MARTIN ENDS THREE YEAR WAIT FOR FIRST MODIFIED VICTORY AT MERRITTVILLE
Thorold, Ontario...Former Sportsmen Points Champion Don Martin of Youngstown NY ended a three year wait July 19th in winning his first career 358 Modified feature at Merrittville Speedway. Garry Moreash of Welland won his first Sportsmen feature of the season as did Kevin Reichel and Bruce Colbert in the Mod Stock and Street Stock divisions respectively while Brian Halliwell of St. Catharines continues his hot streak in winning another Pro-Stock feature event. Scott McDonald rounded out the list of winners in the Skoal, Inc. and 7-11 Food Stores Cruise Night presented by Rust Check in winning the first Demolition Derby of the season.
"See you (tomorrow night) in Victory Lane," the words of announcer Gordy Wilson Friday night as Wilson and Don Martin were leaving the Ransomville Speedway. Every driver will now want a visit from the voice of Merrittville hoping for the same results!
The start of the 35 lap Modified feature saw Dave Vanderzanden the early leader before Don Turner took control along the front stretch of lap 1. A multi-car incident on lap 2 slowed the field with the vetrrean Turner in control once more on the restart. From 9th starting spot Don Martin was on the move early and down the front stretch of lap 5 become the new leader. Right away Martin pulled away to a 20 car lead - holding the comfortable margin until a lap 15 caution slowed the field once more.During the caution current point leader Pete Bicknell retired to the pits with an apparent blown rear end. Martin resumed control and after another caution for debris on the track on lap 19 was soon to return to a healthy lead on the field. Jamie Turner- on the rebound from being involved in the lap 2 incident, was one of the fastest cars and was closing in on Martin through lap traffic. Lap 34 saw a caution delay the finish after two cars came together in turn 4 with another incident on the restart in the same turn 4 postponing Martin's run to the finish. In the delayed one lap dash to the finish Don Martin held on for top spot - 5 car lengths ahead of charging Jamie Turner while Scott Wood, Rob Krull and Doug - Flash Gordon closed out the top 5. Harry Sittler, Don Turner, Flyin' Brian Stevens, The Electrifying Harvey Hainer and Fred Cade closed out the top 10.
"I could see a red & white car behind me," relates an overwhelmed Martin in Modified Victory Lane for the first time, "but I didn't know who it was."
Joe Meisel was first to lead the 20 lap Sportsmen feature - setting the pace until Garry Moreash took control on lap 6. As the laps wound down and the race still caution free Moreash was able to build quite a lead on the field by the lap 15 mark until lap traffic slowed the Welland native. Caution would halt the incredible pace on lap 18 after a car slowed on the track. Moreash resumed control on the restart and in the two laps to the finish, Moreash was able to hold top spot - the margin of victory - 2 car lengths over Larry the Lion Lampman, while Joe Meisel settled for third. Bill Krull and Scott George rounded out the top 5 while Chad Brachman, Ken Walsh, Pete Cosco, Bill Baker and Mark Potter closed out the top 10.
Todd Gordon was first to lead the 15 lap Pro-Stock feature with a lap 1 incident slowing the pace early in the event. Gordon resumed control on the restart with Brian Halliwell challenging along the back-stretch of lap 3. The two second generation drivers battled for top spot with Gordon drifting high in lap 6 - allowing Halliwell to take control and become the new leader. Ron the Ruler Reece was on the move in the late stages of the event but unfortunately dropped from second spot with problems in turn 4 of lap 11. Halliwell ran to the finish in top spot with Randy Hollingshead taking the runner-up spot. Todd Gordon settled for third with Steve Heigl and Bill Bleich rounding out the top 5. King Ken Sargent, Herb Hunter, Jack Casual, Dan Shoop and Todd Zelichowski closed out the top 10.
Derek VanMil was first to lead the 12 lap Mod Stock feature - pulling away to a 20 car lead on the field by the half-way point of the race. VanMil slowed briefly in turn 2 of lap 9 with Tony the Tiger Royston taking the lead along the back-stretch. VanMil regained power only to fall into second. Royston and VanMil made contact on lap 10 and the resulting caution slowed the pace giving Kevin Reichel the chance he needed to take control. The Ridgeway driver set the pace through to the finish and gained his first feature win of the season. Captain Kirk Wilson, Jeff Kline, Ken Hildreth and Harry Vanderzanden closed out the top 5 while Tony the Tiger, Dave Colavecchia, Anthony DeLazzari, Mike Martin and Derek VanMil completed the top 10.
Rick Simons and Alex Whalen ran side-by-side as leader of the 12 lap Street Stock feature until Simons found the advantage in turn 4 to complete the first lap. A lap 3 caution slowed the field with Bruce Colbert the new leader on the restart. A lap 10 caution would slow Colbert's pace with the second generation driver setting the pace once more on the restart. Challenging for top spot in the closing laps was Roger Beaulieu. Beaulieu took control briefly with Colbert challenging back. The two crossed the finish line door handle to door handle in an apparent dead heat. Post race inspection would find Beaulieu disqualified for illegal suspension components. Following Colbert was Chris Charest and Rick Simons with Jeff Dayman and Sam Cooper closing out the top 5. Alex Whalen, Chris Crawford, Jeff Wilson, Mike Ward and Tim Knapp rounded out the top 10.
An exciting Smash for Cash Demolition Derby was held at the end of the evening with Scott McDonald going home the victor. The next Demo will be held on August 9th.
Merrittville Speedway celebrates its 46th consecutive season Saturday July 26th as Modern Landfill presents Nostalgia Night featuring a full card of racing. Headlining the evening will be the Mid State Vintage Car Club. Pre-race excitement includes a display of restored cars and memorabilia from the Canadian Motor Racing Historical Society as well as a driver reunion. The 35 lap 358 Modified feature will be a qualifying event for this fall's Victoria 200 race at Fulton Speedway in Fulton NY.