KREUTTER MAKES GOOD ON HOMECOMING AT MERRITTVILLE – PANUNTE,
GOULDING AND WILSON WINNERS IN COTTON INC. NIGHT

For Release - Sunday August 2, 2009 From Jim Irvine

Merrittville Speedway Public Relations

905-892-8266

Thorold, Ontario (August 2) The ASCS Lucas Patriots made a return to Merrittville Speedway August 1st for the first time since 2006 for the second round of their 2009 King of the Golden Horseshoe Mini-Series.

A Familiar face sat in Victory Lane as former 358 Modified Driver Scott Kreutter won his first feature of the season.

The Original Pizza Logs Sportsman were also featured in their 2nd 40 lap King of the Crates Series powered by Niagara Motors and again – it was a familiar face in Lucas Oil Victory Lane as Greg Panunte won the second event of the new for 2009 Series.

The Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders were also in the spotlight in their second Triple Crown Event and again – opening round winner Rob Goulding was in Victory Lane once again.

Rounding out the Cotton Inc. Winners was a new driver – veteran Kirk Wilson who captured the Hoosier Stock Feature.

Some 7 years ago Scott Kruetter raced a 358 Modified at area tracks including Merrittville Speedway. In the weeks leading up to his return with the ASCS Lucas Oil Patriot Sprints – there wasn’t too much else that could go wrong.

From motor problems to losing control of his winged sprinter while leading – he’d probably had seen it all.

That last misfortune left his #52 with some major repairs, “from a bare frame Wednesday … to Victory Lane Saturday,” revealed the 22 year old Kreutter in Victory Lane, “it’s been a long time coming.”

The front row at the start of the A Main had two drivers very familiar to Merrittville with Kreutter joined by former Sportsman Competitor Dave Dykstra with Kreutter taking control right away.

After a number of early cautions, Don Adamczyk took control of top spot with the Williamsville NY driver setting the pace until Kreutter regained the lead out of turn 4 to complete lap 12.

Bryan Howland – who won the Patriot Event back in 2006 – followed Kreutter and was soon was able to get by Adamczyk for the runner-up spot.

As the leaders came up on slower cars, Howland was able to close in the leader before two cautions around the 5 to go mark slowed the field on two occasions.

In the last 6 laps – Kreutter finally had thing go his way and held on for the win with Tim Kelly taking second in the closing laps. Howland settled for third with brothers Blake and Bobby Breen closing out the top 5.

Lucas Oil’s Steve Snowden was one of the first to greet the first time winner in Victory Lane.

Adamcyzk, Dykstra, Ryan Hunsinger, Glen Styres and Jared Zimbardi rounded out the top 10.

For complete results – visit www.ascsracing.com/racenotes.asp?ID=58376&yr=2009

Like the opening round of the 2009 King of the Crates Sportsman Series powered by Niagara Motors – Greg Panunte had the pole for the 40 lap event and took control of top spot after the initial start was called off.

Right from the start Chad Chevalier and Panunte broke away from the pack with Chevalier pulling alongside the leader to challenge for top spot.

Two cautions would slow the pace through to the one third mark  Chevalier would soon pressure Panunte with the #99 holding the edge before back to back cautions just prior to half way again slowed the field.

The drive on the move as the race passed the half-way point was Tyler McPherson who was now in the runner-up spot.

Panunte with McPherson in tow now would both pull away from the field with BJ Willard taking control of third with 10 laps to go.

One final caution slowed the pace on lap 32 but in the closing laps – there was no catching Panunte. McPherson settled for second with Chad Chevalier regaining third.

BJ Willard was fourth with Rob Knapp fifth.

“Sometimes you get lucky,” remarked Panunte in Victory Lane, “the last little while things haven’t been too good specially after a good start to the season … now we are three in a row when you add in Sunday Nights.”

Defending Triple Crown Champion Aaron Wiley was the early pace setter in the second event of the 2009 Miniseries.

Just before the halfway point however Rob Goulding was on the move – taking control of top spot along the backstretch of lap 10.

No sooner had Wiley dropped back to second – he quickly dropped off the pace – pulling into the pit area.

With Goulding out front the lead pack of some 4 cars pulled away from the field – slicing through increasing lap traffic in the process.

Defending Points Champion Abel Castelein had his best run of the season going – taking over second just after getting Starter Doug Leonard’s white flag signaling the final lap – but that lap was not enough.

Goulding was followed by Castelein, Matt Deschamps, Garnet Wilson and Rocco Conte.

“What a turnaround from Wednesday,” relayed Goulding in Victory Lane, “the car was so good tonight.”

Vince Fargnoli set the pace at the start of the Hoosier Stock Feature with Mark Fawcett taking control in the early going. A slowing Brent Begolo brought out the first caution on lap 4 after the third generation driver fell victim to a flat right rear tire.

Fawcett resumed control before Kirk Wilson became the new leader crossing the start finish line to begin lap 8.

With Wilson out comfortably – action back through the field was three and four wide in position battles. With 5 laps to go Wilson enjoyed a 5 car lead. In the closing laps however, Rob Murray was on the move and soon was right with the leader.

The two battled door handle to door handle right down to wire but at the finish – it was Wilson by a car length.

“Finally … it feels like forever since I last won,” rejoiced the 31 year on and off racing veteran – Kirk Wilson, “I wasn’t going to let this one slip away.”

With Murray a close second – Mark Fawcett, Shayne Pierce and Kevin Knapp appeared to have filled out the top 5.

Post race inspection however found Fawcett to be disqualified due to illegal springs.

For complete results visit http://www.speednetdirect.com/results.php?track_id=8430

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY INSIDE TRACK MOTORSPORT NEWS PIT NOTES

The infield flags were at half staff in memory of Harvey Hainer Senior and Mike Collins who both recently passed away.

Hainer – the father of former racer Harvey Hainer Jr and L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Member was a crew chief and mentor to so many – most recently the Knapps – Rob, Kevin and Tim.

In Hainer’s memory Rob has changed his 2K to 2H, (the number that Harvey Jr raced with) while Kevin has gone from 4K to 4H.

Mike Collins – brother to former driver Pat Collins got involved in the sport in his own way as a photographer, writer and announcer.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

Merrittville Speedway’s Trevor Wilkens Memorial 100 lap Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Event is Monday August 3rd – it’s unparalleled … unrivalled and unsurpassed and it’s a must see event.

The heart-pounding, high-powered, pedal-mashing entertainment includes a 25 lap Duel on the Dirt Home Track Event as Merrittville’s full fendered Hoosier Stocks continue the drive for five against the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks and a 25 lap Stars North Mod Lite Tour Event for the Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lites.

It’s been a Civic Holiday Tradition since 1972 - make it yours in 2009 and follow the Big Block Super DIRTcar Series to the Thorold d-shaped oval for the 17th annual Trevor Wilkens Memorial 100 presented by Hingston Metal Fabricators and Toolneeds.

Gates open Monday August 3rd and the Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner begins at 4 PM and runs until 6.

Adult Grandstand Tickets are $25, Students and Seniors - $20, Juniors from 8 to 12 are $10 and Children under 8 are free.

Merrittville Speedway is located in Thorold Ontario Canada – just a short drive from the International Bridges. For further information call 905-892-8266 or visit merrittvillespeedway.com.

SATURDAY AUGUST 1st FEATURE RESULTS

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders Triple Crown Event

Finish
Start
Car
Driver
Hometown

1
5
16
    Robert Goulding
    Port Colborne, On

2
2
28
    Abel Castelein
    Cayuga , On

3
8
43
    Matt Deschamps
    Stevensville , On

4
6
71
    Garnet Wilson
    Canfield , On

5
11
34
    Rocco Conte
    Welland , On

6
1
6
    Trevor Goulding
    Welland , On

7
7
7
    Jocelyn Wiley
    Wellandport , On

8
10
48
    Rob Overholt
    Fort Erie, On

9
18
47X
    Kyle Pelrine
    Beamsville , On

10
13
36
    Greg Wilson
    Canfield , On

11
20
31
    Rick Grundy
    Niagara Falls, On

12
12
55
    Aj Castelein
    St. Catharines, On

13
15
38
    Austin Wood
    Thorold , On

14
14
95
    Roger Gilbert
    Welland , On

15
16
11
    Mike Giberson
    Caledonia , On

16
21
5D
    Damian Gore
    Niagara Falls, On

17
9
19
    Charlie Lynch
    St. Catharines, On

18
4
7W
    Aaron Wiley
    Wellandport , On

19
3
17
    Chris Laskey
    Welland , On

20
17
19H
    Jeff Hill
    Welland , On

21
19
8
    Terry Larmet
    St. Catharines, On

   
Hoosier Stocks

Finish
Start
Car
Driver
Hometown

1
7
8
    Kirk Wilson
    Port Robinson, On

2
17
M1
    Rob Murray
    St. Catharines, On

3
2
32
    Mark Fawcett
    Canfield , On

4
8
88
    Shayne Pierce
    Welland , On

5
13
4K
    Kevin Knapp
    St. Catharines, On

6
22
56B
    Brad Sheehan
    St. Catharines, On

7
6
108
    Billy Bleich Jr
    Port Robinson, On

8
9
27
    Dolf Mccready
    St. Catharines, On

9
14
25
    Ken Sargent
    Fenwick , On

10
5
97
    Ron Loggie
    St. Catharines, On

11
15
2
    Al Sleight
    Fenwick , On

12
23
7K
    Kevin Kocarik
    Fonthill , On

13
10
31B
    Barry Blanchard
    Welland , On

14
16
41
    Pat Thompson
    St. Catharines, On

15
20
5H
    Devin Habiuk
    Thorold , On

16
3
33
    Jack Myers
    Welland , On

17
12
10
    Mike Calaguiro
    Niagara Falls, On

18
19
9
    Tyler Anderson
    St. Catharines, On

19
18
11
    Andrew Iker
    Welland , On

20
4
16
    Brent Begolo
    Thorold , On

21
1
90
    Vince Fargnoli
    Niagara Falls, On

22
21
67
    Dave Small
    Port Colborne, On

23
11
3
    Chris Schneider
    Port Colborne, On

   
Original Pizza Logs Sportsman 'King of the Crates'

Finish
Start
Car
Driver
Hometown

1
1
99P
    Greg Panunte
    Port Colborne, On

2
3
777
    Tyler Mcpherson
    St. Catharines, On

3
2
12
    Chad Chevalier
    Port Colborne, On

4
10
77JR
    Bj Willard
    St. Catharines, On

5
19
2K
    Rob Knapp
    Niagara Falls, On

6
4
26H
    Luke Carleton
    Port Colborne, On

7
9
7
    Cody Mcpherson
    St. Catharines, On

8
7
99C
    Nick Cupolo
    Thorold , On

9
6
56
    Steven Schumacher
    Lockport , Ny

10
8
6
    Brandon Easey
    St. Catharines, On

11
5
MR18
    Brad Rouse
    St. Catharines, On

12
12
62
    Rick Bellante
    St. Catharines, On

13
13
95
Len Dignard
    Sherkson , On

14
14
21JJ
    Jim Johnstone
    Niagara On, On

15
16
20J
    Tony Cowell
    Woodstock , On

16
17
69
    James Mercer
    Grimsby , On

17
18
68
    Paul Jorgenson
    Binbrook , On

18
15
111
    Robbie Rounce
    Caledonia , On

19
11
53
    Darrell Farraway
    Hamilton , On

Join us this season on a Saturday Night for A LUCAS OIL WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENT featuring FIVE Weekly Racing Divisions featuring local heroes and up and coming new stars! 

Make your plans … call your friends and maybe even get a car pool together and enjoy a staycation at the speedway with plenty of free parking and camping spots!

You’re among friends at Boston Pizza and Merrittville Speedway. Check your 2009 Merrittville Speedway Grandstand Ticket stubs for a special offer from the Niagara Street Welland Boston Pizza location.

Your Local Dirt Track is where it's at!! Merrittville Speedway "The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara"

MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY SPONSORS

The 2009 Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series for Merrittville Speedway’s 5 Divisions is brought to fans by several partners, including division sponsors L. St. Amand Enterprises, Original Pizza Logs, Hoosier, Modern Corporation and Turn 4 Collision as well as contingency sponsors Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Hoosier Tire, Lucas Oil Products, Inside Track Motorsport News, Intercomp, ISC Racer’s Tape, Jaz Products, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Motorsports Safety Systems, Outerwears, Port City Racing, R.J.S. Racing Equipment, Racing Optics, Schroeder Torsion Bars, Schoenfeld Headers, Ultra Shield Race Products, Wrisco Industries and XRP, Inc.