FIRST -TIMERS WILLARD , ZUMPE AND JOHNSON CRUISE TO VICTORIES AT MERRITTVILLE
Thorold, Ontario ... Race Fans enjoyed a Cruise through Niagara as part of Rust Check's Night at the Thorold track while select drivers cruised to Victory Lane - some for the first time in the racing night-cap.
Winning his first ever Street Stock feature was Darren Zumpe while defending Sportsmen Champion Tammy Willard finally made her initial '99 trip to the winner's circle. Also making his first visit to Victory Lane was Jeff Johnson in the Dwarf Car Division. Multi-time winners saw both Ken Sargent and Pete Bicknell notch another checkered flag in the win column in the Pro Stock and Modified divisions respectively.
Ken Walsh and Dean Ferri led the 23 car Sportsmen feature to the green flag at the start of the 25 lap Feature with Walsh the early leader. Soon Ferri began to challenge Walsh for top spot which allowed Tammy Willard to join the race from third. Willard eventually pulled alongside Walsh and took control of the lead on lap 7. Caution would slow the field on lap 8 for two separate incidents with Willard regaining control on the restart. Lots of racing was taking place behind Willard but she was able to build a comfortable lead with Greg Panunte and Dean Ferri battling for the runner-up spot. A second caution would slow the field on lap 22 after Randy Chrysler came to a stop with a broken oil line in turn 4. On the restart Willard was able to open up a comfortable lead once again on the field - stretching her margin of victory to almost 1/2 a straight-away at the finish.
The Victory for Willard - who won her first Merrittville Sportsmen Title last season - was her first of the season.
Dean Ferri would have his best showing of his late start to the year to take the runner-up spot with Greg Panunte settling for third. Chad Brachman and Garry Moreash would close the top 5 with Rob Kott, Bill Podwinski, Bill Willard, Fred Carleton and Ken Taylor as the top 10.
The start of the 35 lap Modified feature saw Joe Kubiniec out race Harry Sittler to the early lead with Joe Middlemiss also on the move in the early laps. Middlemiss eventually took over the runner-up spot and soon challenged the leader. The 'Joe Show' saw each driver running high or low in quite a battle for top spot. By lap 13 it was Kubiniec with the advantage with Scott Wood also closing in on the two leaders. A caution would slow the field on lap 15 with Middlemiss in control on the restart. A real battle for the runner-up spot Kubiniec, Scott Wood and now Jim Begolo three wide for second.. As the race neared the 10 to go mark another driver on the move was Pete Bicknell. By lap 27 Bicknell was in the runner-up spot from starting last on the field with caution on lap 28 slowing his run to the front. Middlemiss resumed control on the restart with Bicknell challenging with another caution on lap 29 slowing the rookie and the veteran both. Middlemiss ran the outside to regain top spot on the restart but the lanes switched with Bicknell cruising the high line to take the lead on lap 32.
Bicknell ran to a 5 car advantage at the checkered flag for the win with Joe Middlemiss settling for second place - the best of his rookie season. Scott Wood had his best showing of the year in taking third while Jim Begolo and Rick Richner closing out the top 5. Larry Lampman, Don Spatarico, Harry Sittler, Joe Kubiniec and Don Turner rounded out the top 10.
The 15 lap Pro Stock feature saw Todd Zelichowski and Herb Hunter side by side in a battle for top spot until Hunter found the advantage on lap 2. A caution on lap 5 would slow the pace with Tom Walker the new leader on the restart. Just before half-way Ken Sargent began to challenge Walker fo the lead but it wasn't until a restart after a lap 9 caution that Sargent took control. Through to the finish Sargent opened up a lead of some 12 car lengths over Tom Walker with Don Spiece, Brian Halliwell and Ron Reece filling out the top 5. Bill Bleich, Todd Zelichowski, Shawn Keus, Herb Hunter, Chris Buttigieg and 10 closed out the finishing order.
Bill Perry and Nol King set the pace at the start of the 15 lap Dwarf Car feature with King quickly taking control of top spot. Dave Russell was the new leader by lap 2 with Jeff Johnson also on the move - taking the lead by lap 4. Lap 5 saw a caution slow the incredible race for top spot with Johnson in control once again when racing resumed. By lap 10 Johnson stretched his lead to some 10 car lengths on the field. Caution again on lap 14 slowed his pace after John Wrobel experienced engine problems. On the restart Howard Manges also developed engine trouble and was able to coast into the pit area with out slowing the one lap dash to the finish. Johnson enjoyed a 7 car lead at the finish over Dave Russell with Bill Perry third. Mike Green and Lee Webber closed out the top 5 while Ray Webber, Frank Blajzczak, Dale Brenkus, Howard Manges and John Wrobel as the top 10.
Greg Ayers and Darren Zumpe would make up the front row at the start of the 12 lap Street Stock feature with Zumpe taking control quickly. Lloyd Cichocki was one driver on the move in the early stages chasing down Zumpe but by lap 5 it was still the St. Catharines driver out front. By lap 7 a 4 car battle for third spot was developing between Alex Whalen, Bruce Colbert, Chris Crawford and Dave Gifford. While all this was going on behind the front runners, Cichocki was challenging Zumpe for top spot - taking control on lap 9. Zumpe was quick to mount a challenge though and by lap 10 had regained the top spot and led the way to his first ever win.
Alex Whalen made a late race charge to take the runner-up spot with Lloyd Cichocki settling for third. Chris Crawford and Dave Gifford closed out the top 5 while Chuck Martin, Todd Saunders, Bruce Colbert, Mike Stevenson and Aaron Vasas rounding out the top 10.
Action continues Saturday July 24th with Modern Landfill presenting the Speedway's 48th Annual Reunion Night. Merrittville Speedway's Reunion committee has over 400 guests - former drivers, crew members, car owners and sponsors confirmed for the event which is also being presented by Big Red Meats, Joey's Pizza, Star Gas, Enbridge Consumer's Gas, the Fonthill Kinsmen, and the Thompson Products Association.
On Track action will feature the Canadian Motor Racing Historical Society in addition to the 358 Modifieds, Sportsmen, Pro Stocks and Street Stocks. Race fans can also look forward to a growing Memorabilia Display as well as 1999 Inductions into the Wall of Fame. The night's Modified Feature winner will received the Jerry Winger Memorial Trophy - an award that has not been offered for some 30 years.
Gates for invited Alumni open at 5:00 in addition to the regular time of 5:30 for general grandstand and pit admission. Racing will start at 7:30. For further information call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.