ASHTON WINS FIRST SPORTSMEN WHILE SAME CAR VISITS VICTORY LANE TWICE AT MERRITTVILLE
Thorold, Ontario...6/28/97...Paul Ashton made a return to racing in '97 and made it all pay off with his first 20 lap Sportsmen Victory of the season at Merrittville Speedway on June 28th. Also finding the way to the winner's circle in the Commisso's Food Markets and Kellogg's sponsored race card were repeat winners Pete Bicknell, Ken Sargent, Paul Reichel and Tony Royston in the Modified, Pro-Stock, Street Stock and Mod Stock divisions respectively. Tony Royston's car made a second visit to the winner's circle with Thorold councilor Jim Handley winning the Celebrity Media Race.
"I'd run the outside all night," relates an overwhelmed Paul Ashton, adding, "on that last re-start I knew I had to out think him (leader Chad Brachman)...so I took to the inside..I'm glad to be back - healthy and competitive."
Scott George was first to lead the 20 lap Sportsmen feature with Jay Mallory taking control on lap 6 just as caution slowed the field. Mallory resumed control on the restart only to have the event stopped with a red flag on lap 7 for a multi-car incident in turn 2. Chad Brachman was the new leader on the restart setting the pace through two other cautions until the last on lap 18 after initial leader Scott George lost control of his car in turn 2. On the restart Paul Ashton found the fast way around the bottom and took over the top spot. At the finish it was Ashton out front while Brachman settled for second. Larry the Lion Lampman made a late race charge to take third with Jay Mallory and Garry Moreash closing out the top 5. Pete Cosco, Joe Meisel, Rob Pietz, Ken Walsh and Bill Baker closed out the top 10.
"The Kendall Oil Express doesn't run the outside too often but it was a good line tonight...the car was real strong...I can't say enough about our new Central Automotive engine and I've learned a few things from watching (Modified driver) Pete Bicknell," further insight from Port Colborne driver Paul Ashton.
Terry St. Amand was first to lead the 35 lap Modified feature with Doug Gordon taking control just as caution slowed the field on lap 4. Gordon resumed the lead on the restart only to have St. Amand retake top spot along the back-stretch. Caution again slowed the pace with Martin Polhill the new leader on the restart. Polhill's pace was also quickly slowed for another caution on lap 7. With Polhill out front when racing resumed Rob Krull took control along the back-stretch in turn 2. Polhill returned to the top spot in turn 3 though. Two other cautions would slow the field again with Doug Gordon returning to top spot after the lap 15 restart but soon to take over in turn 4 was new leader Mr. Small Block Pete Bicknell. Three cautions would slow Bicknell's pace in the last half of the race but in each green flag period 11 time point champ Bicknell was able to catch slower cars and pass them with ease.
At the finish Bicknell was in for his third victory of the season with Martin Polhill running a strong race but having to settle for second. Flyin' Brian Stevens, The Electrifying Harvey Hainer and Scott Wood closed out the top 5 while Don Martin, Rob Krull, Terry St. Amand, Don Turner and Bill The Thrill Willard rounded out the top 10.
The 12 lap Pro-Stock feature saw Jack Cassell first to lead before caution slowed the field on lap 2. Ron the Ruler Reece was the new leader on the restart with the Welland driver setting the pace until another incident on lap 6 that saw initial leader Cassell spinning in turn 4. Ken Sargent was the new leader on the restart. The last half of the race saw a great dash for the top three with Sargent, Ron Reece and Brian Halliwell all crossing the finish line with less than a car length separating the top three who finished in that order. Bill Bleich and Randy Hollingshead closed out the top 5 while Rob Murray, Todd Gordon, Steve Heigl, Jack Cassell and Paul Dortono rounded out the top 10.
Jeff Kline was first to lead the 12 lap Mod Stock feature before caution on lap 2 slowed the field. Kline resumed control on the restart before Tony Royston took control along the front stretch of lap 4. Another caution would slow Royston's pace before the finish but it didn't stop the current point leader from crossing the finish line out front. Kevin Reichel made a late race charge to take the runner-up spot while Jeff Kline settled for third. Derek VanMil and Kirk Wilson closed out the top 5 while Mark Edwards, Harry Vanderzanden, Ken Hildreth, Dave Colavecchia and Roger Lacroix rounded out the top 10.
The Commisso's Food Markets and Kellogg's Night at the races also featured a special Celebrity/Media Challenge with Kelloggs Terry Nazar looking every bit like Terry Labonte in taking the lead at the start of the 10 lap special event. Unfortunately Nazar lost control of his car on lap 4 and councilor Jim Handley took control. Handley looked like the regular driver Tony Royston in easily lapping cars. At the finish Handley was well out front with the very unofficial finish finding Doug Youmans of the Thorold News behind the City of Thorold councilor. Erik Tomas of Raceline, Peter Dworschak of CITY TV and Jack Peets of HTZ-FM closed out the top 5. It was an exciting event and we would like to thank all participants for coming out - maybe if that day job doesn't work out????
Action continues Monday June 30th with the Canada Day Clash - the rescheduled Victoria Day race card - featuring the 358 Modifieds in a 50 lap event plus regular racing for all divisions and a FIREWORKS display to finish off the evening.
The month of July opens at Merrittville Speedway with the Modifieds in the spotlight in a 50 lap Slick 50 Shoot-out Series event in addition to regular racing for all other classes in the Quaker State sponsored race card. Gates open at 5:30 - be sure to come out early and enjoy some good food and conversation with other fans.
For further information, phone the speedway office at 905-892-8266.