STEVENS TAKES MERRITTVILLE MOD 25 - RAIN DELAYS ROUND 2
Thorold, Ontario..9/6/97....The ProStocks were two laps into their 15 lap Feature event when raindrops grew into showers forcing the postponement of September 6th's race card at Merrittville Speedway. Just before the downpour and lightning, Brian Stevens led the way in winning the first of two scheduled 25 lap events for the 358's. Also finding the way to Victory lane were Ken Hildreth and Paul Reichel in the Mod Stock and Street Stock divisions in the night presented by Clare's Cycle, Kleen Flo and Star Headlight.
Bill Willard was first to lead the 25 lap Modified opener before a lap 5 caution slowed the pace. Willard resumed control on the restart with Harry Sittler quick to challenge. Sittler took control with another caution on lap 7 again slowing the field. Willard returned to top spot on the restart with Sittler again getting the lead on lap 9. Willard charged back to retake the lead before Sittler passed him along the front of lap 13. Flyin' Brian Stevens was now on the move - becoming the new leader on lap 15 with an immediate caution slowing the field on lap 16. Stevens set the pace on the restart with another caution on lap 17 slowing the race after an uncharacteristic spin by Pete Bicknell. Stevens resumed control on the restart and through to the finish maintained a car length advantage over Jamie Turner, George Jowdy, Scott Wood and Harry Sittler. Doug Gordon, Bill Willard, Chris Ricker, Martin Polhill and Wayne Conn closed out the top 10.
Modified Heats First 1.Scott Wood, 2. Jamie Turner, 3. Bill Willard. Second 1. Wayne Conn, 2. Fred Cade, 3. Harry Sittler. Third 1. George Jowdy, 2. Brian Stevens, 3. Doug Gordon. Modified Consolation 1. John Hagerman, 2. Steve McCumber, 3. Ken Taylor.
Kirk Wilson was first to lead the 12 lap Mod Stock feature with a lap 2 caution slowing the field. On the restart the new leader was Ken Hildreth with two cautions on the restarts delaying the return to action. The cars were stopped while safety crews 'cradled' Harry Vanderzanden's car to the pit area after the veteran made contact with the front-stretch wall. Another incident on the restart again delayed Hildreth's pace but when the green flag finally flew it was Hildreth out front once more. One last caution slowed the pace on lap 90 with Hildreth in control on the restart. In the closing laps Hildreth was able to open up a lead of some 10 car lengths over Kevin Reichel while Dave Colavecchia, Kirk Wilson, Kevin Janzen, Tom Dobson, Shawn Sliter, Guy Bougie, Randy Smith and Tony Royston closed out the top 10.
Mod Stock Heats First 1. Ken Hildreth, 2. Kevin Reichel, 3. Randy Smith. Second 1. Shawn Sliter, 2. Tony Royston, 3. Jeff Kline.
Aaron Vasas was first to lead the 12 lap Street Stock feature with Sam Cooper taking control just as caution slowed the field. Cooper set the pace on the restart until Paul Reichel took control along the back-stretch of lap 2. Reichel set the pace until caution slowed the field on lap 6. Reichel retained first place on the restart with one final caution on lap 11 setting up a one lap dash to the finish. At the checkered flag it was Paul Reichel home first ahead of Chris Crawford, Mike Ward, Sam Cooper, Jeff Dayman, Dan Gilbert, Tim Knapp, Gord Kostyk, Steve Marshall and Bob Deswiage.
Street Stock Heats First 1. Sam Cooper, 2. Mike Ward, 3. Jim Zimmerman. Second 1. Paul Reichel, 2. Tim Knapp, 3. Chris Crawford.
Jack Cassell was leading the 15 lap ProStock feature until a caution on lap 1 when Ron 'the Ruler' Reece came to an abrupt halt in turn 2 after losing a tire. Cassell had the lead on the restart until an immediate caution slowed the field again. During this caution the rain increased to the point where racing couldn't continue. The feature will start at lap 2 on September 13th.
ProStock Heats First 1. Jack Cassell, 2. Ron Reece, 3. Todd Zelichowski. Second 1. Steve Heigl, 2. Dolph McCready, 3. Rob Murray.
Sportsmen Heats First 1. Larry Lampman, 2. Pete Cosco, 3. Jay Mallory. Second 1. Rob Pietz, 2. Bill Krull, 3. Ken Walsh.
Walt Lipscombe of St. Catharines was the winner of the Las Vegas Trip presented by Lakeview Travel, Sunquest Vacations and Merrittville Speedway - Congratulations Walt - look out one armed bandits!!
Action Saturday September 13th will pick up at lap 2 of the ProStock feature with the rain-delayed Sportsmen and final 25 lap Modified of the 6th set to run then. The regularly scheduled season finale kicks in featuring the Modifieds and Sportsmen combining for the second annual Hydro Vac 30 lap Sludge Grudge Match race in addition to action in he ProStock, Mod Stock and Street Stock divisions plus a Ladies Race and the SMASH FOR CASH Demolition Derby. Gates open at 5:30 with the last green of the summer season at 7:30. For further information call the Speedway Office at (905) 892-8266.