Thorold, Ontario – Avondale Food Stores celebrated their 50th year in business Saturday Night and joining the celebration was Middleport NY’s Derek Wagner who took home the 20 lap TUSA Modified Lite Western Series Feature.

Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series action also had Tyler Lafantaisie of Welland, Mark Fawcett of Canfield and St. Catharines’ Drivers Brad Rouse and Pete Bicknell visit Victory Lane in the Van Raine Construction 4 Cylinder, Hoosier Stocks, Rick’s Delivery Sportsman and Pinty’s 358 Modified Divisions.

“We’ve had a rough season so far,” said Wagner after his first start of the season at his former Saturday Night home, “mechanical failure after mechanical failure – it’s nice to be back here … and in Victory Lane!”

Paul Klager was first to lead the 20 lap Special Event with the battle for second quickly seeing Jamie Gilbert, Rob Misener and Wagner three wide. That battle was delayed on lap 3 after Marty deMoel flipped his car into Turn 1.

Klager resumed control on the restart with Wagner pressuring the leader by lap 5. After a yellow on lap 7, Wagner was back in the hunt and became the new leader.

By lap 10, Klager was being challenged by Josh Sliter for the runner up spot in a side by side battle that allowed Wagner to drive away to a comfortable lead on the field.

By the time Wagner had stretched his lead to almost a full straightaway – Klager had taken control of second by about 10 car lengths on Sliter.

At the finish – Wagner, Klager and Sliter were followed by Misener and Gilbert.

“We’ve been fighting this car for a long time,” said Tyler Lafantaisie one week after winning his first of the season with his 2014 4 Cylinder, “it’s awesome to finally get a win … this one’s for Kyle and Lisa and everyone at Twisted Metal Racing!”

The 15 lap Feature for the Van Raine Construction 4 Cylinder Division saw front row starters Mike Giberson and Kourtney Kocarik side by at the start, keeping pace with each other until the 2nd time down the back stretch the new leader was Rob Goulding.

Almost as quickly as Lafantaisie took over top spot on lap 4, the race was slowed by caution.

With Lafantaisie out front on the restart, drivers on the move were Jason Coutu who took over the runner-up spot and Kyle Haynes who was challenging Goulding for position on the track and in the season long point standings.

Lap 14 would see Haynes’ night go flat after the recently crowned Triple Crown Mini-Series Champion would fall victim to a flat tire.

Lafantaisie would be followed by Coutu, Goulding, Evan Curtis and Aaron Wiley.

In what seemed like a theme for the night, defending Hoosier Stock Champion Mark Fawcett won his 6th of the season.

“We’ve had a couple bad finishes,” said Fawcett in Victory Lane, “I went through the car from front to back and found some issues … it’s back to how it should be now.”

James Thompson and Kyle Pelrine would lead the field to the green flag at the start of the 20 lap Feature with Thompson landing in top spot down the backstretch.

Thompson would quickly be challenged by Dave Bailey who would take the lead from the second generation driver.

By lap 4, Fawcett was in the mix and three laps later was side by side with Bailey.

Fawcett would take the lead – driving away to a 5 car lead. Into lap traffic, Fawcett wasn’t slowed but what would slow him was a red flag on lap 15 as safety crews were required in the pit area.

Once racing resumed In the 5 laps to the finish – Fawcett was followed by Thompson, Bailey, Billy Bleich and Billy Hogue.

“I stuck to the outside,” said Brad Rouse in Victory Lane for the 3rd time of the season in the Rick’s Delivery Sportsman Division, “Jay (Mallory) ran a really good race on the bottom … I just kept working and working the outside.”

Mallory beat front row starter Gord Moreau to lead the 25 lap Sportsman Feature with Rouse, Rob Knapp and Brent Begolo quickly as the top 5.

By lap 8, Rouse was into the runner up spot but a ¼ lap behind until a lap 9 caution slowed the pace.

With Mallory in control on the restart Rouse was challenged by Chad Chevalier with Cody McPherson and Gary Lindberg battling for position behind.

Rouse would become the new leader crossing the start-finish line to start lap 17.

Behind him, the race to close out the top 5 involved Mallory, Chevalier, McPherson and Gary Lindberg.

At the finish, Rouse was followed by Mallory, Chevalier, Lindberg and James Friesen.

“I saw Tommy under me … I didn’t now if I should switch lanes or not,” said Pete Bicknell after his third Pinty’s Delicious Foods 358 Modified Win of 2015, “a good starting spot helped with this field of cars – everyone’s so strong.”

Bicknell would hold off a late challenge from Flannigan who fell 8/100th’s short of being the 11th different winner of the season.

Bicknell was first to lead the 35 lap event before Flannigan edged ahead until a caution before the first lap was complete set up a restart.

Flannigan resumed control of top spot with Bicknell challenged by Scott Wood. By lap 10 Flannigan enjoyed a 1.9 second lead over Bicknell with Wood being challenged by Tim Jones.

Just before caution on lap 15, Jones would take over third spot. When racing resumed – Flannigan and Bicknell were side by side with Flannigan in control in Turn 2.

On the move was Mat Williamson who took over third on 21 with Bicknell taking over top spot on lap 23.

With 5 laps to go, Bicknell opened up a couple car length lead with Flannigan’s late race charge falling just short at the finish.

Bicknell, Flannigan and Williamson were followed by Jones and Brachmann.

PIT NOTES

Merrittville Speedway would like to thank all those who participated in the Vansickle Pet Valu Dog Contest and Congratulations to each of the winners.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY The Pen Centre will present a 5 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Program that will feature the Rick’s Delivery Sportsman Division in the $1,000 to win Gabe Bellante Memorial – the David Chevrolet King of the Crates Series Finale.

The Great Clips Grandstand Ticket Office opens at 5:30 and Show Time is 7:00.

To reach Merrittville Speedway call 905-892-8266 or via e mail – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Merrittville Speedway is located at 2371 Merrittville Highway in Thorold Ontario.

For all the news on Merrittville Speedway’s 64th Consecutive Season in 2015 – visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com. Become a fan of Merrittville Speedway on Face Book at www.facebook.com/Merrittville Speedway and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Merrittville

REV’s FULL THROTTLE POWERSPORTS TUSA MODIFIED LITE WEST SERIES FEATURE (20 laps) Derek Wagner, Paul Klager, Josh Sliter, Rob Misener, Jamie Gilbert, Dylan Davidson, Jesse Hudson, Steven Beckett, Jeffrey May, Dean Pronovost, Ray Sliter Jr., RJ Pietz, Marty deMoel.

VAN RAINE CONSTRUCTION 4 CYLINDER FEATURE (15 laps) Tyler Lafantaisie, Jason Coutu, Rob Goulding, Evan Curtis Aaron Wiley, Kyle Rothwell, Sam Iftody, Kourtney Kocarik, Mike Giberson, Alex Riley, Gary Hodason, Jay Moulton, Alex Pidgeon, Brian Teeple, Kyle Haynes, Jeremy Smith, Vincent Pagnotta, Sam Pidgeon.

HOOSIER STOCK FEATURE (20 laps) Mark Fawcett, James Thompson, Dave Bailey, Billy Bleich, Billy Hogue, Kyle Pelrine, Brad Sheehan, Dale Gyokery, Jim Lampman, Chris Crawford, Trevor deBoer, Derek VanMill, Chris Schneider, Dave Silverthorne, Ed McLean, James Marr, Rob Sauder, Marcel Michaud, Rob Murray, Jason Fontaine, Mason Smith.

RICK’S DELIVERY SPORTSMAN FEATURE (25 laps) Brad Rouse, Jay Mallory, Chad Chevalier, Gary Lindberg, James Friesen, Rob Knapp, Jason Moore, Paul Gaboury, Brett Senek, Justin Sharp, Austin Wood, Jordan Cosco, Gord McIntosh, Joey Mastroianni, Gord Moreau, Paul Williamson, Ray Hockridge, John Babion, Tom Richau, Cody McPherson, Brent Begolo.

PINTY’S DIRTcar 358 MODIFIED FEATURE (35 laps) Pete Bicknell, Tommy Flannigan, Mat Williamson, Tim Jones, Chad Brachmann, Scott Wood, Boyd MacTavish, Mike Bowman, Mark D’Ilario, Fred Carleton, Tyler McPherson, Billy Dunn, Travis Miller, Rick Hoctor, Dave Flannigan Jr., Dennis Giancola, Chris Bellamy, Bill Bleich, Todd Gordon.

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2015 64th Anniversary Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Rick’s Delivery, Rev’s Full Throttle Powersports, Hoosier Tire Canada and Van Raine Construction and Contingency Partners http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/contingency.html 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.

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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.

Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products at their favourite automotive retailer or maintenance center including KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage.