One of 12 cautions had Scott Wood (38), Chad Chevalier (12) and Brandon Easey (06) come together. (Photo-Julie Davidson/Photochik Photography)

Thorold, Ontario – Brent Begolo, Billy Bleich and Jason Coutu each won their first features of 2014 in the Modern Corporation Night at Merrittville Speedway July 5th in the Rick's Delivery Sportsman, Hoosier Stock and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Divisions respectively..

With a half moon rising over the Insta-Insulation Turn 1 Lap Counter it seemed like a full moon in a caution-filled night. Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series action also saw Mat Williamson and Josh Sliter in Victory Lane in the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified and J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Divisions respectively.

"The top groove was the ticket tonight," said Brent Begolo of Thorold after winning his first 25 lap Rick's Delivery Sportsman Feature of the season, "I knew I had to get there ... it was a great race with Ryan."

For the first time since probably his grandfather Jeno Begolo first started racing – a Begolo wasn't in the trademark #16 with the third generation driver taking the lead for the first time after a lap 5 restart.

"I've got to thank Chris Wood and Gord Arbeau and I appreciate everyone's help," added Begolo beside the unfamiliar #38 ... "I've been having some problems with my own car."

The start of the event had another third generation driver – Ryan Turner in an early battle with Charlie Lynch before the early caution set up the duel with Begolo.

Turner regained top spot and by lap 10 had pulled away to a 10 car lead before a lap 12 caution had Begolo back out front. By lap 20 – Begolo opened up a lead of some 20 car lengths.

The race to watch was the one for second with Turner able to hold off Gary Lindberg, Rob Knapp and Cody McPherson who rounded out the top 5.

Rick's Delivery Sportsman Division Heat Winners – Paul Gaboury, Austin Wood and Rob Knapp.

"Every lap I saw Chris and Mark swapping positions," said Hoosier Stock Feature Winner Billy Bleich, " I knew that I had to stay out front of them ... have to thank a bunch of people – my Dad (Bill) ... Billy Hogue and others. They threw a set up on the car ... I'll have to find out what they did for sure!"

Peter Reid was the initial leader of the 20 lap Feature with Bleich the new leader as the field completed lap 1.

Quickly the battle for runner-up spot became three wide with Reid joined by Chris Crawford and Mark Fawcett. With Bleich out front, he could only watch the race between Crawford and Fawcett on the Lucas Oil Live Leaderboard as the two would swap the runner up spot several times.

Bleich may have also noticed the late race charge on the lap counter from Jim Lampman who took second at guest starter Dale Shunaman's Checkered Flag with Fawcett, Crawford and Reid closing out the top 5.

Hoosier Stock Heat Winners – Mark Fawcett and Chris Crawford.

"It feels great to finally get the monkey off my back," said a relieved Jason Coutu after winning his first 15 lap Feature in the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Division, "we've been chasing the car for a little bit ... but I think we finally have got it right. The rubber from Brian's Tire was the key tonight."

Chris Shepherd was the early leader through a lap 2 caution and restart before Coutu took top spot out of Turn 4 to complete lap 3.

The driver on the move in the early going was former Division Champion Trevor Goulding who raced his way to the front before half way after starting at the back of the field at the start.

A series of 4 cautions beginning on lap 9 had Coutu challenged by Tyler Lafantaisie with the leader able to maintain a half car length advantage at the checkered flag.

It wasn't the first 2014 visit to Victory Lane for Coutu however as the St. Catharines driver also won the Ballhockey.com Enduro Qualifier accelerated by Niagara College in May.

Coutu was followed by Lafantaisie, Leroy Buscumb, Kyle Rothwell and Mike Sadusek.

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Division Heat Winners – Rob Overholt, Chris Shepherd and Tyler Lafantaisie.

Bill Bleich led the 35 lap Feature for the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds to the initial green flag before Tyler McPherson took control the first time down the backstretch.

Scott Wood quickly landed in the runner-up spot and after a lap 6 restart was the new leader. One week after running almost 35 caution-free laps the early yellow flag slowed the field 11 more times.

The pace was slowed again on lap 8 with Pete Bicknell the new leader before Wood regained top spot on the backstretch. Bicknell was back out front once more just prior to a lap 13 caution that saw Mat Williamson in the runner up spot when action resumed.

A number of incidents would slow the field several times and it was after a lap 23 restart that Williamson was able to overtake Bicknell for top spot.

By lap 30, Williamson had put almost a full straightaway between himself and the 22 time champion Bicknell until one last caution on lap 33.

Williamson of St. Catharines resumed control of top spot on the restart and to the checkered had about a 3 or 4 car length advantage over Bicknell for his second win of the season.. Chad Brachmann, Tommy Flannigan and Tyler McPherson rounded out the top 5.

Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Heat Winners – Bill Bleich, Travis Miller and Scott Wood.

Rick Koabel was first to lead the 15 lap Feature for the J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites and unfortunately the leader would lose control of his car the first time through turn4. With the whole field able to avoid his car – Evan Leonard was the new leader on the restart.

Quickly rookie Chris Watson was in control with the race for second between Jeff May, Josh Sliter and Rob Misener.

Turn 4 would also grab Watson who spun his car around half way with May now in control. With May being challenged by Josh Sliter a few cautions would eventually see Sliter in top spot.

May made a last lap last turn move but at the finish was just .058 seconds behind Sliter. Misener, Paul Klager and Dylan Davidson closed out the top 5

J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lite Heat Winner – Rick Koabel.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

Lucas Oil will present the L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Night that will feature the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 50 Jerry Winger Memorial for the Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modifieds in addition to a full Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series program plus Vintage Race Cars.

Grandstands open at 5:30 - Show Time is 7:00.

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)

PIT NOTES

Billy Hogue was named the Archer Truck Service Driver of the Week.

Merrittville Speedway would like to thank all the Truck Drivers and companies that participated in Modern Corporation's Annual Truck Show and Shine.

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

Hoosier Stock Feature (20 laps) Billy Bleich, Jim Lampman, Mark Fawcett, Chris Crawford, Pete Reid, Billy Hogue, Jason Fontaine, Kevin Knapp, Marcel Mi chaud, Kyle Pelrine, Mason Smith, Chris Schneider, Rob Murray.

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

Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Feature (35 laps) Mat Williamson, Pete Bicknell, Chad Brachmann, Tommy Flannigan, Tyler McPherson. Tim Jones, Chris Steele, Ryan Susice, Scott Wood, Shayne Pierce, Brandon Easey, Mark D'Ilario, Travis Miller, Rob Krull, Chad Chevalier, Mike Bowman, Dennis Giancola, David Flannigan, Rick Hoctor, Bill Bleich, Todd Gordon, Fred Carleton.

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

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!

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS The 2014 63rd 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, 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 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 your favorite automotive retailer or maintenance centre including B&C Truck Centre, Drummond Home Hardware, KC Auto Parts, RCM Racing Equipment and Tim Phillips Garage