cichocki avoided being caught up in it and took his position for the restart. A second caution came out a lap later when Alex Whelan (57k) and Chris Crawford (4c) got together on the rail in turn four. Dave Gifford (34c) got collected in a mishap on lap six, leaving him with his right front tire a little skewed for the remainder of the race, but he did finish 15th after his little incident. Chuck Martin (3) gave chase but couldn't catch the leader. A caution on the ninth lap, almost saw Aaron Vasas (66) roll his car as he went off the berm in turn four, but he held it together and was able to bring it back onto the track. Cichocki held onto it for the win, followed by Martin, Whelan, Danny Gilbert (400) and Bruce Colbert (97) finished out the top five. Out of 26 starters only 15 cars managed to finish the 12-lap race.
Ray Webber (77) started the Dwarf feature with the lead, but Dave Russell (88) quickly moved up to take that lead away from him. Out of nowhere Jeff Johnson (63) moved up to challenge Russell for the lead. Joe Swatland (23) gave the fans a bit of a show as flames started shooting out of his car, but he kept his cool and the race finished without a caution. Johnson took the win followed by Russell, Lee Webber (17), Ray Webber (77), and Nol King (55) rounded out the top five.
The Pro Stock feature only had nine cars battle it out, but they still managed to put on a good show, with Ken Sargent (25) dominating the race. Tom Walker (81) had the lead on the first lap, but Todd Zelichowski (18) quickly moved up to take it from him on the fifth lap, only to have Sargent take it away from him on the back straightaway of the same lap. The pack got a little jumbled leaving Sargent with the win followed by Walker, Don Spiece (88), Herb Hunter (95) and Shaun Keus (7S) closing out the top five. Zelichowski fell back to sixth place and lost a tire as he was leaving the track.
Andy Imbeault (47) jumped to the early lead in the Sportsman 25-lap feature with Boyd MacTavish (7m) sitting on his back bumper, trying high and low to get around him but to no avail. Tim Lippsitt (29) lost control on his own in turn one on the fifth lap bringing out the first caution of the race. The pack was glued together on the restart causing a problem as a car was left on the rail on turn four, causing the need for yet another restart. Imbeault went a little high on the restart and lost position to Bill Willard (77jr). Chad Brachman (3) put the bulls eye on Imbeault and moved into second place on lap 11. Brachman managed to get around Willard on lucky lap number 13 and never looked back. Randy Chrysler (21k) had a little bit of a problem on lap 19 as flames started to shoot from the rear end of his car. He brought it to a stop on the front straightaway. Crews quickly moved in to extinguish the fire and they pushed the car off the track. Brachman ran away with the lead on the restart as Fred Carleton (96) moved up into third place from the back of the pack.
Brachman was the first to the checkered followed by Bill Willard, Carleton, Garry Moreash (124) and Greg Panunte (99p) as the top five.
Rob Krull (123) jumped to the lead at the start of the Modified feature, with Rich Vinson (93) hot on his tail. The pack started bunching up on the corners early in the race and something had to give. Scott Wood (38) spun himself out on the seventh lap, but got himself going again under his own power. Wood flew up the outside of the track picking up positions. Vinson took the lead on lap 14, and never checked his rear view mirror. Bicknell started flying through the pack after being involved in a couple of earlier incidents. Bicknell chased the leader down and managed to fall into second place, but just couldn't get around Vinson.
Vinson held it to the checkered, followed by Bicknell, Don Spatorico (65) who made an excellent showing, Brian Stevens (62) and Billy Krull (z1) rounded out the top five.
Nostalgia winner Bill Tripp (son of Hughie Tripp)
Nostalgia Night finally concluded with Billy Tripp winning the Vintage Car event. After several tries the Jerry Winger Memorial Trophy was finally awarded to the Modified feature winner Rich Vinson - his second victory of the season. The award now goes to the annual Nostalgia Night Modified feature winner presented by the Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee. Vinson joins previous winners George Winger, Bill Rafter, Ed Ortiz, Chuck Boos, Fred Hurst and Lloyd Holt. The Winger family were on hand to re-dedicate the award.
Rich Vinson shown here with the Winger family &Reunion Committee members.
Join us Saturday August 28th for a full card of racing in all divisions plus a Demolition Derby. Gates open at 5:30 with racing at 7:30. For further information call (905) 892-8266 or visit our website at www.merrittvillespeedway.com