June 15, 2014 

 

 

Thorold, Ontario – Jason Fontaine of Port Colborne captured the second Hoosier Stock Home Track Event of 2014 in the Mini-Series against the Pro Stocks from the Brighton (Ontario) Speedway in the Ball Hockey International Night at Merrittville Speedway June 14th but the big winner was KIDSRACE and the Canadian National Autism Foundation as the night was an annual Awareness and Fundraising effort.

With a full moon rising over the Lucas Oil Live Leaderboard between Turns 3 and 4, a caution-filled night also saw Tommy Flannigan Gary Lindberg, Josh Sliter and Leroy Buscumb take home wins in the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified, Rick's Delivery Sportsman, J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Divisions.

"With the track conditions ... I really had to shout it down early," relayed Jason Fontaine in Hoosier Stock Victory Lane for the 5th time in 2014, "with all the changes we had to make this week ... thanks to my crew for all their efforts!"

The second Duel on the Dirt Home Track Series Win for the Port Colborne Driver was almost effortless after taking the lead from initial leader Brad Sheehan the first time down the backstretch.

A lap 5 caution slowed the pace with Billy Bleich, Jr. the new leader on the restart. Fontaine would again resume control down the backstretch. At the halfway point, Fontaine had a couple car lead on former champion Rob Murray who was now in the runner-up spot.

With Fontaine comfortably out front, the last half of the 20 lap Event saw quite a battle amongst a group of drivers looking to hold on to a top 5 spot.

At the final checkered flag of the night ... it was Fontaine followed by Murray, defending champion Kevin Knapp, Sheehan and Mark Fawcett.

Hoosier Stock Heat Winners Bleich, Jr. and Knapp.

"We work together ... so we'll talk about this one for sure," said first time 2014 Feature Winner Tommy Flannigan at the conclusion of the 35 lap Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Feature, "I kept my composure ... hit my marks and could drive it in hard and hold it. Thanks to my crew ... our sponsors and the track crew for the conditions tonight!"

Who Flannigan of Port Robinson will talk with is Mat Williamson. The last 10 laps saw the St. Catharines driver challenge his Bicknell Racing Products' co-worker until Flannigan pulled away in the closing.

Flannigan took the lead from fellow 2nd generation driver Robbie Krull on lap 14 who took control of top spot after a lap 8 restart. The start saw initial leader Bill Bleich battle rookie Travis Miller with the two swapping the lead several times before the lap 8 caution.

The next 6 laps saw Krull slowed several times in the Andrew Sittler-owned 37s until Flannigan took control. By lap 20, Williamson landed in the runner-up spot with a lap 25 caution setting up the battle for bragging rights.

At the finish, Flannigan was followed by Williamson and two-time 2014 Feature Winner Chad Chevalier who made a late race charge to take third. Krull and Todd Gordon rounded out the top 5.

Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Heat Winners were Krull, Scott Wood and Williamson.

"I didn't know what to do ... I saw everyone around me," shared first time 2014 Rick's Delivery Sportsman Feature winner Gary Lindberg, "I just shut it down early and protected the bottom."

Lindberg, the second generation driver from Ridgeway who has had his share of disappointments in the early season probably was thinking his race wasn't going to end as 7 cautions slowed the 25 lap Feature.

Lindberg started from the pole and once the field settled down was able to complete 10 laps on the Insta-Insulation Lap Counter. Lindberg and second place driver Cody McPherson of St. Catharines were able to pull away from the field slightly.

Just prior to a lap 22 caution, Brad Rouse began to close in on the two leaders. The return to green was delayed after Adam Leslie slowed. In the final laps, no one would catch Lindberg with McPherson and Rouse settling for second and third. Austin Wood and James Michael Friesen rounded out the top 5.

Rick's Delivery Sportsman Division Heat Winners were Rob Knapp, Rouse and Ryan Turner.

Rick Koabel was first to lead the 15 lap Feature for the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Division before losing top spot to his JSR team-mate Rob Misener on lap 2.

The Port Colborne rookie driver set the pace until his car owner Josh Sliter took over the runner-up spot from Dylan Davidson just before a caution at the halfway point.

On the restart, the race for top spot quickly became a three wide battle between Misener, Paul Klager and Sliter.

Sliter, also from Port Colborne took over the lead on lap 9 and through a couple of late cautions was able to hold off challenges from Klager. Unfortunately, Klager made one final move to overtake Sliter which led only led to Klager spinning his car in Turn 4. Dean Pronovost visiting from Prescott, Ontario made heavy contact with the stranded car.

Sliter, the defending Points Champion took home his 2nd win of the season ahead of Misener, Derek Wagner, rookie Chris Watson and Davidson.

J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Heat Winners were Wagner and Klager.

"We finally figured out our problems today," informed 2 time Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature Winner Leroy Buscumb, "I was so discouraged ... I left the car on the trailer all week ... it's a dream winning at Merrittville ... again."

Buscumb's first win this season came in the Trevor Clark owned 'back-up' car and it wasn't until lap 10 that the Port Colborne driver took the lead in his own car.

Kourtney Kocarik was first to lead the 15 lap Feature before a lap 1 caution slowed the second generation driver after Evan Curtis, Tyler Lafantaisie and Jocelyn Wiley came together.

Mike Giberson was the new leader on the restart before Mike Sadusek took control in Turn 3. With Sadusek out front, the battle for 3rd quickly found Rob Goulding, Giberson and Greg Wilson.

To the halfway point, Goulding, Buscumb and Jason Coutu would close in on the leader with the 4 Volkswagens pulling away from the field.

After Buscumb took control on lap 10, one final caution on lap 13 had Goulding and Coutu rounding out the top 3 with Sadusek settling for 4th. Evan Curtis rebounded from the lap 1 incident to take 5th.

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Heat Winners were Sam Iftody, Jocelyn Wiley and Rob Overholt who began the night being named the Archer Truck Service Driver of the Week.

PIT NOTES

Merrittville Speedway would like to thank all the businesses and individuals that supported the 2014 KIDSRACE that benefitted the Canadian National Autism Foundation.

Thanks as well to all the Race Teams that participated in the first Autograph Session of the season.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

SMS Machine Tools Night at Merrittville Speedway Saturday June 21st will Blast Off into Summer with a 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event.

When the Grandstands open at 5:30 – All Students 18 years old and younger will be admitted FREE with I.D. Show Time is 7:00.

Merrittville Speedway is located at 2371 Merrittville Highway in Thorold. For directions click on http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/directions.html or call 905-892-8266 or via e mail – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For all the news on Merrittville Speedway's 63rd Consecutive Season in 2014 – 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).

Hoosier Stock Duel on the Dirt Series Home Track Event # 2 (20 laps) Jason Fontaine, Rob Murray, Kevin Knapp, Brad Sheehan, Mark Fawcett, Billy Hogue, Billy Bleich, Jim Lampman, Pete Reid, Kyle Pelrine, Chris Crawford, Vince Fargnoli, Marcel Michaud, .

Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Feature (35 laps) – Tommy Flannigan, Mat Williamson, Chad Chevalier, Robbie Krull, Todd Gordon, Mike Bowman, Chris Steele, Chad Brachmann, Tim Jones, Scott Wood, Ryan Susice, Fred Carleton, Travis Cunningham, Travis Miller, Chris Bellamy, Bill Bleich, Brandon Easey, Pete Bicknell, Rick Hoctor, Tyler McPherson.

Rick's Delivery Sportsman Feature (25 laps) Gary Lindberg, Cody McPherson, Brad Rouse, Austin Wood, James Michael Friesen, Brent Begolo, Justin Sharp, Paul Gaboury, Rob Knapp, Robert Baker, Jay Mallory, Jordan Cosco, Ryan Turner, Boyd MacTavish, Joey Mastroianni, Paul Williamson, Gord McIntosh, Adam Leslie, Derick Hodge, Ray Hockridge, Jason Farraway, Jim Harbison.

J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Feature (15 laps) Josh Sliter, Rob Misener, Derek Wagner, Chris Watson, Dylan Davidson, Evan Leonard, Jeffrey May, Ray Sliter, Jr., Marty deMoel, Kristy Dulaj, Paul Klager, Dean Pronovost, Rick Koabel, RJ Pietz.

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature (15 laps ) Leroy Buscumb, Rob Goulding, Jason Coutu, Mike Sadusek, Evan Curtis, Tyler Lafantaisie, Rob Overholt, Greg Wilson, Mike Giberson, Kyle Haynes, Garnet Wilson, Kurtis Wiley, Kourtney Kocarik, Jeremy Smith, Chris Shepherd, Sam Iftody, Alex Riley, Chris Storm, Brandon Boychuck, Cam Collens Jocelyn Wiley..

Join us this season on a Saturday Night for a 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 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 SPONSORS The 2014 63rd Anniversary Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway's 5 Divisions was brought to race fans and racers by division sponsors – Bobcat of Hamilton, Rick's Delivery, 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 of 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.

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