WOOD, EASEY, HOGUE, GILBERT AND GOULDING EXPERIENCE
ULTIMATE DRIVES IN GLOBAL WARRANTY NIGHT AT MERRITTVILLE

For Release - Sunday May 10, 2009 - From Jim Irvine
Merrittville Speedway Public Relations
905-892-8266
Thorold, Ontario (May 10) Global Warranty Corporation meets and exceeds the needs of today’s drivers by providing the ultimate in driving protection.

While the company services the automotive needs for street cars – a racing division is something that the expanding company may want consider.

Threatening skies and cool temperatures and a full moon created some exciting and action-packed racing for the fans that braved the conditions on Saturday May 9th’s Global Warranty Corporation Night at Merrittville Speedway.

Scott Wood, Brandon Easey, Jamie Gilbert and Trevor Goulding all experienced the ultimate drive in taking their first feature events of 2009 for their respective Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions as did Billy Hogue backed up his opening night win with his second straight visit to Victory Lane in the Canadian Tire Financial Services Employee Night.

Wood – who had problems with his #38 last week and drove the Todd Kendrick #55 to fourth spot – got to second spot by lap 20. Quickly Wood caught early leader Rob Pietz and the two got into quite a side by side battle for top spot.

Pietz took over top spot just before an early caution from another rookie – James Friesen who led the initial laps.

Eventually Pietz got out of shape along the backstretch of lap 25 and collected a few cars in turn 4. Wood took control of top spot as Pietz slowed off the pace with the second generation Thorold driver resuming control on the restart.

In the closing laps Wood stretched his lead to almost a half lap at the checkers with Larry Lampman having an ultimate drive of his own after taking the runner-up spot from having to qualify from the consi.

Defending Point Champion Chad Brachmann took third spot while 2009 rookie Mike Bowman and Tim Jones in the Global Warranty Corporation 5 Star Kendrick-owned machine rounded out the top 5.

L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Heat Winners – First – Todd Kendrick, Second – Rob Pietz, Third – Dereck Lemyre. Consolation – Robbie Krull.

Late last season, Brandon Easey made it look easy in winning his first two Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Division Feature Events in convincing fashion.

He made it look easy once again in leading all 25 Feature laps for his third career Merrittville win.

Easey and fellow front row starter Nick Cupolo jumped out to quite an early lead on the field and despite an early caution slowing their pace – retained the early advantage they had built up on the restart.

Easey eventually pulled away from Cupolo before another caution on lap 9 slowed the field. Again Easey and Cupolo pulled away from the field but one driver on the move was opening night feature winner Greg Panunte who arrived at third spot by the half way point.

Easey again opened up a healthy lead but as the race wound down would come up on slower cars. Cupolo was able to close the gap slightly but at the line it was Easey by 5 car lengths.

Easey and Cupolo were followed by Panunte, former Champion Chad Chevalier and fourth generation driver BJ. Willard.

Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Heat Winners – First – Darrell Farraway, Second – Brandon Easey.

Last week Jordan Curran flipped his Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Car – this week the Port Colborne native led the field to the green flag and 12 laps later almost flipped his #5 again after contact with Tim Anderson’s car which almost caused the former racer’s car to catch some air as well.

Later in the 20 lap event – one car that did flip was last week’s Opening Night winner – Adam Murphy after climbing team-mate Adam Leslie’s rear tire.

Murphy’s #28 went up and over the front stretch jersey barrier – coming to a stop at the base of the flag stand. A little shaken – Murphy walked away under his own power.

At the start of the event – Curran was the early leader before losing top spot to former champion Paul Klager. Several cautions would slow Klager’s pace before the red flag for Murphy.

Despite the contact with Murphy – Leslie’s car was able to continue and was placed back in the runner-up spot as that was the position he held in the last completed lap before the red flag.

With Klager in control on the restart, the driver on the move was Jamie Gilbert who took second spot with two laps to go.

Exiting turn 4 for the final time with the checkered flag in sight, Gilbert got a run on Klager and drove underneath him to take the win by at most a car length.

Behind Gilbert and Klager was Leslie with Kory Howe and Shawn Sliter rounding out the top 5.

Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Heat Winners – First – Adam Leslie, Second – Paul Klager, Third – Rick Brubacher.

Last week Billy Hogue started a new racing tradition using Face Book. This week he brought back an old one with a Polish Victory Lap as the right side of his #48 showed signs of a hard fought win in the Hoosier Stock Feature.

Second generation driver Dave Small was first to lead the 20 lap Hoosier Stock Feature before Vince Fargnoli took control after an early caution. At the half-way point a multi-car incident slowed the field and while under caution – Shayne Pierce was put tail for not slowing down while the yellow was out. Small briefly regained the lead before Fargnoli put his claim on top spot back on.

Another caution would slow the pace but not Dolf McCready who became the second driver put tail for not slowing down.

Billy Hogue took control of second after the restart and challenged leader Fargnoli for top spot. After battling side by side, Hogue took over the lead to start lap 16.

Through to the finish it was Hogue followed by McCready, third generation driver Brent Begolo, Fargnoli and Small.

Hoosier Stock Heat Winners – First – Vince Fargnoli, Second – Dave Small, Third – Brad Sheehan, B Main – Mark Fawcett.

Jocelynne Wiley was first to lead the 15 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature – setting the pace through to just shy of the halfway mark when Trevor Goulding took control of top spot.

A caution on lap 9 slowed the field with Goulding out front once again when racing resumed.

With two laps to go – another incident meant another restart for Goulding.

With the former champion out front by some 10 car lengths at the finish – the battle was for second between husband and wife – Aaron and Jocelynne Wiley.

Jocelynne tried to hold off Aaron but in the two lap dash to the checkers – Aaron was able to get by his wife on the backstretch of the final lap – spoiling any thoughts of an early Mother’s Day Gift.

Opening Night Feature Winner Rob Goulding settled for fourth behind the Trevor and the Wileys with Tony Kelly coming home 5th.

Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Heat Winners – First – Abel Castelein, Second – Carey Gore, Third – Aaron Wiley.

Merrittville Speedway ‘Inside Track Motorsport News’ Pit Notes – For the second time of the young season Tim Jones’ Global Warranty Corporation  Kendrick Racing team mate Danny O’Brien was in competition awaiting his hometrack Brockville Speedway’s Season Opener. O’Brien and his 7Star will return Monday May 18th for the Zavitz Financial Strategies & Employee Benefits Monday Night Madness Event.

Merrittville Speedway Co-announcer Fran Buschardt won the Thorold ASI Group Blackhawks 406 Auto Parts 50-50 Draw.

UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY

Merrittville Speedway will celebrate the Victoria Day Holiday with it’s first doubleheader of 2009. May 16th with the Seaway Mall presenting the Rankin Cancer Run Night featuring the BRP Can Am Late Models plus the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders in addition to Double Features for the Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lites..

The Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event will begin at 7:00 PM with the Gates opening at 5:30.

Zavitz Financial Strategies & Employee Benefits will present Monday Night Madness May 18th with the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds featured in Twin 50 lap Events – the opening round of the Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified Series and the 2009 Lucas Oil Shoot Out by Dirttrackdigest.com. Also on the Holiday Card are the Sportsman, the first 25 lap Home Track Event for the Hoosier Stocks in the Duel on the Dirt against the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks and the first of three Enduro Qualifiers accelerated by Niagara College.

Gates will open May 18th at 4:00 with Showtime at 6:30.

For further info call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.  

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 division sponsors – L. St. Amand Enterprises, Original Pizza Logs, Modern Corporation, Hoosier Tire Canada and Turn 4 Collision.

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 including Drummond Home Hardware in Niagara Falls and through RCM Racing Equipment.

Visit http://www.canadiandirtnews.com