SWEET 16 FOR BEGOLO AND MIDDLEMISS AT MERRITTVILLE
Thorold, Ontario .5/18/98... Merrittville Speedway's Victory Lane continues to see new faces in the 1998 season and this week was no different. For Jim Begolo, Joe Middlemiss and Todd Gordon May 16th was 'Sweet 16' as the three drivers won their first features of the season in the 358 Modified, Sportsmen and Late Model Divisions. Rounding out the winners was Street Stock driver Alex Whalen with the natural Hat Trick - his third straight victory of the young season.
Fred Carleton was first to lead the 35 lap Modified feature with a lap 5 caution slowing the St. Catharines driver's pace. On the restart contact between the Carleton brothers - leader Fred and runner-up Luke created a chain reaction incident through the pack which involved several cars. Miraculously Fred was never slowed and on the restart set the pace until Begolo took control along the backstretch. Quickly Begolo pulled away to a 5 car lead which turned into 10 by lap 10. By lap 15 the gap was almost a half lap as Begolo led the field into slower lap traffic. A lap 18 caution for debris on the track slowed Begolo's incredible pace with the restart providing the leader with his first challenge.
"I could see Pete (Bicknell) beside me ... I really didn't want him to get by," relates Jim Begolo, adding, " so I may have picked up the pace a little."
Begolo found a fast groove high on the track with Bicknell trying to pass first high and then low. Bicknell took the lead out of turn 4 to complete lap 20 but Begolo was quick to return the challenge retaking the lead on the back-stretch. Bicknell unfortunately developed problems and slowed off the pace on lap 29 with a caution again slowing Begolo's incredible pace. A multi-car incident on the restart delayed the return to racing but when action resumed it was Begolo again out front with Alan Johnson the new challenger. Soon Begolo was able to open up a 10 car lead on the field with one final caution on lap 34 setting up a one lap dash to the checkered flag.
"I really didn't enjoy the last caution," confided Begolo, " I was really worried if I make it to the finish line first."
Alan Johnson tried to challenge Begolo, running the same high groove that brought Begolo success but at the finish Jim Begolo enjoyed a one car length advantage.
Alan Johnson settled for second with Rick Richner enjoying his best start of the year in third. Scott Wood made a late race charge to take fourth with Martin Polhill rounding out the top 5. Brian Stevens, Bill Willard, Wayne Conn, Don Martin and Fred Carleton closed out the top 10.
Joe Meisel was first to lead the 25 lap Sportsmen feature and from the get go he and runner-up Bill Podwinski pulled away slightly from the pack. On the move in the early going also was rookie sensation Joe Middlemiss who caught the two leaders by lap 5. By lap 7 the former Kart Racer turned Sportsmen driver took over the runner-up spot and was soon challenging Meisel for top spot. Meisel got a little out of shape exiting turn 4 to complete lap 14 allowing Middlemiss to take over the lead.
" I just kept hugging the guardrail ... all the way around ... hoping that nobody would get by me," relates an overwhelmed 19 year old Joe Middlemiss.
Very quickly Middlemiss encountered increasing lap traffic yet kept out front of some hard charging veterans. Through to the finish Middlemiss used the slower cars somewhat to his advantage en route to his first career win.
"I owe it all to the crew and Dad ... especially after all the trouble we had earlier in the heat ... they all worked hard for this," proud comments from the first time winner.
Pete Cosco had his best showing of 98 in taking the runner-up spot with Chad Brachman, Tammy Willard and Larry Lampman closing out the top 5. Bill Podwinski, Garry Moreash, John McKenney, Rob Devenyi and first timer Rob Kott closed out the top 10.
Herb Hunter was first to lead the 12 lap Late Model feature with Jack Cassell taking control in turn 2. Unfortunately Hunter lost control in turn 3 slowing the field with the first caution. Todd Gordon was the new leader on the restart then another caution on lap 4 seeing another leader losing control of his car with Cassell spinning in the same turn 4. Gordon resumed control on the restart and as the race went on opened up a comfortable margin. On the move though late in the event was Randy Hollingshead who closed the gap between himself and the leader. At the checkered though Gordon's margin of victory was 5 car lengths over current point leader Hollingshead with Ken Sargent third. Brian Halliwell and Rob Murray closed out the top 5 with Herb Hunter, Jack Cassell, Ron Reece and Don Spiece filling out the finish.
"This is just great," remarked second generation driver Todd Gordon in a post race interview, adding, " I couldn't do it without my sponsors ... car owner Boyd McTavish and the crew."
A couple of early cautions in the Street Stock feature saw Dave Gifford lose top spot to Mike Ward on a lap 2 restart. Alex Whalen quickly took over the runner-up spot was in no time was battling Ward for top spot. Whalen eventually took control and by a lap 7 caution lost quite an advantage as the race was slowed once more. Whalen was virtually unchallenged in the last part of the race - opening up a 1/4 lap lead over runner-up and current points leader Rob Knapp for his third straight victory. Jeff Wilson, Sam Cooper and Mike Stevenson closed out the top 5 while first timers Jack Winger and Darren Zumpe were sixth and seventh. Chris Crawford, Tom Wilson and Mike Ward rounded out the top 10.
MODIFIED HEATS First 1. Luke Carleton, 2. Bill Krull, 3. Dan Miller. Second 1. Pete Bicknell, 2. Alan Johnson, 3. Rick Richner. Third 1. Fred Carleton, 2. Chris Ricker, 3. Don Turner.
SPORTSMEN HEATS First 1. Pete Cosco, 2. Joe Meisel, John McKenney. Second 1. Bill Podwinski, 2. Rob Pietz, 3. Chad Brachman.
LATE MODEL HEATS First 1. Don Spiece, 2. Herb Hunter, 3. Todd Gordon. Second 1. Randy Hollingshead, 2. Jack Cassell, 3. Jamie Turner
STREET STOCK HEATS First 1. Mike Ward, 2. Alex Whalen, 3. Jeff Dayman. Second 1. Chris Crawford, 2. Sam Cooper, 3. Jeff Wilson.
The annual Mel Swart Spring Championships highlight Donut Diner Night at Merrittville May 23rd with double Points for all divisions. For the second year finalists from Donut Diner's Check the Odds contest will be on hand with one lucky winner driving home a new car. Merrittville Speedway Kart Race Teams will have their Karts on Display. The night also sees Big Brothers and Big Sisters on hand for a Motorsport Interactive Picnic. Gates open at 5:30 with racing at 7:30. For further information call 905-892-8266.