Thorold, Ontario – Oakland Ontario’s Alex Schuts won his second Ballhockey.com Enduro accelerated by Niagara College – taking the 100 lap Merrittville Speedway Season Finale Wednesday September 16th.

If the event would have gone as planned on Sunday – capping off the Niagara Falls Nissan Modified Lite Weekend – the current Ohsweken Speedway Affordable Towing and Recovery Thunder Stock Driver would not have been in the field.

“It was an awesome track tonight … when the track’s watered when we’ve run in the afternoon … it can get pretty sloppy. Tonight it came in pretty quick and I think it was a safe race,” said Schuts who was a late registrant, “when we heard about the rain date … my son Lofton took a look at the car and all on his own he fixed some major front end suspension issues.”

When he won his first 100 in 2013 from a 41st starting spot he didn’t take the lead until lap 78. In 2015 his first lead was on lap 73 only to lose it to Pinty’s Delicious Foods 358 Modified veteran Todd Gordon.

Schuts would regain the lead when Gordon retired to the pits just before a lap 79 red flag. Before battling with Schuts, Gordon took the lead just before lap 70 but did he want it?

Just before that, early leader John Burt fell off the pace with fellow Qualifier Winner James Mercer having troubles of his own. At one point it looked as though for the first time either Burt, Mercer or Benjamin Hage would have a shot at the $500 bonus but Hage would head to the pits just before half-way.

With almost 70 cars starting the event, front row starters Burt and Hage were side by side at the initial green flag and the first time down the backstretch were into lap traffic.

Hage quickly took top spot and by lap 2 drove away to a lead of almost a ¼ lap lead before a red on lap 12 slowed the field.

By lap 25, Mercer had control of top spot but 25 laps later at halfway – Burt was out front.

Burt was still out front after a lap 60 restart – weaving through lap traffic until another red on lap 64. When Burt slowed on lap 70, Gordon was the new leader until slowing off the pace on lap 78.

With Schuts in top spot, front runners had their issues including Van Raine Construction 4 Cylinder regular Jason Coutu who had his hood fly up across the windshield area as did that of veteran Assistant Pit Steward Rick Agnew. Both drivers would retire to the pits for repairs.

When the race was stopped one last time on lap 92 after Trevor Wright rolled his car in Turn 4 – Schuts would restart with an entire lap on the field.

When Schuts saw lap 100 show up on the Insta-Insulation Turn 1 Lap Counter he was unofficially some 14 seconds ahead of runner up Vincent Pagnotta – a former Tuesday Night Kart Racer and Travis Braun Crew Member who joined the 4 Cylinder Division this season,

Nick Sarantakos, Brett Campbell and Neil Martens rounded out the top 5.

With Burt, Hage or Mercer not winning, the $500 Bonus should a Qualifier Winner win the 100 was not paid out. 38 Drivers that registered before September 1st were eligible for 10 $50 Cash Prizes with Burt, Ross Crowe, Mark West, Shaun Fader, Brian Stuiver, Rick Agnew, Neil Martens, Syme den Hollander, Tony Vanes and Sarantakos taking home the bonuses via a post race draw/

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

The Ballhockey.com Enduro by Niagara College brings the 2015 Season to a close.

Race Teams and fans alike wishing to purchase Tickets for either the Stock Car or Kart Awards Banquets at Club Castropignano, November 28th and 29th should contact the Speedway Office at 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 leading up to Merrittville Speedway’s 65th Consecutive Season in 2016 – 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

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2015 64th Anniversary Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions was 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.