BIG WINS FOR BRAUN, PANUNTE & SLITER AT MERRITTVILLE
Thorold, Ontario (July 24) — Former Kart Racer Donald Hingston helped set the stage for the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Feature as one of 4 Lucky Envelopes containing Bonus Money for the Feature Winner provided by his family’s company Hingston Metal Fabricators. Merrittville’s Mascot Crash Cougar made the pick which would contain $60 or a multiple. $180 extra would be added to the winner’s share at the end of the race.
After Ken Winnfield took initial control of the event fittingly three former karters would battle for top spot. Shayne Pierce would become the new leader the first time through turn 2. After a lap 4 restart, Pierce would pull away to a 10 car lead before the second caution slowed the field on lap 10. Quickly a multicar incident back in the pack would find Jones into the runner up spot on the restart. Susice back out front with Tim Jones now in the runner up spot. Approaching half way Susice was off to a 10 car lead on Jones. By lap 20 Jones had closed in on Susice before a yellow found Travis Braun in second on the restart.
Braun would make several attempts to overtake Susice until a move into Turn 1 of Lap 29 stuck.
“There was a couple times we got real close,” informed Braun post race, “but I didn’t want to force it … Ryan always races me real clean and I just wanted to return the favor – I knew it was the only way I was going to get by him … he was real quick on the top.”
Once out front, Braun would open up almost a ¼ lap lead on Susice who turned 21 one day earlier at the finish.
“This one’s for my crew … they work so hard,” added Braun, “thanks to my parents … my wife and my son and to the Hingstons as well – they helped me when I drove the Miller Sportsman.”
The start of the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature was quite a battle between initial leader Robbie Rounce and challenger Jesse Penner. A couple early cautions would slow the event with each driver swapping the lead on restarts.
With Penner out front Rounce faced challenges from Greg Panunte and Brad Rouse which allowed the leader to pull away slightly. Eventually Panunte would catch the leader – taking over top spot out of Turn 4 to complete lap 9. Right away the defending champion would drive away to a 20 car lead although as the laps wound down Rouse would narrow the gap slightly. With increasing lap traffic throughout the last half of the 25 lap Event – Panunte wasn’t challenged by Rouse who held a comfortable lead over third place finisher BJ Willard.
When asked about the margin of victory by Co-announcer Clint Geoffrey Panunte revealed, “You really don’t know where everyone is behind you … sometimes you hear things and think they are right there. A couple weeks ago I wrecked Rick’s car but tonight it was good – if it had been mine my season would be over. So thanks so much to Rick Bellante … Rick’s Delivery and all our sponsors!”
Penner held on for a 4th place finish with Adam Leslie rounding out the top 5.
The start of the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature saw a battle right away with Rick Brubacher challenging initial leader Derek Bredin. Brubacher would try to duck under the leader exiting Turn 4 to complete lap 4 but unfortunately caution would result after losing control.
Bredin was back out front on the restart before Shawn Sliter was the new leader in Turn 2. Just after the lead change a second caution would slow the field. With Sliter out front the Derek Moore was now in the runner up spot until Jeffrey May slowed with engine problems on lap 8.
On the restart the lead pack of Sliter, Moore, Chris Steele and Randy Hollingshead pulled away before another caution on lap 11. With Sliter out front once again Steele would land in second with Josh Sliter rebounding to take third.
One final caution would set up a two lap dash with Sliter holding top spot through to the finish.
“I really can’t thank my nephew enough,” thanked Sliter in Victory Lane, “I don’t think I’m going to let him have this car back … thanks as well to all our sponsors!”
Josh Sliter was able to get by Steele with Randy Hollingshead and Derek Wagner as the top 5.
BOBCAT OF HAMILTON DIRTcar 358 MODIFIED FEATURE (35 laps) Travis Braun, Ryan Susice, Tim Jones, Mat Williamson, Tom Flannigan, Mike Bowman, Chad Chevalier, Bill Bleich, Larry Lampman, Scott Wood, Pete Bicknell, Mark D’Ilario, Boyd MacTavish, Rob Pietz, Pete Cosco, Kenny Winnfield, Shayne Pierce, Rick Richner, Brandon Easey, Todd Gordon, Fred Carleton, Paul Klager, Justin Sharp.
ORIGINAL PIZZA LOGS DIRTcar SPORTSMAN FEATURE (25 laps) Greg Panunte, Brad Rouse, BJ Willard, Jesse Penner, Adam Leslie, Robbie Rounce, Nick Cupolo, Gary Lindberg, Paul Gaboury, Mark Chiddy, Cody McPherson, Kevin Sharpe, Brent Begolo, Robert Baker, David Flannigan Jr., West Talons, Jason Farraway, Jason Moore, Remington Price, Darrell Ebersole, Rob Knapp.
J&S HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING MODIFIED LITE FEATURE (20 laps) Shawn Sliter, Josh Sliter, Chris Steele, Randy Hollingshead, Derek Wagner, Jason Corless, Kory Howe, Rick Brubacher, Derek Bredin, Ray Sliter Jr., Greg Mills, Bob Bredin, Scott Billing, Paul Lindberg, Kellie Mason, Jeffrey May.
UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY
Cotton Inc. will open the Holiday Doubleheader Saturday July 30th with a complete 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Program plus the third and final Grantham Lions Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College.
Action returns Monday August 1st with the 2nd Annual Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial featuring the final 75 laps of the 358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series Event rain delayed since May 23rd, the 100 lap Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Main Event and a 25 lap Hoosier Stock Duel on the Dirt Feature. Gates open Saturday Night at 5:30 with show time at 7 PM while Monday – the gates will open at 4 PM for the Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner.
For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 60th Consecutive Season – call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. Race fans and Race teams alike can follow Merrittville on Face Book (Facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway) and Twitter (Twitter.com/Merrittville).
Join us this season on a Saturday Night for a 60th Anniversary LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Divisions with local heroes and up and coming new stars. Make your plans … call your friends and maybe even get a carpool together and enjoy a staycation at the speedway with plenty of free parking and camping spots – a night at the races is so much fun and so close to home! Your Local Dirt Track is where it’s at!!! Merrittville Speedway ‘The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara.”
Tickets are now available for Monday August 1st’s 2nd Annual Bob St. Amand Sr. Memorial that will feature the remainder both the 358 Modified and Big Block Super DIRTcar Series Events and Hoosier Stocks – a must see event since 1972.
Crazy Offer! Race fans – check your 2011 Ticket Stubs for a Crazy Offer from Little Caesars Pizza – located at 572 Niagara Street in Welland. With the purchase of a HOT-N-READY Pizza and Crazy Bread – receive a Free Crazy Bread!
MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2011 60th Anniversary Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Bobcat of Hamilton, Original Pizza Logs, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning, Hoosier Tire Canada and Turn 4 Collision in addition to many marketing partners Visit them at . http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/sponsors.htm and visit them when you require their products and/or services.
Lucas Oil Products is one the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem solving additives. Through innovative product research and development along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive in the industry.
Look for Lucas Oil Products at their favorite automotive retailer or maintenance centre including the PartSource locations in Welland and St. Catharines, Drummond Home Hardware, KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage
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