BICKNELL RUNS TO 100TH MERRITTVILLE FEATURE VICTORY
Thorold, Ontario...Pete Bicknell sure found the 'racer's edge' August 23rd at Merrittville as the St. Catharines veteran and current points leader earned his 100th Modified feature at the Thorold track's Fan Appreciation Night presented by STP and the Fairview Mall. Making two trips to Victory Lane was the #108 Pontiac Grand Prix ProStock with Bill and Shani Bleich winning the ProStock feature and the Ladies Race respectively. Garry Moreash returned to the Sportsmen winner's circle as did Tony Royston in the Mod Stock division and Paul Reichel in the Street Stock class.
Don Spatarico was first to lead the 35 lap Modified feature - building quite a lead on the field in the early going. Spatarico had the field covered but unfortunately slowed in turn 1 of lap 12 after his car experienced problems. Rob Krull then became the new leader but everyones eyes were on Pete Bicknell. Starting from 18th spot Bicknell slowly made his way to the front and by the half-way point was challenging for top spot. Bicknell made quite a move out of turn 4 to complete lap 22 and took over top spot in the progress. Right away Bicknell opened up a comfortable lead on the field through increasing lap traffic with the margin at the finish almost half a lap.
Bicknell was followed by Doug Gordon, Rob Krull, Brian Stevens, Scott Wood, Fred Cade, Ken Cosgrove, Harry Sittler, Harvey Hainer and Don Turner.
During his visit to victory lane, the 11 time points champion at Merrittville was treated to a champagne bath.
After a caution on the initial start of the 20 lap sportsmen feature, Ken Walsh was first to lead the event. Garry Moreash was soon to challenge with a lap 4 caution easing the battle. Three cautions just prior to half-way slowed the pace with Walsh in control on the first two. On the third Moreash found the advantage and became the new leader but not until the start-finish line. Two immediate cautions on laps 12 & 13 would also slow Moreash's pace but in the closing laps Moreash ran to a comfortable lead on the field.
Following Moreash was Jay Mallory, Ken Walsh, Joe Meisel, Bill Krull, Larry Lampman, Bill Podwinski, Chad Brachman, Pete Cosco and Bill Baker.
Bill Bleich led one of the season's largest ProStock fields to the initial green flag of the 15 lap event with an incident on the start delaying the feature. Bleich regained control when racing resumed only to have another caution slow the pace on lap 4. Bleich regained control of top spot until another incident on lap 7 again slowed the field. Bleich resumed control once more with the race slowed one last time on lap 12 after two cars came together in turn 2. In the three laps to the finish Bleich retained top spot.
Bleich was followed by Randy Hollingshead, Ron the Ruler Reece, Brian Halliwell, Ken Sargent, Steve Heigl, Dave Schultz, Randy Chrysler, Todd Zelichowski and Len Wiley.
Guy Bougie was first to lead the 15 lap Mod Stock feature before Harry Vanderzanden took control along the back-stretch. An incident just prior to half-way slowed the field on lap 7 with Vanderzanden in control when action resumed. Jeff Kline was on the move and soon began to challenge Vanderzanden for the lead. The two front-runners ran side-by-side until Kline took control out of turn 4 to complete lap 10. Next to challenge was Tony Royston with the point leader the new race leader along the back-stretch of lap 12. At the finish Royston had a 10 car lead over Jeff Kline, Harry Vanderzanden, Dave Colavecchia, Kevin Reichel, Anthony DeLazzari, Kirk Wilson, Shawn Sliter, Mike Martin, and Gary Kruchka.
Sam Cooper was first to lead the 12 lap Street Stock feature with caution slowing the pace on lap 2. Cooper regained control of the event before Paul Reichel took over top spot along the back-stretch. Another caution slowed the field on lap 4 with Reichel in control once again on the restart. Pat half-way Reichel enjoyed a 20 car lead which was cut on lap 10 as the yellow flag once again flew. Reichel resumed control of top spot on the restart and through to the finish ran to a lead of some 10 cars.
Dave Colavecchia, Bruce Colbert, Al Smith, John Pannetoni, Jeff Dayman, Alec Whalen, Gord Kostyk , Dave Gifford and James Latham closed out the top 10.
Kathie Heigl was first to lead the 10 lap Ladies Race with 69 the new leader in turn 2. Shani Bleich then quickly became the new leader on lap 2. A lap 6 caution slowed the field with Bleich in control on the restart. Patti Rockey took control along the front-stretch of lap 9 with Bleich returning to top spot along the back-stretch. At the finish, Bleich pulled away to a lead of some 5 car lengths.
The month of August closes Saturday August 30th with Donut Diner present the Back to School Special featuring a 50 lap Modified event - the last round of the 3 race Slick 50 Shoot-out Series. The night will be the final night for Modified and Sportsmen with extra money on the line for the Sportsmen from series sponsor Skoal Inc. The ProStocks, Mod Stocks and Street Stocks will also compete. Gates open at 5:30 with the first heat at 7:30.
For further information call the Speedway office at (905) 892-8266.